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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

Member News
Janice Jensen, CGFM, a member of AGA’s Des Moines Chapter, has volunteered to fill the chapter’s new accountability outreach chair position. AGA is asking chapters to consider appointing an accountability outreach chair to promote AGA’s performance and accountability programs to members and the wider government financial management community. Contact Evie Barry for more information.

Kelly Stefanko, CGFM, CPA, an AGA Senior Vice President At-Large, starts a new job today as an audit manager with the Office of Inspector General, National Science Foundation. She was formerly deputy city auditor, City of Norfolk, VA.

Training Opportunities

Looking for a Job

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, February 22, 2010 and Tuesday, February 23, 2010 and an opportunity to take CGFM Examinations on February 24–25, 2010. 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.

This Week on the AGA Blog

Monday: Patrick Taylor, President & CEO, Oversight Systems, on "DoD Saving Millions with BAM; Your Agency Can, Too"

Wednesday: Evie Barry, Director of Performance Reporting, AGA, on "Post PMC Reflections"

Friday: Kathy Anderson, Assistant Director for Communications and Coordination, Division of State Audit, Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury, State of Tennessee, on "Tennessee ARRA Audit Efforts"

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
CEAR Reviewer Training Dec. 8
AGA’s Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) Program® presents its annual workshop on reviewing Performance and Accountability Reports and Pilot Program Reports. This intermediate-level training is set for 9–11:30 a.m. Dec. 8 at the National Academy of Public Administration, 900 Seventh St., NW, Washington, D.C. The workshop provides information and tools to teach you how to review federal performance reports. Hear from a panel of previous reviewers share their tips. We’ll also discuss the changes in the reviewer guidelines. Don’t miss this valuable workshop, earn 2 CPE hours, and be prepared to sign up to participate as a CEAR reviewer.

Speakers are Jonathan D. Breul, Partner, IBM Global Business Services; John Hummel, CGFM, CPA, Partner and National Industry Directory, KPMG LLP; and Harold I. Steinberg, CGFM, CPA, Technical Consultant to the CEAR Program, AGA. Register now.

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 21, November 9, 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.

From the National President
What a WONDERFUL Fifth Annual AGA Performance Management Conference (PMC) we had in Seattle last week! The conference was well attended and included many excellent sessions and speakers all focused on enhancing the performance management of government with the primary goal of improving the effectiveness and efficiencies within government and ultimately for our citizens.

Last month I began a ten-month focus on AGA and her staff. This month I will highlight the activities in the Performance Department, which has responsibility, among other things, for the superb conference that just concluded on Friday. Eveanna (Evie) Barry, AGA’s director of performance reporting, joined the AGA in December 2005 as director of education. Now as the performance reporting director, Evie is assisted part-time by Lynn Hoffman, AGA education and performance coordinator, who does a tremendous job of supporting the work of AGA’s Performance and Education Departments. Read more.

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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, Jan. 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.

Coverage from AGA's Performance Management Conference (PMC)
AGA’s Fifth Annual Performance Management Conference kicked off in Seattle last Thursday with a discussion about successful performance management efforts in the state of Washington, which has been recognized by Governing magazine as one of the best-managed states in the nation.

Robin Arnold-Williams, director of the state’s Executive Policy Office, gave specific examples of how Gov. Christine Gregoire has pushed performance measurement and management as a way to improve services, dramatically in some cases, for Washington residents.

One graphic example was the improvement in services to at-risk children in Washington state. Arnold-Williams said Gregoire told her that the state in some cases took 10 days to respond to reports of abuse while pointing to a file that contained information on a child who died on the ninth day. “Talk about having an urgency for action,” Arnold-Williams said. With the conviction that the state had to improve its response rate, state officials set to work. The response goal was changed from 10 days to 24 hours in 2005. “We said to staff, this is a priority, and the staff said, ‘thank you.’ ”Arnold-Williams said. Read more. Coverage of day two, Friday, November 6.

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Share the Magic of AGA and Earn FREE Membership
We know your time is valuable, but it takes only a few minutes to recruit a new member to AGA. By recruiting new members everyone wins. The new member will have an opportunity to grow professionally through all the benefits AGA has to offer and you will earn an incentive for every member you recruit.

Everyone who recruits a new member during AGA’s “Share the Magic” membership campaign earns a sponsorship lapel pin. Recruit two members and start earning AGA Dollars. You’ll earn five AGA Dollars for each new member that joins. AGA Dollars are good for one year and are like cash. They can be redeemed toward publications, membership dues renewals and national conference registrations. Recruit six members by Dec. 31, 2009 and receive next year’s membership dues renewal at no charge. Other prizes include a high-definition camcorder, American Express gift cards, complimentary registration to AGA’s 2010 Professional Development Conference & Exposition in Orlando, FL, two one-day passes to an Orlando theme park and complimentary AGA national meeting registrations.

You already know how your AGA membership helps you in your career. Share this knowledge and offer a colleague all the benefits that AGA offers you. Don’t forget to tell them about the excellent networking opportunities, certification program, publications as well as the education and training that makes AGA the premier association for the government accountability community.

Recruiting is as simple as writing your name on the sponsor line of a membership application and asking the person you are recruiting to fill out the rest of the application and submit it to AGA. Learn more about the Share the Magic campaign.

Share the Magic and Start Recruiting Today!

TOPICS is Brought to You by Rutgers Business School
All government employees receive a big discount as they qualify for in-state, New Jersey tuition. Our Master of Accountancy in Governmental Accounting program is the only masters program of its kind that is available 100% online. Available only at Rutgers Business School. Contact us: govmaccy@business.rutgers.edu, 732-445-4441, or business.rutgers.edu/govmaccy.

New AGA Onsite Training Courses

AGA is introducing several new courses that relate to Internal Audit. They include:

Building a Productive Audit Team (1or 2 days)
Developing Audit Findings (1 day)
Developing Effective and Efficient Audit Programs (1 day)
Effective Writing Skills for Accountants and Auditors (1 day)
The Government Audit: Basic Concepts Through Resolution (5 days)
Working Papers and Audit Evidence (1 day)

For more pricing and additional information, please contact Joe Jozefczyk, AGA’s director of Education at 800.AGA.7211, ext 307.

Chapter News

AGA’s Des Moines Chapter participated in the Oct. 24, 2009 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at the State Capitol. AGA members Natalie Storm, Kim Knight, Marilyn Hanson and Janice Evans, CGFM, are pictured among family and friends who took part in the event.

Congratulations to AGA’s Hawaii Chapter for a successful 15th biennial Governmental Professional Development Conference, jointly sponsored with the Hawaii chapter of the American Society of Military Comptrollers, Oct. 14–16 in Honolulu. The conference featured more than 50 national, regional and local government finance experts.

AGA Staff List

AGA Membership Application

CGFM Application

Audio Conferences

Training Opportunities