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Highlights Upcoming Audio Conference Nov. 12: Understanding the Importance of Soft Controls in Improving Operations Dec. 10—21st Century Financial Managers: New Mix of Skills and Education Levels View the 2008–2009 Audio Conference Schedule This Week on the AGA Blog Tuesday: Mike Hettinger, Director, Grant Thornton LLP, on "Preparing for the Transition" Friday: Jesse Hughes, Ph.D., CGFM, CPA, on "Linking our Statistical Reporting System with the Financial Statements Published by the Federal or State Governments" AGA Needs You on the Blog! Come share your opinions with the AGA community! We are now booking for October. Contact Marie Force to book your day on the AGA Blog. Highlights from AGA's Fourth Annual National Performance Management Conference AGA Announces Four New Courses Read more details about these and other AGA-sponsored training courses, or contact AGA Director of Education Joe Jozefczyk at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 307. Member News An AGA member since 1994, Jack was very active in the Association, serving on the National Leadership Conference Technical Committee, the Emerging Issues Committee, Corporate Partner Advisory Committee and as chairman of the 2002 Professional Development Conference & Exposition Technical Committee. He received National President’s Awards from AGA in 2000 and 2002. He leaves his wife Chris, eight children and 19 grandchildren. AGA's National Treasurer-Elect and Virginia Peninsula Chapter member Mary E. Lechner CGFM, CPA, has joined the executive team at Savantage Solutions. Bringing more than 17 years experience in local and federal financial management, auditing and internal control, Mary will be vice president of Savantage's State and Local government practice and will be working on various public sector accounts and projects. New Mexico Chapter President Bryan M. Maestas was recently recognized in the New Mexico Business Weekly as one of the top chief financial officers for public institutions. While technically not the official CFO for the New Mexico Corrections Department, Bryan acts in that capacity by performing integral functions to ensure fiscal accountability and integrity within that organization in his role of Accounting Manager. Bryan was recognized and nominated by the agency’s external auditor, Laura Beltran of Meyners + Co, for his exceptional professionalism and diligence to work standards and ethics. AGA Advertising Opportunities!
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Volume 48: Issue 20, November 3, 2008 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. From the National
President As Americans, we have been brought up to believe that we are all born equally. That conception, however, is not really true. For example, not all of us look like Brad Pitt, and most of us do not have the physical prowess of Michael Phelps. Very few of us are as smart as Marie Curie, or as artistically talented as Claude Monet. I think you get the drift. However, we are all indeed equal in one way. All of us, from President Bush to Comrade Putin—including Joe the Plumber, have the same 24 hours. How we spend these 24 hours each day largely determines our quality of life, and the degree of success we have in achieving our personal goals. Many people go through life “doing time” instead of “making time.” Often we meet people who tell us that they cannot wait to retire, or that they truly dislike their job, personnel or boss. They put up with their situation because they do not have enough resources or years to retire, get promoted or do something more interesting. They wait in this process; they waste their lives. Time is a non-renewable resource that once consumed, is gone forever. Most people have very little appreciation of how precious time is. I never get mad or angry with people who waste money, but I have very little patience for people who squander time. The key to achieving personal success and a high quality of life is to use time wisely and not to allow others to waste your time. In considering the importance of time, how much time does one need to serve as National President of AGA? Read more.Campaigning to Recruit The Big Easy campaign is Big for the association and Easy for you to participate in. All you have to do is recruit one member to benefit from The Big Easy campaign. By recruiting one member you will earn an AGA sponsor pin, be recognized on the AGA website, strengthen your chapter and the Association—making this campaign a win-win for everyone. Members who sponsor six or more new members from May 1, 2008 – January 31, 2009 will earn free membership dues. Do you want to have your 2009–2010 AGA membership dues paid for you, too? It’s Big and Easy! Recruit six or more new members by January 31. Our goal is to continue the positive net growth in membership. Be sure to reach out to those early career members—individuals just starting out in their careers, with fewer than three years of experience. Remember to steer them to AGA’s Tomorrow’s Professionals website—chock full of useful information. There are so many ways to win during the 2009–2010 The Big Easy campaign. Check out the campaign details and start campaigning for recruitment today! Registration & Housing Now Open for
AGA’s National Leadership Conference! Government financial managers are deeply committed to producing timely, reliable and useful financial information, with the goal of running government programs more efficiently. At AGA’s National Leadership Conference (NLC), those sentiments are more than just words. The NLC brings together the top minds in the industry to share best practices, leadership secrets, the newest management techniques, and the most recent information on always-changing standards and regulations. Sessions will cover important topics and issues facing government financial managers, such as leadership, transparency, accountability, and examine affects of political transitions and what the future holds. The NLC also features an exposition filled with the latest resources, products and services available from your partners in the private sector. Visit the Exhibit Hall to find pace-setting tools and technology that will help you do your job faster, more efficiently and more effectively. The Exhibit Hall is a hub of activity and offers an environment dedicated to networking and the sharing of ideas. This is the perfect place to mix and mingle and connect with industry professionals from around the country. Some companies will conduct raffles—stop by and you may become a winner! As you can see, AGA’s National Leadership Conference offers outstanding technical training, dynamic speakers and plenty of opportunities to network with colleagues and friends. Information about the conference agenda, speakers and sessions are coming soon. Stay tuned to the website, www.agacgfm.org/nlc, for more information. But don’t wait. Show your commitment to excellence—register today! Why wait? Reserve your room today! We have reserved a block of rooms at the JW Marriott Hotel for NLC attendees. The JW offers a celebrated address near the city's best monuments, museums, restaurants and cultural venues. The hotel is adjacent to the National Theater and just one short block away from the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The AGA room rate is $209 (plus tax) for single and double occupancy. Rates are guaranteed until January 31, 2009, or until the block is sold out. We encourage you to make your hotel reservations early, for the best price and availability.
Take the CGFM Examinations before the
NLC 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 website. Why Certification Matters. Why CGFM? Employers prefer staff members who are certified because they have undergone a rigorous testing procedure, proving they have specialized skills and knowledge. Certification also shows that the employees are committed to continuing their professional education and upholding high ethical standards—requirements for maintaining their credential. Read the entire article. Attend the CEAR
Reviewers' Training From the National Office She enjoys traveling and has been to 43 of the United States and Territories and seven countries. Prior to joining the AGA team she managed four programs at an association for English language teachers and worked as a special education teacher. "At AGA my major goal is to increase the AGA network and benefits while maintaining the standards set by the Association's mission," she said. "Since I've been at AGA I've found that it is a very complex and exciting Association with a warm team of individuals who are dedicated to the success of the Association." She can be reached at extension 318 or via e-mail at rfreeman@agacgfm.org.
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Other AGA Links Bring New AGA-Sponsored Training Courses to Your Organization
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(C) Association of Government Accountants 2008 Disclaimer: AGA serves government accountability professionals by providing quality education, fostering professional development and certification, and supporting standards and research to advance government accountability. If you would like to opt off of future AGA mailings, please e-mail agawebmaster@agacgfm.org. Thank you. |
Make plans
now to attend AGA’s Seventh Annual National Leadership Conference
to be held February 19-20, 2009 in Washington, D.C.
