TOPICS Index
Vol. 43, #1, January 5, 2004
Happy New Year from AGA!
We are pleased to present TOPICS in this new
easy-to-read format with
no downloads necessary. Tell us what you think! Go to
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=87269341782
to register your
feedback!
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Next Issue: January 19, 2004—Spotlight on the CGFM Program
____________________________________________________
Download a copy of
AGA’s 2002-2003 Annual Report at
www.agacgfm.org.
____________________________________________________
Position Announcement: Association Technical Manager
The Association of
Government Accountants is seeking an enthusiastic
self-starter to fill its new Technical Manager position.
Responsibilities
include monitoring, researching and analyzing government financial
management issues and developing strategies and position papers for
committee review. Works with a team of staff to keep the membership
informed on legislative and regulatory developments. Works with the
Executive Director in identifying topics and issues for research
projects
and educational programs. Excellent opportunity to help transform the
Association into a thought leader for advancing government
accountability!
Requirements: A
bachelor’s degree in accounting or financial
management and three years of experience in government financial
management. CGFM designation preferred. Must also have excellent
writing and oral communications skills, interpersonal skills and
computer
proficiency. We offer a competitive salary/benefits package and a team
environment. Send resume and salary requirements to
sfritzlen@agacgfm.org
or fax to 703.548.9367.
____________________________________________________
TOPICS is Brought
to you by AGA Corporate Partner Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton Global Public Sector delivers financial, technology and
performance management solutions to federal, state and local
government clients, and international organizations. Call us to see if
we
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effectively at 703.637.2750.
____________________________________________________
Happy New Year
from AGA National President Jullin Renthrope, CGFM
As we begin a New Year, we often think of a new beginning, with goals
and objectives for the year. The New Year is always a good time to start
anew, to re-examine our priorities and bring new energy to our
professional and personal lives.
As your National
President, I have seen the boundless energy of AGA
members. Chapter members across the country throw themselves into
volunteering for their communities, they organize top-notch training
events, meet new professional colleagues and find solutions to common
problems. All these activities make AGA stronger and ultimately "take
accountability to the next level."
I developed that
theme for the 2003-2004 Program Year in hopes of
focusing the Association on our top priorities, and my central goal is
for
AGA to expand its influence in the accountability arena.
To read the complete article, go to
www.agacgfm.org/publications/topics/010504/president.aspx
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Issue Spotlight:
The National Leadership Conference
____________________________________________________
1.
Early Registration Ends Jan. 16 for AGA's Second Annual
National Leadership Conference (NLC)
Act quickly to
register for AGA’s Second Annual National Leadership
Conference, set for Feb. 19-20, 2004, in Washington, D.C. Attendees
can save $100 off registration prices by meeting the Jan. 16 early
registration deadline.
The theme of this
year’s conference is "First Responders: Financial
Leadership in an Era of Crisis," and the conference will bring together
federal, state and local government leaders to discuss common
challenges.
In an age of
heightened security and increased demand for services, the
three levels of government are working together to do more with less.
Earn up to 14 CPE hours and hear from top-ranking government leaders
who are facing these challenges head on.
For the complete agenda and for more information, go to
www.agacgfm.org/nlc
Register for the NLC
www.agacgfm.org/nlc/registration
Contact Julie Cupp
at jcupp@agacgfm.org with any
questions.
We look forward to
seeing you in Washington!
____________________________________________________
TOPICS is Brought to you by AGA Corporate Partner Management
Concepts
Management Concepts
provides federal financial management solutions
to help you reach your performance goals.
-
Link budget
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-
Support
accountability for results
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Promote successful
financial system implementation
Learn more about how
Management Concepts can address your
financial management challenges. Visit
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____________________________________________________
2. McCall,
Holmcrans Lead 2004-2005 National Officer Slate
____________________________________________________
AGA’s National
Nominating Committee has chosen Sam M. McCall,
CGFM, to serve as the candidate for AGA’s next National President-
Elect. Karen J. Holmcrans was selected as the Treasurer-Elect
candidate.
As outlined in AGA’s
bylaws, the National President, National Treasurer
and Regional Vice President come on board as "elects" effective July 1,
2004 if no other nominations are received by Feb. 15, 2004.
McCall, a member of the Tallahassee Chapter and the Tallahassee City
Auditor, would follow Bobby A. Derrick, CGFM, as National President,
and Holmcrans, a member of AGA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter, would
follow Jeanne B. Erwin, CGFM, as National Treasurer. Holmcrans is a
senior manager at Deloitte Consulting.
McCall has long been
active in AGA on the national level. He has been a
member of AGA’s Professional Certification Board since its inception,
and is a past chairman of AGA’s Audit Committee. He helped establish
the Tallahassee Chapter and served as its first president.
Other officers
chosen as candidates for the 2004-2005 program year:
Senior Vice
Presidents-Elect
- James W. Turkett, Dallas Chapter, Senior Vice President for Regional
Services—Section II
(The Senior Vice President for Regional Services
comes on board in full capacity July 1, 2004.)
- Clarence T. Kuwahara, CGFM, Hawaii Chapter, Senior Vice President At
Large
Read the complete
story and view the Regional Vice President-Elect candidates at
www.agacgfm.org/publications/topics/010504/slate.aspx
____________________________________________________
TOPICS is Brought
to you by AGA Corporate Partner Oracle
Oracle Corporation (www.oracle.com), the world's second largest
enterprise software company, offers an integrated suite of business
solutions that help federal agencies meet their financials goals. Our
Federal Financials Product Development Group is currently seeking
individuals with federal government experience to be part of a team of
product managers to design, develop and deliver financial applications
to
the federal industry. Visit AGA Career Bank (http://aga.careerbank.com)
and search for Federal Financials Product Managers
(http://aga.careerbank.com/seeker/view_job.cfm?id=21852)
____________________________________________________
3. New Year’s
Resolution No. 1: Strengthen Your Professional Association
____________________________________________________
OK, so maybe it
won’t be your first resolution, but after resolving to eat
better and exercise more, strengthening your professional Association is
a smart decision to make in 2004. Why?
You joined AGA for a
myriad of reasons—to keep up-to-date on news
and developments in the profession, to gain access to a variety of
continuing professional education offerings, to move forward in your
career, to build a personal network. Whatever your initial reason for
joining, you now know that you are part of a tremendous national
network of professionals working to advance government accountability.
We need your help to
ensure that the AGA network remains strong and
continues to grow to reach all accountability professionals. Do you
realize that AGA is the ONLY professional association that boasts a
membership across ALL levels of government—local, state and federal?
Plus, AGA also has
members who work for tribal governments, academic
institutions and private sector organizations. This means that there are
thousands of thoughts, ideas and solutions right here within the AGA
network. As a member you have No. 1 access! And as our Association
strengthens and grows, so do the thoughts, ideas and solutions.
So what are we
asking for from each of you? A little bit of your time, to
share with a colleague, a friend or an associate how AGA can work for
them too. We’re talking about a quick call, a conversation at a meeting
or
an e-mail. A little investment in your time will go a long way in terms
of
helping to strengthen AGA and ultimately you.
We know your time is
valuable, but in as little as five minutes, you can
help colleagues and friends achieve their professional goals by sharing
the AGA advantage. We’ve made it so easy to recruit new
members—click here for a membership application
www.agacgfm.org/membership/downloads/membershipapplication.pdf
Print it and walk
over to a colleague or just forward the link via e-mail.
AGA is also offering incentives and prizes—just a little something extra
to give you that little push. Check out the campaign details at
www.agacgfm.org/membership/mem_campaign.aspx
So, resolve to
recruit new members into AGA in 2004!
View the Top
Recruiters, May 1 - Nov. 30, 2003, at
www.agacgfm.org/publications/topics/010504/toprecruitment.aspx
____________________________________________________
4. Call for 2004
National Awards Nominations
___________________________________________________
AGA’s National
Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for 10
National Awards that recognize the leaders advancing our profession
and setting the standards of excellence:
-
Robert W. King
Memorial Award
-
Einhorn-Gary Award
-
Frank Greathouse
Distinguished Leadership Award
-
Achievement of the
Year Award
-
Educator Award
-
Cornelius E.
Tierney/Ernst & Young Research Award
-
Special
Achievement Award
-
Chapter Service
Award
-
Chapter Education
Award
-
Community Service
Award
These awards will be
presented during AGA’s Professional Development
Conference & Exposition in Washington, D.C. June 27-30, 2004. In many
cases, individuals do not have to be members of AGA to be eligible.
All nominations are
due Friday, March 5, 2004.
Visit
www.agacgfm.org/membership/awards/ for all nomination forms and
more information or contact Sebrina Bridgers at
sbridgers@agacgfm.org
or 800.AGA.7211, ext. 131, for a Microsoft Word version of the forms.
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5. A Free AGA
Chapter Educational Event Opportunity
____________________________________________________
This is a
not-to-be-missed opportunity for the nation's top state and local
government financial accounting and reporting experts to provide CPE at
your AGA chapter at NO CHARGE! The AGA National Office is pleased
to extend a special opportunity to AGA chapters. Between Jan. 1, 2004
and Dec. 31, 2004, Jay Fountain, CGFM, former assistant director of
research, now retired, and Wilson Campbell, CGFM, project director,
SEA Program, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), are
available as educational event and conference speakers. Visit for more
details or contact AGA's Director of Education Lin Latham at
llatham@agacgfm.org.
____________________________________________________
Regular Features
____________________________________________________
Chapter News
Member Happenings
www.agacgfm.org/publications/topics/010504/happenings.aspx
____________________________________________________
CPE
Opportunities, Organized by Region
____________________________________________________
NATIONAL
01/14/04
Accelerating Annual Financial Reporting: State Initiatives
NASACT, in conjunction with AGA and the National Association of Local
Government Auditors, is sponsoring this audio conference, worth 2 CPE
hours. The conference is set for 2 to 3:50 p.m. EST and will feature the
work of NASACT's Subcommittee on Faster Comprehensive Annual
Financial Reports (CAFRs). The subcommittee has investigated the
processes states use to compile their CAFRs and has identified
techniques that foster—as well as barriers that hinder—speedier
publication of the reports. Teams of state comptroller staff and their
audit
partners from three states will speak, as well as a U.S. Treasury
representative, who will describe the federal government's initiative to
accelerate the publication of agencies' annual financial reports to 45
days after fiscal year-end. Cost is $249 per site before Jan. 9, and
$299
afterward. Visit
https://nasactdata.nasact.org/CAFR/gen_info.htm for
registration information.
02/19/04 - 02/20/04 AGA’s Second National Leadership Conference
First
Responders: Financial Leadership in an Era of Crisis
Earn 14 CPE hours hearing from the top leaders in federal, state and
local government. Go to
www.agacgfm.org/nlc for program and
registration information.
06/27/04 - 06/30/04 AGA’s 53rd Annual Professional Development
Conference & Exposition
Technology:
Powering the Accountability Age
To stay at the top of the profession, it’s not enough for government
financial managers to keep up to date on current developments in the
field. To position yourself as a leader, you must understand emerging
issues and trends to be prepared to handle the inevitable challenges and
crises that arise in an ever-changing environment. Technological
advances in government financial management have changed financial
reporting. New regulations have made those changes mandatory. Are
you prepared to face these challenges? Join AGA in Washington D.C. to
hear from the people leading the way to more accountable governments.
Go to www.agacgfm.org/pdc for
agenda and registration information.
MID-ATLANTIC
02/11/04 o Washington, D.C.
CGFM Training Course 1: The Governmental Environment
This course,
worth 8 CPE hours, is designed for financial management
professionals who are interested in learning more about the ways in
which government entities differ from private entities, and the
interactions
among the different levels of government and the people they serve.
Contact Management Concepts at 703.790.9595 or go to
www.agacgfm.org/cgfm/prepare/course5601.aspx
02/12/04 - 2/13/04 o Washington, D.C.
CGFM Training
Course 3: Government Financial Management and
Control
This course, worth 16 CPE hours, is designed for financial management
professionals who are interested in learning more about the internal and
management control process in government organizations, and how this
process can aid managers in meeting objectives for reliable financial
and
performance reporting. Contact Management Concepts at 703.790.9595
or go to
www.agacgfm.org/cgfm/prepare/course5603.aspx
02/18/04 - 2/20/04 o Washington, D.C.
CGFM Training
Course 2: Governmental Accounting, Financial
Reporting and Budgeting
This course, worth 24 CPE hours, is designed for financial management
professionals who want to learn more about the standards under which
the government financial manager performs financial accounting,
reporting and budgeting tasks. Contact Management Concepts at
703.790.9595 or go to
www.agacgfm.org/cgfm/prepare/course5602.aspx
NORTHEAST
01/13/04 Accounting System Technology for the 21st Century
AGA’s
Northern New Jersey Chapter and the ISACA will sponsor this all-
day seminar, worth 8 CPE hours, at the Rutgers-Newark campus. The
guest speaker is Liv Watson, director of Edgar-online. Cost is $65 for
AGA members and $100 for nonmembers. For more information, contact
chapter president David Gotlib at 973.785.6692 or chapter treasurer Eric
Weitner at 973.785.6574.
01/28/04 Fourth Annual Technology Conference
AGA's New
York Capital Chapter is co-sponsoring this conference at the
New York State Museum Theatre in Albany, with the local chapters of
the IIA and ISACA. Forensic experts and investigators from the State
Police, U.S. Secret Service and various state agencies will discuss how
and when an audit may lead to a forensic investigation, complement an
investigation or interrelate with one, and the leading edge tools being
used in this field. The cost is $50 for members and $100 for
nonmembers; there is a $25 discount if registration and payment is
received by Jan. 14. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided. Eight
CPEs are offered. Contact Rebekah Stanton at
rstanton@kpmg.com or
518.427.4811, or register online at
www.aganycap.org
SOUTHEAST
01/26/04 Annual Auditors and Accountants Seminar
The
Government Affairs Committee of the Nashville Chapter of the
Institute
of Internal Auditors (IIA) is sponsoring this conference, worth 8
CPE hours, at the Willis Conference Center, Nashville. See
www.nashvilleaga.org/iia2004.pdf for a brochure. Direct questions to
Robbie Hunter, CGFM, at 615.741.6537 or
Robbie.Hunter@state.tn.us
MIDWEST
02/03/04 - 02/04/04 Awarding and Monitoring Subawards Under Federal
Grants
AGA’s
Mid-Missouri Chapter is hosting this two-day Management
Concepts course, worth 16 CPE hours, at the Governor’s Office Building
in Jefferson City, MO. The course fee for AGA members is $425. For
course details and registration information, go to
www.midmoaga.org/CPE/Subawards/Subawards.htm
Direct questions to Connie Qutami at 573.751.1597.
03/23/04 - 03/24/04 Regional PDC
AGA’s
Mid-Missouri Chapter is sponsoring a regional PDC, worth 16
CPE hours, at the Inn at the Grand Glaize, Lake of the Ozarks. Contact
Dwayne Rasmussen, CGFM, at 573.751.1973 for more information.
WEST
01/26/04 Ninth Annual Northern California Conference
This
conference, themed "Redefining Government," is set for the Holiday
Inn Northeast in Sacramento. AGA National President Jullin Renthrope,
CGFM, will open the conference, and Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo
is an invited keynote speaker. Sessions will address models for
improving government performance, ethics discussions, new
requirements for government accounting and auditing, and more. Early
registration fees are $110 for members; $150 for nonmembers. To
register, contact Marcia Durst at
marcia@mdurst.com. For more
information, go to
www.sacramentoAGA.com
02/19/04 - 02/20/04 Awareness of Fraud, Waste and Abuse
AGA’s Silicon
Valley Chapter is joining local chapters of the Institute of
Internal Auditors and the Information Systems Audit and Control
Association to sponsor this conference, worth 15 CPE hours, at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel at Union Square in San Francisco. Contact Martin
Krone, CGFM, conference coordinator at 408.277.8319, or at
MartinKroneIIA@aol.com.
Visit the conference website at
www.sfaga.org
03/18/04 OMB Circular A-87
AGA’s
Sacramento Chapter will be offering this course on OMB Circular
A-87, and cost principles for state and local government, worth 8 CPE
hours, in Rancho Cordova. Fee is $100 for AGA members (with early
registration discount). The instructor is Sefton Boyers, CGFM. Register
at www.sacramentoAGA.com
_____________________________________________
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