Highlights


Full Agenda for Federal Performance Conference Available
The complete agenda for AGA's Third Annual Federal Performance Conference, worth 15 CPE hours, is available online.

The conference, scheduled for April 24–25 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., includes keynote speakers and sessions on three specific areas: human capital, analytics and techniques for using measures.

See the agenda for Tuesday, April 24

See the agenda for Wednesday, April 25.

Download the registration form.

Register online and save $25.



Upcoming Audio Conferences

April 18: Find Strength in Numbers: Sampling Techniques to Improve Financial Audit, Control and Program Performance

May 9: Carlo Ponzi or Bernard Madoff—Who Was the Bigger Villain?

May 23: Ethical Dilemmas—Recognizing, Analyzing and Resolving Situations Where There are Two Right Choices

2012 Audio Conference Schedule


Training Opportunities


Network with AGA Online Anytime

Create a Linkedin Profile


Become a Fan of AGA on Facebook


Follow AGA on Twitter


Take the CGFM Exams Before the PDC
Don't miss the opportunity to take the CGFM Examinations and earn your CGFM before the 61st Annual PDC in San Diego. AGA is offering a two-day Intensive Review Course on Thursday, July 26, and Friday, July 27, 2012 and an opportunity to take CGFM Examinations on July 28 and 29, 2012. The cost of the course is only $315 for qualified participants, and it offers 18 CPE hours. Special Bonus: The CGFM Examinations are offered at no cost to course attendees.

This course is designed as a supplement to previous preparation for the CGFM Examinations, so this is a perfect opportunity for those individuals who have already attended GFM training courses or have been preparing by using the CGFM Study Guides.

Enrollment is limited and participants must first apply and be accepted into the CGFM Program, so don't delay. Find more information and a registration form on AGA's website.

AGA Advertising Opportunities!
Advertise in AGA's electronic newsletters—TOPICS and AGA Today! Get maximum exposure and build your brand. Learn more.

Volume 52: Issue 7, April 2, 2012


TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner GCE
Getting to the Cloud is easier than you think. With GCE’s Federal Financial Management Cloud, you can modernize your financial enterprise one-step at a time. Start with one agency or a single business process. The results are the same – dramatic cost savings with all upgrades built in. Visit www.GCEFederal.com for details.
GCE: Redefining Federal Financial Management Solutions


From the National President, Richard O. Bunce Jr., CGFM, CPA
During the past month I had the privilege of participating in educational events hosted by the Boston and Tallahassee chapters. The Boston chapter’s Regional PDC at Bentley University attracted its largest crowd ever, with more than 275 attendees. The Third Annual Government Accounting Conference in Tallahassee had more than 225 participants.

What I saw in Boston and Tallahassee are the same things I have seen at chapters across the country—a very committed chapter executive committee, tremendous educational opportunities provided to members and nonmembers alike, and an excited membership that is eager to take advantage of the many services AGA provides. The future is certainly bright for our Association.

Our training and educational events are second to none. Whether at the chapter, regional or national level, AGA presents cutting-edge sessions by recognized experts in the field to prepare our members for the challenges of improving government services. AGA’s Third Annual Federal Performance Conference will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, April 24 and 25, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Read more.


TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner Accenture
Put a Stop to Improper Payments

Federal agencies reported an estimated $115.3 billion in improper payments in 2011. Accenture can help. We offer the right solutions to target improper payments and preventive measures to mitigate them before they happen. Don’t just react. Be proactive. Visit www.accenture.com/improperpayments to learn more.


Introducing the PDC Interactive Conference Agenda and Exhibition Floor Plan
New this year! Prior to departing for San Diego, PDC attendees can create a personalized conference itinerary and exhibition schedule. AGA's 61st Annual PDC, Training to Solve Today's Fiscal Challenges, is set for July 29–Aug. 1 at the San Diego Convention Center.

Technical Program Agenda: Search the conference agenda by date, field of study, keyword and speaker. Select your favorite sessions and print a conference itinerary or export it to your Outlook calendar. 

Exhibition Floor Plan: Click on a booth and learn more about the exhibitor's products or services and contact information. Use the exhibitor search and exhibitor list to create a list of your favorite exhibitors and plan your route.

PDC Mobile is coming soon. Attendees will be able to view the agenda and exhibition floor plan and build your PDC itinerary direct from your mobile phone.

Visit the site today.

Reserve Your Room for AGA's PDC Today
AGA’s room block is almost sold. We encourage you to reserve your room as quickly as possible to secure your spot at one of the PDC hotels. The headquarters hotel, the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, is already sold out. Attendees can make a reservation at the other conveniently located hotels or call back to check on cancellations. Make your hotel reservation.


AGA Government Finance Case Challenge
Every year, AGA sponsors two Government Finance Case Challenge events—one for undergraduate students and one for graduate students. Student teams collaboratively analyze and offer a written response to a case centered on the creation of a citizen-centric report for a U.S. city government.

All members of the three highest-scoring teams receive a scholarship to attend an AGA national conference. Teams of compete with teams from various colleges around the country presenting their solutions before a panel of government and private sector leaders. Each student participant receives a free one-year membership to AGA. The competition challenges the students’ moral reasoning and raises their awareness of the importance of government accountability.

The undergraduate competition takes place in the fall, with all members of the three highest-scoring teams receiving a scholarship to attend AGA's National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The graduate competition takes place in the spring, with all members of the three highest-scoring teams will receiving a scholarship to attend AGA's annual PDC, hosted in a different location each year. Learn more. Contact us at challenge@agacgfm.org.

AGA Offers Internal Controls Training at Your Office
AGA offers a variety of classroom-type training courses to meet your staff’s training and educational needs. One of the courses available, "Internal Controls for Managers and Staff—Running an Effective Government Organization," will help attendees gain a better appreciation and understanding of how internal controls must be built into an organization, rather than being tacked on.

The course covers the following topics:

  • Why internal controls are important and your responsibilities
  • Internal control frameworks
  • Why COSO?
  • Risk assessment model from a manager's perspective
  • Assessing and changing control systems
  • Are the right controls in place?

AGA-sponsored courses are developed and taught by experts in their field of study. The courses are cost efficient, up-to-date, convenient and meet the growing demands of the government financial profession.  Also, if your organization’s training needs are larger in scope or require a more customized approach, we can help assemble a tailored program that fits your organization’s needs. See the complete course catalog. For pricing and scheduling information, contact onsitecourses@agacgfm.org.

AGA National Awards Shine Light on Excellence; Nominations Due April 13
AGA’s National Awards Committee is accepting nominations for 13 national awards that recognize the leaders advancing our profession and setting the standards of excellence. These awards, covering research, education, chapter service, international achievement and many other areas, will be presented during AGA's 61st Annual PDC in San Diego, from July 29–Aug. 1. In many cases, individuals do not have to be members of AGA to be eligible. All nominations are due by Friday, April 13. Nomination forms are available online. For more information, contact Louise Kapelewski.

   

AGA Staff List

AGA Membership Application

CGFM Application

Audio Conferences

Training Opportunities

Other AGA Links

Bring AGA-Sponsored Training Courses to Your Organization

Register for AGA's Third Annual Federal Performance Conference, April 24–25, 2012, Washington, D.C.

Register for AGA's 61st Annual PDC, July 29–Aug. 1, 2012, San Diego

 

Disclaimer: AGA serves government accountability professionals by providing quality education, fostering professional development and certification, and supporting standards and research to advance government accountability. If you would like to opt off of future AGA mailings, please e-mail agawebmaster@agacgfm.org. Thank you.