WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Forest Service received record levels of temporary funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act in addition to regular appropriations.

To be more effective stewards of the special funding, a recently piloted training program with Pacific Northwest Region is now available to all Forest Service employees. Three training videos address lessons learned and auditor tips on internal controls and the audit process, contracts, and grants and agreements. The recordings are available for viewing on demand by Forest Service employees.

“Knowing and understanding best practices for program implementation and resource management related to BIL and IRA funds is essential to upholding our responsibilities as federal employees,” said Erica Banegas, director of the Chief Financial Officer’s Audit and Assurance Directorate.

The directorate and the agency’s Grants and Agreements and Procurement and Property Services built the curriculum.

As part of an initial rollout for these videos, the Chief Financial Officer’s Audit and Assurance will host viewing events with an opportunity for questions and answers by subject matter experts. The events are:

• Wednesday, April 17, 12:30-2:00 p.m. EDT, Internal Controls and the Audit Process

• Wednesday, May 1, 12:00-1:30 p.m. EDT, Contracts

• Tuesday, May 14, 1:00-2:30 p.m. EDT, Grants and Agreements

Calendar invites may be downloaded from the CFO Audit & Assurance SharePoint site. You must have a USDA email to register. If you have questions, email Erica Banegas.