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Highlights Anatomy of Ethical Slips in Government Topic of May 14
Audio Conference During this audio conference, the presenter will recount recent ethical lapses in government and examine the causes and effects. By examining a series of ethical lapses, we find that a pattern emerges. That pattern allows us to think about this question: What is it in the culture of an agency that allows obvious ethical breaches to occur and continue? Once we understand the culture, we can think about putting the detection methods, as well as antidotes, in place. Thinking more deeply about nurturing a culture of ethics is the key to prevention of ethical lapses, at all levels. To share her expertise in ethical behavior and its ramifications is Marianne M. Jennings, JD, professor in the Department of Management in the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University (ASU). At ASU, Jennings teaches graduate courses in the MBA program in business ethics and the legal environment of business. Please join us for two hours of lively discussion that includes 20 minutes for Q & A. Cost: $249 per site (UNLIMITED ATTENDANCE) if you register by May 9 and $299 thereafter. SPECIAL PROMOTION: Register five or more offices from your government agency or CPAG firm and receive a 20 percent discount. Register online, print the registration form and fax it to 703.684.6933 or print the Special Promotion Registration form and fax it to 703.684.6933. South Carolina Joins Oregon and Nevada in Producing a
Citizen-Focused Report The four-page ‘annual state of the government’ reports, designed to be visually appealing, provide understandable information to citizens about the performance and financial condition of the government as well as demographics and future challenges—while answering the question, “Are we better off today than we were last year?” AGA believes the net effect will be to make governments more accountable to their citizens and help the American public develop closer relationships with their government. We invite your government to join the state of South Carolina in this nationwide movement. By participating in this important endeavor, you can create a product that proves your commitment to transparency in government. If your government is not producing a Citizen-Centric Report, please help convince them to do so. All the tools you need to start the process can be found on the AGA website.
Take the CGFM Examinations Before the PDC More information and a registration form for this event are available on the AGA website. If you have any questions, please contact Crystal Vanison at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 316. Save the Dates for Upcoming AGA Conferences National Internal Control and Fraud Conference National Leadership Conference Professional Development Conference July 11–14, 2010 Member News |
Volume 48: Issue 8, April 28, 2008 TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner 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 can help your agency manage its resources more efficiently and effectively at 703.637.2750. From the National President, Richard L. Fair, CGFM, CPA After serving in the military from 1943–1946, Mr. Snodgrass began his long career in state service in 1947 as a research analyst, and later as a consultant on municipal accounting and finance at the University of Tennessee. In 1953, newly elected Gov. Frank G. Clement appointed Snodgrass as the state budget director. In January 1955, Snodgrass was first elected as Comptroller of the Treasury. He served for 22 consecutive two-year terms until his semi-retirement in January 1999—a career that spanned the terms of seven different governors and 23 General Assemblies.
Please join me in expressing our condolences to his wife Faye (shown with Mr. Snodgrass above at AGA's tribute during the 2007 PDC in Nashville) and the entire Snodgrass family. Thank you. Rick Over the last week, members of Mr. Snodgrass’s former staff in Tennessee as well as others from around the country have written to AGA to express their thoughts on his passing and his legacy. View the tribute. Read Mr. Snodgrass's obituary in The Tennessean. TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner
Member-Get-A-Member Campaigns Ends April 30! Congratulations to Thalia J. Melendez, Membership Chair of the New York Capital Chapter, who won a trip for two to anywhere in the continental U.S. or Caribbean (airfare and hotel only). Thalia was one of 12 members who recruited 10 or more members by March 31. Each of the 12 was entered into a fishbowl drawing for this prize. Other prizes are still available, so be sure to reach out and recruit in these final days of the 2007–2008 member-get-a-member campaign, We Have a Dream! Find out more about the campaign. This Week on the AGA Blog Monday: John Sacco, associate professor of
Public and International Affairs at George Mason University, on "Blogging for
Government Dollars: Can Internal Blogs (or Wikis) Add Value to Traditional
Financial Indicators and Improve Competition?" Thursday: Rhonda Reinke, CGFM, CPM, Transportation Improvement Board, State of Washington, on "Why Traditional Budgeting Just Doesn’t Work and What Government Can Do About It" Friday: Michael Jacobson, Director of Performance Management, King County, WA, on "Can We Do It All? Is It Possible to Have All of the Performance Management Pieces in Place at One Time?" Questions about how to post a comment or how to subscribe to the feed that sends blog entries straight to your e-mail address? Find out more here. Want to spend a day as our guest on the blog? Contact Marie Force, communications director. TOPICS is Brought to You by the NY Society of CPAs
Complimentary
Research Report Available from AGA The latest report—21st Century Federal Financial Managers: A New Mix of Skills and Educational Levels?—is now available. The study identifies the skills federal financial managers need to do the work of the government in the 21st Century and makes recommendations for action to improve the capacity and capability of the work force. Key findings include:
Contact Susan Fritzlen for paper copies of this report. NAPA/AGA Plan Panel to Advise Next Administration National Academy Fellow and AGA President-Elect Samuel T. Mok, CGFM, CIA, will serve as moderator for an energetic discussion among the distinguished panelists and an expert response panel: Steve O. App, CGFM, Deputy to the Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Michael J. Hettinger, Director of Practice Planning and Marketing, Grant Thornton LLP; Former Staff Director, Government Reform Subcommittee on Management, Finance and Accountability Wendy Payne, CGFM, Executive Director, Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) Relmond P. Van Daniker, DBA, CPA, Executive Director, AGA Daniel I. Werfel, Acting Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Space is limited. For more information contact Eveanna Barry. AGA’s PDC Brings the Heat: Hot Topics, Informative
Education Sessions, Networking and a Scorching Good Time! Register Now and Save! Early Registration Deadline:
June 27 Build on the dream… show your commitment a more accountable future—register today!
AGA Advertising Opportunities! |
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Other AGA Links Bring New AGA-Sponsored Training Courses to Your Organization
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© Association of Government Accountants 2008 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. |
The
government accountability community has lost a great leader, William R.
Snodgrass, Comptroller Emeritus, State of Tennessee. 
Throughout
his service, Mr. Snodgrass was at the forefront of the governmental
accountability movement at the local, state and national levels. He served on
the executive committee of the National Legislative Conference from 1970–1974
and served as its staff chairman in 1973–1974. He went on to serve on the first
executive committee of the newly formed National Conference of State Legislators
in 1974–1975. Snodgrass was on the executive committee of the National
Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers from 1975–1980 and
served as its president in 1978–1979. Additionally, he served on the executive
committee of the Municipal Finance Officers Association (now known as the
Government Finance Officers Association) in 1980–1983. Mr. Snodgrass was an AGA
member, and among the numerous honors he received was the Association’s
Distinguished Leadership Award in 1988. Several years ago, AGA named its
Distinguished State Government Leadership Award for Snodgrass. He was a strong
supporter of AGA's Nashville Chapter, one of the Association's most dynamic
chapters, which was founded by members of his staff. 
It
is obvious that Mr. Snodgrass had a long and distinguished career promoting
government accountability and his impact can still be felt today. What I will
remember most about him was his quiet demeanor and great respect for others in
his profession. I’ve never met anyone who more personifies the qualities of a
true “Southern gentleman.” We in the AGA community mourn his loss. 
MorganFranklin
puts the word “value” back into agency compliance efforts. Visit 
There
may only be three days left, but that is still plenty time to participate in the
2007–2008 We Have a Dream Recruitment Campaign. Join the 404 members who have
reached out and recruited 940 AGA members this program year. To count in this
year's recruitment campaign, all new member applications must be received at the
National Office by April 30. All it takes is a brief moment to
hand a co-worker or friend an application and share a story of how AGA
membership has benefited your career. It’s that simple!
Government
Accounting and Auditing Conference
In
addition to an outstanding educational program, the PDC is packed with
unparalleled opportunities to network, exchange ideas and meet new friends. Take
advantage of the many social events and enjoy the music, food and attractions
that Atlanta has to offer. Whether you come alone or with a group, you’ll have
ample opportunities to network in informal settings. In addition to connecting
with friends at breakfasts, luncheons and refreshment breaks, be sure to attend
these fun, festive events.