Highlights
AGA's NLC Early Registration Deadline Approaching
If you've already registered for AGAs National Leadership Conference (NLC), we look forward to seeing you. You've made a smart investment in yourself and your organization. But if you have not yet registered
don't worry there's still time. Discounts apply to all registration forms received on or before January 22, 2010. Register online and save even more!
In today's challenging economic times, now more than ever, government financial managers and accountability professionals must stay abreast of the latest developments, policies and issues affecting our citizens, and continually enhance their skills. Staying up to date on new regulations, while maintaining a clear vision of government transformation, can be accomplished through the best training.
The NLC offers a cost-effective way of doing just that. Earn 14 CPE hours, learn from first-rate speakers, discuss the latest research, discover innovative management techniques, and see technological tools that can help your agency achieve its mission. From the practical to the theoretical, sessions will help attendees hone their skills to bring greater efficiency, effectiveness and accountability to government operations.
The NLC features an impressive lineup of speakers including:
Martin J. Benison, CGFM, Comptroller, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Chris Bertram, Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Transportation
Kenneth M. Donohue, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Steve L. Funck, CPA, Deputy State Controller, Oklahoma Office of State Finance
Robert Hale, MBA, CDFM, Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Defense
Dennis J. Hoffman, Director, Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Energy
Adam Goldberg, Chief, Financial Analysis and Systems, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
Yvonne Jones, CPA, Director, Strategic Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office
Shelley H. Metzenbaum, Ph.D., Associate Director of Performance and Personnel Management, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
J. Christopher Mihm, Associate Director, Federal Management and Workforce Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office
Clark Partridge, CGFM, State Comptroller, Administration Department, State of Arizona
Scott D. Pattison, Executive Director, National Association of State Budget Officers
Elizabeth M. Robinson, Ph.D., Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautical and Space Administration
Daniel Tangherlini, Assistant Secretary for Management, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Performance Officer, U.S. Department of the Treasury
Robert J. Tuccillo, Associate Administrator of Budget and Policy, Chief Financial Officer, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation
Doug W. Webster, DBA, CGFM, Deputy Director, Business Transformation Agency, U.S. Department of Defense
Daniel I. Werfel, Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
Tony West, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice
In addition to an outstanding technical program, AGAfs NLC is packed with opportunities to network, make professional connections, exchange ideas and learn from your colleagues.
Show your commitment to a more accountable future-register today!
Register Online
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Call for 2010 National Academic Scholarships
Are you or a family member pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in disciplines such as accounting, auditing, budgeting, economics, finance, information technology, public administration, etc.? If so, consider applying for an AGA National Academic Scholarship today! Each year, AGA National awards up to four $3,000 full-time merit scholarships to AGA members and their family members; up to one $1,000 part-time merit scholarships to AGA members and their family members; and up to one $3,000 community service scholarship. The deadline for receipt of applications is Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Download a copy of the application or contact Louise Kapelewski.
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January 11, 2010 • News from the Profession
AGA Today is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner Clifton Gunderson
 Clifton Gunderson, ranked as one of the nationfs largest certified public accounting and consulting firms, is a leader in providing assurance, risk management, IT security, financial accounting and management, and management advisory services for federal, state and local government agencies. Visit our website at www.cliftoncpa.com for more information.
Point of Contact
William H. Oliver, CPA, CGFM, CFE
301.931.2050
William.Oliver@cliftoncpa.com
State and Local News
Is Social Media a Friend or Foe of Government?
Jeffrey Horne wasn't new to social media. He liked using Facebook and Twitter to keep up with friends and had dabbled some in blogging. Early last year, when he was the city administrator of Mitchellville, Iowa, he got to thinking that Facebook could be a good thing for civic engagement, too. Horne created a Facebook "fan page" for Mitchellville. He knew that not everyone in the town of 2,300 was on Facebook. But he figured that those who were might enjoy using the popular Web site to communicate with their local government. The experiment started out well. About 30 citizens became "fans" of Mitchellville, allowing them to see news from the town alongside the updates of neighbors, colleagues and old classmates with whom they were Facebook friends. Then trouble started. \Tina Trenkner, Governing. Read more.
NJ Lawmakers Advance Package of Bills Aimed at Improving Financial Transparency
New Jersey taxpayers could better track how state government spends their money now that legislators are pushing financial transparency measures, a cause activists have been pressing for years. A handful of bills that cleared committees this week \ including one that has been stalled since 2007 \ are designed to make state government and state spending more open. The measures are on track to become law before Governor-elect Chris Christie is sworn in on Jan. 19. One of the oldest of these bills would create a new, searchable Web site to make it easier to follow state spending, much like the federal governmentfs usaspending.gov. Twenty-two other states have such websites. \John Reitmeyer, The Star-Ledger. Read more.
Federal News
Government Management Good Fit for Chief Performance Officer, Observers Say
The way former colleagues describe him, Jeffrey Zients comes off as something of a data savant. Friends and associates paint the longtime Washington businessman as someone who relies heavily on data and has an intrinsic ability to make sense of it, a skill befitting his new role as federal chief performance officer and deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget. "He is particularly good at forensic financial analysis," says David Bradley, who founded The Advisory Board Co. and the Corporate Executive Board Co. Zients held senior executive positions, including chief executive officer and chairman, at both companies. "There could be hundreds of numbers spread before you in spreadsheets and financial documents, and Jeff would say, 'Only these four matter. Don't they tell the story?' " \Elizabeth Newell, Government Executive. Read more.
Dodd's Retirement Decision May Boost Chances for Financial Regulatory Overhaul
As Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) winds down his 30-year run in the Senate, his top remaining priority \a landmark piece of legislation that could shape his legacy\is an effort to enact the greatest overhaul of the nation's financial regulatory system since the Great Depression. Lawmakers, financial industry representatives, consumer advocates and other observers offered varying predictions Wednesday about how Dodd's pending retirement might influence his approach as he shepherds the reform bill through the Senate. But most agreed that Dodd's desire to leave behind meaningful changes, coupled with the freedom from a grueling and uncertain reelection campaign, bodes well for the prospect that a bipartisan bill could emerge from the Senate.
"I think this probably improves the chances for a financial rewrite," said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), a member of the Senate banking committee, which Dodd leads. He said Dodd's close relationship with the panel's ranking Republican, Richard C. Shelby (Ala.), and the fact that "this will be a legacy item for both of them," creates "the framework for a good bill." Consumer advocates and financial lobbyists, who have long been at odds over the direction of financial reform, each held out hope that a politically unencumbered Dodd might shape legislation more in line with their interests. \Brady Dennis, The Washington Post. Read more.
Federal Accounting Corner
Unavailable Funds
One of the main differences between governmental accounting and private-sector accounting is that an agency needs permission to use its funds, whereas the management of a company has broad discretionary powers. In the Standard General Ledger (SGL), there are a number of specialized budgetary accounts to handle different scenarios where funding is unavailable. If the standard appropriation process is a river, then there are many side pools to capture and (temporarily) hold funds. The first step is the appropriation recorded by entry A104 and its status account is 4450 Unapportioned Authority, which is unavailable until the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) apportions it. \Simcha Kuritzky, CGFM, CPA. Read the entire column.
Accounting Standards News
GASB Issues Final Statements on OPEB Measurements and Chapter 9 Bankruptcies
 The GASB has issued Statements No. 57, OPEB Measurements by Agent Employers and Agent Multiple-Employer Plans, and No. 58, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Chapter 9 Bankruptcies. The Statements are intended to improve consistency in the measurement and financial reporting of other postemployment benefits such as retiree health insurance, and of the effects of municipal bankruptcy. Find information on obtaining Statements 57 and 58.
AGA's FMSB Seeks Help on Reviewing FASB Pronouncements
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is planning to issue an exposure draft of a proposed Codification of Pre-Nov. 30, 1989 FASB Pronouncements very soon. The objective of the project is to specifically identify provisions in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statements and Interpretations, Accounting Principles Board Opinions, Accounting Research Bulletins of the AICPA Committee on Accounting Procedure, and AICPA Accounting Interpretations, issued on or before Nov. 30, 1989 (collectively termed the FASB Pronouncements) that do not conflict with or contradict GASB pronouncements and to incorporate those provisions into the GASBfs literature. These were referenced in paragraph 17 of GASB Statement No, 34, Basic Financial Statements\and Managementfs Discussion and Analysis\for State and Local Governments. The comment period is probably going to be six months but it is still going to be a monumental task to review the entire exposure draft. AGA's Financial Management Standards Board (FMSB) reviews and comments on all GASB proposed statements of standards but may need additional volunteer help with this project. If you work in state and local government, have an interest in accounting standards and have some experience in responding to GASB on its proposed standards or to other accounting standard setters, please contact Anna Miller, FMSB staff liaison. You could learn how the FMSB works and help make a difference!
 FMSB Comments on FASAB Proposal
AGA's FMSB has
sent a comment letter to the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) on its exposure draft (ED) of a proposed statement on Subsequent Events: Codification of Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards Contained in the AICPA Statements on Auditing Standards. The FASAB is proposing to incorporate accounting principles regarding subsequent events that currently reside in the professional auditing literature into its own standards. FMSB generally approved of the approach that FASAB has taken in the ED to incorporating the guidance into its authoritative literature. Read more.
Upcoming Audio Conferences
Jan. 13—Sudden Impact or Long-Term Process? Impact of the Stimulus Plan on Internal Controls
Jan. 27\President’s Executive Order: Reduce Improper Payments and Eliminate Waste
Feb. 10—Understanding IT Audits for Program Managers and Auditors
March 3—The War Against Fraud and Abuse: Are We Winning?
Entire 2009–2010 Audio Conference Schedule
Announcing AGA's New Automated Audio Conference CPE Certificate Processing Procedure
AGA’s Audio Conferences have proven to be a popular, low-cost and convenient way to obtain Continuing Professional Education hours. Starting Jan.13, the process will be even easier—no more waiting for your CPE certificate to be authorized and mailed back to you. AGA has implemented an automated online system where you can obtain your CPE certificates at the conclusion of an audio conference. By following the step-by-step instructions, you can retrieve your CPE certificate online in minutes. The new process is easier, faster and more convenient. Rather than signing in/out at the audio conference location, site coordinators will provide each participant with a unique “pin code” so you can "sign" the attendance roster online after the audio conference and have immediate access to your CPE certificate. An important note is that the audio conference registration must be paid in full in order to access and print your certificate.
President’s Executive Order: Reduce Improper Payments and Eliminate Waste; Audio Conference Set for Jan. 27 at a Steep Discount
AGA, in conjunction with the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT), and the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA), is pleased to announce a new and significant audio conference on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, addressing the President’s recent Executive Order dealing with improper payments. To discuss the Executive Order and its implications are Jeanette Franzel, CGFM, CPA, Managing Director, Financial Management and Assurance, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Jeffrey C. Steinhoff, CGFM, CPA, Retired Managing Director, Financial Management and Assurance, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Past AGA National President and currently Executive Director, KPMG Government Institute; George D. Strudgeon, CPA, Audit Director, Human Services Management Specialty Team, Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts; Daniel I. Werfel, controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, U.S. Office of Management and Budget; and a state or local official. The audio conference runs from 2–3:50 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and offers 2 CPE hours. Find more information and register.
Congratulations to the 2010 National Leadership Award Recipients
Congratulations to the recipients of this year's Federal Leadership and State & Local Leadership Awards, which will be presented in conjunction with the Eighth Annual National Leadership Conference, Feb. 18-19, in Washington, D.C.
Federal Leadership Awards
Distinguished Federal Leadership Award
Danny Werfel, Washington, D.C. Chapter, Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
Elmer Staats Awards Alan gKeithh Bentley, SES, Director, Program Analysis and Financial Management, U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Department of Defense
William H. Campbell, Washington, D.C. Chapter, Chief Operating Officer, Atlantic Financial Navigation
Andy Barr Award Ronald Longo, CGFM, CPA, Washington, D.C. Chapter, Managing Director, KPMG LLP
State & Local Leadership Awards
Excellence in Government Leadership Award Richard V. Norment, CGFM, CIA, Nashville Chapter, Assistant to the Comptroller, Comptroller of Treasury, State of Tennessee
William R. Snodgrass Distinguished Leadership Award
Robert L. Childree, CGFM, Montgomery Chapter, Former Controller (Retired), State of Alabama
Distinguished Local Government Leadership Award William J. DiVello, CFE, CIG, Northern Virginia Chapter, Assistant Inspector General for Audit, Office of the Inspector General, District of Columbia Government
Private Sector Financial Excellence Awards
Paul M. Geraty, CGFM, CPA, Baltimore Chapter, Partner, Public Services Practice, KPMG LLP
Keith F. Novak, CPA, Partner, State and Local Government Services, Clifton Gunderson LLP. Read more.
Committee Seeks National Award Nominations
AGAfs National Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for our 13 National Awards that recognize the leaders advancing our profession and setting the standards of excellence. These awards will be presented during AGA's 59th Annual Professional Development Conference and Exposition in Orlando, July 11|14, 2010. In many cases, individuals do not have to be members of AGA to be eligible. All nominations are due by Friday, April 16, 2010. Nomination forms are available online. For more information, contact Louise Kapelewski.
AGA Research Study On Governance, Risk and Compliance
AGA is conducting a study on Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC). GRC is a management improvement initiative that melds the three components, Governance, Risk and Compliance, into one integrated approach. We hope to highlight real world application of this approach, what it means to people on a day to day basis, and to try to define measures or benchmarks of GRC maturity in these real world applications. All responses are anonymous. The survey should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. Visit our site to participate in this important study. Questions? Contact Anna Miller.
AGA Advertising Opportunities!
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