Financial Training Forum (FTF)

Registration is Open!

July 9, 2024

FMS is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the virtual Financial Training Forum (FTF). This training opportunity will offer two curriculums over a two-week period. Week one will feature financial management related courses. Week two will focus on FIET, our FMMI Intelligent Enterprise Transformation initiative. 

The FTF schedule is shown below and gives you the flexibility to take up to six classes each week. Best practices, problem solving, and tips for efficient processing will be discussed. Participation will be through MS Teams. AgLearn registration instructions and Course descriptions are provided below.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits can be awarded for this training and there is no registration fee for the event.

For additional Financial Training Forum information, please contact the
OCFO, FMS, CSD, Directives & Training Branch

Interested participants should coordinate attendance with their supervisors.

AgLearn Registration Instructions

1. Log in to AgLearn (https://aglearn.usda.gov/)
2. Click Learn in the upper menu bar. A drop down is displayed.
3. Click Find Learning to display your dashboard with courses available for registration.
4. Click Courses in the left menu panel if the FTF course you want to register for is not visible on the dashboard.
5. Type the Short Name of the course you would like to register for in the Search box:
   • Travel Policy (Short name: FTF Travel Policy 2024) 
   • Financial Services Division Processes (Short Name: FTF FSD Processes 2024)
   • Sales Orders/Reimbursable Agreements - (Short Name: FTF SO/RA 2024)
   • Harnessing Real Time Insights: Real-Time Data Visualizations Using SAP Analytics Cloud (Short Name: FTF HRI RTDV SAP 2024)
   • Introduction to FIET (Short Name: FTF Intro to FIET 2024)
   • Contracting (Short Name: FTF Contracting 2024)
   • FMS Online Resources (FTF FMS Online Resources 2024)
   • Introduction to Fiori Launchpad and App Demo (Short Name: FTF Intro to Fiori Launchpad and App 2024)
   • Fiori App Demo: Manage Journal Entries, Post Incoming Payments, and Reverse Items (Short Name: FTF Fiori App Demo MJE PIC RI 2024)
   • Introduction to Business Partner Records (Short Name: FTF Intro BPR 2024)
   • Fiori App Demo: Parked Documents Report (Short Name: FTF Fiori App Demo: PDR 2024)
   • S/4 Embedded Analytics: Document Chain, Accounts Payable, Sales Orders, Trial Balance (FTF S4 Embedded Analytics DC AP SO TB 2024)
6. Click the tile for the course you will attend. The course information will be displayed. NOTE: Class times automatically adjust to your time zone.
7. Click Go to event.to select the session time. The Sign-up screen for this course is displayed.
8. Click Sign-up. The Sessions screen will display a message that you are enrolled in the course. 
9. You should receive an email from AgLearn confirming your enrollment.

IMPORTANT:  Once registration has closed, FMS/DTB will email an MS Teams meeting invitation and optional dial-in information to registrants.

Course Descriptions

Travel Policy
The objective of this group, live, internet-based training is to provide an overview of USDA’s Agriculture Travel Regulation (ATR) policies, including a focus on the department’s most misinterpreted policies. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive 1 CPE credit (based on a 50-minute hour) in the field of Finance-Technical. Participants must respond to a minimum of 3 engagement polls within the hour to receive full credit.
Knowledge Level: Basic Prerequisite: None Duration: 1 hour

Financial Services Division Processes
he objective of this group, live, internet-based training is to provide information about the various payment and collection services provided to USDA agencies, including Intra-governmental Payments (IPAC) and the payment disbursement and collection processes. Presentations will include the new Budget Object Class Code (BOC) edits in SmartPay, the reallocation process, and new changes to 1099 processing. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive up to 2 CPE credits (based on a 50-minute hour) in the field of Accounting (Governmental)-Technical. Participants must respond to a minimum of 3 engagement polls within each hour to receive full credit.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of FMMI collection and disbursement processes Duration:  2 hours

Sales Orders/Reimbursable Agreements The objective of this group, live, internet-based training is to provide experienced users with a high-level overview of the sales order process, with an emphasis on the six steps of the reimbursable order lifecycle. The class will cover several sales order types and tips for smooth processing. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive up to 2 CPE credits (based on a 50-minute hour) in the field of Accounting (Governmental)-Technical. Participants must respond to a minimum of 3 engagement polls within each hour to receive full credit.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of sales orders/reimbursable agreements processing in the FMMI financial system. Duration: 2 hours

Harnessing Real-Time Insights: Real-time Data Visualization Using the SAP Analytics Cloud The objective of this group, live, internet-based training is to provide an overview of real-time insights using the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC). We'll delve into the seamless integration between SAC and FMMI data sources through SAP Business Objects, empowering you to create dynamic user stories for enhanced financial analysis. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive 1 CPE credit (based on a 50-minute hour) in the field of Accounting (Governmental). Participants must respond to a minimum of 3 engagement polls within the hour to receive full credit.
Knowledge Level: Basic Prerequisite: None Duration: 1 hour

Introduction to FMMI Intelligent Enterprise Transformation (FIET) The objective of this group, live, internet-based training is to provide an overview of the FMMI Intelligent Enterprise Transformation (FIET) project. Topics will include the need for modernization, changes to the current system, and end user benefits. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive 1 CPE credit (based on a 50-minute hour) in the field of Computer Software and Applications-Non-technical. Participants must respond to a minimum of 3 engagement polls within the hour to receive full credit.
Knowledge Level: Overview Prerequisite: None Duration: 1 hour

Contracting Overview The objective of this group, live, internet-based training is to provide an overview of the USDA procurement process and the department-wide resources available to all mission areas via the Acquisition Program Management Office. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive 1 CPE credit (based on a 50-minute hour) in the field of Finance-Technical. Participants must respond to a minimum of 3 engagement polls within the hour to receive full credit.
Knowledge Level: Overview Prerequisite: None Duration: 1 hour

FMS Online Resources The objective of this group, live, internet-based training is to provide an overview of the Financial Management Services website and the resources that are available within our financial management system. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive 1 CPE credit (based on a 50-minute hour) in the field of Computer Software and Applications-Non-technical. Participants must respond to a minimum of 3 engagement polls within the hour to receive full credit.
Knowledge Level: Update Prerequisite: None Duration: 1 hour

This event is a CPE opportunity. OCFO is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: NASBARegistry.org.