History
AGA
1990-2000
February-March 1990
Clyde E. Jeffcoat Jr. has been selected as the Nominating
Committee’s single-slate candidate for President-Elect. A member of
the Indianapolis Chapter, he is deputy assistant secretary of the
Army for finance and accounting. He will become National President
on July 1, 1991.
Two new awards were presented at the Leadership Conference in
January. The Elmer Staats Award, which recognizes an outstanding
financial executive in the federal government, was presented by
Elmer Staats to David Mosso, assistant director, research and
technical activities, Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board.
The Andy Barr award, which recognizes an outstanding financial
executive in the private sector, was presented by Andy Barr to
Cornelius E. Tierney, national director, public sector practice,
Ernst & Young.
Jack Kemp, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, addressed the first AGA Leadership Conference, held in
January in Washington. Kemp uses the conference to officially
announce HUD’s new financial management structure and to kick off
the department’s search for a CFO and comptrollers. Also at the
conference, the first leadership awards bearing the names of Andrew
Barr, Elmer Staats and Frank Greathouse were presented.
The Emerging Issues Committee, chaired by Past National President
Eleanor M. Clark has defined key areas of interest to AGA members.
These include fraud auditing, ethics, information technology,
management information/financial statements, internal controls, and
budget process and fiscal accountability.
The Northern Utah Chapter is chartered on March 13.
AGA’s fiscal year now runs from April 1-March 31.
April-May 1990
AGA’s Emerging Issues Committee forms a strategic framework for
AGA. Its goals include professional development; ethical standards;
government relations; public awareness; relationships with other
professional organizations and academia; research and information;
association services; professional standards, principles and
practices; recognition and achievement; and association management.
The framework will be discussed at the NBD meeting in Nashville.
AGA and the National Association of Accountants each pledge $5,000
to support a significant joint research project on the nature and
extent of financial performance measures for service as currently
used in private sector organizations. The study will also determine
the applicability of performance measures to government operations.
June-July 1990
Nashville hosts the best-attended PDC on record as the
Association marks its 40th Anniversary.
The NBD hears from President Robinson that the short-term goal of
ending fiscal year 1990 in the black was achieved through
significant cuts in expenses as well as increases in revenue. If the
same care is taken over the next two years, Robinson said that the
Association’s fund balance will be back to where it should be.
The NBD approves the Treasurer and Treasurer-Elect positions and
endorses the strategic framework presented by the Emerging Issues
Committee.
The gavel is passed from outgoing National President Virginia B.
Robinson to incoming National President Richard P. Kusserow, who
pledges to keep the ball rolling on the fund-raising for the new
National Office building in the hopes of avoiding the need for a
second trust mortgage of $60,000. Kusserow also draws attention to
30 possible AGA initiatives laid out to PDC attendees. He asks the
members to help decide which of these ideas AGA should pursue.
September-October
1990
AGA plans second annual Leadership Conference, asking the
question “Will the 1990s Bring the Age of Accountability?”
AGA seeks a new executive director.
The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) has been
established to consider accounting standards and principles in the
federal government. The establishment of the board was a major
initiative of the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program.
The NEC votes to discontinue AGA’s joint effort with the Institute
of Internal Auditors to establish a certification program for
government auditors.
Immediate Past National President Virginia B. Robinson announces the
formation of a Speaker’s Bureau, which is an initiative of the Past
President’s Council. The bureau will respond to ongoing requests for
speakers to participate in local and regional educational events.
The National Office staff is planning to move into a new building in
November.
December 1990-January
1991
On November 15, 1990, President Bush signed into law the Chief
Financial Officers Act of 1990. National President Richard P.
Kusserow states that “One of AGA’s greatest achievements is embodied
in the new CFO legislation. We began shaping the concept with the
creation of our Federal Financial Management Task Force in 1983.” He
notes that AGA representatives testified repeatedly before Congress
and appeared on behalf of the first CFO bill introduced by Sen. John
Glenn three years ago. The CFO Act of 1990 establishes two positions
in the Office of Management and Budget—a deputy director for
management and a controller—and mandates that 14 cabinet departments
and nine major agencies install CFOs who will report to the agency
head.
State and local members now make up more than 30 percent of AGA’s
membership. AGA has established the State and Local Government
Committee, which will report to the National President on issues of
importance to its members. Virginia S. Brizendine, a member of the
Mid-Missouri Chapter, is the first chair of the committee.
Steve Forman is chosen as the acting executive director while a
search ensues for a permanent director.
Plans coming together for the 1991 PDC to be held in Kansas City,
MO.
Membership as of November 30, 1990 was 11,329.
NEC is apprised of the Association’s “vastly improved financial
condition.”
National Nominating Committee names Charles L. Harrison, a member of
the Nashville Chapter, as its single-slate candidate for National
President-Elect. Harrison is the assistant to the comptroller of the
treasury for management services with the State of Tennessee. Also
nominated were Judith Boyd, a member of the Washington, D.C.
Chapter, for National Treasurer, and Susan S.K. Lee, also a
Washington, D.C. Chapter member, for National Treasurer-Elect.
February 1991
On January 9, 1991, AGA officially purchased the office building
at 2200 Mount Vernon Avenue. “The AGA family after 40 years finally
has found a home of its own,” said National President Richard P.
Kusserow. “We no longer pay rent, we have equity!” The final
purchase price of the building was $560,000.
Thomas L. (Lee) Woods has been named AGA’s new executive director.
He comes to AGA after 19 years as executive vice president of the
Maryland Association of CPAs.
AGA members Elmer Staats, Cornelius Tierney, Gerald Murphy, Martin
Ives, Alvin Tucker, Susan Gaffney, Donald Chapin, James Blum and
William Kendig make up the first Federal Accounting Standards
Advisory Board.
Membership as of February 7, 1991 was 11,628.
March-April 1991
AGA emerges from period of financial insolvency by the end of
fiscal year 1991, ending the year on March 31 with an earned surplus
exceeding $300,000. AGA has extinguished all of its debts and
increased its cash reserve to more than $150,000. In addition, there
is $165,000 annuity on deposit, plus for the first time, a major
equity in real property. “We have made giant strides to insure
against ever being confronted with the kinds of financial trials
that faced us in the recent past,” said President Kusserow.
AGA’s Education and Research Foundation sponsors the first-ever
conference for inspectors general from all levels of government. As
the first governor to establish an Office of the Inspector General,
New York Governor Mario Cuomo spoke at the event.
Membership as of February 28, 1991 was 11,796.
Laurence Acker, AGA National President in 1959-1960, died on March
16.
More than 300 attend the Second Annual Leadership Conference in
January.
May-June 1991
To recognize his tremendous contributions to AGA and the
profession, capped by his recent leadership to buy the new National
Office building, Cornelius Tierney will be honored with the
Association’s top award—the Robert W. King Memorial Award.
Shawn S. Lees is named the new publications director in the National
Office.
AGA chooses six emerging issues to focus on: enhancing the ability
to recruit and retain competent government financial management
employees; a report on the state of the nation; truth in budgeting;
assessing the need for a certified government accountant or
financial management program; accounting education; and credit
management and debt collection.
David R. Hancox, a member of the New York Capital Chapter, will lead
a task force to determine if AGA members are interested in
establishing a certified government accountant or financial
management program.
AGA begins offering workshops to help federal financial managers
implement the CFO Act.
Membership as of March 31, 1991 was 11,796.
Thanks to the generous contributions of the members and chapters,
AGA has paid off the second trust of $27,000 and is now working on
reducing the $429,410 mortgage on the new National Office building.
July-August 1991
1991 PDC in Kansas City brings more than 800 financial managers
together.
President Kusserow passes the gavel to incoming National President
Clyde E. Jeffcoat Jr.
Planning for the 1992 PDC in Dallas is now under way. The theme of
the conference will be “Total Financial Management.”
The U.S. General Accounting Office issues its Interpretation of
Education and Training Requirements, which is intended to be an
interpretation of the continuing education and training requirements
for audits working on audits done in accordance with the 1988
revisions of the Government Auditing Standards.
Membership as of May 31, 1991 was 12,454.
September 1991
AGA’s Education and Research Foundation held its third annual
Research Symposium in August. More than 80 attendees came to
Annapolis to discuss the various developments and emerging issues
crucial to the government accounting field.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Certification plans to send a
questionnaire to AGA members to gauge their level of interest in a
certification program for government accountants/financial managers.
Shannon Smeeton joins the staff as the new publications editor.
Staffer Tom Raevis has been promoted to controller after receiving
his CPA in April.
October 1991
AGA’s Education and Research Foundation sponsors two workshops
on the CFO Act implementation.
AGA speaks out against proposed ethics rule that would put limits on
the outside activities of federal executive branch employees. The
new rule would prevent more than 57 percent of AGA’s membership from
holding leadership positions in the Association.
AGA charters the Western Arkansas Chapter.
The NEC approved the plan of President-Elect Harrison to plan a
leadership conference for state and local government financial
managers, to be held in the fall of 1992.
AGA plans Third Annual Leadership Conference, “Leadership Through
Quality Financial Management,” for January 15-16, 1992.
Membership as of October 31, 1991 was 11,001, with the member
retention rate hovering around 81 percent. There were 786 new
members welcomed into AGA between May and October.
November-December
1991
The Education and Research Foundation’s two CFO workshops were
such a success this fall that four more have been scheduled for
1992.
January 1992
Participants at AGA’s PDC in Dallas can take in the latest
technology developments at INFOMART, which showcases industry
leaders and is a market for buyers and sellers of information
technology. INFOMART is located just blocks from the hotel where the
PDC will be held.
February 1992
The Nominating Committee has chosen Jeffrey C. Steinhoff, a
member of the Northern Virginia Chapter, as its single-slate
candidate for National President-Elect. Steinhoff, who is the
director of civil audits at the U.S. General Accounting Office,
would become National President on July 1, 1993. Thomas J. Sadowski,
a member of the Mid-Missouri Chapter, was nominated as
Treasurer-Elect.
The U.S. Office on Government Ethics has deleted its proposed text
on “Participation in Professional Associations” from its proposed
standards of conduct regulations.
The Dallas PDC will have a strong track for state and local managers
with sessions planned on popular reporting, financial reporting
model project and the challenge of collecting government’s money, to
name a few.
The conference room at the National Office is named in honor of
Frank L. Greathouse, the first president of the Nashville Chapter,
and a member who has devoted his life to governmental accounting and
auditing.
The NEC survey determines that while the AGA regional structure
serves a very useful purpose in carrying out AGA activities, the
boundaries for some large and weak regions need realignment to
increase cohesion of chapters within regions and to make the RVP’s
job easier. Survey respondents also helped the NEC to determine that
there is no serious problem with having the operating and fiscal
years differ from each other.
March 1992
More than 300 attend AGA’s third annual Leadership Conference in
Washington, D.C. One highlight was the address by Edward Mazur, the
newly appointed Controller of the United States and director of
OMB’s Office of Federal Financial Management.
The Education and Research Foundation plans the Fourth Annual
Research Symposium on September 21-22 in St. Louis, MO. The
Foundation will also sponsor a series of Credit Reform Workshops.
April 1992
The Education and Research Foundation sponsors the Second
National Conference for Inspectors General in Baltimore. More than
100 inspectors general from around the country attended.
The Foundation is now accepting orders for the research monograph
“Materiality and Audit Risk in Governmental Auditing.”
May-June 1992
The first State and Local Government Leadership Conference is
slated for September 28-29 in Nashville, TN. Topics to be covered
include the GASB reporting model, service efforts and
accomplishments, GAAP accounting/budgeting, fraud auditing and A-87
revisions, to name a few.
President Jeffcoat recaps a successful year and notes that the fact
that there is so much room for improvement in the financial
management profession is exactly what makes AGA so valuable to its
members. “Very few really important projects will begin and end with
on president’s term,” he notes. “We are just caretakers of the
process.”
Cornelius Tierney, chairman of the Education and Research
Foundation, notes that a very important piece of legislation was
passed with very little fanfare—the Federal Credit Reform Act of
1990. The foundation plans a workshop to assist those charged with
implementing the complexities of the new act.
The results of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Certification are in
and the task force recommends that AGA discontinue efforts to
establish a certification program for government accountants,
auditors and financial managers. The task force found that there is
not sufficient demand among the membership to ensure the success of
the program or merit a long-term commitment of scarce association
resources. More than 53 percent of members surveyed by the task
force said they did not feel a new professional designation should
be created.
Three more CFO workshops are scheduled for 1992.
July-August 1992
More than 800 attend the PDC in Dallas, where they enjoyed true
Texas charm and hospitality while taking in the latest developments
in accounting, auditing, budgeting and other financial management
topics.
Incoming National President Charles L. Harrison accepts the gavel
from outgoing National President Clyde E. Jeffcoat Jr. President
Harrison’s theme is “Federal, State and Local Government—A
Partnership in Total Financial Management.”
Harry Trainor, who was National President in 1958-1958, died on June
17.
OMB has submitted to Congress the first financial management status
report and five-year improvement plan for the federal government, as
required by the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990. The status
report concluded that while significant improvements have been made
over the past few years, federal financial management is still not
at the level it needs to be.
The Education and Research Foundation continues to plan its Fourth
Annual Research Symposium, “The Gateway to the Future,” in St. Louis
on September 21-22.
October 1992
AGA’s Education and Research Foundation has developed and
presented a three-hour workshop called “Coordinating and Using Audit
Services to Help Achieve Management Objectives.”
Planning is under way for the 1993 PDC in Orlando, with a theme of
“Partners in Developing Solutions to Financial Issues.”
As of August 1, 1992 there were 10,562 members.
November 1992
First State and Local Government Leadership Conference in
Nashville attracts nearly 400 attendees and sets the stage for a new
AGA tradition.
Bert T. Edwards is named to replace Cornelius E. Tierney as chair of
the Education and Research Foundation. Tierney, who has served as
chairman for three years, is stepping down. Edwards is an audit
partner with Arthur Andersen & Co.
The Foundation’s Fourth Annual Research Symposium attracts 50
attendees in St. Louis.
AGA welcomes two new chapters—the Ozarks (Missouri) Chapter brings
21 charter members and Dawn Vader as its first president. The
Jacksonville (Florida) Chapter brings 20 charter members and has
elected Mamie L. Davis as its first president.
Antonio Sanchez de Lozada, comptroller general of Bolivia, has
signed on to be a keynote speaker at the PDC in Orlando.
The NEC hears a report from National Treasurer Susan Lee that an
August 30 payment of $100,000 to the building mortgage has reduced
the balance to about $300,000.
U.S. Office of Government Ethics issues a final rule establishing
the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive
Branch. The regulation, which becomes effective in February of 1993,
represents a partial departure from the executive branch ethics
program now in effect. Under the existing program, agencies have
been allowed to develop their own standards of conduct applicable to
their own employees. The final regulation will replace these agency
standards, and for the first time, all employees of the executive
branch will be under a single set of standards governing ethical
conduct.
December 1992
President Harrison establishes the National Community Service
Committee, charged with the responsibility of developing a program
to encourage chapters to sponsor or participate in public service
projects. In addition, President Harrison has set a goal of “3 in
1993,” with the aim of increasing membership by 3,000 this year.
January 1993
Barbara Spyridon Pope, the first woman to serve as assistant
secretary of the Navy, will address “Workforce Diversity in
Government Leadership” at the Fourth Annual Federal Leadership
Conference to be held this month in Washington, D.C.
Sen. John Glenn urges President-Elect Bill Clinton to review the
appointments of existing inspectors general based on merit, not
political affiliation. Inspectors general were exempted from
President Bush’s request that all political appointees submit their
resignations as part of the upcoming transition to the Clinton
Administration.
OMB has issued a bulletin called “Form and Content of Agency
Financial Statements,” prescribing the form and content for agency’s
1992 financial statements, which are to be prepared pursuant to the
CFO Act of 1990.
February 1993
The National Nominating Committee has chosen Clyde G. McShan II
as its single-slate candidate for President-Elect. His term would
begin on July 1, 1994. A member of the New Orleans Chapter, McShan
is the director for financial management and deputy chief financial
officer at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Dale C. Williams, a
member of the Northern Virginia Chapter, has been slated to be
Treasurer-Elect. He is the deputy inspector general for financial
audits and audit support at the Small Business Administration.
Four members of AGA’s International Affairs Committee had the
“auditing experience of a lifetime” as participants in the 1992
International Congress of Supreme Audit Institutions in Washington,
D.C.
March 1993
Despite being held in the midst of the Administration turnover,
more than 300 federal financial managers turned out for the Fourth
Annual Federal Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
President Harrison writes to President Clinton urging his attention
to pressing financial management issues. “It is obvious that unless
we improve on the present lack of accountability and absence of
useable, timely and consistent financial reports on government
operations and financial position, the little confidence which now
exists in government operations and activities will dissipate.”
April 1993
A total of 172 attendees from 32 countries participated in the
Seventh Annual International Conference on New Developments in
Government Financial Management, sponsored by the International
Consortium on Governmental Financial Management.
May-June 1993
Past National President June Gibbs Brown has been nominated by
President Clinton to be inspector general of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. In addition, President Clinton has
nominated AGA member Susan Gaffney to be inspector general at the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Treasurer Susan Lee reported to the NEC in March that the mortgage
on the National Office was paid off in February and she anticipated
an excess of revenue over expenses of $100,000 for the fiscal
year-end.
The Second Annual State and Local Government Leadership Conference
is planned for November 1-2, 1993 in Seattle, WA.
The NEC has adopted a new education policy that spells out
responsibilities of everyone involved, from the National Office to
the RVPs, to the chapters.
The National Community Service Committee is surveying chapters to
determine their level of commitment to the program. About half of
the chapters responded indicating that they had completed at least
one successful community service project in the past year.
The Foundation plans its Fifth Annual Research Symposium for August
16-17 in Arlington, VA.
July-August 1993
More than 900 people attended AGA’s 42nd Annual PDC
in Orlando.
Outgoing National President Charles L. Harrison passes the gavel to
incoming National President Jeffrey C. Steinhoff, whose theme for
his term is “Reinventing Financial Management Excellence in a
Changing World.”
A the National Board of Directors meeting held at the PDC, a number
of AGA leaders participate in the “Burning of the Mortgage” for the
National Office building.
AGA gears up right away for THE EVENT—the 1994 PDC to be held back
in AGA’s home city of Washington, D.C.
President Clinton signs the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)
into law on August 3. The Act establishes a pilot program of agency
performance planning and reporting.
September 1993
GAO issues an exposure draft of Government Auditing Standards,
know as the “Yellow Book,” which proposes significant changes to
both the financial and performance audit standards.
AGA commissions a Blue Ribbon Task Force asking the question: “Why
Performance Audits Preceding Scandals Were Ignored—Do Auditors
Address the Real Cause of the Problems They Uncover?”
October 1993
President Steinhoff notes an 8 percent overall decrease in AGA
membership since 1989 and makes an expansion of 1,000 members over
the next three years one of AGA’s top goals.
November 1993
Vice President Al Gore and the National Performance Review issue
“From Red Tape to Results: Creating a Government That Works Better &
Costs Less,” which is a crucial first step in President Clinton’s
plan to reinvent government. AGA contributed its views on the
reinvention effort, especially the need for qualified financial
management personnel, systems modernization and financial reporting
initiatives, among other things. Vice President Gore acknowledged
AGA’s contributions to the process through a letter to Executive
Director Lee Woods.
President Steinhoff kicks off an ambitious plan to “Reinvent
Membership” for AGA. The program is part of his goal to increase
membership by 1,000 over the next three years.
December 1993
The Foundation receives rave reviews for its three new courses
on the CFO Act and GPRA.
January 1994
President Steinhoff outlines plan to pursue a Certified
Government Financial Manager Program. He cites the dramatic changes
unfolding today in government as making the difference between this
and other attempts by AGA over the past 20 years to launch a
certification program.
February 1994
The National Nominating Committee has chosen Virginia S.
Brizendine as its single-slate candidate for National
President-Elect. Brizendine, a member of the Mid-Missouri Chapter,
is administrator of the Public School Retirement System in Missouri.
William A. (Billy) Moorhead, a member of the Jackson Chapter, has
been nominated as Treasurer-Elect. He is the director of fiscal
services for the Mississippi State Hospital, Department of Mental
Health.
GAO announces plans to close offices in Philadelphia, Albany,
Indianapolis, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque and
Cincinnati.
The NEC heard in December that Treasurer Dale Williams expects a
$40,000 net operating revenue figure at the March 31 end of the
fiscal year.
March 1994
The Third Annual State and Local Government Leadership
Conference is scheduled for September 19-20 in Columbus, OH.
April 1994
The National Board of Directors has emphatically endorsed the
Certified Government Financial Manager Program and President
Steinhoff explains that for the first two years, candidates will be
certified based on their experience. Eventually, passage of an exam
will be required for certification. Steinhoff establishes a
Professional Certification Board to report to the National President
and NEC and to oversee the administration of the program.
Dr. Joycelyn Elders, surgeon general of the United States, is slated
to deliver a keynote address at the 1994 PDC in Washington, D.C.
Other keynoters include Charles A. Bowsher, comptroller general of
the United States, and Sir John Bourn, comptroller and auditor
general of the United Kingdom.
May-June 1994
AGA has helped to form a coalition of employee associations to
influence the policies of the National Performance Review.
July-August 1994
More than 950 attend THE EVENT in Washington, D.C. AGA’s 43rd
Annual PDC is marked by excitement about the new CGFM Program, which
was set to begin accepting applications on July 1.
President Steinhoff passes the gavel to incoming National President
Clyde G. McShan II, whose theme for his term is “Leading the Way to
Excellence in Government Financial Management.”
The National Office now has a toll-free number: 800.AGA.7211.
AGA now has a new subcommittee of its National Membership Committee.
The Early Careers Subcommittee will work toward President McShan’s
goal of recruiting younger, less experienced professionals “to
invigorate our organization with the enthusiasm and energy of a new
generation of professionals.”
The National Community Service Committee reports that last year, AGA
chapters participated in 202 community service projects encompassing
8,405 AGA volunteer hours.
The National Chapter Recognition Committee reports that of the 72
AGA chapters, 62 met their assigned goal and 58 attained the 10,000
points, representing a balanced, well-rounded chapter program. This
is a substantial increase from the 47 chapters that reached the
10,000-point mark last year.
September 1994
Response to the CGFM Program has been overwhelming and the
director of Mississippi’s Office of Classification and Compensation
writes to President McShan to endorse the program.
Inspectors General Reform Act is introduced that would, among other
things, require five-year terms for IGs.
In accordance with the Association’s newly established CGFM Program,
all applicants must agree, through their signature, that they have
received and read AGA’s Code of Ethics and will abide by its
provisions.
October 1994
The National Office has received more than 350 applications for
the CGFM Program since July 1. Past National President Jeffrey C.
Steinhoff, who spearheaded the program, is serving as the chairman
of the Professional Certification Board. Other members of the
original board include Past National Presidents Virginia B. Robinson
and Charles L. Harrison as well as Sam M. McCall, WA “Bill” Broadus
Jr., Pete Rose and Martin Ives.
Carol A. Codori, Ph.D., has been hired as the director of
professional certification/education in the National Office. Codori
is a longtime AGA member.
AGA joins FinanceNet, which was established to use the Internet to
link government reinvention efforts in the financial management
community.
AGA looks forward to “Making the Connection,” at the 44th
Annual PDC scheduled for San Diego July 5-7, 1995.
November 1994
Third Annual State and Local Government Leadership Conference in
Columbus, OH, is deemed a success as financial managers gathered to
discuss common challenges and how to overcome them.
Jennifer Johnson Buckley, who has worked for AGA for six years—most
recently as the administrative assistant—is leaving the National
Office to relocate.
As of September 30, the National Office had received 500
applications for the CGFM Program.
The Government Accountants Journal now accepts advertising.
AGA publishes report called “Toward a Report to Citizens on the
State of Their Nation and the Performance of the Government.”
December 1994
Mary Ellen Withrow, treasurer of the United States, who oversees
operations at the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing, will be a keynoter at the Federal Leadership Conference
next month.
G. Edward DeSeve, a member of AGA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter, has
been nominated by President Clinton to be the OMB controller.
Andrea Bolen who joined the staff a year ago as a receptionist, will
now be the certification and education assistant. Lori Walters,
formerly the administrative assistant to the Education and Research
Foundation, will become the new administrative assistant to
Executive Director Lee Woods.
The Coalition for Effective Change continues to meet with National
Performance Review representatives to discuss NPR’s future
initiatives.
January 1995
The National Nominating Committee has chosen Mitchell L. Laine
as its candidate for President-Elect. Laine’s term would begin on
July 1, 1996. A member of the Washington, D.C. Chapter, Laine is the
deputy chief financial officer and director of the accounting and
financial management service at the U.S. Department of Education.
The committee has chosen Charles W. Culkin Jr., a member of the
Northern Virginia Chapter, to be National Treasurer-Elect. Culkin is
a senior assistant director at the U.S. General Accounting Office.
By the end of November, 868 CGFM applications had been received.
Sixty percent of those who have applied so far work for the federal
government; 20 percent are with state government; 10 percent are
from local government; and 10 percent from academia.
February 1995
Margaret M. Richardson, commissioner of the IRS, will deliver a
keynote address at the Sixth Annual Federal Leadership Conference.
AGA has written to Robert J. Eaton, chairman of the board and chief
executive officer of the Chrysler Corporation, expressing its
concern about a national television commercial for the Eagle Talon
automobile, which depicts a negative image of government accountants
and “certified government accountants” in particular.
March 1995
As of mid-February, nearly 1,400 CGFM applications had been
received with more than 1,000 approved. Certified individuals now
focus their attention on biennial 80-hour CPE requirement.
President Clinton commends AGA for its task force report, “Toward a
Report to Citizens on the State of Their Nation and the Performance
of the Government.” Clinton states that he “greatly values your
support of our efforts to make our government ore efficient and more
responsive to the people it serves.”
On March 31, the Social Security Administration separated from the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and became an
independent agency.
April 1995
The Professional Certification Board sets it sights on the
development of an examination, which CGFM candidates will have to
pass after the grandfathering period ends on June 30, 1996.
May-June 1995
Congressman Chris Cox (R-CA) has signed on as a keynote speaker
at AGA’s 44th Annual PDC in San Diego.
The National Office is now accepting credit cards for all member
services, conference fees, publications and the CGFM Program.
The NEC realizes one of President McShan’s goals by instituting the
National Community Service Fund, which provides AGA with a mechanism
to give something back to the community at the national level
through voluntary tax deductible donations.
Incoming National President Virginia Brizendine, CGFM, sets a goal
of 1,000 new members for her term as well as 4,000 CGFMs.
AGA co-sponsors the International Government Financial Management
Conference with the Institute of Business Technologies.
The National Performance Review tackles the subject of privatization
as part of the effort to reinvent government.
July-August 1995
More than 900 government financial managers “Make the
Connection” at AGA’s 44th Annual PDC in San Diego. A new
feature called “Best Practices” makes its debut at the conference.
National President Clyde G. McShan II, CGFM, passes the gavel to
incoming National President Virginia S. Brizendine, CGFM.
AGA seeks candidates for an education director position in the
National Office.
The Oklahoma City Chapter acknowledges AGA’s generosity to the
victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. The Association donated close
to $6,500 to assist in the aftermath of the tragedy. At the PDC,
Oklahoma City Chapter member Kelley Landry, CGFM, presented National
President McShan with a framed symbol of the city’s appreciation.
“Mr. McShan, please accept this very small token of our
appreciation,” Landry said. “May it signify not only the tragedy
that stuck the heart of the nation, but serve as a reminder of the
service and compassion that AGA members everywhere provided to our
community.”
Past National President Jeffrey C. Steinhoff notes that more than
2,700 professionals have applied to be CGFMs, with certificate No.
2,000 presented at the PDC in San Diego. Steinhoff sets an ambitious
goal of 10,000 CGFMs by the June 30, 1996 end of the grandfathering
period.
AGA offers the Vision 2000 Organizational Membership Program to
encourage organizations to become AGA members.
AGA establishes its first student affiliate chapter at San Francisco
State University. Linda Zhao is the first president and Alex Yuen is
the faculty advisor.
The NEC approves the reinvention of The Government Accountants
Journal, which will transform the two-color publication to a
designed, four-color magazine. The initiative was presented by
Richard B. Calahan, chairman of the Publications Committee, and
Shannon S. Gravitte, director of public relations and publications.
The first issue is set to debut in January.
The NEC votes to issue an Ethics Handbook to increase ethics
awareness among the membership.
AGA presented 138,605 hours of continuing professional education
hours on the local and national levels from July 1, 1994-June 30,
1995.
AGA unveils a new state and local government awards program. The
four new awards, which will be presented at the State and Local
Government Leadership Conference, are: Excellence in Government
Leadership Award, Distinguished State Government Leadership Award,
Distinguished Local Government Leadership Award and the Private
Sector Financial Excellence Award.
September 1995
AGA plans the Seventh Annual Federal Leadership Conference for
January 17-18, with a theme of “Success With Less: The Government of
the Future.”
CGFMs should have all received their copies of “Interpretation of
Continuing Professional Education Requirements for Certified
Government Financial Managers.”
AGA plans a November conference on OMB Circular A-133 and grants
management financial issues in Annapolis, MD.
October 1995
President Brizendine and Membership Committee Chairman Charles
L. Harrison (a Past National President) set the theme for the
membership year: “Membership ‘96—A ‘Grand’ Year and hope to reach
their goal of 1,000 new members. President Brizendine challenges the
national leaders, the chapters and each individual member to do
their part to recruit new members.
AGA has hired its first professional membership director. Susan M.
Phillips (soon to be Fritzlen), joined the staff in September,
charged with leading AGA’s aggressive recruitment and retention
efforts.
November 1995
Marykate Behan has joined the staff as professional education
director.
The preliminary structure for the CGFM Examination is released. It
consists of three parts: Governmental Environment, Governmental
Accounting and Budgeting and Governmental Financial Management and
Control.
December 1995
More than 350 attend the Fourth Annual State and Local
Government Leadership Conference in Nashville.
The NEC authorized a mail ballot vote the NBD to increase dues for
1996-1997 by $5 for regular members, $2 for associate members and $1
for special/associate members. The NEC also approved a policy that
ties future dues increases to the Consumer Price Index. This action
is also subject to NBD approval.
John J. Hamre, Ph.D., undersecretary of Defense (comptroller), U.S.
Department of Defense, endorses the CGFM Program in an American
Society of Military Comptrollers’ publication, saying “I urge you to
apply for this certification as a public acknowledgement of your
dedication and talent.”
January 1996
The National Nominating Committee has chosen Douglas K. Haywood,
CGFM, as its candidate for National President-Elect. His term would
begin on July 1, 1997. Haywood, a member of the Phoenix Chapter, is
a financial audit manager with the State of Arizona’s Office of the
Auditor General. The committee has nominated Richard V. Norment,
CGFM, a member of the Nashville Chapter, for National
Treasurer-Elect. He is an assistant to the comptroller and director
of the Division of County Audit, State of Tennessee.
Shannon S. Gravitte has left her post as director of public
relations and publications in the National Office to take a position
as deputy press secretary for Congressman Bill McCollum.
Frank L. Greathouse, the founder of the Nashville Chapter and its
first president, and a leader in the governmental accounting and
auditing profession, has died. One of AGA’s most prestigious awards
bears his name as does the conference room at the National Office.
Plans are under way for the 45th Annual PDC in Little
Rock, AR, in June.
During 1995, more than 3,500 certificates were awarded to new CGFMs.
A new IG Annual Report shows that the inspectors general recovered
more than $1.9 billion during a single year and made recommendations
that could save billions more. The report was the second annual
joint report of the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency
and the Executive Council on Integrity and Efficiency.
AGA plans Winter Update Workshops covering the complexities of GMRA,
GPRA and the CFO Act as well as other topics of pressing interest.
The Government Accountants Journal debuts in its new
four-color format.
February 1996
AGA will co-sponsor the New Developments in Governmental
Financial Management Conference with the International Consortium on
Governmental Financial Management (ICGFM) and the School of
Accountancy at Florida International University.
Marie S. Force joins the staff as the director of public relations
and publications.
As the CGFM numbers soar toward 5,000, the Professional
Certification Board and staff turn its attention to recruiting
volunteers to assist with the writing of the examination that will
be required of future CGFM candidates.
The theme of the National Community Service Committee is “Enriching
the Lives of People Through Community Service.” Among the projects
on the list for this year are socks for the homeless, plants for
nursing homes, student scholarships, Meals on Wheels, Toys for Tots
and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.
March 1996
AGA Charter Member Andrew Barr, who was National President in
1953-1954, has died at age 94. One of AGA’s most prestigious awards
bears his name.
As AGA’s membership program, “A ‘Grand’ Year,” approaches its
finale, members are urged to make the extra effort to recruit new
members and possibly win exciting prizes in the process.
The National Office now has voicemail for the staff.
The State of Tennessee indicates that it will endorse the CGFM when
it becomes an exam-based certification.
May-June 1996
AGA’s reinvigorated education program is going strong, riding on
the success of the recent Winter Update Workshops and the grants
management conference.
The Fifth Annual State and Local Government Leadership Conference,
“Getting to the Heart of Government Financial Management,” is set
for November 18-19, in Kansas City, MO.
President Brizendine reports that her goal of a net growth of 1,000
new members has been achieved and that it appears the CGFM Program
will have more than 8,000 certified by the June 30 end of the
grandfathering period.
Lori Walters and Tracy Tegey leave the National Office staff after
serving about five years each.
The Update Workshops will continue this summer with sessions on
financial reporting and auditing initiatives. Also scheduled for
September, is the Second Annual Grants Management Conference.
July-August 1996
Nearly 800 attend the 46th Annual PDC in Little Rock.
Outgoing National President Virginia S. Brizendine, CGFM, passes the
gavel to incoming National President Mitch Laine, CGFM. Laine’s
theme for his term is “Success in a Changing Environment.”
The CGFM grandfathering period ends with an astounding 13,000 total
applications.
September 1996
Marykate Behan, AGA’s director of education, leaves the post to
join the Peace Corps.
October 1996
AGA kicks off the 1996-1997 program year with a new membership
campaign called “Membership ‘97—A ‘Grand’ Year x Two.” The new
program hopes to continue the momentum of last year’s successful
effort, during which AGA members recruited a net total of 1,606 new
member into AGA—exceeding President Brizendine’s goal by 606
members.
AGA launches a search for a new executive director to replace Thomas
L. “Lee” Woods, who will left the post last month.
Karney A. Brasfield, AGA’s sixth National President, died earlier
this year at age 87. He held the Association’s sixth membership
certificate and was twice the recipient of AGA’s highest honor—the
Robert W. King Award.
Planning is under way for AGA’s Eighth Annual Federal Leadership
Conference, set for January 16-17, with a theme of “Executive 2000:
Integrating Leadership, Empowerment & Accountability.”
November 1996
The NEC has authorized the staff to begin researching membership
database systems to replace the aging and outdated MEMEX, a
Dos-based system currently in use in the National Office.
The NEC agreed to contract the advertising sales for The
Government Accountants Journal to help raise revenue to offset
the costs of the new magazine format.
The staff has met with representatives from the Rutgers University
Accounting Web, to discuss the Association’s further use of the
Internet. The meeting results in the launching of a new AGA website,
hosted through the Rutgers Accounting Web.
Comptroller General of the United States Charles A. Bowsher has
retired from his post as the nation’s top auditor after completing
his 15-year term.
December 1996
Maria Kelly Donovan joins the staff in the newly created
position of conference manager.
The Dallas Chapter becomes the first to link its local website to
the national site.
January 1997
The National Nominating Committee has chosen Thomas D. Roslewicz,
CGFM, as its candidate for National President-Elect. His term would
begin on July 1, 1998. A member of the Northern Virginia Chapter,
Roslewicz is the deputy inspector general for audit services at the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Pete Rose, CGFM, a
member of the Central Ohio Chapter, has been tapped for National
Treasurer. He is the finance director for the Village of New Albany,
OH.
The Professional Certification Board plans to offer a “Beta” version
of the exam now in development.
Six months after the end of the grandfathering period, more than
13,000 CGFM applications have been approved. Of those certified, 45
percent work for state and local governments; 41 percent are
employed by the federal government; 13 percent represent the private
sector, academia and retirees; and 1 percent work for international
governments.
President Clinton signs the Federal Financial Management Improvement
Act into law, requiring that federal agencies’ financial management
systems be in compliance with federal accounting standards and
mandates various measures to promote and facilitate compliance.
February 1997
Plans are coming together for the 46th Annual PDC,
scheduled for June 22-26, in Phoenix, AZ. The theme of this year’s
conference is “Measuring Up—Adding Value.”
March 1997
Claiming that the District of Columbia was “brought up by bad
parents,” the District’s Chief Financial Officer Anthony A.
Williams, headlined AGA’s Eighth Annual Federal Leadership
Conference.
President Clinton sends a message to all federal workers at the
start of his second term noting his high regard for civil servants.
AGA is pursuing a program to offer CPE to readers of The
Government Accountants Journal, through an online offering.
April 1997
AGA welcomes new Executive Director Charles W. Culkin Jr., CGFM.
Until assuming his post on March 31, Culkin was AGA’s National
Treasurer. He has been an active member since 1980. Culkin, who
retired from the U.S. General Accounting Office in March after 27
years of service, is a member of AGA’s Northern Virginia Chapter.
May-June 1997
The Professional Certification Board is ready to unveil the exam
phase of the Certified Government Financial Manager Program. To
become a CGFM, candidates will have to pass three separate
examinations: Governmental Environment, Governmental Accounting and
Budgeting and Governmental Financial Management and Control. The
board has developed content specifications for each examination.
AGA finalizes plans to launch the Journal CPE Online Program,
offering CPE to readers of The Government Accountants Journal.
The program is set to “go live” on July 1, with a quiz based on
articles contained on the Summer 1997 issue of The Journal.
Each quiz is worth three CPE hours. In two year’s time, there will
be up to 24 hours of CPE, or more than one quarter of that required
biennially for CGFMs, available at all times.
Plans for the Sixth Annual State and Local Government Leadership
Conference are coming together. “Spicing Up Government Financial
Management” is set for September 15-16, in New Orleans, LA.
July-August 1997
More than 1,100 attendees soak up the knowledge and the sunshine
at AGA’s 47th Annual PDC in Phoenix. It is the first time
the PDC is a total “sell-out.” A highlight of the PDC was a rousing
presentation on ethics by Marianne M. Jennings, JD, director of the
Lincoln School of Ethics at Arizona State University.
President Mitch Laine, CGFM, passes the gavel to incoming National
President Douglas K. Haywood, CGFM. Haywood’s theme for his term is
“AGA—Ensuring Compliance and Public Accountability—An Advocate for
the Profession.”
President Laine’s goal of a net membership gain of 1,000 has been
exceeded for the second year in a row as a net gain of 1,723 new
members took the overall membership number to an all-time high of
15,025 members.
The Beta phase of the CGFM Examinations kicked off in Phoenix as the
first candidates sat for the examinations. More than 100
applications have been received from others wanting to take the Beta
exams.
September 1997
AGA kicks off the “Member-Get-A-Member” recruitment campaign and
begins a multi-year effort to reach 20,000 members by 2000.
The NEC has voted to conduct a needs assessment for a new management
information system for the National Office
A consultant has been hired to guide the Association through its
strategic planning process. A two-day retreat was held early this
month to set AGA’s course for the future.
October 1997
AGA prepares for the first round of CGFM renewals while readying
it first exam study tool, the “Overview and Self-Assessment Course,”
for those interested in taking the exams or earning continuing
professional education.
AGA’s 50th Anniversary Task Force has been formed to plan
a series of special events in 2000.
To help promote the CGFM and the Association itself, AGA is renewing
old alliances and forging new partnerships with other professional
organizations, including the American Society of Military
Comptrollers (ASMC), the International Consortium on Governmental
Financial Management (ICGFM), and the American Society for Public
Administration (ASPA), to name a few.
November 1997
Plans are made to purchase the building directly behind the
existing National Office building and to trade AGA’s existing
building for another adjoining building to form a new
7,500-square-foot office complex, which is 4,000 square feet larger
than the building AGA currently owns.
December 1997
AGA receives approval as a member of the National Association of
State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which means that the
Association’s conferences and training are formally recognized CPE
sources not just for CGFMs, but also for Certified Public
Accountants in more than 40 states.
With the Beta phase of the CGFM Examinations completed, the
Professional Certification Board and staff are turning their
attention to the development of complementary training courses to
prepare candidates to take the live examinations.
A new chapter has been chartered in Augusta, ME. Lawrence E. Leugers,
received the charter.
January 1998
The National Nominating Committee has chosen Thomas J. Sadowski,
CGFM, a member of the Mid-Missouri Chapter, as its candidate for
National President-Elect. Sadowski, whose term would begin on July
1, 1999, is the director of accounting at the University of
Missouri-Columbia. The candidate for National Treasurer is John D.
Webster, CGFM, a member of the Washington, D.C. Chapter and the
chief financial officer at the Library of Congress.
The federal Chief Financial Officers Council has authorized AGA to
manage a new Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting
Program, a voluntary program whereby federal agencies submit their
accountability reports for review. Those meeting certain criteria
will receive the certificate. Fiscal year 1997 reports will be
reviewed in a pilot program and it will “go live” with the 1998
reports. The goal of the CEAR Program is to foster excellence in the
preparation, issuance and timeliness of federal agencies’
accountability reports.
February 1998
Plans are under way for the 47th Annual PDC to be
held in Washington, D.C.
50th Anniversary plans are coming together. Among other
things, the task force overseeing the anniversary celebration plans
a gala celebration in Washington, D.C. around the actual anniversary
date of September 16, 2000 and a special issue of The Government
Accountants Journal.
AGA welcomes two new chapters—the Quad Cities Chapter brings
more than 50 new members and Pat Grimm is the acting president. The
Central Coast California Chapter has more than 20 charter members
and Virginia Long, CGFM, is the first president.
AGA caps eight months of work with a draft of the Association’s new
strategic plan. Nine goals and objectives are highlighted in order
of their importance to the Association: education and research,
certification, marketing, technology, communications, programs and
services, internal structure, international and advocacy. The
proposed new mission statement is: “AGA serves professionals in the
government financial management community by providing quality
education, fostering professional development and certification and
supporting standards and research to advance government
accountability.”
March 1998
Congressional leaders have forwarded seven candidates for
consideration by President Clinton for the comptroller general post,
from which Charles A. Bowsher retired in October of 1996.
April 1998
The CGFM Examinations will debut on April 20, marking the
culmination of an intense development process that spanned several
years.
The staff plans to move into the new National Office building on
April 13. The new address will be 2208 Mount Vernon Avenue,
Alexandria, VA 22314-1314.
July-August 1998
Thomas D. Roslewicz, CGFM, accepts the gavel from outgoing
National President Douglas K. Haywood, CGFM. Roslewicz becomes the
first AGA National President to frame his goals for the year around
the new strategic plan, which was formally approved by the NEC at
its June meeting.
Each National Office staff member is now accessible by e-mail. Use
the first initial of the staff member’s first name with their last
name @agacgfm.org.
October 1998
The National Office institutes a Customer Satisfaction Center to
provide convenience, access and efficiency to its customers. Two new
customer satisfaction representatives have been hired and will
eventually handle more than 75 percent of all calls received by the
Association.
1998 PDC attendees donated more than $2,100 to the National
Community Service Fund, all of which was donated to the Hospital for
Sick Children in Washington, D.C.
AGA’s Internet Committee establishes a new award to recognize
outstanding chapter websites.
The NEC has approved a revised and expanded Code of Ethics, which is
now more enforceable and more reflective of professional ethics for
today’s financial managers.
November 1998
The NEC voted in September to establish an Academy for
Government Accountability to serve as the central clearinghouse for
government financial management education.
The State of Louisiana pledges to award a one-time payment of $1,000
to those certified as CGFMs by examination and $250 to those who
were grandfathered.
December 1998
The results of the pilot test of AGA’s Certificate of Excellence
in Accountability Reporting Program show that while none of the six
agency reports would have qualified for the Certificate of
Excellence, they are off to a promising start. With the successful
completion of the pilot program, AGA is ready to begin the live
program with the fiscal year 1998 accountability reports.
Anthony Williams, a member of AGA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter, is
elected mayor of the District of Columbia. He previously served as
chief financial officer of the District and at the U.S. Department
of Agriculture.
President Clinton names David M. Walker comptroller general of the
United States.
January 1999
The National Nominating Committee has named WA “Bill” Broadus
Jr., CGFM, as its candidate for National President-Elect. Broadus, a
member of the Washington, D.C. Chapter and owner of the WA Broadus
Jr., CPA, PC, consulting firm, would take office on July 1, 2000.
Julie V. Bryant, CGFM, a member of the Northern Virginia Chapter and
a manager in Grant Thornton’s Washington practice, has been named
Treasurer-Elect.
AGA’s two-year project to develop three training courses that
complement the CGFM Examinations comes to fruition with the debut of
three training courses, worth a total of 48 hours of continuing
professional education.
William R. Snodgrass, comptroller of the Treasury for the State of
Tennessee for 44 years, has announced his retirement.
February 1999
Plans are coming together for AGA’s 48th Annual PDC
in New Orleans.
AGA members continue to support the 20,000 By 2000 campaign, which
seeks to bring the AGA membership total to 20,000 by the end of
2000.
March 1999
AGA announces an innovative training program initiative with
Management Concepts, Inc. whereby the private firm will deliver
AGA’s three government financial management courses.
Governments continue to make preparations for the pending Y2K date
rollover and the Association is taking internal precautions as well.
May-June 1999
AGA launches a new and improved website that will enable
visitors to learn the best and latest information about government
financial management as well as the Association’s many activities.
The site is found at
www.agacgfm.org.
AGA membership reaches
an all-time high of 18,053 as the membership year comes to a close.
It appears that the PDC in New Orleans will also be a sellout.
CGFMs are urged to increase the value of their own certification by
encouraging others to become certified.
July-August 1999
AGA kicks off the 15-month celebration of AGA’s 50th
Anniversary at the PDC in New Orleans.
TOPICS debuts in AGA’s new blue and tan corporate colors.
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board releases Statement No.
34, which dramatically changes the state and local governments
report their finances to the public.
Thomas J. Sadowski, CGFM, accepts the gavel from out-going National
President Thomas D. Roslewicz, CGFM.
Recognizing the need for improved representation for its members,
the NEC accepted the report of the Governance Task Force and is
proceeding immediately to implement many of its recommendations. The
task force, commissioned by Immediate Past National President
Roslewicz, recommended the elevation of several committees to board;
the establishment of a new Audit Committee; expansion of the NEC;
and the addition of three new regions, among other suggestions.
The State of Tennessee has recently approved the CGFM as a
nationally recognized certification.
September 1999
AGA celebrates National Community Service Day as the first
official 50th Anniversary event.
Ten federal agencies have submitted their fiscal year 1998
Accountability Reports for review as part of AGA’s Certificate of
Excellence in Accountability Reporting Program.
October 1999
AGA members are urged to “Go For the Gold” as part of the
multi-year 20,000 By 2000 membership campaign.
Chapters and members respond enthusiastically to the National
Community Service Day with projects ranging from cleaning up parks
to restoring woodlands to cleaning, painting and yard work.
November 1999
The Government Financial Management Courses have been delivered
to 33 students in Nairobi through the auspices of the U.S. Agency
for International Development.
The NEC welcomes the Japan Chapter to the AGA family. The charter
was signed by 19 new members and five transfers from other chapters.
Michael Martin, CGFM, is the first president.
A survey of AGA chapters finds an active, vocal early career
population.
A special site for chapter newsletter editors and web masters is
launched on AGA’s national website. The editor site brings
up-to-the-minute news to chapters.
December 1999
The National Board of Directors has approved a $10 dues increase
for full members and a $5 increase for early career members. Student
and retired members were not affected.