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Highlights Register Now for Free SEA Review Audio
Conference If you have questions about the SEA program, becoming a reviewer or the Dec. 7 audio conference, please contact Eveanna Barry, AGA’s director of performance reporting. Special Audio Conference Discount Announced AGA is pleased to announce a special offer for government agencies and AGA's Corporate Partner members with multiple offices. Enhance your agency's or firm's education program and save money today! Register five or more of your offices for any of the upcoming audio conferences and you will receive a 20 percent discount off the early-bird price offered by AGA. That's right, pay only $200 per site instead of $249. And remember, attendance is unlimited, and 2 CPE hours are available for each participant. You cannot find a more cost-effective way to provide training for your staff training with little or no travel involved. Register now! For questions regarding these programs, contact Raymond Harris, director of chapter operations, at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 339. Questions regarding registration should be directed to Maria Lucas, meetings specialist, ext. 308. Learn more about AGA training opportunities and events. Anatomy of Fraud Topic of Dec.
12 Audio Conference Included in this audio conference will be some
remarkable work that uncovered major fraud in government, the private
sector and not-for-profit Cost is $249 per site (unlimited attendance) if you register on or before Dec. 7, and $299 thereafter. Register online or print the registration form and fax it to 703.684.6933 View the entire audio conference schedule.
Become a CEAR Reviewer; Free Training Offered If you have questions about the CEAR Program, becoming a reviewer or the training, please contact Eveanna Barry, AGA’s director of Performance Reporting. CEAR Deadlines for PAR Submissions If your agency is participating in the Pilot Program, the Annual Financial Report (AFR) is due to AGA by Friday, Dec. 14, while the highlights document is due by Feb. 15, 2008. When submitting the AFR, also include the CEAR Program application. The cost to participate in the CEAR program remains the same as last year: $7,500 for CFO agencies and $5,000 for all ATDA Act agencies and agency components. Learn more information about the CEAR Program or contact Eveanna Barry. AGA
Advertising Opportunities! Correction |
Volume 47: Issue 21, November 13, 2007 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. From the National President, Richard L.
Fair, CGFM During my many years in state government, I’ve never really understood why those of us who work in government and are responsible for improving government operations don’t try harder to cooperate with each other. It would seem that we would be able to do a lot more with our limited resources if we worked as a team. Organizations such as the Intergovernmental Audit Forum have attempted to foster this type of cooperation, but in my opinion they have failed. Now it’s AGA’s time to try. During the last National Executive Committee meeting, it was agreed that AGA should promote intergovernmental cooperation by forming a Partnership for Intergovernmental Management and Accountability. The Partnership has been established to foster cooperation and communication among governments with the goal of improving performance and accountability. AGA is providing staff support to the Partnership and serving as a neutral third party in bringing different levels of government together. It is again an example of how AGA is the thought leader in government financial accountability. There is no guarantee that this partnership will work, but I can assure you it will never work if we don’t try. Rick TOPICS is Brought to You by AGA Corporate
Partner, Graduate School, USDA Join Us in Washington for AGA’s Sixth Annual
National Leadership Conference Learn how to make a real difference at AGA’s National Leadership Conference (NLC). The conference is centered on the theme “Dynamic Leadership for Changing Times,” and few fields change as quickly as government financial management. Staying up to date on new regulations, while maintaining a clear vision of government transformation, can be accomplished through the best training. The NLC is an authoritative source for the knowledge, leadership skills and contacts you need to succeed in today’s constantly changing environment. Earn 14 CPE hours and meet the top leaders from federal, state and local governments and the private sector. Visit the Exhibit Hall to see the latest tools to help your agency perform at top efficiency. Enjoy networking events and opportunities to swap ideas, meet colleagues from around the country, and perhaps find solutions to common problems. The NLC features timely topics and impressive speakers who will share best practices and leadership secrets and equip you with the knowledge you need to become more effective. Join us February 21–22, 2008, at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., to hear from the top financial management leaders and industry experts, including:
Register Now and Save! Early Registration Deadline: January 25, 2008. Don’t miss this important event. Show your commitment to excellence—register today. TOPICS is Brought to You
by the Foundation for Accounting Education Take the CGFM Examinations Before the NLC To help you reach that goal, we are offering a two-day Intensive Review Course on Monday, Feb. 18 and Tuesday, Feb. 19 and an opportunity to take the CGFM Examinations Feb. 20–21. 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 popular exam time slots are reserved quickly, so don't delay. More information and a registration form for this event are available on the AGA website. If you have any questions, please contact Crystal Vanison at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 316. Registration Now Open for PDC Golf
Tournament Fee is $35 per person. Includes greens fees, cart rental, range balls, park entrance fees, breakfast, lunch and transportation to and from the course. The tournament will include several contests and prizes. Transportation and Schedule: Complimentary shuttle service will be provided. Buses depart from the Atlanta Marriott Marquis at 6 a.m. Breakfast will be served at the course. The tournament begins at 8 a.m., shotgun start. Prizes will be awarded at the end of play, followed by a buffet lunch. Join us for a day of networking, camaraderie and fun before the conference. Space is limited, so sign up early! AGA's FMSB Represented at GASB Hearing Also testifying at the hearing were members of the New York City Office of Management and Budget, the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority, the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission / Bay Area Toll Authority, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, Bear Stearns, UBS, PFM Asset Management, LLC, KPMG and the firm SB and Company. A user group hearing was held earlier in the day. A final standard is expected sometime in 2008. CGFM Profile: Kathleen Kimmel Kimmel, an auditor with Virginia’s Auditor of Public Accounts, was looking for some “nuts and bolts” training because her governmental accounting class in college was too theoretical. When she read the course description for AGA’s three classes, she thought, “Whoa, this applies to everything I do.” As a Reporting and Standards Team specialist working with local governments, Kimmel reviews Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs) and conducts quality control reviews by checking the documentation of the local CPA firms that do the local government audits. Read more. Member News Sandra Steele, CGFM, a member of AGA's Montgomery Chapter, has been promoted from a staff accountant at the Alabama Public Service Commission to an accounting manager at the state Department of Insurance. |
Other AGA Links Register for AGA's Sixth Annual National Leadership Conference, Feb. 21–22, 2008, Washington, D.C. Bring New AGA-Sponsored Training Courses to Your Organization
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© Association of Government Accountants 2007 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. |
The
Graduate School, USDA provides professional training and educational
services to auditors and financial managers in all levels of government.
We offer studies in accounting, budgeting, financial management and
performance auditing, as well as customized development services to meet
your organization’s unique needs. Call (888) 744-GRAD or visit us at 
Government
financial managers are committed to accountability, efficiency and
improving the business of government, but it’s easy to focus on one
small part of the puzzle instead of the big picture.
AGA
is once again offering a great opportunity to take the CGFM Examinations
and earn your CGFM before the Sixth Annual National Leadership
Conference (NLC) in Washington D.C. Whether you've found it difficult to
find time to complete the three exams or just need an extra
reinforcement of the material, this is your chance to get it done!
Step
up to the tee and take your best shot. Plans are well under way for PDC
2008, set for July 27–30, in Atlanta, and worth 24 CPE hours. AGA has
arranged social activities to encourage networking at every opportunity,
and the golf tournament is no exception. Enjoy a day of early
networking, fun and friendly competition
Eric
S. Berman, CPA, a member of AGA's Boston Chapter and the
Association's Financial Management Standards Board (FMSB), testified on
behalf of AGA and the National Association of State Auditors,
Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) during the Governmental Accounting
Standards Board's (GASB) public hearing on the proposed standard
Accounting and Financial Reporting for Derivative Instruments. At
the Nov. 2 hearing in New York City, Berman, deputy comptroller for the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, reiterated AGA's position that in
general, the Association supports the proposed standard. Comments were
made, though, on the complexity of the proposed standards and the need
for education on derivatives.