Highlights


We are issuing TOPICS a day earlier than scheduled due to the federal holiday on Monday.

The National Office will be closed from Dec. 24 – Jan. 1. The staff wishes the AGA membership the happiest of holiday seasons, and we look forward to serving you in 2008!

The newsletters will resume with
AGA Today on Jan. 14.


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.


Training Opportunities



Looking for a Job?


Member News
Diane Lindsey, a member of AGA's Montgomery Chapter, received the Program Advocate Award from the Alabama Child Support Association for "going above and beyond the call of duty to assist county child support staff in their daily work." Lindsey works for the state Department of Human Resources' Child Support Accounting.

Mark Wohlfort, a member of AGA's Baltimore Chapter, from the Social Security Administration, is celebrating the birth of his son, Alexander, who was born Nov. 27 at 9 pounds, 12 ounces. Alexander and mother Jen are doing well.

AGA's Lincoln Chapter awarded an $800 scholarship to Rachel Stigge, who is working on her master’s degree in public accounting.


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.

Volume 47: Issue 24, December 21, 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.


NLC Advance Registration Deadline January 25
The early registration deadline for AGA’s Sixth Annual National Leadership Conference is quickly approaching. Don't miss your chance to attend and save money by registering in advance. Register by Jan. 25, 2008 and save. After January 25, fees will increase to $600 for AGA members and $775 for nonmembers.

NLC 2008 will be bigger and better than ever! This event is packed with dynamic speakers and informative educational sessions. In addition to offering 14 CPE hours and an outstanding technical program, the NLC also provides unparalleled opportunities to network, exchange ideas and meet new friends. Visit the Exhibit Hall to see the latest tools to help your agency perform at top efficiency.

Join us in Washington, D.C. to hear from the top government financial management leaders and industry experts—Register today!

AGA Welcomes a New Chapter in Maine
On behalf of National President Richard L. Fair, CGFM, and the entire National Executive Committee, AGA congratulates Chapter President Colette Cormier and everyone in the new Aroostook County Chapter. AGA’s 91st chapter is based in Limestone, ME, and is already off to a great start with 33 members. Congratulations and welcome to the AGA family! 

Prince William County Receives Certificate of Achievement in SEA Reporting
Bill Hughes, CGFM, president of AGA’s Northern Virginia Chapter, recently presented the Certificate of Achievement in Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA) Reporting to county commissioners of Prince William County, VA. This is the third consecutive year that the county has received this national award.

The program, offered with financial support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, offers in-depth evaluation of SEA reports (also called performance reports), recommendations for improvements and recognition of excellent reports. AGA’s SEA Program encourages state and local governments to regularly issue high-quality SEA reports to effectively communicate performance information to the public.

For more information about the SEA Program please contact Eveanna Barry, AGA's director of Performance Reporting.

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.

Partnership Seeks Suggestions for Projects
Are you aware of a policy, regulation or practice that interferes with the management, accountability or transparency of an intergovernmental program? Whether it’s a highway program, a health care program or an environmental program, AGA would like to know about it.

AGA recently launched the Partnership for Intergovernmental Management and Accountability (Partnership) to foster cooperation and communication among governments with the goal of improving performance and accountability. Comprised of high-ranking officials from federal, state and local governments and higher education, the Partnership is dedicated to identifying and solving some of the most vexing management and accountability issues facing governments today. AGA provides staff support to the Partnership and serves as a neutral third party in bringing different levels of government together.

The Partnership will issue its first "Intergovernmental Alert" in January to notify state and local governments of federal policies that may affect them. Partnership projects include cost allocation and error reduction projects. Please send any issues that should be included in the "Intergovernmental Alert" to AGA’s director of Intergovernmental Relations Helena Sims.

Have You Updated Your Member Profile Lately?
There are two great reasons to update your member information online today. First, updating your information enables us to keep in contact with you and ensure that our services and events remain focused on your needs.

Second, if you update your record by Dec. 31, 2007, you will be entered into a drawing for one of three Apple iPhones*! It’s our way of saying thank you for helping us serve you better.

Visit AGA's website and click on Members Only on the left palette, and login using your member ID. Your password is your first initial immediately followed by your last name (unless you have changed it).  Please invest five minutes and update your information today!

* Phone only. Service not provided.

FMSB, GASB Discuss Common Concerns
On Dec. 13, 2007, The AGA Financial Management Standards Board (FMSB) held its fourth annual joint meeting with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) at the GASB offices in Norwalk, CT. There was a very productive discussion about how the FMSB could help the GASB by providing volunteers to serve on various task forces and/or focus groups. One of the requests the GASB had was for AGA to get the word out to the AGA membership in the future when the GASB conducts a field test on a proposed standard and requests volunteers to help the GASB develop estimates on the cost of compliance.

 

 

   

AGA Staff List

AGA Membership Application

CGFM Application

Audio Conferences

Training Opportunities

Other AGA Links

CGFM Certification—Learn More

Register for AGA's Sixth Annual National Leadership Conference, Feb. 21–22, 2008, Washington, D.C.

Register for AGA's 57th Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition, July 27–30, 2008, Atlanta, GA

Bring New AGA-Sponsored Training Courses to Your Organization

 

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