Highlights

CPE Opportunities

AGA Seeks Director of Education
The Association is recruiting a candidate to develop and maintain education policies and procedures to enhance AGA’s role as a leader in government financial management training. The education director will assist local chapters with their educational programs and serve as a liaison to the Academy for Government Accountability Board, among other duties. Click here to find out more about the position. Contact Susan Fritzlen to apply.

Looking for a Job?
Don’t let the summer heat get to you. Jump into the largest pool of financial management professionals by posting your job/resume on our AGA career center! Click here to begin.

CGFM Notes
How can your chapter offer some high-quality, inexpensive CPEs and help CGFM candidates study for the CGFM Examinations?

Sponsor AGA's Government Financial Manager (GFM) training program! Worth 48 CPE hours, this unique onsite program provides a foundation in all areas of government financial management and deals with all levels of government - federal, state and local. It also helps candidates prepare for all three CGFM Examinations.

This Program consists of three courses:

Course 1: Governmental Environment - 1 day, 8 CPE hours
Course 2: Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Budgeting - 3 days, 24 CPE hours
Course 3: Governmental Financial Management and Control - 2 days, 16 CPE hours

For more detailed information please contact Katya Silver at 800.AGA.7211 ext. 305. Click here to find GFM course descriptions.

AGA Chapter News
Keep track of your members with AGA’s online Chapter Membership Reports. Chapter officers can log onto the Members Only site and see current, new and suspended members in their chapter. These reports are connected to the AGA database, so information is always up-to-date.  

AGA Advertising Opportunities!
Advertise in AGA's electronic newsletters—TOPICS and AGA Today! Get maximum exposure and build your brand. Click here for all the information you need to run your ad! Or you can contact AGA's Director of Communications, Marie Force.

Volume 44: Issue 16, September 6, 2005

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.

Hurricane Katrina
The thoughts of the entire AGA family are with our friends in Louisiana and Mississippi, where we have several vital chapters and many members. We will report any news we hear about our AGA members in this hard-hit region, so please check back to the AGA homepage for updates. Click here to view the reports we have received so far from affected members. This page will be regularly updated as we hear more. If you hear from any of our members in this area, please contact Marie Force so we can keep the page updated.

AGA Announces Hurricane Relief Effort
Hurricane Katrina has devastated an entire region of the nation, where AGA has several chapters and many members. As a result, the Association is coordinating a fundraising campaign to assist those in need. The Association is collecting donations, which will be distributed to the AGA Chapters in the affected areas. The chapters will then determine how best to use the funds. AGA members are urged to make donations to the AGA Hurricane Relief Fund, which will directly benefit AGA members in need.

Make your checks payable to AGA, note "Hurricane Relief Effort" in the memo and send them to AGA, 2208 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301-1314. If you would like to make a contribution via credit card, please contact John Harris with the Finance Department at 703.562.0360, or fax your information to 703.519.0039. Donations are tax deductible. (AGA Federal Tax ID #53-0217158) Because the need is urgent and immediate, please send your as soon as possible. If you have questions, please contact the AGA National Office at 800.242.7211. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

PMC Registration Brochure Now Online
Make plans now to attend AGA’s First National Performance Management Conference (PMC), Service Efforts & Accomplishments Reporting: The Cornerstone for Building Trust and Enhancing Management.

The conference is set for November 14-15, 2005, at the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront Hotel, and features presentations by state and local government officials who have been recognized for preparing top-quality Service Efforts & Accomplishments (SEA) Reports.

Experts in performance management will not only outline how to prepare reports, but will also show how the reports can be used to improve government operations and build public trust. Excellent reports show taxpayers how their money is being spent and whether government is achieving its goals; they also provide government officials with the information they need to better serve the citizens.

Users of SEA Reports and representatives from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) will offer various perspectives on SEA Reports. Everyone from first-time preparers to veterans in performance management can benefit from this conference.

Earn 14.5 CPE hours at dynamic, comprehensive sessions, share best practices with leaders in the industry and meet your peers in the field.

The conference brochure is now available online. Why wait? Get a sneak preview of the program and register today! More information about the conference arrives in your mailbox next month. In the meantime, visit our website, or click here to download the brochure.

Register Early & Save! Registration couldn’t be easier. You can register online or print the registration form to register by fax or mail. Advance registration discounts apply to all forms received before October 21, 2005. Register today for AGA’s PMC and show your commitment to a more accountable government.

SEA Reviewer Training
In conjunction the Performance Management Conference, AGA will provide free SEA Reviewer training on Wednesday, November 16th. Can you believe it? Three FREE CPE hours!  Click here to obtain registration information for this training as well as serving as an SEA Reviewer. This free training is also offered on Wed. Oct. 5 in New York City in conjunction with Governing Magazine's Conference.
 
If it's your job to explain how government funds have been managed to ensure that funding continues, this conference is for you. Funding for government projects is not automatic. If you have to provide written justification for why funding should continue, you should attend this conference, which will teach you an effective way to explain how government funds have been managed.

Washington, D.C. – Salary Range $107,550 – $162,100

If selected for this senior executive position, you will be responsible for managing and supervising the performance of auditing (evaluation and review) activities relative to financial and information technology programs and operations within the Department of Transportation (DOT).  The vacancy announcement contains specific information regarding the position and application process. Click here to view a copy of the announcement.

All applications must be received no later than c.o.b. September 15, 2005.

Call for National Awards Nominations
Due October 28, 2005
Who do you know that deserves special recognition for contributions to the field? Please help us acknowledge financial professionals at the federal, state and local level and private sector who are leading the way! You might even consider nominating yourself. Nominations are now being accepted for Federal Leadership Awards, State and Local Leadership Awards and Private Sector Leadership Awards.

* Nominees do not have to be AGA members.

These awards will be presented at AGA’s 4th Annual National Leadership Conference on February 2-3, 2006 in Washington, D.C. Submit your nominations today! Click here to find out more about the awards and the nomination process.

An Exclusive Offer for AGA Chapters and Advantage Group Membership Agencies—Discounted Audio Conferences 
AGA is pleased to announce a special offer exclusively for AGA chapters and ADVANTAGE group membership agencies that will enhance the education programs offered by your chapters and your agencies while saving you money! For a limited time only, purchase the September 21, December 7 and March 1 AGA audio conferences as a package and you will receive a 10 percent discount on the early registration price. Thus, you pay only $672 for the three audio conferences, a savings of $75 over the regular price. This offer is only available to chapters and ADVANTAGE group membership partners until September 16. Contact Julie Cupp at 800.AGA.7211, or jcupp@agacgfm.org to register. Click here to view the 2005-2006 audio conference schedule.

Audio Conference Set for Sept. 21 on Ethics
AGA, NASACT and N.A.L.G.A. present "Ethics—How It Impacts an Organization" from 2 – 3:50 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept. 21. Speakers will discuss the increased emphasis on ethics, the reasons why technology may be contributing to ethical issues, how some situations can be legal but unethical, how ethics can be a positive challenge for practical people and a recent KPMG study on corporate ethics. Speakers are Leon Young, Associate Professor, University of Maryland, and Scott Avelino, Director of Forensic Services, KPMG LLP. Earn 2 CPE hours. The cost is $249 before Sept. 16 and $299 afterward for unlimited attendance. Questions regarding the program should be directed to Raymond Harris, CGFM. Click here to view the 2005-2006 audio conference schedule.

AGA is also offering a special package discount to AGA chapters and Advantage group membership agencies. Click here to learn more.

Assistant Inspector General for Competition and Economic Analysis

Washington, D.C. – Salary Range $107,550 – $162,100

If selected for this senior executive position, you will be responsible for managing and supervising the performance of auditing (evaluation and review) activities relative to performance audits, evaluations, and analytical reviews relating to all aspects of competition and economic issues in the U.S. transportation industry.  The vacancy announcement contains specific information regarding the position and application process.  Click here to view a copy of the announcement.

All applications must be received no later than c.o.b. September 30, 2005.

AGA Past National President Bobby A. Derrick, CGFM, Discusses the Satisfaction of AGA Leadership
Serving AGA and our membership has made 2004–2005 the happiest year in my life. I cannot think of a greater cause than volunteering to serve others. I have personally met many of you who selflessly give of yourselves and your free time to serve our members, chapters, regions and sections. I know you will agree with me that being involved and serving in leadership capacities whether it is being on a committee, serving as a chapter officer or being involved at the national level is rewarding in many ways. Your voluntary service will always be needed. Click here to read more of Immediate Past National President Derrick's thoughts on AGA leadership opportunities. See details below about joining the AGA leadership team!

Call for Nominations for AGA’s National and Regional Leadership Team

Deadline: October 28, 2005

If you're interested in the opportunity to shape Association programs, advance your profession, and represent members’ interest in the government accountability community, then submit your nomination TODAY for these

National Board of Directors positions:

• National President-Elect
• National Treasurer-Elect
• Senior Vice President for Regional Services - Section I and IV
• Regional Vice Presidents-Elect

*Those elected will take office on July 1, 2006 and serve for three years.

Click here for more information on the requirements of each position.

E-submission is preferred. Submit one package that includes: National Office Nomination Form, leadership statement and bio to the attention of Rosanna Ortiz, National Nominating Committee Staff Liaison, Rosanna Ortiz. However, you may mail the documents to: AGA, 2208 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA  22301-1314. Or fax them to 703.548.9367.

AGA Staff List

AGA Membership Application

CGFM Application

Other AGA links
CGFM Certification—Take the CGFM Exams today!

Click here to register for AGA's First Performance Management Conference, Nov. 14–15, 2005, Portland, OR

© Association of Government Accountants 2005

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