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Highlights

The AGA National Office staff wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! The office will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26–27.

Upcoming Audio Conferences

Dec. 16—Latest Trends in Occupational Fraud

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

Feb. 10— Understanding IT Audits for Program Managers and Auditors

Entire 2009–2010 Audio Conference Schedule

Member News
Earl “Skip” Eno, a member of AGA’s Mid-Missouri Chapter, has received AGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a founding member of the Mid-Missouri Chapter and his involvement spans more than 40 years.

Yadelyn Mahoney, a member of AGA’s Boston Chapter and formerly with KPMG, has accepted a position as the assistant comptroller at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.

Training Opportunities

Looking for a Job

This Week on the AGA Blog

Monday: Jeff Steinhoff, CGFM, CPA, CFE, Executive Director, KPMG Government Institute, KPMG LLP

Wednesday: Sunil Datt, MBA, MS (Econ), MA, CGFM, PMP, Business Lead, GBS Global XBRL Task Force, IBM

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 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 and John Hummel, CGFM, CPA, partner and National Industry Director, KPMG LLP plus a panel of current CEAR reviewers. Register now.

Performance News
Did you miss AGA’s Fifth Annual Performance Management Conference? Download presentations made at the conference.

Have questions about getting involved with the Certificate of Achievement in Service Efforts and Accomplishments Report Review Program? Contact Evie Barry.

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 22, November 23, 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.

Make Plans Now to Attend AGA’s National Leadership Conference
Join us in our nation’s capital, February 18–19, 2010, to hear from high-level government officials and industry experts, participate in timely and 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.

Get the up-to-the-minute information about issues that impact you! Technical education sessions will focus on hot topics in government financial management and accountability, current issues relating to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, strategic priorities, 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 learn from your colleagues.

Visit our website for more information. Show your commitment to a more accountable future: register by fax or online 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 (1 or 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.

Dream. Learn. Achieve… And Get Ready for AGA's PDC 2010
Mark your calendar and make plans now to join us in sunny Orlando, Florida for AGA’s 59th Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition—the premier education and networking event for government financial managers and accountability professionals.

Worth 24 CPE hours, the conference covers the latest research and information about the American Recovery Act, the constantly changing rules and standards, new management techniques, technological advances and practical tips for bringing greater efficiency to government operations. The PDC offers a comprehensive program, captivating speakers, lively discussions, top-quality education sessions, and equips you with knowledge and skills you need to be more effective leader.

While the PDC has long been respected for offering the best training in the profession, it also offers a number of networking events to help you make new contacts, exchange ideas and collaboratively work on solutions to common problems. Exhibitors are also available to demonstrate the newest products, tools and cutting-edge technology available to help your agency achieve its mission.

Registration fees are $800 for AGA members and $1,000 for nonmembers until June 11, 2010. Early registration saves you money and increases your chances of obtaining accommodations at the conference hotel.

Print Registration Form

Hotel Accommodations: We reserved a block of rooms at the Orlando World Center Marriott to accommodate PDC attendees. The rate is $108 per night (plus tax) until June 18, 2010, or until the room block is sold out. Reservations received after June 18, or after the room block has been filled, will only be made on a space-available basis, and may be subject to significantly higher rates.

To make a reservation, please call the Marriott at 800.621.0638 and mention the “AGA PDC” to receive the discounted rate. You can also reserve a room online.

Information about the agenda, speakers, travel discounts and tours is coming soon. Stay tuned to the website for more information…See you in Orlando!

Citizen-Centric Reports Provide Path for Government Involvement
A farmer in Benton County, WA, glanced over a pamphlet while waiting in line to ask County Treasurer Duane Davidson a question about agricultural taxes. What she read surprised her.

The resident, who runs a Grade A goat dairy, had no idea that such a large chunk of local property tax dollars—about 55 percent—was dedicated to education, recalled Davidson. The pamphlet, the department’s four-page annual report, prompted an enlightening conversation about state and local taxation in the county, on both sides of the counter. Read more.

Update your Member Profile and Win
AGA is committed to ensuring that your AGA membership is as valuable as possible. Our Association represents a solid, evolving group of government accountability professionals who are striving to reach their full potential. To that end, we are approaching another renewal season and look forward to you updating your profile to ensure that we have proper contact information. By updating your profile by Dec. 31, you will be entered into a drawing to win one of three Sony Webbie Camcorders. Thank you for being a member of AGA and for your contribution to building a more diverse and inclusive financial management community.

AGA Grants Management Training Available
Are you receiving ARRA grant funds and struggling with the accounting and financial requirements? AGA’s on-site Grants Management training course may help. The course provides a general overview of grants management, including preparation, review and submittal of proposals; negotiation and acceptance of grants; post-award financial and administrative management; closeout and audit; and relevant compliance issues. For more details about this and other AGA-sponsored training courses, including pricing and availability, please contact AGA Education Director Joe Jozefczyk at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 307, or Lynn Hoffman at ext. 342.

Member Spotlight: Debi Weyer, Texas/Oklahoma Regional Education Coordinator, Austin Chapter
Debi Weyer, project manager for the Internal Audit Division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, takes advantage of all educational opportunities available to her. When moving from coast to coast as a Navy dependent and wife, Weyer managed to attend two community colleges and four universities. She received her associate’s degree from Valencia Community College in Orlando, FL, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.

Weyer never considered a career in state government until she was given the opportunity to work for the Texas State Auditor's Office, where she spent 10 years auditing state agencies and institutions of higher education. Read more.

From the National Office
AGA Welcomes Louise Kapelewski
Please join us in welcoming Louise Kapelewski to the AGA National Office. Louise will serve as executive assistant to Executive Director Relmond Van Daniker, DBA, CPA, oversee AGA's awards and governance programs, and assist chapters with AGA National President visit requests and online officer rosters, among many other duties. Louise, a Richmond, VA, native, is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in media studies. Welcome Louise!

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