Workforce Development & Training

WHAT WE DO

Army's DoD FM Certification Program
Oversee the Army’s compliance with the DoD Financial Management Certification Program, ensuring that all training requirements and standards are met for certification. Monitor and evaluate certification progress among Army personnel, providing guidance and support where needed. Is the DoD Component Functional Community Manager (CFCM).

Collaboration with DoD Partners
Partner with the Finance & Comptroller Schoolhouse, and USFMCOM to design and deliver relevant training programs. Ensure training aligns with the career paths outlined for financial management professionals, promoting retention and development. Collaborate with Air Force, Navy, and DoD Agencies on FM initiatives.

Curriculum Development
Participate in the DoD Governing Body to develop and refine training curricula that align with financial management and leadership competencies. Ensure courses are updated to reflect current practices, regulations, and technological advancements.

Skill Assessment
Conduct assessments to identify skill gaps and training needs within the financial management workforce. Utilize feedback from employees and leadership to tailor training programs accordingly.

Program Evaluation
Monitor the effectiveness of training programs through metrics and evaluations, adjusting strategies to enhance outcomes. Facilitate ongoing professional development opportunities, encouraging a culture of continuous learning.

Strategic Workforce Planning
Collaborate with leadership to identify long-term workforce needs and develop strategies for recruitment, retention, and succession planning within the financial management field.

The Defense Comptrollership Program is a resident graduate program at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, combining business and public administration theories during a rigorous 15-month schedule. This is open to both military and civilians.

DCP graduates are awarded a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in business analytics, an Executive Master of Public Administration, and one industry-recognized professional credential from Syracuse University.

The program, beginning as a partnership between U.S. Army and Syracuse in 1952, has continuously evolved, with key milestones including the introduction of the dual-degree option in 2003 and its expansion to the broader DCP in 2006, welcoming all service branches and civilian employees.

The program runs from May of current year through July of the following year.

For the DCP Cohort 2028 (May 2027 – July 2028):

• Military application period is now closed.
• Civilian application period is open through September 18, 2026.

Points of Note:

• The program is fully paid for by the Army as a long-term training assignment, with temporary duty at the 100% per diem rate.
• Applicants should begin gathering required documents early to avoid delays. Military and civilian applicants have different required documents for application packet.
• Upon notification by the Army of selection to the DCP, applicants must also apply to Syracuse University.

Additional Resources

• Syracuse University DCP website
• Hear From The Experts: Listen to this episode of the "At Your Service" podcast about the Defense Comptrollership Program from both the ASA (FM&C) Workforce Development & Training Director and Syracuse University Director of Defense Programs.

STATUS: DCP Cohort 2028 (May 2027 – July 2028) military application period is now closed.

Eligibility Requirements

• Valid Secret Clearance
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
• No more than a total of 17 years Active Federal Service (AFS) upon entry into the ACS program. (ETP/Waiver required)

Application Package Required Documents

• Official college transcripts
• DA 705 (and DA 5500/5501 if required)
• A 500-word essay addressing "Why I am interested in selection for the Defense Comptrollership Program (DCP)" and "How will a Syracuse MBA help you reach your longer-term professional goal?"
• DA Form 1618 with endorsement from battalion commander and a second endorsement from another senior leader (MAJ/GS13 or above)
• Updated Soldier Talent Profile
• Last five OERs/NCOERs

Points to Note:

• Military Officer selection priority is for Active and Active Guard Reserve Finance and Comptroller Soldiers in the grades of Senior Captain through Major.
• NCO selection priority is for senior Sergeant First Class, Master Sergeant, and junior Sergeants Major.

STATUS: DCP Cohort 2028 (May 2027 – July 2028) civilian application period is now open through September 18, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

• GS-11 through GS-13 (GS-14s are welcome to apply)
• Valid Secret clearance
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
  • Note: Waivers may be granted case-by case for GPA, with proof of a minimum GMAT score of 500 (or GRE composite equivalent score of 304) dated no later than the application deadline.
• Three (3) years federal government financial management experience and a total of five (5) years government service by application due date.
  • Note: Graduate Fellows who meet the two-year fellowship requirement and have three years journeyman-level experience are also eligible to apply.

Application Packet Required Documents

• Application for Leader Development Courses
• Nominee’s Statement of Interest
• Supervisor’s Statement Validation of Requirement Utilization Plan
• Command Endorsement (Memorandum through applicant’s chain of command must not be older than one year)
• Operational Assignment Worksheet
• Comptroller Functional Community Resume
• Unofficial College Transcripts (and GMAT score, if applicable)
• Last three (3) performance appraisals
• Continued Service Agreement (to be completed upon selection)

Full Details for Current Year:

• DCP 2028 Cohort Civilian Announcement Memo [CAC Required]
• Civilian DCP Application Forms [CAC Required]

To submit application packet or for additional questions regarding Civilian DCP application, reach out to the Workforce Development & Training Team (usarmy.pentagon.hqda-asa-fm.mbx.safm-wdt@army.mil).

Syracuse University, in Syracuse, New York, is committed to the education and development of the Department of War civilian and military workforce. Along with the Defense Comptrollership Program, Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management offers several short-term training courses that focus on management concepts in the DOW.

Click the dropdowns below for course descriptions and view the tabs above for more information about application requirements and submission guidance.

All FY26 short courses application periods are now closed. The FY27 application periods will be announced later this year.

Army Comptroller Course (ACC)

The Army Comptroller Course (ACC) provides a basic multi-discipline financial and resource management overview to Department of War (DoW) civilian and military personnel newly assigned to the comptroller career field and other personnel without a multi-discipline background. The course blends current DoW/Army management and the latest in academic management techniques. Upon Completion: 80 CPEs (virtual) Includes 4 hours of Ethics Training

Executive Comptroller Course (ECC)
The Executive Comptroller Course (ECC) provides mid-level military and civilian resource/financial managers with a broad perspective of the core competencies of defense financial management. The course emphasizes the application of those competencies for resource/financial management decision-making in the U.S. Army. Upon Completion: 80 CPEs (virtual) Includes 4 hours of Ethics Training

Senior Resource Managers Course (SRMC)

The Senior Resource Managers Course (SRMC) discusses current issues in resource management and helps participants to better understand the changing resource management environment of the Army and Department of War (DoW). The course provides a venue for senior resource managers to discuss issues and share solutions and develop solutions to resource management issues. Upon Completion: 36 CPEs Includes 2 hours of Ethics Training

Additional Resources

• Syracuse Defense Executive Programs

Eligibility:

Note: All FY26 short courses application periods are now closed. The FY27 application periods will be announced later this year.

Application Resources:

• All applicants: Endorsement Memo
• Nat Guard and Reserve Applicants: SF182 with supervisor signature.
  • (NOTE: Do NOT complete sections A2, A3, C, E, and F)
• Active Duty Applicants: Short Course Applications (updated link coming soon)

How to Apply:

• For Active Duty Military Applicants: Submit endorsement memo and designated application form to the ASA (FM&C) Workforce Development and Training mailbox.
• For Army National Guard Applicants: Submit endorsement memo and SF182 form (with supervisor signature) to ARNG Workforce Development Office mailbox.
• For Army Reserve Applicants: Submit endorsement memo and SF182 form (with supervisor signature) to Army Reserve POC.

Eligibility:

Note: All FY26 short courses application periods are now closed. The FY27 application periods will be announced later this year.

Civilian application required documents (packet):

• Nomination Memo
• Comptroller Functional Community Resume

How to Apply:

• Submit packets through ACOM, ASCC or DRU Deputy Chief of Staff, Resource Management to the respective Comptroller Junior Executive Council member. This will then be forwarded to the Comptroller Functional Community.

For AC Civilian Inquiries or questions, contact ACCMA HCRM.

Note: Please do NOT apply directly to the Comptroller Functional Community Manager.

The ASA FM&C Awards Program timeline starts in the following fiscal year and consists of a nomination period (Q2), an application review and selection period (in Q2 and Q3), announcement of award winners (Q3) and award presentations (Q3 or Q4).

ASA (FM&C) AWARDS CATEGORIES

Capstone Individual Awards

Award Types   Description ASA (FM&C) Civilian Award ASA (FM&C) Military Individual Award   Capstone Individual Awards recognize the "best-of-the-best" from among the winners recommended from all the award categories. The "Individual" category consists of only one person. The awards honor one Civilian employee and one military member serving in a leadership capacity who the ASA (FM&C) personally cites for outstanding contributions to the field of financial management.

Accounting/Internal Auditing

Award Types Civilian Individual Award Military Individual Award   Description This award recognizes professionals who made significant achievements to improve business management, accounting, information technology processes, and internal controls. Formulates, establishes, reviews, and revises Army processes and procedures to enhance business operations. Provides comprehensive and independent review to improve Army operations.

Finance

Award Types Civilian Individual Award Military Individual Award   Description This award recognizes professionals who made significant achievements in financial management operations such as disbursing operations, travel pay, civilian pay, and military pay. Provided a significant impact while formulating, establishing, reviewing, and revising finance and comptroller policies, programs, and procedures to enhance business operations to Military Service Members, Civilians, and organizations.

Financial Statement Auditing

Award Types Civilian Individual Award Military Individual Award   Description This award recognizes professionals who made significant contributions towards remediating material weaknesses aligned with the Army’s audit priorities and accelerating its path to an unmodified audit opinion. Improvements may be in the area such as implementing end-to-end business process reengineering efforts leading to improved auditability for a priority area or developing innovations to promote an unmodified audit opinion.

Budgeting

Award Types Civilian Individual Award Military Individual Award   Description This award recognizes excellence in building, defending, and/or executing the Army Budget in the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution (PPBE) process to better defend Army resources. Demonstrates good stewardship of Army resources by understanding the organization's missions and associated costs, helps set clear goals/targets, establishes performance objectives and measures of effectiveness. Provides Senior Leaders with accurate and timely financial and performance data to facilitate the decision-making process.

Cost Savings, Analysis and Evaluation Initiatives

Award Types Civilian Individual Award Military Individual Award   Description This award recognizes actions that resulted in significant savings to the taxpayer and use of cost analysis to improve mission effectiveness through wise use of limited resources. Provides viable recommendations to streamline or improve cost estimating techniques. Provides management with accurate statistical data and analysis on costs for existing and planned programs. Improves existing methodologies used to compute statistical data or provide assessments of the impact of changes in policies and procedures that lead to sound management decisions.

Comptroller/Deputy Comptroller
Award Types Civilian Individual Award Military Individual Award   Description This award recognizes primary staff member responsible for obtaining, administratively controlling and accounting for funds needed to secure required resources. Coordinates efficient and effective utilization of organization resources and identifies innovative ways to improve fiscal management and financial processes.

Education, Training, and Career Development
Award Types Civilian Individual Award Military Individual Award   Description This award recognizes excellence in creating, executing, and promoting an effective training program in the development and advancement areas of Army comptrollership. Educates, trains, and mentors the financial management workforce.

Financial Management Author of the Year

Award Types Civilian Individual Award Military Individual Award   Description This award recognizes, at any level, both the civilian and military writer of an article or manuscript published in a periodical categorized as outstanding in: Broad applicability to financial management disciplines Treatment of contemporary and timely issues Readability, informative substance, and style (The article or manuscript must be included in this award nomination.)

Fellows Award
Award Types Civilian Individual Award   Description This award recognizes an outstanding professional in the Army Fellows Program - Comptroller (for a minimum of six months within the fiscal year) who made significant contributions to the Comptroller Civilian Career Program.

Outstanding Financial Management Organization

Award Types Army Command (ACOM), Army Service Component Command (ASCC), and Direct Reporting Unit (DRU) Headquarters Below ACOM, ASCC, DRU Headquarters   Description This award recognizes an organizational element of the same office (e.g., office, division, or directorate) of not more than 20 members, to include the leader, which made significant contributions to Army financial management. Note: This award is limited to one organization, not multiple organizations. If an organization award nomination includes more than one organization, the nomination will be disqualified.

Outstanding Financial Management Team

Award Types Army Command (ACOM), Army Service Component Command (ASCC), and Direct Reporting Unit (DRU) Headquarters Below ACOM, ASCC, DRU Headquarters   Description This award recognizes a specific working group of Army individuals (e.g., ad-hoc committee, audit team, special study group) for significant contributions to Army resource management. Note: A team is defined as a group of at least four, but not exceeding 20 individuals, brought together from different organizations, offices, divisions, or directorates as a working group (temporarily) to perform a specific task or project. If a team exceeds 20 members, the nomination will be disqualified.