Highlights


CPE Opportunities


Looking for a Job?


Need an Extra Incentive to Complete Your CGFM?
The next Intensive Review Course will take place in February at the Fourth Annual National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The cost of the course is only $195 for qualified participants, and it offers 16 CPE hours. Special Bonus: The CGFM Examinations taken during this event are free of charge! Click here for registration, eligibility and examination information.

Congratulations to the New CGFMs! Click here to view the list.

Thinking about becoming a CGFM? Click here to read about others who have completed the journey.



Corpo
rate Partner Spotlight: Vanguard Advisors LLC
Vanguard Advisors, LLC provides professional services and strategic consulting to an elite group of industry firms who support the DoD and Federal civilian agencies in the areas of financial management, acquisition, logistics, and business area transformation.  Vanguard offers unique experience-based knowledge and executive insights on significant enterprise-wide programs within the DoD and across the Federal government that will dramatically impact the nature of future industry support and solutions.  Vanguard leadership not only has a proven record in both government service and the private sector, but also the necessary "pattern recognition" to rapidly enhance client success by leveraging key executive relationships, deep operational/functional knowledge, as well as proprietary business concepts and methodologies.
 
Vanguard: "Always Out In Front!"           

Debra S. DelMar  
Managing Partner
Cell: 703.593.6667
debra.delmar@vanguard- llc.com      

Roger W. Scearce
Brigadier General, USA (Ret)
Senior Partner
703.593.6760
roger.scearce@vanguard- llc.com

Vanguard Advisors, LLC  
12801 Worldgate Drive, Suite 500, Herndon, VA 20170   

PH:571.203.7135       FX:571.203.7138     www.vanguard-llc.com


Chapter News
Use AGA’s website to your advantage! Let AGA members and nonmembers know about upcoming chapter and regional events on AGA’s Events Calendar.

Visit the Chapter Identity site to download letterhead, business card, event brochure and other templates--FREE TO CHAPTERS! You can also download personalized chapter and regional logos! Make use of this free resource to include your chapter and region in the national corporate identity. Contact Marie Force with any questions.


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


Volume 44: Issue 19, October 17, 2005


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 PMC Registration Deadline Quickly Approaching!
Join us in Portland, OR for the National Performance Management Conference (PMC), “Service Efforts & Accomplishments Reporting: The Cornerstone for Building Trust and Enhancing Management.”

More and more, government agencies are using SEA Reports as a tool to improve management and communication with the public. Excellent reports show taxpayers how their money is being spent and whether government is achieving its goals. They also provide government officials with the information they need to better serve their citizens.

AGA’s PMC will take place on November 14-15, 2005, and will feature presentations by state and local government officials who have been recognized for preparing top-quality Service Efforts & Accomplishments (SEA) Reports. Experts in performance management will outline how to prepare the reports and demonstrate how reports can be used to improve government operations and build public trust.

Offering unparalleled opportunities to make valuable professional contacts, discuss challenges, discover creative solutions and access the latest tools you need to become more effective, AGA’s National Performance Management Conference is one event you won’t want to miss.

Earn 14.5 CPE hours at dynamic, comprehensive sessions, share best practices with leaders in the industry and meet your peers in the field. Join us to learn how others have been telling their stories through performance reporting and the impacts they have had. Everyone from first-time preparers to veterans in performance management can benefit from this important event.

The early registration deadline is quickly approaching. Don't miss your chance to save money by registering by October 21, 2005. After October 21, fees will increase to $425 for AGA members and $475 for nonmembers.

Registration couldn’t be easier. You can register online or print the registration form to send by fax or mail. Register today for AGA’s PMC and show your commitment to a more accountable government. See you next month!

SEA Reviewer Training
In conjunction with the Performance Management Conference, AGA will provide free SEA Reviewer training on Wednesday, November 16th. Can you believe it? Three FREE CPE hours!  Click here to obtain registration information for this training as well as serving as an SEA Reviewer.

AGA Hurricane Relief Effort Tops $13,000!
Click here to find out how you can donate and to view the list of contributors!

Fall Into Recruitment and Win!
Cool, crisp air…days getting shorter…leaves falling to the ground…pumpkins and cider…all of these conjure up visions of fall…and so does AGA’s Member-Get-A-Member Recruitment Campaign—Go For Growth!  

Okay, so maybe it doesn’t, but we do have many members that have been falling into recruitment by sponsoring new members into AGA! Just take a look…these members have already won FREE national dues for next year for having sponsored 6 or more new members since May 1, 2005:

• Margie Colon, CGFM, Puerto Rico Chapter
• James Edert, CGFM, New York Chapter
• Jackson Hufnagle, CGFM, Northern Virginia Chapter
• Jose Lebron, Puerto Rico Chapter
• Colleen Schroeder, CGFM, Sacramento Chapter

Add your name to this prestigious list by recruiting 6 new members in total by December 31, 2005! Click here for all the details.

Registration Now Available for 2006 NLC, PDC
AGA is ready for 2006! Make plans now to join us Feb. 2–3, 2006 in Washington, D.C. at the Fourth Annual National Leadership Conference. Click here to visit the conference website and to register now. Registration is also now open for the 55th Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition, slated for June 18–21, 2006, in San Diego, CA. Click here to visit the preliminary conference website.

New Research Reports from AGA—FREE Copies Available!
Financial Management Shared Services: A Guide for Federal Users—Landmark Research Report Solely Devoted to Melding Best Practices of Private Sector with Federal Agency ExperiencesThis research is the first document of its kind to focus solely on federal users of financial management shared services. The research identified a number of best practices, worst practices and lessons learned for users and potential users of financial management shared services in the federal government. Click here to view the report... Contact Susan Fritzlen to obtain a hard copy of the report.

Audit Federal Financial Controls: Sooner Rather than Later—Would Sarbanes-Oxley Benefit Federal Financial Management?
The report concludes that the existing status of internal controls over federal financial reporting is ineffective and efforts to legislate improvements have not produced the desired results. Click here to view the report... Contact Susan Fritzlen to obtain a hard copy of the report.

Integrating Internal Control with Performance Management
This report explores the impact of emerging issues on CFO operations, discusses issues candidly with peers and related functional communities and shares findings within the federal community. This year’s survey focuses on internal controls and performance measurement including integration with other management improvement initiatives within agencies. Click here to view the report... Contact Susan Fritzlen to obtain a hard copy of the report.

Call for National Awards Nominations
Due October 28, 2005

Who do you know that deserves special recognition for contributions to the field? Please help us acknowledge financial professionals at the federal, state and local level and private sector who are leading the way! You might even consider nominating yourself. Nominations are now being accepted for Federal Leadership Awards, State and Local Leadership Awards and Private Sector Leadership Awards.

* Nominees do not have to be AGA members.

These awards will be presented at AGA’s Fourth Annual National Leadership Conference on February 2-3, 2006 in Washington, D.C. Submit your nominations today! Click here to find out more about the awards and the nomination process.

Audio Conference: Debt Collection and Interception of Federal Payments
NASACT, in conjunction with AGA and N.A.L.G.A., is pleased to announce the latest in its series of audio conferences addressing timely issues in government financial management. "Debt Collection and Interception of Federal Payments," is scheduled for October 26. This audio conference will cover the federal offset process currently used by states to collect delinquent child support and state income tax obligations.  By intercepting debtors' federal income tax refunds and other federal payments, the U.S. Department of the Treasury collects over $1.5 billion for states each year.  The audio conference will also cover future initiatives to expand the use of the offset of federal non-tax payments to collect new types of debt owed to states. Click here to register.

Register NOW for AGA's next audio conference on December 7, covering Identity Theft. Click here for information!

Become an AGA Leader: Call for Nominations for AGA’s National and Regional Leadership Team

Deadline: October 28, 2005

If you're interested in the opportunity to shape Association programs, advance your profession, and represent members’ interest in the government accountability community, then submit your nomination TODAY for these National Board of Directors positions:

  • National President-Elect
  • National Treasurer-Elect
  • Senior Vice President for Regional Services - Section I and IV
  • Regional Vice Presidents-Elect

*Those elected will take office on July 1, 2006 and serve for three years.

Click here for more information on the requirements of each position.

E-submission is preferred. Submit one package that includes: National Office Nomination Form, leadership statement and bio to the attention of the National Nominating Committee Staff Liaison, Rosanna Ortiz. However, you may mail the documents to: AGA, 2208 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA  22301-1314. Or fax them to 703.548.9367.

From the National Office
New Phone Numbers for Telecommuters
Three of AGA's four telecommuters are now accessible through the main AGA phone number, 800.AGA.7211. They can be reached at the following extensions:
Christina Camara, ext. 338, direct line: 703.562.0400
Marie Force, ext. 337, direct line: 703.562.0399
Raymond Harris, CGFM, ext. 339, direct line: 703.562.0401
Please make a note of the new extensions since current land lines will be discontinued. Fax numbers will remain the same.

Julie Cupp, CMP, Meetings & Expositions Manager, was named volunteer of the month by the Capital Area Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). Congratulations Julie!

Jennifer Curtin, MPA, director of public affairs, and her husband, Jason, welcomed their first child, Emma Lynne Curtin, on August 15. Jennifer returns today from maternity leave. Congratulations to the new family! Jennifer's AGA extension and direct line number will be announced shortly.

Susan Fritzlen, deputy executive director of programs, marked her 10th anniversary with AGA on September 5. Susan was hired as AGA's first professional membership director and, among other accomplishments, has been instrumental in the formation of the Corporate Partner Program. She is also AGA's technology guru and supervised the installation of the Association's state-of-the-art membership database system, iMIS. Congratulations Susan!

Crystal Vanison recently joined the staff as a programs assistant. She was born and raised in Alexandria, VA and is a 2000 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a BA in English and minor in Education. She was a teacher for three years with the City of Alexandria Public School System. Her last position was at the House of Representatives where she worked in the CAO (Chief Administrative Office) accounting office for two years. She'll work on a variety of projects, including assisting the CGFM department. Welcome Crystal!

 

AGA Staff List

AGA Membership Application

CGFM Application

Other AGA links
CGFM Certification—Take the CGFM Exams today!

Click here to register for AGA's First Performance Management Conference, Nov. 14–15, 2005, Portland, OR

Click here to register for AGA's Fourth Annual National Leadership Conference, Feb. 2–3, 2006, Washington, D.C.

Click here to register for AGA's 55th Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition, June 18–21, 2006, San Diego, CA