The AGA Washington DC Chapter 2009 - 2010 Audio Conference Schedule
Sponsoring 2 Hours of Free CPE for its Members!
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The AGA Washington, DC Chapter is participating in several audio conferences broadcast by the AGA National Office this year. Each audio conference includes discussion by subject matter experts and a question-and-answer session. All audio conferences are from 2 to 4 p.m. The AGA National Office offers 2 hours of CPE for each session.
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| Date | Title | Description |
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11/18/2009
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A New Service Model: Auditor Roles in Government Performance Measures
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Government auditors can increase their value by taking on new roles and practices aimed at improving performance measurement and management. Audio conference participants will learn how to apply an organized framework to determine which specific practices provide the best opportunities for adding new value to the entity they serve. The framework will be presented in the context of models of effective governance, service delivery, managing for results and organizational learning. Situational examples and case histories will help participants learn:
- Where to obtain tools used by innovative auditors for implementing these practices.
- How to change auditor roles and practices used over time to keep adding more value as performance management in their government entity evolves.
To share their practical experiences in auditing and views towards government performance measures are Paul D. Epstein, Project Manager, Auditor Roles in Government Performance Measurement, and Leader of the Results That Matter Team, Epstein & Fass Associates; Stuart S. Grifel, CIA, CGAP, Audit Services Division, Clerk and Comptroller's Office, Palm Beach County, FL; and Stephen L. Morgan, CGFM, CIA, CGAP, CFE, former City Auditor of Austin, Texas.
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10/7/2009
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Internal Controls for Auditors, Management and Staff - Making Government Organizations More Effective
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The audio conference will cover the following topics:
- Why internal controls are important and your responsibilities under that system
- Internal control frameworks
- Understanding COSO
- Risk assessment models
- Assessing and changing control systems
- Strong controls, but the wrong controls - when to recommend preventive controls versus detective controls
- Effectively conveying audit results and internal control findings
Guidance on internal controls is important and the seminal document Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) provides an excellent framework for organizations to follow. Unfortunately, organizations often place too much emphasis on the wrong control components under the misguided premise that control activities (i.e., policies and procedures) are the most critical elements of an organization's success. This misplaced focus can cause managers to respond with strong - but wrong - preventive controls over day-to-day activities, which ultimately frustrates efforts to correct an organization's real problems.
It's time to identify and implement the right controls to prevent a recurrence of past practices, which have harmed major organizations involved in fraud and scandals over the years. This audio conference will explore internal control concepts that can make for a high-performing organization and offer managers and auditors tools to assess internal controls within their organizations.
To share their practical experiences in auditing and views toward the future of auditing are: David R. Hancox, CGFM, CIA, Audit Director, Office of the State Comptroller, State of New York; and Mary Peck, CIA, CCSA, CGAP, Director of Internal Controls, New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
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9/2/2009
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Grants Management in Today's Environment
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Grants administrators operate in a dynamic and complex environment. They face an ever-growing list of compliance issues, closely scrutinized by internal and external auditors. The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act has raised the "compliance bar" with additional reporting and accountability requirements. State and local governments, not-for-profits and education and research grant administrators are struggling to untangle, interpret and manage the growing list of requirements that comes with the flow of federal dollars. The presenters will cover some of the recent changes related to grant regulations and begin to sort out the new reporting and compliance requirements related to grant funding. These requirements are not only important for grant administrators to know, but for auditors, accountants and other financial accountability professionals to understand.
More time that the usual 20 minutes will be devoted to answering questions regarding Recovery Act reporting requirements. The presenters will address many of the concerns already raised in various circles, but participants have the opportunity to e-mail questions before and during the audio conference. Please send your questions to we10@txstate.edu and joseph.kull@us.pwc.com. We will attempt to include them in the program.
To share their practical experiences in grants management are Thomas A. Cooley, MS, Chief Financial Officer and Director, Office of Budget, Finance and Awards, National Science Foundation; W. Scott Erwin, CGFM, CRA, Director, Office of Sponsored Programs, Texas State University - San Marcos; and Joseph L. Kull, CGFM, CPA, Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.
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2008 - 2009 Schedule
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4/8/2009
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The Future of Government Auditing - Which Direction(s) Are We Heading?
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Auditing has evolved over the years with many different types of audits being developed - financial, performance, follow-up, managerial, operational, etc. Some believe auditors have become too cozy with the auditees and have sacrificed their independence for cooperation and expediency, while others view auditing from a "gotcha" mentality whereby it is the role of the auditor to find as many things wrong as necessary and catch the bad guys.
Listen as a group of experienced, audit executives from each level of government address specific questions regarding the direction auditing is taking and what the audit industry must do to maintain its credibility. Learn the differences and similarities in the perspectives these experts bring to the table.
To share their practical experiences in auditing and views towards the future of auditing are Jeanette M. Franzel, CGFM, CPA, Director of Financial Management and Assurance, U.S. Government Accountability Office; David R. Hancox, CGFM, CIA, Audit Director, Office of the State Comptroller, State of New York; and Drummond Kahn, CGFM, CIA, Director of Audit Services, City of Portland, Oregon.
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1/21/2009
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How XBRL Can Enable Improved Financial and Performance Reporting
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With new data comes the opportunity to break old paradigms. In the third in a series of audio conferences on the AGA-sponsored research on Performance Based Management (PBM), participants report on the new perspectives brought about by integrated financial and non-financial information. PBM delivers what one pilot test participant calls "integrated awareness," the big picture information that decision-makers need to keep their organizations steering in the right strategic direction. It also provides the data managers need to detect and solve performance problems. All this, plus PBM shows taxpayers both the how and what of their return on investment in government.
To share their expertise and experiences in PBM reporting are Clifton A. Williams, CGFM, CPA, Partner, Grant Thornton LLP; and James Brimson, MS, founder of Activity Based Management Institute.
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12/10/2008
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21st Century Financial Managers: New Mix of Skills and Education Levels
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Is there a talent crisis looming in government financial management? Do government agencies now require, or will they require, a financial work force with a new set and mix of competencies to work effectively in the 21st century? Is there increased demand for people with more analytical and decision-support capabilities? Learn about the results of an AGA-sponsored research study and what colleges are doing to prepare students for the work force of the future. Hear about the ongoing challenges of recruitment and retention at all levels of government and how inadequate work force planning can negatively impact an operation. Learn what the drivers are of these work force changes.
To share their practical and educational experiences is John J. Radford, CGFM, CIA, CFE, Controller, State of Oregon, Member of the AGA National Executive Committee; Kenneth Smith, Ph.D., Professor, Arkinson Graduate of Management, Willamette University; and John D. Webster, CGFM, CPA, Former Chief Financial Officer, Library of Congress, Chair of the AGA Audit Committee.
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10/15/2008
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Results of AGA Research on Performance-Based Management Reporting
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Hear an overview of the AGA research project on Performance Based Reporting and how process oriented accounting is the basis. The speakers share the results of Phase I of the research and describe Phase II, recently completed. The discussion includes aspects of multi-dimensional accounting and the ability to use accounting information in forward looking/predictive manner.
To share their expertise and experiences in process based accounting and improving financial reporting are Peter Chipman, Budget Analyst, Office of Budget and Policy, Federal Transit Administration; Kristine Lee Leiphart, Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Budget and Policy, Federal Transit Administration; Martin J. Rajk, Deputy Assistant Commandant for Resources and Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. Coast Guard; Clifton A. Williams, CGFM, CPA, Partner, Grant Thornton LLP; and James A. Brimson, MS, founder of Activity Based Management Institute.
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9/10/2008
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Fraud Prevention and Detection
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Unlike a theft or vandalism against an organization, fraud is a quiet, unseen crime that is designed to go undetected and hidden from the light of day. Its perpetrators hide in the shadows and gaps within the existing internal control structures to avoid detection and continue their unlawful enterprise.
But what exactly is fraud? How do you detect it? Who is responsible for detecting and preventing fraud? Good questions, but what are the answers?
This audio conference is designed to give the participants some of the answers. Participants will get a contemporary definition of fraud which clearly differentiates it from mismanagement and waste. It also gives participants many real work, experience-generated signs of how to recognized fraud in procurement awards and employee actions. Finally, the program will touch on who is responsible for detecting and preventing it in the first place.
To share his practical experiences in auditing and investigating fraud is Bruce N. Crandlemire, CPA, Senior Consultant with EAM, Inc./Mosley & Associates, who has more than 31 years of audit and investigative experience in the federal government and inspector general community, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
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| 8/20/2008 |
Everything You Wanted to Know about Performance Management and Reporting, But Were Afraid to Ask |
Is your government thinking about producing a performance report for internal and external use? Do your constituents want to know more about the governments activities and accomplishments? Does your legislative body need information that can help make the tough budget decisions? Does internal management need performance measures to gauge the success or failure of its programs? With transparency and accountability as the watchwords for effective, efficient and honest government, performance reporting should be on the political agenda of any official who wishes to convey how and on what government is spending tax dollars.
To share their practical experiences in performance reporting, three performance report preparers will explain the positive results achieved with their use of a performance report. Join Drummond Kahn, CGFM, CIA, Director, Audit Services, Portland, Oregon; Rebekah Stephens, Planning and Performance Coordinator, Metro Nashville, TN; and Mike Taylor, CPA, CIA, City Auditor, Stockton, CA, as each of them discuss how their governments are using the performance reports. First time AGA Certificate of Achievement in Service Efforts and Accomplishments award recipients, Ms. Stephens and Mr. Taylor, will also explain why their municipalities needed a performance report to drive changes within government. Mr. Kahn will share how the Portland Oregon performance report has matured over the past 17 years and how it is being used to improve government services today.
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