Highlights
Upcoming Audio Conferences
Feb. 10—Understanding IT Audits for Program Managers and Auditors
March 3—The War Against Fraud and Abuse: Are We Winning?
March 24: Suggested Guidelines for Voluntary Reporting—SEA Performance Information
April 21: The Latest Tools and Techniques for Auditors
May 19: Those Faint Signals: Learning to Catch Ethical Slippage Before It's Too Late
Entire 2010 Audio Conference Schedule
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; one $1,000 part-time merit scholarships to AGA members and their family members; and 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.
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.
Committee Seeks National Award Nominations
AGA's National Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for 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.
Federal Financial Management Conference Set
"Meeting the New Challenges in Financial Management" is set for March 23 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel.
Keynote speakers are:
John Berry, Director, Office of Personnel Management
Jeffrey Zients, Deputy Director of Management and Chief Performance Officer, Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Richard Gregg, Acting Fiscal Assistant Secretary,
Department of Treasury
Sallyanne Harper, CGFM, CFO and Chief Administrative Officer, Government Accountability Office
Daniel Werfel, Controller, OMB
The conference is sponsored by the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program (JFMIP), the Graduate School and the U.S. General Services Administration. Read more.
IBM Center for the Business of Government Research Proposal Deadline
March 1, 2010, is the next deadline to submit research proposals to the IBM Center for The Business of Government. The Center is pleased to solicit research proposals based on the following six themes: performance improvement and analysis, implementation of the Recovery Act, work force transformation, collaboration and management across boundaries, contracting and acquisition, and transparency and participatory democracy using technology. Direct questions to Executive Director Jonathan D. Breul at 202.515.4382.
AGA Advertising Opportunities!
Advertise in AGA's electronic newsletters—TOPICS and AGA Today! Get maximum exposure and build your brand. Find out what's available in an upcoming issue. Click here for all the information you need to run your ad. Or, you can contact April Force Pardoe.
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February 8, 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, CGFM, CPA, CFE
301-931-2050
Bill.Oliver@cliftoncpa.com
State and Local News
Obama's Federal Budget: What's in it for Cities?
In President Obama's fiscal 2011 budget proposal, the nation's cities are winners. Most will not see any significant cuts in programs that help their poor residents. In fact, many of those programs, such as housing rental assistance, will actually see an increase in funding. And with an extra $100 billion proposed for additional economic stimulus, some cities may be able to restart local programs that have run out of funding. "There is a lot that cities will benefit from," says James Horney, director of federal fiscal policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington. There may even be agbudget saver" that ripples through to municipalities as well: The Obama proposal includes $25 billion to extend a program that has the federal government picking up an increased share of Medicaid expenses. If adopted by Congress, the program would be extended through the end of 2011. "That has to help big states and cities," says Horney. "New York, for example, has one of the biggest Medicaid programs so I would think there would be a significant amount of money for New York
State. - Ron Scherer, The Christian Science Monitor. Read more.
California's Controller Says Counties are Slow to Catch Fraud
California State Controller John Chiang has released a new survey that criticizes counties as too slow to act after they learn that in-home care payments may be going to pay for care for dead recipients. As much as $11.5 million in state payments in 2008 may have been lost because of inaction to ensure the validity of payments to providers of care, Chiang's survey showed. Some care providers' names and Social Security numbers have also been found in federal and state records of the deceased. The problem could be the result of fraud, with someone using the Social Security number of a deceased person, or clerical errors. The California Department of Social Services administers the in-home care program for the disabled and elderly.
- Susan Ferriss, The Sacramento Bee. Read more.
AGA Today is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner Management Concepts
 Do you need to develop a workforce that meets your program's goals and priorities? If so, join Management Concepts for a free webinar that demonstrates a proven approach and the right tools for workforce planning. Register Today!
February 25, 2010, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST
Federal News
Administration Outlines Performance Management Strategy
The fiscal 2011 budget lays out the Obama administration's performance management strategy and lists the performance goals agencies have put at the top of their to-do lists. As part of the analytical perspectives portion of the spending plan, the administration committed to using performance information to "lead, learn and improve outcomes," and to communicating performance information coherently and concisely to encourage better results, increase transparency, and strengthen existing problem-solving networks. To make good on this promise, the administration said it will identify performance measurements and documents that are not useful. The White House will retain self-assessment exercises agencies found helpful\including those developed under the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act and the George W. Bush administration's Program Assessment Rating Tool\and make "candid" results public, according to the budget.
- Elizabeth Newell and Robert Brodsky, Government Executive. Read more.
Why Federal Workers Deserve What Theyfre Paid
President Obama may not have given federal workers much of a salary increase
-just 1.4 percent- in his proposed budget for fiscal 2011, but he did show them some
love. And that demonstration of affection could pay off for Frankie and Flo Fed, including in ways they can take to the bank. The affection is apparent in Chapter 10 of the "Analytical Perspectives" section of the budget. "We are fortunate to be able to rely upon a skilled workforce committed to the public service," it says. Of course, lip service like that comes quick and easy. What makes this budget stand out is the level of serious attention that the White House, through its Office of Management and Budget, gives to federal employees. Recent budgets by previous administrations have not gone into the depth of detail on federal-workplace issues that Obama's spending plan does. The OMB's focus on the workforce is important because of the critical role the budget office plays in setting
- and enforcing - administration priorities. Under Obama, that muscle is being applied to workplace matters in a determined fashion.
- Joe Davidson, The Washington Post. Read more.
Private Sector News
Obama Pay Czar Vows to Press for Lower AIG Bonuses But Cites Contract Obstacles
The Obama administration's compensation czar said Wednesday that he will continue pushing for reductions to the hefty bonus payments being handed out by American International Group, but acknowledged that he is constrained by guarantees the company made to employees years ago. "I am as troubled as Main Street is by the contracts," Kenneth R. Feinberg said in an interview, referring to agreements signed before the financial crisis that promised millions in retention bonuses to employees at AIG's troubled Financial Products unit. But, he added, "there's a limited amount of leverage when you have valid, grandfathered contracts." Outrage surfaced again this week with news that the bailed-out insurance giant would pay $100 million to employees at Financial Products, a year after $168 million in similar payments to the same set of employees sparked a national uproar. The most recent bonuses are going to employees who agreed to accept less money than AIG had promised in return for early payment.
- Brady Dennis, The Washington Post. Read more.
Fortune Reveals its Top 100 List; Big Four Make the Grade
Fortune magazine has revealed its much-anticipated list of 100 Best
Companies to Work for in 2010, with all Big Four accounting firms on the
list, along with large regional accounting firm, Plante & Moran of
Southfield, Mich., consulting firm Accenture and Intuit, maker of
Quicken. Fortune and the Great Place to Work Institute conducted
extensive employee surveys and scored companies based on worker
attitudes about managementfs credibility, job satisfaction,
camaraderie, pay and benefit programs, hiring, communication and
diversity. - AccountingWEB. Read more.
Accounting Standards News
 GASB Proposes to Enhance Usefulness of Codification for Constituents
On Jan. 29, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued a proposal intended to enhance the usefulness of its Codification by incorporating guidance that before could only be found in certain Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and AICPA pronouncements. Compiling the guidance in a single source will reduce the complexity of locating and using authoritative literature needed to prepare state and local government financial reports.
AGA's FMSB Seeks Help on Reviewing FASB Pronouncements
GASB on Jan. 29 issued an exposure draft of a proposed Codification of Pre-Nov. 30, 1989 FASB Pronouncements. The objective of the project is to specifically identify provisions in 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 Management's Discussion and Analysis' for State and Local Governments. The comment period is 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!
 Only 10 Days Until AGA's National Leadership Conference-Register Today!
Although the early registration discount deadline has passed, there’s still time to register for AGA’s Eighth Annual National Leadership Conference.
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 top-notch 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 you hone your skills to bring greater efficiency, effectiveness and accountability to government operations.
We’ve developed a comprehensive educational program with sessions that cover hot topics in government financial management and accountability, including fraud prevention, performance management and issues relating to the Recovery Act. This year’s topics include:
- A GAO Perspective on ARRA and Other Critical National Issues
- CFO Strategic Priorities
- Civil Fraud: Going After the Money
- Federal Budget Outlook
- Financial Management—A New Way Forward
- Financing the Fight: Managing Hundreds of Billions in War
- Practical Performance Measurement and Management
- Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board Update
- Recovery Act Update: What's Working and What's Not
- State & Local Budget Outlook
- Transforming CFO Operations
- Update from Washington: The Presidency, The Congress and the Press
Join us to hear from high-level government officials and industry experts, and get the latest information on issues that impact you. The NLC features an impressive lineup of speakers including:
- Owen F. Barwell, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Energy
- Martin J. Benison, Comptroller, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Co-Chair, AGA’s Partnership for Intergovernmental Management and Accountability
- Chris Bertram, Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Transportation
- Kenneth M. Donohue, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Nancy C. Fleetwood, CGFM, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Accounting Policy, Under Secretary for Domestic Finance, U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Peter V.R. Franchot, Controller, State of Maryland
- Robert F. Hale, CDFM-A, Under Secretary of Defense, Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Defense
- Dennis J. Hoffman, Director, Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Energy
- 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, MBA, Managing Director, Strategic Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office
- Clark Partridge, CGFM, CPA, State Comptroller, Administration Department, State of Arizona
- Scott D. Pattison, Executive Director, National Association of State Budget Officers
- Lori S. Pilcher, MBA, CPA, CIA, Assistant Inspector General, Grants and Internal Activities and Information Technology Audits, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Elizabeth M. Robinson, Ph.D., Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautical and Space Administration
- Robert A. Sunshine, Deputy Director, Congressional Budget Office
- Daniel Tangherlini, Assistant Secretary for Management, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Performance Officer, U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Robert Tuccillo, Associate Administrator of Budget and Policy, Chief Financial Officer, Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation
- H. Glen Walker, Executive Director, Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board
- 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, AGA’s 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!
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