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Highlights

Registration Now Open for AGA’s National Performance Conference
How well does your government provide what its citizens need and expect? Learn successful performance management strategies from state and local governments at AGA's Second National Performance Management Conference on October 30-31, 2006. Agenda, registration, hotel and travel information is now available on the conference website. This year's PMC will provide you with information about state and local performance management through dynamic educational sessions and speakers. Hear from recipients of the Service Efforts and Accomplishments Certificate of Achievement, as they explain their process for producing award-winning reports.View the agenda of educational sessions and speakers here.

Member Happenings
Susan Breshears, a member of AGA’s Kansas City Chapter, recently passed the three CGFM Examinations and now joins the elite group of professionals who have earned the title of Certified Government Financial Manager. Some of her additional accomplishments in 2006 include obtaining her MBA from Rockhurst University and earning her Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) certification.

Clifton Gunderson has announced several staff promotions—to manager positions—in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office: Mami Gebereegziabher, a member of AGA's Northern Virginia Chapter, a graduate of Marymount University and resident of Springfield, VA; Edmund L. Mendez, a member of AGA's Montgomery/Prince Georges County Chapter, a graduate of the University of Maryland and resident of Laurel, MD; and Linda Wyre, a member of AGA's Northern Virginia Chapter, a graduate of Wayne State University and resident of Fairfax, VA.

Send your Member Happenings to Chris Camara for inclusion in future issues of TOPICS!

AGA Advertising Opportunities!
Advertise in AGA's electronic newsletters—TOPICS and AGA Today! Get maximum exposure and build your brand. Find all the information you need to run your ad! Or, you can contact AGA's Director of Communications, Marie Force.

Volume 46: Issue 14, July 31, 2006

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.

AGA Internal Control & Fraud Conference Registration Brochure is Now Available
The Registration Brochure for AGA’s First National Internal Control & Fraud Conference is now available online. Take a look at our impressive line-up of speakers and education sessions. You can also get information about registration, hotel accommodations, travel discounts and more. Download the brochure in PDF format or view the program/schedule on our website.

AGA has brought together the best in the business: Arthur A. Hayes, Jr., MPA, JD, CGFM, CPA, CFE, Director, Division of State Audit, Comptroller of the Treasury, State of Tennessee; Matthew A. Jadacki, CGFM, CPA, Special Inspector General for Gulf Coast Hurricane Recovery; Comptroller General of the United States David M. Walker, CPA; Leslie Ward, City Auditor, City of Atlanta, inspectors general from several federal agencies, and more!

Join us in Atlanta to discuss the latest discovery techniques, learn how different levels of government are cooperating, exchange ideas and share best practices with colleagues and friends. The conference features leaders from all levels of government, the private sector and academia and offers dynamic speakers and ample opportunities to network.

Early registration ends August 25, 2006. Register today and secure your place at AGA’s newest educational event!

Last Call for the FASAB, GASB Audio Conference this Wednesday
AGA, in conjunction with NASACT and ALGA, is sponsoring an audio conference, worth 2 CPE hours, addressing "Accounting Concepts and Emerging Issues at the FASAB and GASB." Speakers are David Mosso, CPA, who will conclude his 10-year term as FASAB chairman at the end of 2006; Tom Allen, former GASB chairman and Mosso’s planned successor at FASAB; and Robert Attmore, CGFM, CPA, current GASB chairman. Join us from 2 – 3:50 p.m. EDT, Aug. 2. Cost is $249 per site if you register on or before Friday, July 28, 2006 and $299 thereafter. Register online. AGA recently issued the 2006-2007 audio conference schedule, which is contained below. Find out more about AGA's Audio Conferences.

TOPICS is Brought to You by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Systems Accountant/Analysts

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently seeking Systems Accountant/Analysts to support efforts in our Rockville, Maryland headquarters facility. In this role, you will responsible for performing a variety of system accounting functions in support of the design, development, and implementation of business process improvements and major financial IT systems. Applicants must possess a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field and accounting experience, OR an equivalent combination of college-level education and training that provides professional accounting knowledge and experience. Salary range for these positions is $36,671 – $100,554. For a detailed job description and to apply on-line, please visit our Web site at: www.nrc.gov/who- we-are/employment.html and refer to Vacancy Announcement #OCFO/DFM-2006-0015. Only on-line applications will be accepted through 8/6/06. EOE, M/F/D/V. U.S. citizenship required.

New Audio Conference on Risk Assessments for Performance Auditing, Sept. 14
AGA, in conjunction with NASACT and ALGA, is sponsoring a new audio conference addressing "Risk Assessments for Performance Auditing" worth 2 CPE hours. Speakers are Beth Ashcroft, MBA, CIA, Director of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability for the State of Maine, and Gerald Silva, CGFM, CPA, City Auditor for San Jose, CA. Join us from 2 - 3:50 p.m. EDT, Sept. 14. Cost is $249 per site if you register on or before Sept. 8, 2006 and $299 thereafter. Register online. AGA recently issued the 2006-2007 audio conference schedule. Find out more about AGA's Audio Conferences.

NEC Meeting Highlights & New AGA Chapter
The National Executive Committee met on Friday, June 16, at the PDC in San Diego, CA for their final quarterly meeting of the 2005-2006 program year. At this meeting the NEC voted in favor of revising the Special Achievement Award to become the Emerging Leader Award of Excellence and adding two new national awards: the International Achievement Award and the Chapter CGFM Award. The NEC also voted to increase the membership of the Financial Management Standards Board to a total of 25 and contribute an additional $20,000 to the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. The NEC is also proud to announce the approval of AGA’s new Mid-Willamette Valley Chapter, serving the needs of AGA members in Salem, OR! Click here to view the meeting minutes.

NBD Meeting Highlights
AGA’s National Board of Directors met on Sunday, June 18, and National President Sam McCall, CGFM, reviewed AGA’s accomplishments during his program year. National Treasurer-Elect Tom Sadowski, CGFM, reviewed AGA’s current financial status and the FY07 budget and budget process to the NBD members. The NBD members voted in favor revising AGA National Bylaws, Article VI, Section 2(a) changing the positions of Immediate Past National Treasurer and National Treasurer-Elect as full voting members of the NEC and adding the chairs of the Professional Certification Board and the Corporate Partner Advisory Group as ex-officio members of the NEC. Please visit the AGA website to view the minutes from the NBD meeting.

CGFM a New Requirement for Accountants at Columbus Metropolitan Library
The Central Ohio Chapter’s effort to boost recognition for the Certified Government Financial Manager designation has paid off.

The 21-branch Columbus Metropolitan Library, ranked the No. 1 library in the country in 2005 by Hennen's American Public Library Rating Index, has implemented a new minimum requirement for any vacant accountant positions: Candidates must have CGFM certification at the time of hire or earn the designation within two years to maintain their employment.

Adding this new requirement was led by former chapter president Todd C. Daughenbaugh, CGFM, CPA, the library’s Manager of Fiscal Services. Daughenbaugh’s push for the certification requirement coincided with and benefited from the library rolling out a new strategic plan. That plan states that library employees will strive to become “profession leaders” in all that they do. Read the story.

New Brochure Hot off the Press! Want to Make a Difference? Consider a Career in Government Financial Management
Are you, or someone from your chapter planning to attend a career fair, or an event for college students? AGA now has a an eye-catching brochure that offers information about government financial management careers and answers questions for aspiring government financial managers regarding the qualifications and skills needed to get started. It also includes a bookmark for students that directs them to the Tomorrow’s Professionals website for more information. To order free copies of the brochure please submit the collateral order form found in the Members Only section or contact Jessica Jones.

AGA Remembers Lee Beaty
Longtime AGA member Lee S. Beaty, 70, of Chattanooga, TN, passed away on July 22. He had worked with the Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C. before retiring and moving to Chattanooga. He joined AGA’s Northern Virginia Chapter in 1974 and was active in AGA activities, encouraging his colleagues to join the Association. In fact, he sponsored the membership of Past National President William J. Anderson Jr., CGFM.

According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Beaty was born in Shawanee, TN. He graduated with a master's degree from the University of Maryland. He attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves. “He is best known as a loving and generous family man, who saw the best in everyone,” the newspaper said.

He is survived by his brother, William Patrick Beaty; two sons, Lee S. Jr. and James L. Beaty; two grandsons, Jamie Beaty and Ryan Ferguson; and one granddaughter, Lauren Beaty.

Contributions can be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4355 Highway 58, Suite 101, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

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