Highlights


Register for NLC by Jan. 20 to Save $100
Register today for AGA's 10th Annual National Leadership Conference, Feb. 16–17, 2012, at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center in Washington D.C. Early registration—by Jan. 20—will save you $100.

The program for features several high-level officials from local, state and federal governments:

Barry Anderson, Deputy Director, National Governors Association

Douglas Bennett, CGFM, CPA, CMA, CDFM, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary, Financial Operations, U.S. Air Force

Bob Cusack, Managing Editor, The Hill

Sgt. Matthew P. Eversmann, U.S. Army (Ret.), Hero of Black Hawk Down and the Battle of Mogadishu

W. Todd Grams, Executive in Charge, Office of Management, and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Brian D. Miller, Inspector General, U.S. General Services Administration

James J. Watkins, CPA, CDFM, Director of Accountability and Audit Readiness, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Financial Management and Comptroller, U.S. Army

Daniel I. Werfel, Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget

For Attendees—Register today!

For Exhibitors and Sponsors—The NLC is the perfect place to reach your target audience. Space is limited.

Reserve your booth space.

Upcoming Audio Conferences

Jan. 11: Getting a Handle on Internal Controls

Jan. 25: Jump-start Your Entity's Performance and Processes with an Extreme Government Makeover

Feb. 8: The New Stewardship Imperative—Federal Financial Management at the Crossroads

March 7: Data Mining to Prioritize Investigations of Contract Fraud

2012 Audio Conference Schedule

Member News
Robert Cordova, CPA, treasurer of AGA's Albuquerque Chapter, has been recognized as a future partner at the Accounting & Consulting Group LLP, according to the New Mexico Business Weekly. Cordova is enrolled in the Partner Institute, a three-year training program at the firm.

Elaine Silva, a member of AGA's Boston Chapter, has earned her Certified Fraud Specialist (CFS) certification. She is a quality assurance audit supervisor in the Office of the State Auditor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Congratulations!

Training Opportunities

Network with AGA Online Anytime

Become a Fan of AGA on Facebook

Create a Linkedin Profile


Follow AGA on Twitter

 

Visit AGA on GovLoop

From the National Office
Marie Force, hired as AGA's Director of Communications in January 1996, left AGA last month to devote her attention full time to her fiction-writing career. During her 16 years with AGA, Marie oversaw the development of the AGA website, produced 64 quarterly editions of the Journal of Government Financial Management, supervised all the publications and developed multiple advertising programs for the Association. Marie has published 19 books, with more coming in 2012. Read more about her books, find her on Facebook or send her an e-mail. "I'll really miss everyone at AGA," said Marie, who plans to remain an AGA member, "but I'm looking forward to this next chapter in my life."

Maryann Malesardi began working as AGA's new Director of Communications on Jan. 3. Maryann has a bachelor's degree in communications from Saint Mary’s College – Notre Dame, IN. She has 18 years of marketing and communications experience within corporate and non-profit environments. Her areas of expertise include strategic marketing, tactical communications, branding, creative writing, professional writing, advertising, graphic design, print production and social media. She lives in Arlington, VA. Join us in welcoming Maryann to AGA. She can be reached at mmalesardi@agacgfm.org or 800.AGA.7211, ext. 313.

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 Christina Camara.

Volume 52: Issue 1, January 9, 2012

TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner GCE
Getting to the Cloud is easier than you think. With GCE’s Federal Financial Management Cloud, you can modernize your financial enterprise one-step at a time. Start with one agency or a single business process. The results are the same – dramatic cost savings with all upgrades built in. Visit www.GCEFederal.com for details.
GCE: Redefining Federal Financial Management Solutions

From the National President, Richard O. Bunce Jr., CGFM, CPA
Happy New Year! I hope that you and your families had a wonderful holiday season. We’re about halfway through the 2011–2012 program year, but many tremendous chapter, regional and national events are still scheduled. I hope you take advantage of all that AGA has to offer in the coming months.

National Officers: On Dec. 27, AGA’s National Nominating Committee released its slate of National Officers for 2012–2015. Mary E. Peterman, CGFM, CPA, a member of AGA’s Virginia Peninsula Chapter, has been selected by the committee as National President-Elect. Mary is a Past National Treasurer and a former member of the National Executive Committee. Mary has many years of service in local government, and served at the federal level with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration. Mary is currently a vice president with Savantage Solutions.

David A. LeBlanc, CGFM, CFS, a member of AGA’s Boston Chapter, has been selected as National Treasurer-Elect. David is the Director of Audits for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and currently serves on the National Finance and Budget Committee. David has served on several chapter and national committees, and in 2010 received a National Chapter Service Award.

In addition to the National President-Elect and National Treasurer-Elect, the Nominating Committee selected two Senior Vice Presidents and 11 Regional Vice Presidents. View the full slate.

The Nominating Committee is still seeking member volunteers to serve as Regional Vice Presidents for the North Central, Southeast and Pacific Rim regions. Talented networks of volunteer leaders and the National Office staff can assist you in these positions, so the task is not as daunting as it might first appear. This is a great opportunity to expand your leadership skills while serving AGA. If you’re interested in applying or learning more about these positions, please contact Lisa Casias, CPA, chair of the National Nominating Committee. Read more.

TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner Accenture
Payment and vendor pricing errors can cost 0.10 percent or more of total spending. Organizations around the world rely on the Accenture Improper Payment solution to prevent such costly mistakes. Our solution quickly addresses the Office of Management and Budget’s call to prevent improper payments, taking federal agencies beyond simply reacting and into post-payment recovery. The solution proactively prevents overpayments, inaccurate payments and lost funding with advanced analytics before payments are made.

See our success stories.

Accenture: Delivering Public Service for the Future

Audio Conference Speaker Suggests 'Makeover' for Government
The house of government is broken, and it needs a serious makeover from top to bottom. So says Ken Miller, founder of the Change and Innovation Agency, who is speaking at AGA's Jan. 25 audio conference, which is worth 2 CPE hours. Set for 2–3:50 p.m. EST, Miller discusses how the processes of government became so complicated and inefficient and how to start cleaning up the mess. Miller, who wrote Extreme Government Makeover, suggests simple ways that public-sector leaders can rebuild government so it is stronger, leaner and better equipped to help citizens. Miller will share clear and concise tips on increasing government’s capacity.

If you need some new ideas to jumpstart your agency or government to think differently, don’t miss this audio conference. In addition to the speaker’s commentary, about 20 minutes is set aside for Q & A.

Cost: $249 per site (unlimited attendance) if you register on or before Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 and $299 thereafter.

Special Promotion: Government agencies and AGA Corporate Partner members who register five or more offices will receive a 20 percent discount ($200 per site).

Individual Option: Two, three or four individuals can register at $50 per person. Contact Maria Oquendo at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 308, for registration details.

Register online.

Print the registration form or the Special Promotion Registration and fax it to 703.684.6933.

Earn Your CGFM in February—Examinations Are Free
Don't miss the opportunity to take the CGFM Examinations and earn your CGFM at the next Intensive Review Course event in February. AGA is offering a two-day Intensive Review Course on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 and Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012 and an opportunity to take CGFM Examinations on Feb. 29–March 2, 2012. The cost of the course is only $279 for qualified participants, and it offers 18 CPE hours. Special Bonus: The CGFM Examinations are offered at no cost to course attendees.

This course is designed as a supplement to previous preparation for the CGFM Examinations, so this is a perfect opportunity for those individuals who have already attended GFM training courses or have been preparing by using the CGFM Study Guides. Enrollment is limited and participants must first apply and be accepted into the CGFM Program, so don't delay.

More information and a registration form for this event are available on AGA's website.

Two Members Win Big By Updating Their Profiles
AGA thanks all our members for taking the time to update their AGA profile information during the month of December.

With annual renewal season beginning soon we appreciate you for updating your profiles before Dec. 31. By doing so, you enabled AGA to keep in contact with you and ensure that our services and events remain focused on your needs in 2012. Two winners were drawn out of thousands who updated their profiles to win Apple IPads.

Join us in congratulating Martha Reynolds, a member of AGA's Charleston WV Chapter, and Ronald Scott Royster, CGFM, a member of AGA's Kansas City Chapter.

If you haven’t updated your profile, make sure you stay connected by updating it today. Simply go to AGA's homepage and log in using your member ID. Your six character password is your first initial immediately followed by your last name (unless you have changed it). If your first initial and last name is fewer than six characters add a zero (example: Jane Doe would be jdoe00). Remember to renew your membership online before March 31, 2012 and look out for more opportunities to get involved.

Thank you for being a member of AGA and for your contribution to building a more diverse and inclusive financial management community. 

Consider Volunteering for AGA's National Boards and Committees
AGA is seeking candidates interested in filling vacancies on national boards and committees. Serving as a board or committee member might just be the most important contribution you will make to your own career and the profession. Take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to:

  • Contribute to the growth and success of your professional association.
  • Network with a dynamic group of accountability professionals.
  • Develop your leadership skills.
  • Develop solutions to meet present and future challenges.
  • Stay apprised of hot topics in financial management.

Commitment—All board and committee terms begin July 1. Board terms run for one, two or three years, depending on the board, and committee terms run for three years.

Qualifications—If you are an AGA member in good standing, able to serve a full term of office, and can participate in board and committee conference calls, you are qualified to serve. Specific qualifications for each committee are listed here.

Learn more about the activities our boards and committees perform by visiting the AGA website. Contact Louise Kapelewski at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 321 for more information. Please fill out the online sign-up form by March 30.

AGA Needs National Award Nominations
AGA’s National Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for 13 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
  • Chapter Education Award
  • Chapter Service Award
  • Community Service Award
  • International Achievement Award
  • Chapter CGFM Award
  • Emerging Leader Award of Excellence
  • Regional Coordinator Award 
These awards will be presented during AGA's 61st Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition in San Diego, CA, from July 29–August 1, 2012. In many cases, individuals do not have to be members of AGA to be eligible. All nominations are due by Friday, April 13, 2012. Nomination forms are available online. For more information, contact Louise Kapelewski.

Webinar Set on 'Technology Forecast 2012' for State and Local Governments
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) and Public Technology Institute (PTI) is presenting a webinar from 2 to 3 p.m. ET Jan. 19 to discuss what the state and local government technology landscape will look like for 2012.

Although the economy is slowing recovering, state and local governments continue to face daunting challenges when it comes to securing the financial resources needed for effective technology management. CIOs are focused on operational cost control, collaboration and innovative solutions to serve public programs and citizens. This webinar is specifically designed for state and local government officials, associations and representatives from the technology industry responsible for state and local government technology partnerships.

Presenters are Doug Robinson, Executive Director, NASCIO, and Alan Shark, Ph.D., Executive Director, PTI. Register now for this free webinar.

Apply for 2012 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 two $1,000 part-time merit scholarships to AGA members and their family members
  • One $3,000 community service scholarship

The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, March 30, 2012. Download a copy of the application, or contact Louise Kapelewski.
   

AGA Staff List

AGA Membership Application

CGFM Application

Audio Conferences

Training Opportunities

Other AGA Links

CGFM Certification—Learn More

Register for AGA's 10th Annual National Leadership Conference, Feb.16–17, 2012, Washington, D.C.

Register for AGA's 61st Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition, July 29–Aug. 1, 2012, San Diego, CA

Bring AGA-Sponsored Training Courses to Your Organization

(C) Association of Government Accountants 2012

Disclaimer: AGA serves government accountability professionals by providing quality education, fostering professional development and certification, and supporting standards and research to advance government accountability. If you would like to opt off of future AGA mailings, please e-mail agawebmaster@agacgfm.org. Thank you.