Highlights


Upcoming Audio Conferences

Nov. 18—A New Service Model: Auditor Roles in Government Performance Measures

Dec. 16—Latest Trends in Occupational Fraud

Jan. 13—Sudden Impact or Long-Term Process? Impact of the Stimulus Plan on Internal Controls

Entire 2009–2010 Audio Conference Schedule



Membership Spotlight: Victoria Santiago
Victoria (Vicky) A. Santiago, president of AGA’s Los Angeles Civic Center Chapter, said joining the Association “opened her eyes.”

“By joining this Association in 1997, it not only helped to enrich my career and increase my contacts, but developed me personally and professionally on how to deal with colleagues and other people, and how to be resourceful,” she said.

And resourceful she is—Santiago is the departmental chief accountant IV of the Los Angeles city treasurer’s office. She oversees accounting for the city’s roughly $60 billion annual cash flow, $7 billion investment portfolio and $1.4 billion annual debt service. She also oversees general accounting and serves as the audit coordinator for the department, ensuring that internal controls are in place. Santiago has a combined 30 years of experience—15 in the private sector—in accounting, auditing, information systems design and development, and teaching.  Read more.


Member News
Ruth Danner, Immediate Past President of AGA's Alaska Chapter, has been elected to the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau. Danner, who is a senior accountant with the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., told the Juneau Empire, "I think that my background in accounting and finance was important to the voters. I think that they are concerned to make sure that we make good, realistic decisions in terms of how to handle budget issues." Danner was sworn into the city assembly on Oct. 15. Congratulations Ruth!


Training Opportunities


Looking for a Job


This Week on the AGA Blog

Monday: AGA National President William A. (Billy) Morehead, Ph.D., CGFM, CPA, chair Division of Accountancy, CIS, and Finance, Delta State University.

Wednesday: Rebekah Stephens,
strategic management coordinator for Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

Friday: Sunil Datt, MS, MBA, MA, CGFM, PMP, senior managing consultant, IBM Global Business Services.

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.


CEAR Training Dec. 8
Interested in participating as a reviewer of federal Performance and Accountability Reports or the pilot Agency Financial Report and Summary for AGA's CEAR Program? Join us at the National Academy of Public Administration in Washington, D.C. to hear experts in the field and past reviewers share their tips and recommendations on reviewing reports. This event is free to those participants who sign up to be a CEAR reviewer. Two CPEs hours are offered. Learn more.


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 49: Issue 20, October 26, 2009


TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner Grant Thornton

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.


Only Two Weeks Until AGA's PMC—Register Today

AGA’s Performance Management Conference is quickly approaching. This is one event you won’t want to miss. The PMC is the place to be for those on the front lines of performance reporting, even if your government is just starting out.

Join us in Seattle, WA, and take advantage of this opportunity to meet government leaders and private sector professionals as they share best practices, lessons learned, leadership secrets and cooperative initiatives among governments. The conference features an impressive lineup of nationally recognized leaders and experts, and informative topics, including:

  • Emerging Practices in Performance-Based Budgeting
  • GASB's Suggested Guidelines for Voluntary Reporting of SEA Performance Information
  • Integrating Performance Measures and Community Indicators to Enhance Governance, Citizen Engagement and Results
  • One Size Fits All: Creating a Conceptual Framework for Performance Management
  • Performance Measurement: A Management Tool, or a Tool for Accountability?
  • Practical Performance Management: Lessons from the Past, Challenges for the Future
  • Public Interest in Government and Performance
  • Strategic Planning and Performance Management: Lessons Learned
  • The Chief Executive Officer's Strategic Partnerships: Critical to Driving Transformation Change
  • Trailblazers in Government Performance
  • Using Performance Measures to Improve Service Delivery

Visit our website to see the agenda and complete list of speakers and topics.

In addition to practical guidance, and the ability to earn 15.5 CPE hours, the PMC offers many opportunities for networking, exchanging ideas and meeting colleagues and friends. Don't miss this opportunity to recharge professionally, gain useful information and expand your network of colleagues—register today!


TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate Partner American Appraisal
American Appraisal has 50 offices on 4 continents around the world. Our Government Services Practice can assist governmental entities with their TARP/Financial Crisis and Public/Private Partnership related transactions, as well as inventory, valuation and overall asset management reporting requirements for Real, Personal and Intellectual Property assets. Contact Kevin J. McHugh at (202) 628-8800 or kmchugh@american-appraisal.com.


Registration & Housing Now Open for AGA National Leadership Conference!
Make plans now to attend AGA’s National Leadership Conference (NLC), to be held Feb. 18–19, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

Join us to hear from high-level government officials and industry leaders, 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.

Technical education sessions will focus on hot topics in government financial management and accountability, current issues relating to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the effects of political transitions and what the future holds. The NLC also features an exhibit hall showcasing the newest tools and innovations to help agencies do their jobs more easily and effectively.

In addition to an outstanding technical education program, and the ability to earn 14 CPE hours, AGA’s NLC is packed with opportunities to network, make professional connections and meet new friends.

Visit our website for more information. Show your commitment to a more accountable future: register by fax or online today!

NLC Hotel Accommodations: We have reserved a block of rooms at the JW Marriott on Pennsylvania Avenue to accommodate NLC attendees. The rate is $207 per night (plus tax) for single and double occupancy. However, rates are only guaranteed until Friday, January 29, or until the room block is sold out.

Reservations received after Jan. 29, 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.

  • To make a reservation, please call the JW Marriott at 800.393.2503 and mention you are attending the “AGA NLC” to receive the discounted rate.
  • You can also reserve a room online.

Take the CGFM Examinations After the NLC
Don't miss the opportunity to take the CGFM Examinations and earn your CGFM after the annual National Leadership Conference (NLC). AGA is offering a two-day Intensive Review Course on Monday, Feb. 22, and Tuesday, Feb. 23, and an opportunity to take CGFM Examinations on Feb. 24–25. The cost of the course is only $249 for qualified participants, and it offers 18 CPE hours. Special Bonus: the CGFM Examinations are offered at no cost to course attendees.

This course is designed as a supplement to previous preparation for the CGFM Examinations, so this is a perfect opportunity for those individuals who have already attended GFM training courses or have been preparing by using the CGFM Study Guides. Enrollment is limited and participants must first apply and be accepted into the CGFM Program, so don't delay.

More information and a registration form for this event are available on AGA's website.


TOPICS is Brought to You by Real Asset Management International
Are you struggling with GASB Compliance?
RAMI’s Fixed Asset Management for Government package includes fixed asset accounting, inventory tracking and maintenance management. From acquiring to retiring, all assets can be maintained, accounted for, moved, revalued, tracked and disposed of.

Request your Fixed Asset Management for Government Info Pack or contact RAMI at solution@realassetmgt.com or 617-342-7291.


Registration and Housing Now Open for AGA PDC
It’s time to start planning for next year's PDC. Join us July 11–14, 2010 at the Orlando World Center Marriott to share best practices, gain useful information, see the latest technologies and get technical training from the top government financial management and accountability leaders and industry experts. The PDC offers unparalleled opportunities for networking, exchanging ideas, connecting with colleagues and meeting new friends. Registration fees are $800 for AGA members and $1,000 for nonmembers. Register online and save $25. Early registration saves you money and increases your chances of obtaining accommodations at the conference hotel.

Don't miss the opportunity to Dream. Learn. Achieve. Register today!

Speaker Change for Nov. 18 Audio Conference
Sam McCall, Ph.D., CGFM, CPA, CIA, CGAP, city auditor, city of Tallahassee, FL, and Past AGA National President, is now a panelist for the Nov. 18 audio conference, “A New Service Model: Auditor Roles in Government Performance Measures.”

McCall replaces Stuart S. Grifel, CIA, CGAP, Audit Services Division, Clerk & Comptroller's Office, Palm Beach County. The audio conference, worth 2 CPE hours, will air from 2 to 3:50 p.m. EST.

Cost: $249 per site (UNLIMITED ATTENDANCE) if you register on or before Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 and $299 thereafter.

SPECIAL PROMOTION: Government agencies and CPAG members who register five or more office will receive a 20 percent discount ($200 per site)

To Register: 1) Register online 2) Print the registration form or the Special Promotion Registration and fax it to 703.684.6933.

AGA Needs SEA Report Reviewers
Are you interested in learning more about performance reporting for your government? Why not be a reviewer for AGA’s Certificate of Achievement in Service Efforts and Accomplishments Report Review Program? Read what one reviewers said about his experience:

Serving as a reviewer for the SEA Program is the single most effective thing I have done to improve the performance reporting of my agency.  By thoughtfully considering each performance criteria as they apply to the reports of other government agencies, I have come to deeply understand the intent and requirements of a top-notch report, and through this understanding, have made significant improvements in products and processes I develop and manage for King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks.” —Richard Gelb, Performance Improvement Lead, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Read more about AGA’s program.

 

   

 

AGA Staff List

AGA Membership Application

CGFM Application

Audio Conferences

Training Opportunities

Other AGA Links

CGFM Certification—Learn More

Register for AGA's Fifth Annual Performance Management Conference, Nov. 5–6, 2009, Seattle, WA

Register for AGA's Eighth Annual National Leadership Conference, Feb. 18–19, 2010, Washington, D.C.

Register for AGA’s 59th Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition, July 11 - 14, 2010, Orlando, FL

Bring New AGA-Sponsored Training Courses to Your Organization

 

 

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