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Highlights
Nominations for National Officers Due October 29
You Are Invited to Accept the
Challenge of AGA National and Regional Leadership— Nominations must be
received by Friday, October 29, 2004
AGA’s National Nominating Committee is now accepting
nominations for volunteer leadership positions as
• National President-Elect
• National Treasurer-Elect
• Senior Vice President for Regional Services—Section III
• Senior Vice President At-Large
• Regional Vice Presidents-Elect
Click here for
complete nomination information.
Nominations for Federal and State & Local Government Leadership
Awards
Awards are presented at the National
Leadership Conference and nominations are due October 29, 2004.
Click here to
find the Word documents with the criteria for each award.
Here is the list of awards:
Federal Government Leadership Awards
- Distinguished Federal
Leadership Award
- Elmer Staats Award
- Andy Barr Award
State & Local Government Leadership Awards
- Excellence in
Government Leadership Award
- William R. Snodgrass
Distinguished Leadership Award
- Distinguished Local
Government Leadership Award
- Private Sector
Financial Excellence Award
All nominations should be submitted to Rosanna Ortiz, AGA National Awards
Committee staff liaison.
Fax: 703.519.0039
Mail: 2208 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301-1314
Phone: 800.AGA.7211, ext.131
Photos of nominees must accompany nomination packages!
CGFM Exam 3 Study Guide Now Available!
Be sure to order the new Study Guide for
CGFM Exam 3: Governmental Financial Management and Control to help
in your preparation for the examination.
Click here to download the order form.
From the National Office
Raymond Harris, CGFM, a member of
AGA's New York Capital Chapter, will join the AGA National Office staff
Sept. 13 as the director of education. He is retiring from the New York
State Comptroller's Office where he served as the internal control
officer and executive assistant to the deputy comptroller. Formerly,
Harris was the audit director for the New York State Office of Mental
Health for nine years. As vice president for education and programs,
Harris directed his chapter's successful professional development events.
The chapter has been recognized as the best education provider in AGA for
Group A chapters for the past two years. He plans to bring to the
National Office the same enthusiasm for high-quality education at the
national and chapter levels. Harris has also served in several AGA
national and chapter positions, including the National Executive
Committee, chairing the Regional Governance Task Force and chairing the
Chapter Assistance and Development Committee. He has served as Northeast
Regional Vice President and chapter president, as well as various other
chapter officer and director positions for the past 15 years. He has
received numerous national and chapter awards for his AGA volunteer work.
He received his MBA from Adelphi University with a major in marketing and
his BBA from Hofstra University with a major in accounting. In addition
to being a CGFM, Ray is also a Certified Fraud Examiner. He resides in
Glenville, NY, with his wife, Dr. Doreen Harris, a psychologist, and
their two Siberian huskies, Anik and Kia.
Spotlight on AGA Corporate Partner Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting,
technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering
innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become
high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and
business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track
record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies
to help clients improve their performance. With approximately 90,000
people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$11.8
billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2003.
David Petersen
Partner
11951 Freedom Drive
Reston, VA 20190
PH: 703.947.2000
FX: 703.947.2200
david.t.petersen@accenture.com www.accenture.com
 ORDER NOW!
A Primer on Internal Controls and Auditing: Crucial to Government and
the Economy
By: Wanda A. Wallace, Ph.D., CPA, CMA,
CIA
Internal control has never been optional, and now an easy-to-read
resource directed to a wide audience is available to understand both what
is meant by "internal control" and how an "audit" is conducted.
Click here to
order your copy.
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Volume 43: Issue 17, August 30, 2004
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
Bobby A. Derrick, CGFM
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite
cities, Madison, WI. If you have never been there, you are missing out on
a hidden treasure. My first trip to Madison was about eight years ago,
and since then I have visited the city every year. Fortunately, I have
been there during late spring, summer, or early fall. I have been told it
gets quite cold in the winter. Every time I visit the city, I always stay
at the same hotel downtown Madison across the street the state capitol
building. What a beautiful structure and testimony to those who planned
its structure and have maintained the property. As many of you know or
will soon know, photography is my passion whether for business or
pleasure. One of my favorite subjects is the state capitol of Madison,
WI, as can be seen in the photo (click on the link below). Another reason
that I enjoy Madison, WI, from year after year is the farmer's market
which is held every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning throughout
the growing season. On Saturday, the market is aligned on the city block,
which encircles the capitol building. Click here to read more thoughts from President Derrick.
 In Memory of R.
Schuyler Lesher Jr., CGFM
AGA regrets to report the passing of R. Schuyler Lesher Jr., CGFM, a
member of the Washington, D.C. Chapter. Lesher, deputy chief financial
officer and director of the Office of Financial Management, U.S.
Department of the Interior, died August 23 after a nearly two-year battle
with cancer. An active AGA supporter, Lesher served most recently as the
vice chairman of the Certificate of Excellence in Accountability
Reporting (CEAR) Board. He was one of the architects, with John "Jack"
Carson, CGFM, of the Best Practices program, which was featured for many
years at the AGA Professional Development Conference & Exposition. He
also served for many years as a member of the PDC Technical Committee. In
June, Lesher received the 2004 Frank Greathouse Distinguished Leadership
Award, which is conferred upon individuals in government service who have
provided sustained, outstanding leadership in financial management over a
period of years, resulting in notable contributions to the profession. Click here to read more about Lesher's life and career.
 Now Accepting Online Registrations for Free
Early Career Conference
Connect—Become a Government Financial Manager
Whether you are graduating from college or in the early stages of your
career, consider the many exciting opportunities in government financial
management. Join AGA for a new conference geared to help you build a
successful and lasting career as a government financial manager, set for
October 6 at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel. No other entity in the
world compares to the size and scope to the US government. Public
attention is increasingly focused on improving the performance and
accountability of government programs. As a result, governments are fully
recognizing the importance of professional financial management and are
looking to fill positions with employees who possess extensive knowledge
in a wide variety of functional areas.
Sessions Include: Obtaining Professional Certifications,
Continuing Professional Development, Handling A Government Interview,
Getting the Government Job That You Want. Registered attendees also have
the opportunity to submit their resume and participate in on-site
interviews with exhibitors and sponsors. Please check the website
regularly for information updates pertaining to the conference.
TOPICS is brought to you by AGA Corporate Partner 
Management Concepts Federal Financial Management
Certificate Program (FFMCP) helps you build the federal financial
management knowledge base and skills essential for success in the
government environment:
• Improve your effectiveness on the job
• Advance your career and chances for long-term success in your field
• Build confidence in your ability to manage federal financial activities
and staff effectively
Click here to find
out more. Enroll today!
Improving Government Performance: Financial Managers Take Center
Stage
Make Plans Now to Join Us for AGA's Third Annual National
Leadership Conference, February 7- 8, 2005, in Washington, D.C.
Sound financial management is more important than ever.
Governments are grappling with a growing list of homeland security
issues—how to keep our cities and our nation safe, and how to pay for it.
In this environment, financial managers will take center stage,
confronting these challenges and the difficulties of balancing the many
competing demands on taxpayers' money. At the same time, governments are
focusing more intently on performance to ensure that every dollar is
spent wisely, and can be accounted for later. These developments are
bringing financial managers into the spotlight. The National Leadership
Conference (NLC) will bring together the top leaders in federal, state
and local government financial management, all of whom are struggling to
make ends meet while providing an unprecedented level of services to the
citizens they serve. This conference is a must for top government
leaders—chief financial officers, inspectors general, state auditors,
state comptrollers, state treasurers, city auditors, city finance
directors and those who work with these top leaders to keep our
governments fiscally sound. The NLC offers unparalleled opportunities to
make valuable professional contacts, discuss challenges, discover
creative solutions and gain the tools you need to become more effective.
Don't miss this opportunity to network with your peers and learn from the
best in the government accountability business. Registration opens on
Friday, September 3, 2004. Advance registration discounts apply to all
forms received before January 14, 2005.
Stay tuned to the website as more details become available.
We look forward to seeing you in Washington!
2005 Conference Marketing
Opportunities Are Now Available
Become an exhibitor, sponsor or advertiser at AGA's
conferences—the ideal time and place to meet key decision-makers!
If you are interested in becoming an advertiser, exhibitor or
sponsor for the 2005 Professional Development Conference & Exposition or
the National Leadership Conference, now is the time to act. Every year,
thousands of government financial management and accountability
professionals make their buying decisions on the Exhibit Hall floor at
AGA conferences and special events. Advertising, exhibiting and
sponsoring at an AGA conference is a great way for your company to
promote new products and services, gain exposure for new programs, show
your latest video and solidify your relationship with the financial
management community. Opportunities exist at every budget level. And, AGA
can customize sponsorship programs to meet your goals.
Click here to learn more about the marketing
opportunities available at upcoming AGA events. For more information,
you may contact Ada Phillips
(exhibits & sponsorship) or 703.684.6931, ext. 204, or
Marie Force (advertising) or
401.682.2752.
 What is the Best Way
to Study for the CGFM Examinations?
The best way to study depends on your knowledge, experience, time and
location constraints and individual preferences. Start by reviewing the
contents of each examination in the "What Do Exams Cover?" section of AGA
website. The "How Do I Prepare?" section of AGA's website provides
detailed information on different ways to prepare for the CGFM
examinations, including:
• instructor-led courses
• an online course
• self-study guides; and
• a list of resource materials
Review each choice to determine what would work best
for you. In addition, AGA's National Office has a list of mentors who can
share their experience of studying for the CGFM Examinations. You can
find a partial listing of mentors on AGA's website
or call the Office of Professional Certification for more information at
1.800.AGA.7211, ext. 313.
AGA SEA Program
Momentum is building for the Implementation Phase of the SEA Program.
Over 70 have signed up as reviewers! Check out the Pilot Phase Summary
and Draft Review Guidelines. (Implementation Phase guidelines released
mid-September.) Click here to learn more.
Member Happenings
Norma Lau, CGFM, whom many of our members will recall
as the City Auditor of Oakland, CA, a long-term CGFM, has taken ill and
would most appreciate cards and letters. Some members may recall that AGA
published an interview of her in 1995 in Topics. Her address is: 76 Linda
Avenue, Apt. #20, Oakland, CA 94611.
Kim Hehe, membership director of AGA's
Virginia Peninsula Chapter, has recently completed her master's program.
She works for the Defense Contract Audit Agency.
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