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Highlights
Upcoming Audio Conferences
Oct. 7—Internal Controls for Auditors, Management and Staff—Making Government Organizations More Effective
Nov. 18—A New Service Model: Auditor Roles in Government Performance Measures
Entire 2009–2010 Audio Conference Schedule
This Week on the AGA Blog
Monday: AGA National President William A. "Billy" Morehead, Ph.D., CGFM, CPA, on "Think Big! Act Courageously! Make a Difference!"
Wednesday: Prof. Adrienne Ferguson, of the CFO Academy, on “Internal Controls: Whose Responsibility is it Anyway?”
Friday: William Aaron, Chief of Consulting Services and Innovation for Weidner, Inc., on Four Levels of Transparency
AGA Needs You on the Blog! Come share your opinions with the AGA community! Contact Marie Force to book your day on the AGA Blog.
Registration for the 2009-2010 AGA Government Finance Case Challenge Ends Oct. 2
Undergraduate accounting/financial management/business students are invited to compete in the Third Annual Case Challenge, sponsored by AGA. Teams will construct a Citizen-Centric Report for a fictional U.S. city. Finalists will receive a scholarship to attend the National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., Feb. 18–19, 2010. If you are affiliated with a university, please consider passing this information along to the professors within the schools of business and accounting. Teams must be comprised of at least two, but no more than four undergraduate students. No advanced accounting knowledge is required to compete. Contact Jennifer Curtin for more information.
NEW! Latest Research Study Just Released from AGA
AGA has just completed a research study on “Managerial Cost Accounting in the Federal Government: Providing Useful Information for Decision-Making.” The new report is the 22nd in the AGA Corporate Partner Advisory Group Research Series and was sponsored by corporate partner The MIL Corporation. The study looked at 10 federal entities that have had success with implementing their Managerial Cost Accounting (MCA) systems and are reaping the benefits. The objective of the research was to give pointers to entities that may be considering setting up a managerial cost accounting system and give them advice on how to do it well. Benefits documented include: enhanced awareness on the part of program managers on how cost-accounting data can help make smarter decisions; more informed knowledge of the value of activities conducted in pursuit of effective mission delivery; better cost-effectiveness and efficiency; and easier compliance with requirements such as audits, budget justifications and testifying to Congress.
Read the report.
Contact Susan Fritzlen for copies.
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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 49: Issue 18, September 28, 2009
TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner
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AGA PMC Early Registration Deadline Quickly Approaching
 The early registration deadline for AGA’s Fifth Annual Performance Management Conference (PMC) is quickly approaching. Please be sure to register by October 9, 2009 to receive the discounted rates.
Join us November 5–6, 2009 in Seattle, WA and earn up to 14 CPE hours at this one-of-a-kind event. The PMC convenes performance management professionals from all levels of government and the private sector to discuss how-tos and best practices, share lessons learned, and highlight cooperative initiatives among governments. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet leaders in the field, as AGA recognizes governments that have received gold, silver and bronze awards through the Certificate of Achievement in Service Efforts and Accomplishments Reporting Program. Arrive a day early and earn an additional 3 CPE hours by participating in a free workshop showcasing AGA's Tool Kit for Preparing a Performance Report.
This conference has it all! If you are a practitioner of performance reporting at your government entity, or just want to learn more, there’s no better place to gain the knowledge you need than at AGA’s PMC. In addition to practical guidance, the PMC offers many opportunities for networking, exchanging ideas and meeting colleagues and friends.
Check out the keynote speakers for this year’s conference:
- Robin Arnold-Williams, Director, Executive Policy, State of Washington
- Shelley Metzenbaum, Associate Director for Performance Management, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
- Jonathan Walters, Author and Correspondent, Governing magazine
- P.K. Agarwal, Chief Technology Officer, State of California
- Bajinder Paul, Chief Information Officer, Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury, U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Rohit Verma, CFO and Head of Strategy, Zurich North America
AGA PMC Hotel Deadline: Oct. 23, 2009
Don’t be sleepless in Seattle—reserve your room today! AGA has reserved a block of rooms at the W Hotel, which is centrally located in downtown Seattle. The room rate is $158 (plus tax) until October 23, or until the room block sells out. We encourage you to make your hotel reservations today, for the best price and availability. Call 888.627.8552 and mention you are attending the “AGA PMC” to receive the discounted rate.
Register Online
Download Registration Form
Visit the Website
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Hotel Reservations Now Being Accepted for 2010 PDC in Orlando
Make plans now to attend AGA’s 59th Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition (PDC)—the premier education and networking event of the year!
Dream. Learn. Achieve. The PDC has it all! Join us July 11–14, 2010, in Orlando, FL, to hear dynamic speakers, participate in informative sessions, learn about the latest research, share best practices, discover innovative management techniques and see the technological tools that can aid efficiency and improve effectiveness.
In addition to an outstanding technical education program, and the ability to earn 24 CPE hours, AGA’s PDC is packed with opportunities to network with colleagues from around the country and make new friends. While you’re here, be sure to experience all the attractions, shopping, fine dining and recreational activities Orlando has to offer.
Information about the agenda, speakers, travel discounts and registration is coming soon. In the meantime you can reserve your spot at the official conference hotel.
We have reserved a block of rooms at the Orlando World Center Marriott to accommodate PDC attendees. The rate is $108 per night (plus tax) for single and double occupancy. However, rates are only guaranteed until June 18, 2010, or until the room block is sold out.
Reservations received after June 18, or after the room block has been filled, will be made on a space-available basis, and may be subject to significantly higher rates. Rooms sell quickly…we encourage you to make your hotel reservations early, for the best price and availability.
CGFM FAQ: What is the CGFM's responsibility for maintaining documentation of CPE?
ANSWER: CGFMs are required to maintain supporting documentation on CPE hours earned for a minimum of three years and provide it to AGA upon request. The CGFM's records must include the following information for each CPE program or activity attended or completed:
A. The sponsoring organization (for example, AGA National Office, a local AGA chapter);
B. The title of the program, including subject matter, field of study or a brief description of its contents;
C. The dates attended for group programs or dates completed for individual study programs;
D. The number of CPE hours earned; and
E. Evidence of attendance or completion. This might include the following:
- A certificate of attendance, a CPE form or other evidence or completion of CPE from the CPE provider for group and individual-study programs.
- A grade report received for a university or college credit course.
- A letter from the program sponsor, documenting the CPE courses presented and/or developed.
- A copy of the published book, article, or materials that names the writer as author or contributor, a written statement from the writer supporting the number of CPE hours claimed, and the name and contact information of the publisher, if applicable.
- An official report from the employer that has the employer's name and lists all of the required information (employee's name, sponsoring organization, title of the program , completion date and number of CPE hours earned).
Connect To the Profession Through Chapter Membership
Get Connected! The strength of any association lies with its membership. When you are ready to make new friends, meet colleagues who do what you do, and learn from the most creative people in the field, you can tap into AGA’s vast interconnected community. Professionals join and stay with AGA because of the access that it provides to a wide range of industry experts around the country. Your colleagues are often your best source for in-depth insight and guidance.
Government financial managers and other accountability professionals rely on AGA to give them the tools and information they need to stay current on industry news, trends and best practices. Whether you are a new or seasoned professional, AGA provides professional development opportunities and helps you advance your career to the next level. All you have to do is get involved.
Engage with the financial management community through your chapter membership. To learn if there is a chapter near you, click on the Chapter Locater Map. Each of the 100 AGA chapters links with AGA National to share resources, which increases your opportunities for networking and professional development. Many members who live in areas with multiple chapters join more than one to maximize their membership opportunities. If you have not been taking advantage of the many benefits that your chapter provides, take the time to get involved now. Remember: AGA National membership does not include chapter membership. For additional information on how to utilize your member benefits contact us.
Registration is Now Open for Second Annual Federal Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Summit, October 21–22
This year’s Summit, sponsored by the Federal ERM Steering Group, U.S. Government Accountability Office, the George Mason University School of Management, U.S. Department of Defense Business Transformation Agency and FederalERM.com features many distinguished presenters and keynote speakers including:
- Gene Dodaro, CGFM, Acting Comptroller General of the United States, U.S. Government Accountability Office
- Jeffery Zients, Deputy Director of Management & Chief Performance Officer, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
- John Morgan, Special Advisor, Office of the Comptroller General of Canada
- Philip Maxwell, Director for Enterprise Risk Management, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.
- Edie Weiner, President, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc.
You are invited to join other federal leaders committed to seeking new strategic approaches for identifying, assessing, balancing and managing risk across the enterprise in order to best achieve agency objectives.
The summit is targeted for senior management and staff to help better understand what leading federal agencies and best practice entities are doing to take a more comprehensive view of risk management. Keynote presentations and breakout sessions will provide insights that cover real world industry and government examples and provide the opportunity for discussions with and feedback from senior government and private sector executives. Don't miss this chance to draw from the experiences, tools and approaches recognized and used by leading public, private and international organizations.
Register for the Summit. |
