Highlights

Watch for daily updates from the PDC, beginning Tuesday, June 26, and continuing through Thursday, June 27. AGA's weekly newsletters will return with AGA Today on Monday, July 16.

Training Opportunities

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Changes in Financial Management
Federal financial managers are spending too much time and energy following regulations and not enough time watching how much it all costs. James Brimson is President and founder of the Activity Based Management-Institute, and wrote a research report for AGA, entitled Process-Based Financial Reporting (CPAG Report No. 10). He joined Federal News Radio on June 12 to explain how using XML could save federal agencies money. Listen to the interview.

Academy Receives Donation from AGA's Washington D.C. Chapter
On June 2, 2007, as part of the Washington D.C. Chapter's 50th Anniversary Gala, a donation of $12,500 was made to the Academy for Government Accountability in memory of AGA Past National President and charter member Raymond Einhorn, CGFM, who passed away last year. There to receive the award was Sally Randall, Mr. Einhorn's daughter, as well as AGA Executive Director Relmond Van Daniker, DBA, CPA, and AGA National President Jeffrey Hart, CGFM, CFE. This is the first major donation the Academy has received. For more information about how to donate to the Academy, please contact Eveanna Barry.

Performance Management and Reporting Focus of August 8 Audio Conference
AGA, in conjunction with the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) and the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) is pleased to announce a new and increasingly important topic to our audio conference participants— Performance Management and Reporting. This audio conference, set for 2 - 3:50 pm EDT and worth 2 CPE hours, will explore why performance management and reporting allows government officials to improve service delivery and resource allocation by disclosing strengths and weaknesses to citizens and management and making changes based on those disclosures. So, are you a government official who wants to learn more about performance management and reporting? Are taxpayers in your community unaware of the good that government performs? With transparency and accountability as the watchwords for effective, efficient and honest government, performance management and reporting should be on the political agenda of any official to inform constituents how and on what government is spending tax dollars. Taxpayers should demand nothing less. To share their practical experiences in performance management and reporting and to learn the latest in the GASB Service Efforts and Accomplishments Project will be three industry experts. Cost is $249 per site (unlimited attendance) if you register on or before Friday, August 3, 2007, and $299 thereafter. Register online.

View the audio conference schedule.

Member News  
Congratulations to three new CGFMs from AGA’s Nashville Chapter: Paul Fimano, CGFM, of the Office of the Inspector General, state of Tennessee; and Tammy Fruscione, CGFM, and Timothy Scotton, CGFM, both of the Comptroller of the Treasury's Office, state of Tennessee. Fimano and Fruscione went through the chapter's review program for the CGFM exams. Congratulations!

AGA Journal Board Seeks Articles for Upcoming Winter Issue: Managing the Government
In the post-OMB Circular A-123 Appendix A environment, internal control and risk assessment are more than buzz words—they're facts of life. Whether you work in federal, state or local government or as a private sector contractor, you are dealing with challenges that run the gamut from ethics to deficits, and from managing the boomer exodus to managing shrinking resources and doing more with less. Innovative leadership has never been more critical as we navigate our way through these uncharted waters. What's working? What isn't? And how can government financial managers influence change? Writing deadline: September 1, 2007. Contact Marie Force with questions or to submit your work.

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 April Pardoe.

Volume 47: Issue 12, June 18, 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.

From the National President, Jeffrey S. Hart, CGFM, CFE

With this last column of mine, I first want to thank everyone that encouraged and supported me, recap what we accomplished together this year, and share a few personal thoughts about the exciting future I see for AGA.  There are so many people to thank, and so much else I want to share with you, I hope you’ll be patient with me this one last time.

Thanks!
First and foremost, let me thank you, the entire AGA membership, now almost 15,000-strong, for the honor and privilege of serving as your National President.  You, and the mission of advancing government accountability that we are all passionate about, are the reason AGA exists. Read more from President Hart.

AGA New Orleans Habitat for Humanity Trip:  One of the Best Vacations I Ever Had—By Jeffrey S. Hart, CGFM, CFE, AGA National President

The PDC 2007 Program is Now Available Online!
Why wait? The conference program is here and ready for printing. Take a look at what PDC 2007 has to offer. View the program to check out the complete list of speakers and education sessions or find your room assignment. The printed program will be distributed at the conference. Those participants who want a sneak peek before arriving in Nashville should click on the link below. See you in Nashville!

• PDC Agenda/Session List

Renovations to Take Place at the Renaissance Hotel During AGA PDC 
For those of you staying at the Nashville Renaissance Hotel during the PDC, we wanted to make you aware of a few renovations that will be taking place during your stay. The construction should not impair your enjoyment of the PDC, but we wanted to give you advance notice.
 
Main Lobby & Front Desk  

• The hotel registration area will be relocated to the second floor adjacent to the Fisk Room Foyer.
• Guest Services (Bellstand and Concierge) will remain active and operational and will also be located on the second floor.
• The front entrance of the hotel is being updated, thus, the temporary hotel entrance will be through the West Ballroom door 

Gift Shop & Restaurant

• The gift shop will be located on the second floor near the hotel registration area.
• Access to the hotel restaurant, The Commerce Street Grill, will be available. 

Please check for directional signage when you arrive. The hotel staff will also be able to assist you. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to seeing you in Nashville.

TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner MorganFranklin
A-123 Invigorated!
You’ve relied on it for years. Yet today’s stewards of fiscal accountability are forced to accomplish more with less. A fresh perspective on A-123 is required. Consider this: achieving A-123 compliance while reducing costs and increasing program effectiveness must become your standard for success. A-123 Invigorated—Think MorganFranklin. For information on our Federal solutions call 703.564.7525, ext. 262, or e-mail bill.hughes@morganfranklin.com.

Past National President Jullin Renthrope to Receive 2007 Robert W. King Memorial Award
When AGA Past National President Jullin Renthrope, CGFM, CPA, CFE, CGFO, heard he had been selected to receive AGA’s highest honor, the Robert W. King Memorial Award, the feeling was indescribable.

“It was quite a joy,” he said. “I just felt so good because this is such an honor to receive this type of recognition, especially from this Association that I so truly believe in.”

Established in honor of the Association’s founding president, the award is conferred in the form of a gold medal to an Association member for distinguished service of such significance that it has greatly enhanced the Association’s national prestige and stature. It’s an appropriate award for a National President who picked the theme, “AGA—Taking Accountability to the Next Level,” and who succeeded in expanding AGA’s influence in all levels of government during the 2003–2004 program year. Read the entire article.

PDC Community Service Silent Auction
Now, we all know that change is GOOD and we need to try new and exciting adventures! That’s why this year we’re doing something different in Nashville at the PDC. We are going to hold a SILENT AUCTION to raise money for the National Community Service Fund (NCSF) and a nationally recognized charity. 

 Last year, over 85 chapters, exhibitors, and individuals donated wonderful prizes allowing us to raise $22,055! Proceeds were divided between the American Cancer Society and AGA‘s NCSF. This year our goal is $25,000 (Yes, $25,000!) and we’re asking for your help.

We’re asking each chapter to donate a prize for the auction- something representative of your area, such as a basket of regional items, or something your chapter believes would entice someone to bid. Also, if chapters in the same geographical area want to pool their resources and send one prize from the state—by all means, do that. 

Also, don’t forget to bring your chapter checkbooks to participate in our annual Chapter Challenge. Each year, it seems like we have a number of chapters challenging each other to donate the most money for our fund raiser. This year, we’re letting you know WAY IN ADVANCE to be ready to play!

If you have any questions about the auction or the NCSF, contact Renee Gilman. See you in Nashville!

Make Plans to Attend AGA’s Performance Management Conference Now
Join AGA at its Third Annual National Performance Management Conference, which will bring together state and local government professionals to share in education, networking and recognition of government entities that have been honored with AGA’s Certificate of Achievement in Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA) Reporting. The PMC, with the theme, Promoting Government Accountability Through Performance Management, is set for Sept. 24–25, 2007, in Phoenix, AZ.

Experts in the field of performance reporting and this year’s SEA award recipients will share their experiences at the conference, worth 14 CPE hours. Learn why benchmarking is important in government’s efforts to improve efficiency. Hear how performance measures can be used to improve management and service delivery. See how government leaders are informing their citizens on the successes and challenges within their governments. If your job description includes performance reporting, this conference is for you.

Speakers include:

• Robert H. Attmore, CGFM, CPA, Chairman, Governmental Accounting Standards Board
• Frank Fairbanks, City Manager, Phoenix, AZ
• D. Clark Partridge, CGFM, State Comptroller, Department of Administration, General Accounting Office, State of Arizona
• Michael Lawson, Director, Center for Performance Measurement, International City/County Management Association
• Rep. Mark Miloscia, Washington State Legislature
• David Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Maricopa County, AZ
• Jonathan Walters, Staff Correspondent, Governing Magazine, and author of Measuring Up

Register for this excellent networking and learning opportunity today. See you there!

• Visit the conference website
• Make your hotel reservation by August 31
• Register online
• Print registration form (PDF)
• Become a sponsor

Question:

Answer: CPE that would satisfy the CGFM Program's requirement must be in government financial management topics or related technical subjects applicable to government financial management areas.

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Audio Conferences

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CGFM Certification—Take the CGFM Exams today!

Register for AGA's Second Annual National Internal Control & Fraud Conference, September 10 – 11, 2007, Atlanta, GA

Register for AGA's Third Annual National Performance Management Conference, September 24 – 25, 2007, Phoenix, AZ

© Association of Government Accountants 2007

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