Live Tracker
Look for live updates starting August 7.
| Benefit | Student (Free) |
Professor (Free, 1 yr) |
Early Career ($45/yr) |
Private Sector ($160/yr) |
Government ($100/yr) |
Retired ($35/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free members-only webinars (4/year) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Subscription to Journal of Government Financial Management | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Networking at National & chapter events | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Leadership / volunteer opportunities | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Event registration discounts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Free CPEs at Technology & Transformation Summit | — | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Scholarships & academic competitions (Datathon, Case Challenge) | ✔ | — | — | — | — | — |
| Job board & mentorship program | ✔ | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
| Guest speakers & classroom/curriculum resources | — | ✔ | — | — | — | — |
| Research & publishing opportunities (Journal) | — | ✔ | — | — | — | — |
| Access to Corporate Partner Advisory Group (CPAG) | Available separately — email sfritzlen@agacgfm.org for Corporate Partner Membership details | |||||
…and more member benefits available from your local chapter.
For information on additional benefits for professors and students, visit the
Higher Education page.
Why Become a Member
Join AGA to gain exclusive training and resources, access leadership opportunities, and connect with a powerful community of government financial management professionals.
Who is AGA For?
If you work towards accountability, transparency, efficiency, and informed decision-making, AGA is for you!
Formerly the Association of Government Accountants, AGA rebranded in 2022 to be more inclusive of anyone whose job includes managing tax dollars or government grants.
AGA is for professionals who work in accounting, auditing, risk management, compliance, budgeting and forecasting, procurement, public reporting, human capital, leadership development, financial policy-making, performance management, data analytics, and more.
Types of Membership
Government
Private Sector
Early Career
Students and Professors
Post-Career
Group Membership
Turn a two-minute chat into a new aga member
There’s no single script that works for everyone — but there’s a reliable pattern. Follow the flow below, then plug in your own AGA story.
① Start a conversation
② Connect AGA to their needs
③ Make a clear ask and
④ Celebrate and follow up
Build Your Own Script
| Step | Purpose | Sentence Starter |
|---|---|---|
| Hook | Why reach out now | “Hey — quick thought because .” |
| Relate | Tie it to their role | “Since you’re _, I think you’d get value from AGA.” |
| Value | 3 benefits, max | “The main perks are: , , _.” |
| Ask | One clear next step | “There’s more info at agacgfm.org/join.” |
| Close | Low pressure | “No pressure — happy to answer questions.” |
30-Second Scripts
Option A — General pitch > “Hey, are you already connected with AGA? I joined because it’s a great community for government financial management — practical training, solid resources, and networking with people doing similar work. Want me to send the join link and a quick rundown of benefits?”
Option B — Event-based pitch > “Are you going to next week’s AGA training? I learned a lot at the last one, and I’m really looking forward to the session on _. Want the registration link and agenda?”
Next step: if they say yes, send the link immediately — momentum fades fast.
2-Minute Script
“I wanted to mention AGA because it’s been genuinely useful for me. It’s a professional community focused specifically on government financial management, so the topics are directly relevant to what we deal with day-to-day.
The biggest value for me has been:
- Training and CPE-eligible learning — including free member webinars and events like the Technology & Transformation Summit.
- Networking — through chapter events and national conferences
- Practical resources — like the quarterly Journal of Government Financial Management.
If professional development or expanding your network is a goal this year, I think AGA is a good fit. Want me to send the membership page and help figure out which benefits fit you best?”
Next step: if you’re talking to someone weighing options, mention an upcoming event or webinar. A concrete date gives people a reason to act now.
They say yes → Send link agacgfm.org/join → Check in after 1 week → Celebrate their sign-up publicly (chapter meeting, email, shoutout)
Handling Objections
“I’m not planning to join”
Thank you for letting me know, I’m sorry to hear that. May I ask what is preventing you from joining AGA membership?
Please use the responses below / identify next steps as appropriate
“I already belong to GFOA”
That’s great, what do you like about your GFOA membership?
listen to identify what membership benefits they prioritize, AGA likely offers them too.
Did you know that your GFOA membership belongs to your employer? If you change roles or your employer decides to discontinue, you won’t be a member any longer. AGA membership is individual and portable, so you can enjoy your benefits with confidence.
“I already belong to SDFM”
That’s great, what do you like about your SDFM membership?
listen to identify which membership benefits they prioritize, AGA likely offers them too
Personally, I prefer AGA over SDFM because it includes defense financial management as part of a broader membership base – a variety of insight and expertise.
“I can’t make it (to the event)”
I’m sorry to hear that! Hopefully we’ll see you at another event in the future. We have (chapter or national event) coming up next month! Can I send you the link?
“My employer doesn’t pay for it”
That’s frustrating, isn’t it! Which membership benefits are most interesting to you?
leave space for them to talk, they will likely reveal which aspects of membership they value most
if you pay your own membership, share why. For example,
I find the $100 annually to be a modest investment in my personal/professional growth. In our chapter I get leadership experience that is not available to me on the job at this stage in my career, and it averages out to be less than $10 a month.
or
My employer doesn’t pay for my membership, but being a member of AGA gets me access to this incredible community / discounts on events/CGFM / thought leadership / (insert your reason here) at a value price.
“I’m retiring”
Congratulations! AGA offers a Retired rate of just $35 per year (not including local Chapter dues) and you still get all the same member benefits. We would love to have you in our community and exercise your experience and wisdom in AGA to guide and mentor others. Do you want to join AGA as a retired member?
“I’m not working right now”
I’m so sorry to hear that! AGA is a great resource for job seekers, from networking and building relationships, to the AGA Job Board! Can I email you the link?
If you have an upcoming networking event you can invite them to, they just might meet their next employer there!
We wish you the best of luck in your search and hope to welcome you to AGA membership soon!
“I don’t need CPEs”
The goal in your response is share that AGA membership has value aside from CPEs – many AGA members don’t need CPEs! Maybe networking or community service aren’t priorities for them either – highlight member benefits that might be especially appealing to this member.
Hmm I hear that. We’d still love for you to join us for our upcoming networking/community service events! (Mention specific events if you can.) Do you already have other professional networking opportunities?
“I’m not sure whether I want to join yet”
What questions can I answer about AGA membership?