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Highlights

Anatomy of Fraud Audio Conference Set for Wednesday
AGA, in conjunction with NASACT and ALGA, is pleased to announce its upcoming audio conference, Anatomy of Fraud: Case Examples of Greed, Collusion and Override of Controls. The audio conference, worth 2 CPE hours, is set for 2 – 3:50 p.m., EST, Dec. 12.

Hear from two of the top presenters and investigators of fraud, David L. Cotton, CGFM, CFE, CPA, Chairman of Cotton & Co., and David R. Hancox, CGFM, CIA, Director in the Division of State Government
Accountability, Office of the New York State Comptroller.

Cost is $299 per site (unlimited attendance). Register online or print the registration form and fax it to 703.684.6933

View the entire audio conference schedule. (Note that the ethics audio conference has been rescheduled to May 14.)

Training Opportunities

Looking for a Job?

Interested in Being a Reviewer for the CEAR Program?
AGA will offer free training for those interesting in reviewing Performance and Accountability Reports (PARs) for federal agencies that participate in our Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) Program. The training is scheduled for 1:15 – 4 p.m. Dec. 17 at the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. Each year, federal agencies participating in the CEAR Program submit their PARs to AGA for review to improve financial and program accountability by streamlining reporting and improving the effectiveness of their reports. This training, which requires registration, also will incorporate techniques for reviewing the Pilot Program's Annual Financial Report and the Highlights document. AGA members Jonathan D. Breul, partner, IBM Global Business Services, and John Hummel, CGFM, CPA, partner and National Industry director, KPMG LLP, will provide instruction on how to review reports and discuss the revised OMB Circular A-136 that is used as a point of reference in preparing federal financial reports.

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
Is your agency participating in the CEAR Program this year? This year's process will be slightly different because two types of documents are being reviewed—the traditional Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) and the Pilot Program documents. If your agency is preparing a PAR, the document and CEAR application is due to AGA by Friday, Dec. 14.

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.

Finalists Named in AGA's First Government Finance Case Challenge
Six universities offered responses to AGA's First Government Finance Case Challenge. We are proud to announce that the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Texas at Dallas are the finalists in this competition. Each team will be invited to offer a presentation of their case response to a panel of judges at the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Washington, D.C., Feb. 21-22, 2008. Congratulations to all! Learn more about the competition.

Internal Controls Audio Conference Set for Feb. 6
AGA, in conjunction with the National Association of State Auditors,
Comptrollers and Treasurers and the Association of Local Government
Auditors, is pleased to announce a new audio conference, Using
Internal Controls to Improve Operations. The audio conference, worth 2 CPE hours, is set for 2 – 3:50 pm EST, Feb. 6, 2008.

Good internal controls can be used for far more than ensuring the right numbers are used in financial statements. Good controls can
improve accountability, prevent problems and most important, improve the delivery of services to the public. Internal control areas to be discussed include grants management, integration with enterprise risk management and controls as a motivator.

Speakers include Janet Hayes, MBA, CPM, CICA, Director of the Management Services and Nongovernmental Compliance Division, Office of the State
Auditor, State of North Carolina; Michael L. Piazza, MBA, CICA, Principal Associate and lead consultant of Professional Development Associates and Director of Program Development and Training for the Institute for Internal Controls; and Martha J. Stearns, Central Site Director, Cleveland Center, U.S. Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Cost is $249 per site (unlimited attendance) if you register on or before
Feb. 1, and $299 thereafter. Government agencies and CPAG members who
register five or more offices can receive a 20 percent discount (pay
only $200 per site).

Register online, or print the regular registration form, or the special promotion registration form and fax it to 703.684.6933.

View the entire audio conference schedule.

TV Media Recognizes the Portland Oregon Service Efforts and Accomplishments Report—Watch the video from the December 4, 2007 broadcast

Volume 47: Issue 23, December 10, 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
Normally I try to use this time with you to discuss emerging issues relating to government accountability. However, this is a time of the year when one has a tendency to reflect on the past year and give thanks.

I am very grateful to have the opportunity to serve as AGA’s 58th National President. During my travels it is indeed comforting to see that all levels of government are blessed with dedicated and quality staff. We in the government accountability profession have an extremely important task and that is to provide quality programs and services at a reasonable price. We will be facing some serious challenges in the coming years, but I am convinced we have the talent to succeed.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting the AGA during the past year. AGA exists because you care and are willing to support our great profession and its professional Association. May you and yours have a great holiday season, and I wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Finally, during this holiday season, please remember our young men and women who are away from their families serving their country. They stand duty so that we may enjoy freedom.

Happy Holidays,
Rick

NLC Registration Brochure is Available
The registration brochure for AGA’s National Leadership Conference lists the speakers, education sessions and events taking place at this year's conference. You can also get information about registration, hotel accommodations, travel discounts and more.

NLC 2008 will be bigger and better than ever. This event is packed with dynamic speakers and informative educational sessions. In addition to an outstanding technical program, the NLC provides unparalleled opportunities to network, exchange ideas and meet new friends.

Don’t miss this outstanding educational and networking event—register today!

AGA NLC Hotel Reservation Deadline Approaching—Reserve Your Room Today
AGA has reserved a block of rooms at the JW Marriott Hotel for NLC attendees. Ideally located on Pennsylvania Avenue's federal corridor, this contemporary hotel offers a celebrated address near the city's best monuments and museums, restaurants and cultural venues. In addition, the hotel is just one block away from the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

The room rate is $199 (plus tax) for single and double occupancy. Rates are only guaranteed until Jan. 31, or until the block is sold out.

Reservations received after Jan. 31, or after the room block has been filled, will be made on a space-available basis, and may be subject to significantly higher rates. We encourage you to make your hotel reservations early, for the best price and availability.

Please call the hotel directly at 800.228.9290 and mention you are attending the “AGA NLC” to ensure you receive the discounted rate. A credit card is required to guarantee the reservation.

Or, for your convenience, you may also reserve a room online. (Group Code: AGAAGAA)

Hotel Reservation Deadline: Jan. 31, 2008—Hotel rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis until the hotel is sold out. Make your reservations early!

AGA NLC Exhibit Hall Almost Sold Out—Only Seven Booths Left
Put your products and services in front of the people who need them most. Boost your company’s visibility, make new contacts, reach your target audience and show your commitment to the profession. The NLC is the perfect platform to network and enhance your corporate identification to a highly qualified decision-making audience.

Hundreds of government financial management and accountability professionals attend the NLC to learn about the latest innovations in the field. Be sure you’re there to tell them. An exhibit booth gives you the chance to promote products and services, gain exposure for new programs, show your latest video, network and solidify your relationship with customers.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to interact with top-level, hard-to-reach government accountability professionals—reserve your booth today!

Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are also available. To learn more about exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, contact Ada Phillips at 800.AGA.7211, ext. 310. To advertise in the conference program, please contact April Force Pardoe.

Share the Gift of Career Advancement This Holiday Season Through AGA
What better time than the holiday season to share some good fortune with colleagues and friends by sharing with them the value of AGA membership? You might receive a gift in return.

In fact, these members have already shared the gift of membership and will be rewarded with a gift as well—free 2008-2009 membership dues.

Jason L. Arrington, CPA, CFE—15 recruits
Gail D. Artis—13 recruits
Colette C. Cormier—26 recruits
Jeanne B. Erwin, CGFM, CPA—14 recruits
Michael D. Hansen—8 recruits
Lori L. Hendon—21 recruits
Mary R. Hudson—6 recruits
James J. Kennedy, CGFM—6 recruits
Emelda M. Lowi-Teng—15 recruits
Thalia J. Melendez—11 recruits
Stephanie Kay Paschel—31 recruits
Kenrick A. Sifontes—9 recruits
Justin Christopher Sponseller—6 recruits
Janice M. Wieberg, CGFM—6 recruits

Recruit six new AGA members before Dec. 31 to join this list. It is so easy to give this gift. You don’t even have to visit a crowded mall. Just print a membership application, and hand it to a colleague, or forward the link. Shop right at your desktop.

Check out the member-get-a-member campaign details, including incentives and prizes. Be sure to add your colleagues and friends to your holiday list and share the gift of AGA membership—start recruiting today.

Take the CGFM Examinations Before the NLC
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!

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.

CGFM Profile: William D. Brown, MBA, CGFM, CPA
William D. Brown, who has more than 24 years of experience in some of New Jersey’s most challenging fiscal offices, recently earned his CGFM credential and encourages others to do the same. “If you are planning a career in government fiscal management you need to earn this certification,” he said.

Career highlights include: his early experience in consolidating Burlington County’s hospitals, enabling that county to close the crumbling Evergreen Park Hospital and expand the Buttonwood Hall Hospital; his role as the initial fiscal manager in the state’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Rebate Program; the supervising analyst position in the Hospital Rate-Setting Unit during the state’s successful conversion from the All-Payer Hospital Reimbursement System to the current system; and his current fiscal leadership as business manager of the New Lisbon Development Center, home to 554 developmentally disabled men and women.

Brown, who is also a CPA and a member of AGA’s Trenton Chapter, earned his CGFM designation last May. He reflected on his decision to become a CGFM. —By: David Kaschak, CGFM, CPA, AGA's Trenton Chapter. Read the full Q & A here.

Nominate Leaders for National Awards
AGA’s National Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for 13 National Awards that recognize the leaders advancing our profession and setting the standards of excellence. The awards will be presented during AGA's Professional Development Conference & Exposition in Atlanta, GA, July 27–30, 2008. In many cases, individuals do not have to be members of AGA to be eligible. All nomination forms are due no later than Friday, April 4, 2008. For more information contact Michiyo Wheeler.

2008 Scholarship Applications Being Accepted
Are you or a family member pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in disciplines such as accounting, auditing, budgeting, economics, finance, information technology, public administration, etc.? If so, consider applying for an AGA National Academic Scholarship. Each year, AGA awards:

Up to four $3,000 full-time merit scholarships to AGA members and their family members.
One $1,000 part-time merit scholarships to AGA members and their family members.
One $3,000 community service scholarship.

Applications are due March 31, 2008. Apply now and take full advantage of your AGA membership. For more information contact Michiyo Wheeler.

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 Force Pardoe.

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