Improving
Government Transparency Through Citizen-Centric
Reporting
April 23, 2008
2
CPE Hours Available!
AGA is pleased to
announce a new audio conference addressing the need for
governments to improve how they report financial information to
taxpayers.
Americans want
transparent financial management information, but are frustrated
with what they are currently receiving across all levels of
government, according to a new AGA/Harris Interactive® poll on
the perceptions of government financial management.
A large majority of Americans
(89% of the 1,652 survey respondents) believe that as taxpayers,
they are entitled to transparent financial management
information.
Providing readily accessible
information that is detailed yet understandable will narrow the
expectations gap that currently exists with regard to financial
management reporting for government at all levels.
AGA’s Citizen
Centric Government Reporting Program encourages governments
to publish an annual “state of the government” report that is no
more than four pages long. The reports, designed to be visually
appealing, provide understandable information to citizens about
the performance and financial condition of the government, as
well as demographics and future challenges that answer the
question, “Are we better off today than we were last year?”
Citizen Centric
Reporting is driven by the fact that governments exist to serve
their taxpayers. Citizens have the right to understand how their
government operates and whether their tax dollars are being
spent efficiently and effectively. Governments have the
responsibility to provide that information in an easily
understandable way.
Hear what
tools are available from AGA to produce such a report and listen
to three practitioners who have recently published such reports.
Do not reinvent the wheel! Hear their answers to these
questions:
-
Who
decided to produce the report?
-
Who
was involved in gathering the information?
-
How
did you decide on what information to include?
-
Where
did you distribute the report?
-
How
long did it take to produce the report?
-
What
feedback have you received from your citizens and
stakeholders?
To discuss
Citizen Centric Reporting is
Mary Lechner,
CGFM, CPA, Chief, Internal Control Branch, U.S. Coast Guard;
Sam M. McCall, CGFM, CPA, City Auditor, Tallahassee, FL; Kim
Wallin, CPA, CMA, Controller, State of Nevada; and Relmond Van Daniker, DBA, CPA, AGA Executive Director.
Please join us for two
hours of lively discussion about these important and timely
topics. In addition to the speakers' presentations, there will
be 20 minutes for Q & A so that the participants can ask the
speakers questions and share their own experiences.
| Date: |
Wednesday,
April 23, 2008 |
| Time:
|
2:00 - 3:50 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time |
| Learning Objectives: |
To
understand the need for government financial reporting
transparency and how citizen-centric reporting can
improve communications between government and its
taxpayers |
| Prerequisite: |
Familiarity with government financial reporting |
| Advance Prep: |
None
required |
| Who Should Attend: |
Accountants,
auditors, budget and finance professionals, CFO's,
controllers, city managers, mayors |
| Level of Knowledge: |
Intermediate and higher |
| Field of Study: |
Accounting (Government) |
| CPE: |
Two credit hours |
| Cost: |
$249
per site (UNLIMITED ATTENDANCE) if you register on or
before Friday, April 18, 2008 and $299 thereafter.
SPECIAL PROMOTION:
Government agencies and AGA Corporate Partner members who register five
or more offices will receive a 20% discount (i.e., $200
per site).
Also, AGA Chapters can
register at the discounted rate of $200. |
| Register: |
1)
Register online
2)
Print the registration form 3)
Print the AGA Chapter registration form or
4) Print the
Special Promotion Registration
and fax it to 703.684.6933 |
This audio
conference offers important information to almost everyone in
the accountability profession. Please share this program
announcement with others in your government agencies, chapters,
educational institutions and private firms. Remember, there is
no limit to attendance per phone site. If you have any questions
regarding registration, please contact Maria Lucas at
800.AGA.7211, ext. 308 or
mlucas@agacgfm.org. Questions regarding the program should
be directed to Raymond Harris at ext. 339 or
rharris@agacgfm.org.