OBSERVATIONS CHICAGO CHAPTER RECOGNITION OLGA GESELL

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1 AGA CHICAGO CHAPTER JANUARY 2013 OBSERVATIONS ISSUE 5 OBSERVATIONS INSIDE THIS ISSUE: HAPPY NEW YEAR! FEATURED AGA MEMBER BIO PRESIDENT S MESSAGE AUDIO CONFER- ENCE INFORMA- TION CONTINUING EDUCATION SEMINARS UPCOMING CEC MEETINGS We need your input!! Please update us with current member news and events within your respective offices. We would love to feature our members and share their news with the membership! Promotions, retirements, births, job openings if your office has some news to more information related to date/ location. Speakers are still being confirmed. Let us know what you want to hear about! If you have any suggestions on speakers for our AGA continuing education seminars, please contact Matt Matczynski. CEC MEETING 8 share, we would gladly insert AGA NATIONAL NEWS CEC CONTACT INFORMATION into our newsletter! We have tentatively set the schedule for the upcoming year. Please see page six for CHICAGO CHAPTER RECOGNITION OLGA GESELL SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: Chapter Calendar of Events CEC Vacancies 1 Olga Gesell Ms. Olga Gesell, CPA is an auditor of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. She is currently serving as the AGA Chicago Chapter s Historian. From 2008 through 2011 Olga served as the Chapter s Publicity Director. Olga graduated from Saratov State Socio- Economic University, Russia, with the degree in International Business. She also studied logistics at Philipps University of Marburg, Germany. Olga moved to Chicago in 2002 and took required classes in accounting and auditing to be able to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. She is a volunteer tax preparer for the Center for Economic Progress. In her free time, Olga enjoys reading and taking classes through

2 President s Message Dear AGA Chicago chapter members and friends, Advancing Government Accountability Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter P. O. Box Chicago, IL Happy New Year! As we enter 2013, the Chicago Chapter is half way through the chapter year. As chapter president, I wish to take this opportunity to reflect on the first half of the chapter year and tell you about what the future holds for the Chicago chapter. The first half of the chapter year has been very busy indeed. The AGA Chicago Chapter provided five CPE hours of high-quality, relevant, and timely professional education to our members and the government accounting community. The chapter held three Continuing Educational Seminars. The first seminar was an audio conference held in September on the topic of the 2011 Yellow Book. The speaker was Marcia Buchanan, Assistant Director at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The second seminar was an audio conference held in October on the topic of Improving Internal Controls. The speaker was Jack Heyman, a professional trainer who teaches courses on internal controls, the Yellow Book, OMB rules, IT audits, and a number of other topics. The third seminar was held in November on the topic of Labor Fraud. The chapter was fortunate to have James Vanderberg, who is a Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, speak on this topic. In December the chapter held a member appreciation holiday reception and networking event, which was free to all chapter members. The holiday reception also served as a new member recruiting event and informational session on the AGA Chicago Chapter. The chapter had 5 non-member holiday reception participants express interest in joining our chapter, and had 7 non-member participants request to be notified of upcoming chapter events by being added to the chapter s distribution list. A great time was had by all who attended the holiday reception (please see the following pages for pictures from the event). The Chicago chapter collected toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys For Tots program at the November continuing education seminar, and continued collecting toys afterward during the months of November and December at the worksite of our chapter members. Furthermore, the chapter completed its first ever Citizen Centric Report (CCR), and had its financial statements audited, receiving an unqualified opinion with no issues being found. Finally, the chapter has begun work on redesigning the chapter website. Although this list does not cover all the chapter accomplishments to date, it lists the most significant accomplishments of the first half of the chapter year. During the second half of the chapter year, the Chicago chapter has three more Continuing Education Seminars scheduled, as well as a two day Professional Development Conference. Our chapter members plan to donate their time by working for the VITA tax program. We plan to send chapter representatives to the 2013 AGA Sectional Leadership Meeting and the National Professional Development Conference. The chapter plans to finish the website redesign by the end of the chapter year, and is on track to end the chapter year in solid financial condition with a growing and diverse membership base. 2

3 The accomplishments listed above and plans for future events are made possible by the hard work and dedication of our members, in particular the chapter s executive committee. These are all volunteers who are dedicated to improving our chapter and the AGA in general, and are dedicated to advancing government accountability. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our chapter through the donation of their time and/or other resources. Thank you for helping make the chapter as great as it is! Speaking of the chapter s executive committee, our executive committee currently has several vacant positions, and the chapter is seeking candidates to fill these positions. For the month of January, the chapter if focusing on filling the Awards Director position vacancy. Information on the duties and responsibilities of the Awards Director is provided on the following pages of the newsletter. If you are interested in the Awards Director position and/or have any questions, please let me know by Friday, February 15 th. As an incentive to be on the chapter s executive committee, executive committee members (including the Awards Director) are eligible to have their AGA membership dues reimbursed or obtain a free Chicago Chapter PDC scholarship. As mentioned above, the chapter will continue holding Continuing Education Seminars during the second half of the chapter year. The next Continuing Education Seminar will be on Wednesday February 27 th, and will feature an AGA audio conference on Fraud Investigation. Two NASBA CPEs will be offered. More details on this seminar, along with instructions on how to RSVP, will be provided in February s chapter newsletter. As I mentioned in the December newsletter, if you are not a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), why not make 2013 the year you earned your CGFM certification? To assist you with this goal and as a benefit to our members, the chapter has a copy of each of the three official AGA study guides for the CGFM certification. Chapter members can check out the study guides for FREE by ing me. I hope to see you at the next continuing education seminar on Fraud Investigation on Wednesday February 27 th. Cordially, Matthew Matczynski Matthew Matczynski President 3

4 AUDIO CONFERENCE Understanding Key Internal Control Concepts Getting Started With a Fraud Investigation 2 CPE hours available Many questions arise when beginning an investigation. Is the information reliable? Who should be interviewed? What - and where - are the required documents? Are there multiple locations that the investigator must take control of during the initial phase of the investigation? What are the rules of engagement? This audio conference will present techniques for taking the information you have and, based on predication and logic, making decisions related to the use of the investigator's tools. Whether you are new to conducting investigations or looking for tips to improve your knowledge, this presentation will offer useful and practical information. The speaker is Allen Brown, CPA, CFE, Assistant Legislative Auditor for Local Audit Services, Louisiana Legislative Auditor. This is a live event; in addition to the speaker's presentation, the final 20 minutes are reserved for questions and answers. Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 Time: 1:00 PM 2:50 PM CST (doors open at 12:30 PM) Location: HHS Conference Room 13 th Floor, Conference Room 233 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL Members: Free (No Lunch Provided) OR $10 (Box Lunch Provided) Non-Members: $5 (No Lunch Provided) OR $15 (Box Lunch Provided) Advance notification of conference attendees is needed for building security; we will NOT be accepting walk-ins for this event. We apologize for the inconvenience. 2 CPEs (course qualifies for Continuing professional education credits under NASBA) Please RSVP to: Matthew Matczynski MMatczynski@hudoig.gov By 12:00 PM on Tuesday, February 26th. 4

5 Toy Collection Results Thank you to everyone who made a contribution to the AGA Chicago Chapter s Toys for Tots toy collection held at the Continuing Education Seminar on November 13 th, and afterward during the months of November and December at the Metcalfe Federal Building. At the conclusion of the toy colletion, the chapter collected over 20 toys! Because of the generosity of our chapter members, many needy children in the Chicagoland area had a new toy for the holidays! 5

6 OBSERVATIONS ISSUE 5 CONTINUING EDUCATION SEMINARS DATE TOPIC SPEAKER LOCATION Allen Brown, CPA, CFE, Assistant Legislative AUDIO HHS Conference Room CONFERENCE: Auditor for Local Getting Started Audit Services, With a Fraud Investigatiotive Auditor. 233 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1329 Louisiana Legisla- February 27, 2013 Metcalfe Federal Bldg March 12, 2013 TBD TBD 77 W. Jackson GSA Room 328 The Wrigley Building, Chicago CHAPTER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS Date Time Location Tuesday, February 5 11:30AM-12:30PM Metcalfe Federal Building, Room 330 Tuesday, March 5 11:30AM-12:30PM Metcalfe Federal Building, Room 330 Tuesday, April 9 11:30AM-12:30PM Metcalfe Federal Building, Room 330 Mark your calendars! We have reserved May 1-2, 2013 to host our Annual Chicago Professional Development Conference. 6

7 OBSERVATIONS ISSUE 5 CGFM CGFM is a professional certification recognizing the unique skills and special knowledge required of today s government financial managers. It covers governmental accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal controls and budgeting at the federal, state and local levels. AGA is offering a two -day Intensive Review Course, February 25-26, with an opportunity to take CGFM Examinations, February The cost of the course is only $279 for qualified participants. Special Bonus: the CGFM Examinations are offered at no cost to course attendees. Read more Did you know Chicago Chapter members can check out study guides to prepare for the CGFM exam? Contact Raul for more information! O Hare Int l Airport EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VACANCIES The AGA Chicago Chapter Your commitment re- Current vacancies include "If your actions AGA has several Director Executive Committee vacancies which need to be filled. Please consider volunteering your time for the Chapter. We meet monthly as a Board and conduct our monthly quires no more than 5 hours of your time per month. This is a great networking opportunity and way to learn about what fellow Federal and State agencies are doing. the following Directors: Awards Meetings Newsletter Editor inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." --John Quincy Adams membership meetings. agachicago.org 7

8 Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter Board Meeting Minutes for December 4, 2012 Present Mathew Matczynski, President Tom McManigal, Past President Sandy Lawera, Secretary Janet Knauff, Membership Director Alexandria Hayden, Newsletter Editor Olga Gesell, Historian Rick Urbanowski, Chapter Recognition Frank Moy, Education Director Julio Cestero, Accountability & Early Careers Director Absent Herbert Kwan, President-Elect Thomas DiLisio, Treasurer Mark Knudson, Webmaster Raul Nieto, CGFM Steve Whitecotton, Job Referral Cynthia CJ Carter, Program Director Summary of Meeting Holiday Reception Final Details Holiday reception to be held at Exchequer on 12/5 from 4:30 PM 7:30 PM. 35 people have RSVPed. Executive Committee members in attendance requested to welcome attendees and make attendees feel comfortable, discuss our chapter and AGA membership to attendees, answer questions, etc. No additional incentive will be offered to non-member reception attendees who join AGA regular incentive of first Continuing Education Seminar being free upon joining will still be offered. Update on Chapter Website Created a committee to work on website. Olga will head the committee, with other committee members being Matt Matczynski, Tom McManigal, and Julio Cestero. CEC members not at today s meeting will be contacted to see if they are interested in being on the committee. AGA Member Benefits Currently main benefit chapter provides is free study guide use for CGFM certification. National office provides benefits such as magazine, member discounts on educational material, etc. Discussion held on increasing member benefits. Ideas discussed included offering additional networking opportunities, posting government job opportunities on website and in newsletter, posting vacant CEC positions along with corresponding position descriptions and responsibilities, and publicizing CEC benefits. Also, try to increase member benefits to early career and college student members. Discussed focusing on a vacant CEC position and discussing position s duties and responsibilities in each month s newsletter. Increase Membership Participation At Educational Events / Revisit Chapter Event Schedule Request to hold events at different times such as in the AM, and offer more than 1 CPE per event. Discussed that in previous years, breakfast meetings were held in which more than 1 CPE was offered, and such meetings were well attended by the chapter s members. Chapter is having a difficult time finding quality speakers willing to speak on relevant topics. Many speakers not willing to speak for more than 50 minutes, and if we have 2 or more speakers speak at an event for purpose of providing more than 1 CPE, it quickly drains our pool of potential speakers. Given rooms are already reserved, speakers already booked, and event locations and times already advertised, no changes will be made to the event schedule for the remainder of the chapter year. However, breakfast meetings should be considered in planning next chapter year s event schedule. AGA Signage Request to purchase new AGA Chicago Chapter signage. Signage would give chapter a professional appearance and help attendees locate event location. Chapter currently has a chapter flag that is too heavy and difficult to hang up on a wall. Ideas discussed included directional signs, podium sign, welcome signs, etc. Next step is to obtain pricing and signage options for discussion at a future meeting. Chapter Credit Card Chapter had applied for a chapter credit card over a year ago but was denied. Debit card / prepaid card an option to consider. Concerns expressed regarding controls over credit/debit card and compliance with chapter bi-laws. Decided to not pursue credit/debit card at this time and continue current reimbursement method for out-ofpocket expenses. Membership Distribution List 8 Julio Cestero volunteered to update the list used to send communications to our chapter members.

9 2012 Holiday Reception A special thank you to everyone who attended the chapter s holiday reception. It was a great night of networking and welcoming family, friends, and potential members to our chapter. It was also a nice way to kick off the holiday season. A good time was had by all! 9

10 AGA NATIONAL NEWS The National Office Welcomes Joseph Davis The Communications Department at the National Office is pleased to welcome a new team member, Joseph Davis. AGA's new Marketing & Communications Manager, a graduate of Florida State University, formerly worked for the League of Southeastern Credit Unions. Mara Liasson, National Political Correspondent, Featured Speaker at Upcoming National Leadership Training Event Feb , 2013 Washington 14 CPEs Mara Liasson is the national political correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR), and a regular panelist on Special Report with Brit Hume and Fox News Sunday on the Fox News Channel. She provides extensive coverage of politics and policy from Washington, DC -- focusing on the White House and Congress. Read more Gene L. Dodaro, U.S. Comptroller General, Featured Speaker at Upcoming National Leadership Training Event Feb , 2013 Washington 14 CPEs Mr. Dodaro became the eighth Comptroller General of the United States and head of GAO in In this position, Dodaro helps oversee development and issuance of reports and testimonies to various committees and individual Members of Congress. Read more ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Best Places to Work Index Scores The index score measures the performance of agencies and agency subcomponents related to employee satisfaction and commitment. How does your Agency rank?? Chicago Chapter Recognition Program The Chicago Chapter earned the following Chapter Recognition Program credits during January: Chapter Leadership, Planning & Participation 25 credits Education & Professional Development 500 credits Certification credits Communications credits Membership 100 Total 1,413 credits 10

11 Awards Director Vacancy The AGA Chicago Chapter is seeking candidates to fill the Awards Director vacancy on the chapter s executive committee. Position duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Solicit information from chapter members, government accounting professionals, educators and university students, etc. regarding recent accomplishments. Develop / revise chapter award criteria. Obtain nominations for chapter awards. Review nominations received for compliance with award criteria and organize acceptable nominations for presentation to chapter executive committee. Research and purchase award materials (blank certificates, plaques, etc.). Print award certificates and assemble plaques. Assist in presenting awards at chapter events. Assist the membership director in recognizing new members and member anniversaries, and the CGFM coordinator in recognizing new and current CGFMs. Participate in chapter and executive committee events, and provide other assistance to the chapter, as needed. The position requires a time commitment of up to 3 hours per week. If selected to fill this vacancy, you may be eligible to have your chapter dues reimbursed or obtain a free Chicago Chapter PDC scholarship. If you are interested, please contact Matthew Matczynski at Mmatczynski@hudoig.gov by Friday, February 15 th. 11

12 CHAPTER CEC CONTACT INFORMATION President Matthew Matczynski HUD/OIG 312/ President-Elect Herbert Kwan RRB/ Fiscal Operations (847) Past President Tom McManigal HUD/OIG 312/ Secretary Sandy Lawera HHS/OIG 312/ Treasurer Thomas DiLisio DOL 312/ Membership Director Janet Knauff RRB/OIG 312/ Newsletter Editor Alexandria Hayden HHS/OIG 312/ Historian Olga Gesell HHS/OIG 312/ Education Director Frank Moy GSA/OIG 312/ , Ext. 112 Website Director Mark Knudson RRB/ OIG 312/ CGFM Raul Nieto ED/OIG 312/ Job Referral Steve Whitecotton HHS/OIG 312/ Chapter Recognition Rick Urbanowski HUD/OIG 312/ Awards Director Vacant Early Careers Coordinator Vacant Program Director Cynthia CJ Carter RRB (312)

13 Check us out on the web! AGA CHICAGO CHAPTER agachicago.org Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please contact us! PO Box Chicago IL AGA supports the careers and professional development of government finance professionals working in federal, state and local governments as well as the private sector and academia. Founded in 1950, AGA enjoys a long history as the thought leader for the government accountability profession. Through education, research, publications, certification and conferences, AGA reaches thousands of professionals and offers more than 100,000 continuing professional education (CPE) hours annually. Pictures used throughout the newsletter are courtesy of: CHICAGO CHAPTER MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the AGA Chicago Chapter is to carry out an educational responsibility of enhancing public financial management and accountability. The chapter provides an opportunity for accountants and auditors to meet on a regular basis for training and networking. AGA through its chapters is a leading advocate for improving the quality and effectiveness of financial managers and auditors from local, state and federal governments from the Chicago area. 13