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Register Now for AGA's Fraud Conference
Registration is open for AGA’s Second Annual National Internal Control & Fraud Conference, to be held September 10-11, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, GA.
The conference will focus on management's responsibility for ensuring a good system of internal controls and the role of all accountability professionals in minimizing the risk of fraud, waste and abuse.
The “Fraud Conference” will bring together leaders from all levels of government, the private sector and academia. In addition to an outstanding technical program, this event offers unparalleled opportunities to network, exchange ideas and share best practices with colleagues and friends.
Register today and secure your place at AGA’s newest educational and networking event!
Register online and save!
Register by Mail/Fax (PDF)
Get to Know Your AGA Corporate Partner
Unisys Corporation
Federal Systems
Today’s government faces unparalleled challenges—improving citizen services, ongoing fiscal constraints and security, to name a few. For more than 50 years, our federal government clients have trusted Unisys to help them meet these challenges and support their mission-critical programs.
Unisys Federal Systems delivers high-value, world-class information technology services and solutions that help our federal government clients transform the way they manage information to achieve their mission and improve services to the citizen. We apply our expertise in consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure and server technology to help our clients achieve secure business operations.
You want solutions delivered by people who understand the federal government. At Unisys, we understand. Known for our ability to develop and implement secure business solutions, our solutions and services touch almost every defense and civilian agency. And we manage more than 200 federal contract vehicles to accommodate your agency's unique purchasing needs.
Unisys Corporation
11720 Plaza America Drive
Reston, VA 20190
703.439.5000
www.unisys.com
CPE Online for the Summer Journal Available
By reading an issue of The Journal of Government Financial Management, and taking the relevant quiz, you can earn 3 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours. Help yourself and your career by increasing your knowledge of the government financial management environment. Take the quiz today.
Member Happenings
Thomas Mahoney, member of AGA's New York Capital Chapter and Director of Accounting Services at the New York Office of the State Comptroller, recently received the chapter's Outstanding Achievements in Government Accountability Award before 1,100 government officials at the NYS Leadership and Accountability Conference, who also viewed the AGA video.
Thomas J. Goodfellow, MBA, CPA, AGA charter member and Past President of AGA's New York Capital Chapter and Partner of BST consulting firm, has been appointed Chairman of Government Accounting and Auditing Committee of the New York State Society of CPAs. |
Volume 47: Issue 10, May 21, 2007
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.
Renthrope to Receive AGA's Top Award
 AGA Past National President Jullin Renthrope, CGFM, CPA, CFE, CGFO, has been selected to receive AGA's highest honor, the Robert W. King Memorial Award. Established in honor of the Association’s founding president, this award is given to an Association member for distinguished service of such significance that it has greatly enhanced the Association’s national prestige and stature.
Renthrope served as National President during the 2003-2004 program year. His theme, “AGA—Taking Accountability to the Next Level,” focused on expanding AGA’s influence in all levels of government. During his tenure, AGA launched the Certificate of Excellence in Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA) Reporting Program, which encourages state and local governments to provide meaningful and comprehensive reports on government performance. Renthrope also led the National Executive Committee when it selected Relmond Van Daniker, DBA, CPA, as its executive director.
Renthrope, a member of AGA's New Orleans Chapter and the audit manager of Louisiana's Office of the Legislative Auditor, was selected for his enthusiastic support and service, not only to AGA, but to the entire government accountability community. His nomination reads, “He consistently brings great dignity, prestige, exemplary collaborative relationships and high honor to AGA and to his profession.” Renthrope will be awarded a gold medallion at AGA’s PDC in Nashville next month.
See the complete list of National Award recipients.
Oregon, Portland Issue Citizen-Centric Reports
The City of Portland and the State of Oregon released four-page fiscal snapshots Thursday, as part of a national initiative by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) to bring clarity to fiscal reporting in municipal, county and state governments. Portland is the first metropolitan city and Oregon the first state government in the nation to issue such reports in AGA’s Citizen Centric project, which kicked off in March. —Bend Weekly News Sources. Read the entire article.
PDC Early Registration Deadline is Friday, May 25 
Don't miss your chance to save $100 by registering by Friday for AGA's 56th Annual Professional Develoment Conference & Exposition (PDC), set for June 24-27, in Nashville. After Friday, fees will increase to $900 for AGA members and $1,100 for nonmembers. You can register online or print the registration form to register by fax or mail. Advance registration discounts apply to all forms received before May 25, 2007.
Networking Opportunities Abound at PDC
In addition to an outstanding technical program, the PDC offers unparalleled networking. Whether you come alone or with a group, you’ll have the chance to make new contacts in informal settings. In addition to connecting with friends at breakfasts, luncheons and refreshment breaks, be sure to attend these fun-filled events!
Welcome Reception
Start the conference excitement early… Join us from 5–7 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, for a Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall. Be the first to explore an exciting marketplace of services, tools and new technology all designed for your needs. This event is the perfect kick-off to this year’s conference!
Monday Mixer
Join us from 5:30–6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 25, for an informal reception in the Exhibit Hall. The Monday mixer gives you an opportunity to relax, have a drink or a light snack, mix and mingle and perhaps make dinner plans with other PDC attendees.
Music City Soiree
Join us for a rip-roaring good time in the heart of Music City! Boot scoot over to the Wildhorse Saloon from 7–10 p.m. on Monday, June 25.
President’s Reception & Karaoke Party
Polish your cowboy boots, dust off your Western hat and join us for a fun-filled night in Music City. You’ll have a swinging good time at this lively party where country rocks, bluegrass rules and Western swings. This is the last social event of the PDC, set for 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27. Enjoy food, drinks and fun with colleagues and friends before heading home.
Two Important CGFM Sessions Set for PDC
 Mark your calendars: CGFM: Government Financial Management Certification for the Future, set for 9:30 – 10:20 a.m., Tuesday, June 26—Improved service to citizens, a competitive advantage in the industry, a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning—these are just some of the benefits of the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) certification. Learn about the value and importance of the CGFM, both from the perspective of employers and recent CGFMs. If you haven't yet earned your CGFM designation, this session is for you.
AGA Chapter Leadership Meeting: Focus on CGFM, set for 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 26—Become part of the CGFM Program's success. Join CGFM leaders to learn about the program's accomplishments this year and to share your own success stories. We will discuss different ways to promote the CGFM designation in your chapter, state and local recognition of the certification, CGFM Month initiative and the GFM training program
Also, don't miss the opportunity to take the CGFM Examinations before the PDC. AGA is offering a two-day Intensive Review Course on Thursday, June 21, and Friday, June 22, and an opportunity to take CGFM Examinations on June 23-24. The cost of the course is only $249 for qualified participants, and it offers 18 CPE hours. Special Bonus: the CGFM Examinations are offered at no cost to course attendees.
More information and a registration form for this event are available on AGA website. If you have any questions, contact Katya Silver at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 305, or ksilver@agacgfm.org.
Case Challenge Effort Under Way
The AGA National Office will begin marketing its first-ever Government Finance Case Challenge to colleges and universities from May through October. AGA aims to educate colleges about career options in government financial management; inform colleges about AGA; and invite them to participate in this free event.We need your assistance with this effort. If your chapter has a connection with a local college or university, please consider contacting the institution to introduce this competition. Find more information on AGA's website.
Opinions Sought on Usefulness of SAS 70 Reports
The AGA Corporate Partner Advisory Group (CPAG) Research Program is evaluating the usefulness of SAS 70 reports for a research project that will identify recommendations to make these reports more useful. SAS 70, “Reports on the Processing of Transactions by Service Organizations," are issued in accordance with Section 324 of the Professional Standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). SAS 70 reports are used by numerous federal and state agencies in connection with outsourced systems and services. If you are interested in being part of this research effort, you can complete the survey online by June 15. Whether you are a user of SAS 70 reports, a service provider, an auditor or other financial management professional, your opinions are important to us.
Seeking Your Ideas on Financial Management
AGA is conducting its annual survey of federal financial management leaders. What are your top priorities for government financial management? Do you have an opinion on the value of federal annual financial reports? What worries you the most about the future of government financial management? Already, we have collected the opinions of top federal CFOs, deputy CFOs and other executives. Add your ideas for a complete picture of what is wrong and right about federal financial management—and what leaders should do to improve it. AGA’s annual surveys of the federal financial management community are anonymous.
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