Never before has there been such a useful tool for AGA members to
find on-the-spot information about the government financial
management industry, CPE opportunities, local chapter event
information, national conferences and so much more!
The AGA
website contains over 650 pages of information built to give you a
variety of options to keep you informed about your industry with
the click of a button. To help you in your search around the AGA
website, let’s take a tour…
Go to
www.agacgfm.org/publications/topics/032904/webtour.aspx
__________________________________________________________________________________________
AGA Announces 2004 Chapter Communicator Contests
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter Newsletter Editors’
Contest
It is time once again for the
annual Chapter Newsletter Editor Contest! This competition is
designed to bring recognition to chapters producing the best
newsletters in each chapter group.
A first-place winner and an
honorable mention winner will be awarded in each chapter group for
both print and electronic newsletters. Chapters may enter EITHER the
print or electronic contest, not both. Awards will be presented
during the 53rd Annual Professional Development Conference &
Exposition, June 27 – 30 in Washington, D.C. We will provide the
exact date and time of the awards ceremony when award recipients are
notified.
Once again, we are inviting last year’s award
recipients to be our judges. Because many of last year’s recipients
are still serving as their chapter’s newsletter editors, volunteers
will be asked to judge other chapter groups. (For example, Group A
would judge Group B, Group C would judge Group D, etc.) If you
received a Chapter Newsletter Award last year and would like to be a
judge this year, just send an e-mail to
mforce@agacgfm.org
Print and electronic newsletters
are due April 16, 2004. Please click here to view contest
information and submission rules:
www.agacgfm.org/publications/topics/032904/newsletter.aspx
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter
Webmasters’ Contest
It’s time to celebrate
the achievements of the 2003-2004 program year by recognizing the
AGA chapters that have produced top-quality websites. Each year, a
volunteer committee of past website award recipients selects two
chapters from each chapter group that have outstanding websites.
This year, the web volunteer
committee will review all working chapter websites during the week
of April 26.
To make sure that your chapter is included in
this year’s judging, please be sure to check your chapter’s listing
on the AGA website at:
www.agacgfm.org/membership/localchapters/chapterlist.aspx
The National Office builds the yearly website judging lists directly
from the information listed for each chapter found on this web page.
If you have any questions or concerns about
the Chapter Website Competition, please contact
jcurtin@agacgfm.org
To view the criteria used to judge
the contest, go to
www.agacgfm.org/publications/topics/032904/website.aspx
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Other Resources for Chapter
Communicators
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Check out the Chapter Communicators’ Website at
www.agacgfm.org/membership/communicators/Welcome.aspx?ReturnURL=default.aspx
Log in to gain
access to all kinds of tools and information to make your job as a
chapter communicator as easy as can be! Remember, the Chapter
Communicators’ list serve is purged on July 1 of each year to
encourage new program year communicators to register. Make a note to
sign in for the new year after July 1, 2004!
Check out the
Chapter Corporate Identity Website at
www.agacgfm.org/membership/identity/
Here you can access the AGA logo
customized for your chapter or region. Download templates to assist
you in creating chapter letterhead, envelopes, business cards,
banners, brochures and so much more! All of these resources are
free to AGA chapters. If you have any questions about using the
items located here, contact Communications Director Marie Force at
mforce@agacgfm.org
__________________________________________________________________________________________
TOPICS is brought to you by AGA Corporate Partner
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________________________
IN
OTHER NEWS FROM AGA…
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Save Time—Renew Your Membership
Online
__________________________________________________________________________________________
By now, you should have received your annual
renewal packages for the 2004–2005 year. If you have already renewed
your membership, we thank you and look forward to serving you in the
year to come.
If not, please
note that your renewal package includes both membership and CGFM
certification renewals where applicable.
The cost of CGFM Program operations
has necessitated a modest $10 increase in the CGFM renewal fee. (See
the item below on CGFM renewal requirements.)
The renewal
form has a new look this year that includes a receipt at the bottom.
This year’s renewal package also includes a Member Information Sheet
(demographic and contact information). Please be sure to fill this
out and return to AGA. It is so very important that we have your
updated contact and demographic information. This helps the National
Office and your chapter to stay in touch with you. It is also very
important for AGA to capture your demographic information (including
age, ethnicity, employer, education). We promise that this
information will only be used to customize AGA services to your
needs.
By far the
easiest (and quickest) way to renew is online through the
password-protected Members Only section of the AGA website. How to
Renew Online:
Access the AGA website at
www.agacgfm.org
Click on ‘Members Only’ on the left palette. Login using your
membership ID number and password (your first initial followed by
your last name— no spaces), click on the gray ‘billing’ button above
your name (if the gray billing button doesn’t appear, it means that
your membership is paid in full). All you have to do is input your
credit card information and hit ‘Submit.’ The transaction will
automatically process via our secure server and the renewal
information will be automatically updated in AGA’s in-house
membership system. While you are logged into the Members Only
section, be sure to take a look at your contact information and make
any updates as necessary (especially your e-mail address).
Remember, 2004–2005 renewal
payments are due by March 31, 2004. Thank you for your continued
support!
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Join Us for the 2004 PDC in
Washington, D.C.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
You’re invited to
attend the premier government financial management education event
of the year!
AGA is proud to
announce its 53rd Annual Professional Development
Conference & Exposition (PDC), to be held June 27 – 30, 2004, at the
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The PDC will bring
together more than 1,200 federal, state and local government
professionals, as well as private sector leaders, to discuss timely
issues affecting government financial management. The conference
offers 25 CPE hours and provides unparalleled opportunities to make
valuable professional contacts, discuss challenges, discover
creative solutions and gain the tools you need to become more
effective.
With the theme
“Technology: Powering the Accountability Age,” PDC 2004 provides the
perfect opportunity to become more knowledgeable about the
complexities of meeting new expectations for accountability. There
has never been a more critical time to become a better-educated
government financial manager. Commit to excellence today by
registering for the top training event of the year.
Early Registration Deadline: May
28, 2004
For more information about the
conference agenda, registration, hotel and travel discounts, please
visit our website,
www.agacgfm.org/pdc
__________________________________________________________________________________________
How
to Register for AGA’s PDC
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Register online and save $25! Go to
http://members.agacgfm.org/scriptcontent/membersonly/registration-logon.cfm
or download the PDC 2004 Registration Form at
www.agacgfm.org/pdc/registration/
Interested in exhibiting or
sponsoring at the PDC? Contact Ada Phillips at
aphillips@agacgfm.org
Interested in advertising in the conference program? Contact Marie
Force at
mforce@agacgfm.org
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Call for Scholarship Nominations
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Extend the value of
your AGA membership and encourage a family member to apply for an
AGA National scholarship. Each year, AGA awards six $1,000 full-time
merit scholarships to AGA members and their family members; two $500
part-time merit scholarship to AGA members and their family members;
and one $1,000 community service scholarship to an AGA member or
nonmember. The deadline for receipt of AGA National scholarship
applications is April 2, 2004. Visit
www.agacgfm.org/membership/awards/ for
more details and an application.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Job Posting
Accountant or
Senior Accountant, Houston, TX
Good opportunity for Spanish-speaking, experienced accountant to
work in Latin America department. For a listing of responsibilities,
education and experience required, contact Robin Treadwell at
713.335.7445.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
REGULAR FEATURES
__________________________________________________________________________________________
www.agacgfm.org/publications/topics/031504/calendar.aspx
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
CPE
OPPORTUNITIES, ORGANIZED BY REGION
__________________________________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL
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, GASB’s former assistant
director of research, now retired, and Wilson Campbell, CGFM,
project director, GASB’s SEA Program are available as educational
event and conference speakers. Visit
www.agacgfm.org/education/educationdefault.aspx
for more details or contact AGA's Director of Education Lin Latham
at
llatham@agacgfm.org
04/07/04
“Human Resource Challenges in a Changing Accounting World”
AGA, in conjunction with NASACT, is
pleased to announce the next audio conference scheduled for 2 - 3:50
p.m. EST, Wednesday, April 7, 2004. Please join J. Graham Joscelyne
of Urbach Kahn & Werlin Advisers Inc., former auditor general of the
World Bank, for an enlightening presentation on "Human Resource
Challenges in a Changing Accounting World." While most of the recent
accounting changes are technical in nature, the greater challenge to
each accountability professional is more deeply seated, for it
touches on our values. We must examine the way we think and behave,
and how we make decisions. If these human challenges are not
understood and overcome, the foundation for other changes is
unstable. Cost is $249 per phone line (toll-free to caller,
unlimited attendance), if you
register on or before Friday, April 2, and $299 afterward. To
register visit:
www.agacgfm.org/education/audioconferences/HR0404.aspx
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/pdcfor agenda and
registration information.
CAPITAL
03/31/04 –
04/01/04 Spring Seminar 2004 "Taking Accountability to the Next
Level"
AGA’s Virginia
Peninsula Chapter and the American Society of Military Comptrollers
(ASMC) are sponsoring this seminar, worth 16 CPE hours, at the
Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, VA. Topics include:
“Government Accountability,” Francis (Gene) Reardon, CGFM, deputy
inspector general for auditing, U.S. Department of Defense Inspector
General; “Information Systems Development—Reducing the Risk of
Failure,” Karen Helderman, audit director, Commonwealth of Virginia,
Auditor of Public Accounts; “Presentation Skills,” Carole Buncher,
Carole Buncher & Associates: The Competency Company; “Computer
Assisted Audit Techniques,” Pete Pupshis, CGFM, senior manager,
Clifton Gunderson; “Property, Plant & Equipment,” Wendy Watson, U.S.
Coast Guard Finance Center. Cost is $185 for AGA/ASMC members and
$200 for nonmembers. For more information, contact Janine Prybyla at
757.552.8204 or
prybylaj@gao.gov
See a full agenda at
www.agavapeninsula.org
04/22/04 Local Training Event
AGA’s
Montgomery/Prince Georges County Chapter presents a training event
from 1:30 to 5 p.m., worth 4 CPE hours at the National Institutes of
Health, Natcher Conference Center. We will highlight and discuss
“GPRA—Ten Years Later,” presented by Patricia A. Dalton, CGFM, of
GAO; “Erroneous Payments,” presented by Woody Jackson, of KPMG; and
“Accounting for Leases,” presented by Daniel Shriver, of KPMG. The
cost is $65 for members and $75 for nonmembers. Please go to
marylandaga.com for a registration form.
04/07/04
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
04/08/04 –
04/09/04 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
04/12/04 –
04/14/04 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
MIDWEST
04/07/04
AGA-NASACT Audio Conference
AGA’s Kansas City
Chapter is participating in the audio conference, “Human Resource
Challenges in a Changing Accounting World,” worth 2 CPE hours. Cost
is $15. For reservations contact Terry Henkelman at 816.926.8609.
04/16/04 Spring
Seminar
The Kansas City Chapter will hold
its spring seminar, worth 8 CPE hours. The cost is $75 for members
and $90 for nonmembers. To register, contact Terry Henkelman at
816.926.8609.
04/27/04
Professional Development Conference
AGA’s Lincoln Chapter is sponsoring this
conference, worth 8 CPE hours, at the Developmental Services of
Nebraska Training Center in Lincoln. Topics include IT Spending,
GASB and Performance Management, OMB Circular A-87 and ethics. Cost
is $110 for AGA members and $140 for nonmembers before April 20.
Fees go up $10
afterward. Contact Frank Faughn with questions at 402.435.2800 or
ffaughn@dsnline.org
05/10/04 Performance Management and Reporting
and GASB Update on Financial Reporting Standards
AGA’s Chicago Chapter is sponsoring this free
event, featuring Jay Fountain, CGFM, GASB’s retired director
of research. Earn 3 CPE hours and learn about using and reporting
performance measures and how auditors
can determine whether an agency’s performance goals are tangible and
measurable. Go to
www.agachicago.org for more information.
NORTHWEST
04/22/04 - 04/23/04 Annual Regional Government Accounting and
Auditing Conference
AGA's Seattle Chapter is
co-sponsoring this conference, worth 16 CPE hours, with the
Washington Society of CPAs (WSCPA) at the Seatac Doubletree Inn. The
conference features GASB and Yellow Book updates. Other
topics include: Grant Accounting and Reporting Changes, hands-on
Performance Measures & Managing for Results training, and Joint
Legislative Audit Review Committee: A State Perspective. COSO
Revisited—Enterprise Risk Management, Applicability and Common Sense
Approach to Implementing COSO, Economic Environment & Associated
Risks, Derivatives and Hedging Activities: Accounting and Disclosure
Requirements for Governments,
and Performance Auditing—Issues and Applications. The cost for AGA
and WSCPA members: Early bird price (April 2 deadline) for the
two-day course is $275,and $320 afterward. One-day price is $185
early bird and $230 afterward. Register online at
www.wscpa.org
or contact Pat Seaton at 206.287.4824.
SOUTHEAST
04/23/04 Spring Seminar
AGA’s East
Tennessee Chapter is sponsoring this event, worth 7 CPE hours, at
Rothchild Catering, 8807 Kingston
Pike, Knoxville. Speakers include, G. Robert Smith Jr., Ph.D, CPA,
assistant professor, Middle Tennessee State
University on “GASB and Accounting Update”; Al Auxier, Ph.D,
Flaskerud Investments, teaching scholar and
associate professor of finance, University of Tennessee, on
“Investing Warren Buffett’s Style”; Norma T. Mertz,
professor, University of Tennessee, and Sonja R. McNeely, associate
professor, University of Tennessee, on
“Ethics and the Workplace”; and Betsy Foxx, director, Human
Resources, Blount County Government on
"Discover Your BEST Personality Style." Luncheon speaker is AGA’s
Southeastern Regional Vice President
Deborah Davis, CGFM, CPA. Cost is $100 for AGA members and $125 for
nonmembers. Questions
can be
directed to Mike Blair at 865.632.6056 or
tmblair@tva.gov
04/26/04 –
04/27/04 The Southeastern Regional Professional Development
Conference
AGA’s Chattanooga Chapter is sponsoring this
event, worth 16 CPE hours, at
the Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad Street, Chattanooga.
On April 26, the theme is, “What’s Up with GASB: A GASB Update for
2004” and on April 27 the theme is, “Measuring Up: Developing and
Implementing Performance Measures.” Cost is $300 for two days or
$175 for one day (8 CPE hours). Early registration is March 15. For
registration information, contact Barry Brooks at 423.757.0587 or
brooks_b@mail.chattanooga.gov.
04/26/04 - 04/27/04
Tennessee Government Auditing Training
Seminar
The Tennessee
Comptroller of the Treasury and the National Association of State
Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) have again partnered
to conduct this year’s seminars. Frank Crawford, Crawford and
Associates, will be the primary speaker, bringing a unique blend of
technical and practical knowledge to his sessions. This year’s
seminars are set for Chattanooga on April 26-27, Nashville on May
3-4, Morristown on May 10-11, and Jackson on May 17-18. Note that
Chattanooga is a new site and will replace the seminar that has been
held in the past several years in Cleveland. For a conference
brochure and registration form go to
www.nasact.org/conferences/events.cfm
TEXAS-OKLAHOMA
04/21/04 –
04/22/04 Joint Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter Professional Development
Conference
AGA's Dallas and Fort
Worth Chapters are jointly sponsoring a two-day conference, worth 16
CPE hours, at the La Quinta Conference Center in Arlington, TX. The
conference theme is "Knowledge Is Power: Key Strategies for
Empowering Today's Financial Managers" and includes topics of
interest to financial managers at all levels of
government—local, state and federal—as well as the private sector.
The featured luncheon speaker on Wednesday, April 21, will be AGA
National President Jullin Renthrope, CGFM, who will discuss "SAS No.
99—The New Fraud Standard’s Impact on Auditors and Financial
Managers." On Thursday, April 22, Wilson Campbell, CGFM, project
director for the Service Efforts and Accomplishments Program at
GASB, will conduct a two-hour presentation on “Results-Based
Reporting and Management Tools for Government.” Other topics cover a
wide range of issues, including cyber crime, business ethics,
deriving more reliable results from statistical sampling and the
auditor’s
role in IT system development. The cost for AGA members is $225 for
both days and $125 for one day. Retired members receive discounted
pricing of $175 for both days and $100 for one day. The cost for
nonmembers is $300 for both days and $175 for one day. For a
conference brochure, go to
www.agadallas.org or contact Raylene
Mason, CGFM, at 817.685.2450, ext. 227, or via e-mail at
rmason@oig.hhs.gov
WEST
04/19/04 GASB
Financial Reporting Standards and SEA
AGA's Sacramento Chapter will host Jay
Fountain, CGFM, former assistant research director, GASB, for an
update on reporting standards and an in-depth session on GASB's
service efforts and accomplishments and performance measures
direction at the Holiday Inn, 300 J St., Sacramento. Four CPE hours
offered. Fee is $25 AGA members/$75 nonmembers (includes lunch); $5
discount for registration by April 4. To register, go to
www.SacramentoAGA.com
04/23/04
“Access Unleashed: Data Analysis Using MS Access to Add Value to
Audits—Technology, Tests, Tips and Tricks for Auditors Using MS
Access”
AGA’s Silicon Valley Chapter and
the IIA’s San Jose Chapter present this conference at the Biltmore
Hotel, Santa Clara, CA. The speaker is Mark J. Nigrini and 7 CPE
hours are offered. Registration is $175 for members and $225 for
nonmembers. For more information, contact Laura Adams, president,
Seminar Coordinator, IIA San Jose Chapter, at 831.454.2880.
04/27/04 2003
Revised Yellow Book
AGA’s Sacramento
Chapter again offers this course on revised Government Auditing
Standards, worth 8 CPE hours, at the Marriott in Rancho Cordova. The
fee is $100 for AGA members (with early registration discount);
includes lunch, handouts. The instructor is Sefton Boyers, CGFM.
Register at
www.sacramentoAGA.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________
AGA Advertising Opportunities!
Take advantage of
several advertising opportunities from AGA! Get maximum exposure and
build your brand. Advertise on the AGA website, within AGA Today and
TOPICS newsletters.Go
to
www.agacgfm.org/publications/topics/topics_advertising.aspx
to find out more or contact Marie Force at
mforce@agacgfm.org
__________________________________________________________________________________________
In need of CPE? Have you visited AGA’s
online professional development center? Act now and take advantage
of great courses, affordable prices and desktop convenience. Visit
www.agacgfm.org/education/onlinecpe.aspx
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Interested in joining the best of the best in
government financial management? It’s easy…join AGA. To become a
member, visit
www.agacgfm.org/membership/membershipdefault.aspx
Subscribers can remove themselves from the AGA
newsletter listserve by writing a message to our list's leave
address:
leave-agatoday@mh.databack.com
Technical difficulties? Send an e-mail to
jcurtin@agacgfm.org Thanks.