AGA MayJun10 nl

8/9/2019 AGA MayJun10 nl

1/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas

AGA New York CApitAl ChApter

1

about our

upComing events

ReseRvations: onlineatwww.aganycap.oRgoR contact

[email protected]

no-showswillbebilledthe

fullcostoftheevent.

Vum 33, Numb 5 May/Jun 2010

June 15, 2010AnnuAl AwArdsAnd recognition

ceremonyfRomnoonto 2:00 pmatthe wolfeRts Roost

countRy club, albany, ny

June 26, 2010VAlley cAts BAseBAll gAmeAnd Picnic

staRtingat 6:00 pmat the Joe onthe

hudson valley community college

campus, tRoy, ny

July 11-14 , 2010AgA ProfessionAl deVeloPment

conferenceatthe oRlando woRld

centeR maRiott, oRlando, fl

Congratulations are in order again

this year for the many hardworking

Chapter members who are going to be

honored in many National AGA awardcategories. It was another stellar year

for us!

Not surprisingly, the

New York Capital

Chapter again receives

an award in AGAs

Chapter Recognition

Program. This award

recognizes individual

chapter performance

and provides a standardby which each AGA

chapter maintains a

well-rounded operation

for the professional

growth of its members.

Our Chapter has won

this award every year in memory

and, this year, we are again at

the Platinum all-star level. We

attained this award for excellence in

chapter administration, membership

efforts, educational programming,

communications and communityservice. In fact, our Chapter had the

most points of any other AGA chapter.

President Ann Marsh will accept the

award on our behalf of our Chapter

at AGAs Professional Development

Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Robert H. Attmore, CGFM won

the prestigious Einhorn-Gary Award,

LeRoy W. Mitchell, CGFM won the

Chapter Honored with SeveralNational AGA Awards Again

National Educator Award and Roger

C. Mazula, CGFM won a National

Presidents Award. William Raymer,

CGFM was awarded a NationalScholarship.

Laura J . Brown,

C G F M h a s b e e n

awarded rst place in

the Group A Chapter

Website competition

a n d R o g e r C .

Mazula, CGFM took

second place in the

Chapter Newsletter

competition.

T h i s y e a r , A G A

National recognized

the efforts ofMichael

A. Abbott, CGFM

with the Group A

Chapter Education award for the

incredible education program our

Chapter sponsored and Nicole Van

Hoesen with the Group A Chapter

Comunity Servcie Award for her

work in leading the Chapters varied

community service projects, whichbeneted organization at both the local

and national levels.

Please join us on June 15 th at the

Wolferts Roost Country Club as we

recognize the hard work and efforts of

these individuals and the many others

that have helped the Chapter continue

to be one of the model chapters within

the AGA organization.


2/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


2

PresidentsMessage

fromAnn M. Marsh, CPA

Capital

ideasPuBlishedBy: new york cAPitAl chAPter

AssociAtionof goVernment AccountAnts

Continued on page 11

ourmissionistoseRvepeRsonsinteRestedinthe

goveRnmentaccountabilitycommunity

bypRovidingqualityeducationat

aReasonablecost, suppoRting

pRofessionalceRtifications, pRomoting

pRofessionalinteRactionand

netwoRking, RecognizingpRofessional

andacademicachievement, andseRving

thelocalcommunity.

ourVisionistoBe... thebest aga chapteR;

thebestoRganizationseRvingthe

new yoRk capitalaReagoveRnment

accountabilitycommunity; and

amodelpRovideRofqualityand

affoRdablecontinuingpRofessional

education.

weVAlueintegRity

fosteRthehighestpRofessional

standaRdsofethicalconductand

behavioR.

excellence

stRivefoRthehighestlevelof

pRofessionalpeRfoRmanceand

continuousimpRovement.

accountability

maintainandadvancesoundfiscal

andopeRationalpRactices.

leadeRship

bepRoactiveandinnovativein

diRectingouRactivities.

Respect

tReateveRyonefaiRlyandwith

dignity.

seRvice

attendtotheneedsofouR

membeRs, thegoveRnmentfinancial

sectoRandcommunity.

Well, the Chapters program year is drawing to an end and Im now

preparing to turn the gavel over to the incoming Chapter President, Shelly

Taleporos. It has been quite an experience being Chapter President and

its one that I will say has been both rewarding and challenging.

I really felt it was a privilege to serve the New York Capital Chapters

government nancial management community as I see this groups service

in ensuring the effective and efcient use of public resources being of

tremendous value and importance to citizens. So it is in this vain that I

took great pride in being the President of an organization that strives toprovide the programs, training and networking opportunities to raise the

knowledge and skills of this group. Theres no question that the presidencys

many responsibilities were challenging and I would be insincere to not

admit that it will be a relief to pass them onto Shelly, but I have learned a

lot and I will miss working so closely with the many dedicated members

and professionals who make this Chapter a national leader.

I would strongly encourage others to pursue leadership positions within

the AGA. Holding an AGA leadership position will not only provide you

with opportunities to learn from outstanding professionals, but to also

hone your organizational and public speaking skills and discover your

leadership style. You will also benet from the networking opportunities

afforded to those that participate more fully in chapter operations. If you

are interested in assuming a greater role within the AGA, please go to:

http://www.aganycap.org/contact.asp and let us know.

As I look back on this past year, I would have to say that Im also proud

of the accomplishments and successes realized. The Chapters training

and education programs led by Michael Abbott with key contributors

Ray Harris and Brian Gee were all well attended and positively reviewed.

Once again the Chapter provided over 100 CPEs to members. We were

pleased to see a high-attendance level at the monthly audio conferences.

Members are taking advantage of these free CPEs which by years end

equates to 24. Because of the positive response, the Chapter will again

sponsor the audio conferences next year in partnership with the Ofce ofthe State Comptroller and DOT so that members may continue to receive

this benet.

In conjunction with training and education, we were also fortunate to

have Thalia Melendez coordinate the Certied Government Financial

Management courses with the truly exceptional instructors; Suzette

Baker, Lynn Canton, James Cox, and David Hasso. This years education

programs were also enhanced by new training collaborations with the New


3/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


3

Number 1 Speechby Vince Lombardi

Winning is not a sometime thing; its an all the time thing. You dont

win once in a while; you dont do things right once in a while; you do

them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

There is no room for second place. There is only one place in my

game, and thats rst place. I have nished second twice in my time

at Green Bay, and I dont ever want to nish second again. There is a

second place bowl game, but it is a game for losers played by losers.

It is and always has been an American zeal to be rst in anything

we do, and to win, and to win, and to win.

Every time a football player goes to ply his trade hes got to playfrom the ground up from the soles of his feet right up to his head.

Every inch of him has to play. Some guys play with their heads. Thats

O.K. Youve got to be smart to be number one in any business. But

more importantly, youve got to play with your heart, with every

ber of your body. If youre lucky enough to nd a guy with a lot of

head and a lot of heart, hes never going to come off the eld second.

Running a football team is no different than running any other kind

of organization an army, a political party or a business. The

principles are the same. The object is to win to beat the other guy.

Maybe that sounds hard or cruel. I dont think it is.

It is a reality of life that men are competitive and the most competitive

games draw the most competitive men. Thats why they are there

to compete. To know the rules and objectives when they get in the

game. The object is to win fairly, squarely, by the rules but to win.

And in truth, Ive never known a man worth his salt who in the long

run, deep down in his heart, didnt appreciate the grind, the discipline.

There is something in good men that really yearns for discipline and

the harsh reality of head to head combat.

I dont say these things because I believe in the brute nature of

man or that men must be brutalized to be combative. I believe in

God, and I believe in human decency. But I rmly believe that any

mans nest hour, the greatest fulllment of all that he holds dear, is

that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and

lies exhausted on the eld of battle victorious.


4/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


4

Quotes: Intensity

Theres only one way to succeed in

anything, and that is to give it everything.I do, and I demand that my players do.

If you arent red with enthusiasm,

youll be red with enthusiasm.

Mental toughness is essential to

success.

You never win a game unless you beat

the guy in front of you. The score on the

board doesnt mean a thing. Thats for

the fans. Youve got to win the war with

the man in front of you. Youve got toget your man.

Quotes: Sacrice

To achieve success, whatever the job

we have, we must pay a price.

Success is like anything worthwhile. It

has a price. You have to pay the price to

win and you have to pay the price to get

to the point where success is possible.

Most important, you must pay the price

to stay there.

Football is a great deal like life in

that it teaches that work, sacrice,

perseverance, competitive drive,

selessness and respect for authority

is the price that each and every one of

us must pay to achieve any goal that is

worthwhile.

Once you agree upon the price you

and your family must pay for success, it

enables you to ignore the minor hurts, theopponents pressure, and the temporary

failures.

Quotes: Belief

Condence is contagious and so is

lack of condence, and a customer will

recognize both.

If you believe in yourself and have

the courage, the determination, the

dedication, the competitive drive and

if you are willing to sacrice the littlethings in life and pay the price for the

things that are worthwhile, it can be

done.

Unless a man believes in himself and

makes a total commitment to his career

and puts everything he has into it-his

mind, his body and his heart-what is

life worth to him? If I were a salesman,

I would make this commitment to my

company, to the product and most of

all, to myself.

Quotes: Commitment

The quality of a persons life is in

direct proportion to their commitment

to excellence, regardless of their chosen

eld of endeavor.

Once a man has made a commitment

to a way of life, he puts the greatest

strength in the world behind him. Its

something we call heart power. Once a

man has made this commitment, nothing

will stop him short of success.

Unless a man believes in himself and

makes a total commitment to his career

and puts everything he has into it-his

mind, his body, his heart-whats life

worth to him?

Quotes: Character

It is essential to understand that battles

are primarily won in the hearts of men.

In great attempts, it is glorious even

to fail.

They may not love you at the time, but

they will later.

Quotes: Leadership

Leadership rests not only upon ability,not only upon capacity; having the

capacity to lead is not enough. The leader

must be willing to use it. His leadership

is then based on truth and character.

There must be truth in the purpose and

will power in the character.

Leadership is based on a spiritual

quality; the power to inspire, the power

to inspire others to follow.

Having the capacity to lead is not

enough. The leader must be willing to

use it.

A leader must identify himself with

the group, must back up the group, even

at the risk of displeasing superiors. He

must believe that the group wants from

him a sense of approval. If this feeling

prevails, production, discipline, morale

will be high, and in return, you can

demand the cooperation to promote the

goals of the company.

Leaders are made, they are not born.

They are made by hard effort, which is

the price which all of us must pay to

achieve any goal that is worthwhile.

Vince Lombardi Quotes


5/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


5

Quotes: Preparation

They call it coaching but it is teaching.

You do not just tell them...you show

them the reasons.

The harder you work, the harder it isto surrender.

Quotes: Desire

The difference between a successful

person and others is not a lack of strength,

not a lack of knowledge, but rather in

a lack of will.

The spirit, the will to win and the will

to excel-these are the things that endure

and these are the qualities that are so

much more important than any of theevents that occasion them.

It is essential to understand that battles

are primarily won in the hearts of men.

Men respond to leadership in a most

remarkable way and once you have won

his heart, he will follow you anywhere.

A man can be as great as he wants

to be. If you believe in yourself and

have the courage, the determination,

the dedication, the competitive drive

and if you are willing to sacrice thelittle things in life and pay the price for

the things that are worthwhile, it can

be done.

If youll not settle for anything less

than your best, you will be amazed at

what you can accomplish in your lives.

Its not whether you get knocked down,

its whether you get up.

Quotes: Discipline

Ive never known a man worth his salt

who in the long run, deep down in his

heart, didnt appreciate the grind, the

discipline. There is something good in

men that really yearns for discipline.

The good Lord gave you a body that

can stand most anything. Its your mind

you have to convince.

Mental toughness is many things andrather difcult to explain. Its qualities

are sacrifice and self-denial. Also,

most importantly, it is combined with

a perfectly disciplined will that refuses

to give in. Its a state of mind-you could

call it character in action.

Once you learn to quit, it becomes a

habit.

Perfection is not attainable. But if

we chase perfection, we can catch

excellence.

Quotes: Teamwork

Individual commitment to a group

effort-that is what makes a team work,

a company work, a society work, a

civilization work.

Teams do not go physically at, they

go mentally stale.

Teamwork is what the Green Bay

Packers were all about. They didnt do it

for individual glory. They did it because

they loved one another

People who work together will win,

whether it be against complex football

defenses, or the problems of modern

society.

The achievements of an organization

are the results of the combined effort of

each individual.

Quotes: Winning

If it doesnt matter who wins or loses,then why do they keep score?

Success demands singleness of

purpose.

Some of us will do our jobs well and

some will not, but we will be judged by

only one thing-the result.

Winning is not a sometime thing: its

an all the time thing. You dont win once

in a while; you dont do the right thing

once in a while; you do them right all thetime. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately,

so is losing.

Winning isnt everything--but wanting

to win is.

Its easy to have faith in yourself and

have discipline when youre a winner,

when youre number one. What youve

got to have is faith and discipline when

youre not yet a winner.

I rmly believe that any mans nest

hour, the greatest fulllment of all that

he holds dear, is the moment when

he has worked his heart out in a good

cause and lies exhausted on the eld of

battle-victorious.


6/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


6

Ways to Build a Loyal Teamby Richard Leyland, bnet.com

It might sounds crazy to talk about worker loyalty at a time

when big companies routinely show longtime employees the

door. But loyalty isnt dead. Instead, it has shifted, with few

people nowadays feeling loyal to the company overall or even

the people running the business. In the past, loyalty was

vertical, says Daniel Pink, author of Drive: The Surprising

Truth About What Motivates Us. The organization was on

top and it provided security down to the individual.

So, to use Pinks language, todays workers tend to feel

horizontal loyalty a commitment to colleagues, former

colleagues and particular projects. In short, put people on a

team, and loyalties develop.

As a manager, you need to understand this if youre going tomotivate people effectively. No one tactic is going to forge

the bonds of loyalty, of course, but there are lots of small

things you can (and should) do to build stronger and more

productive relationships with your employees.

1. Frequently take the pulse of your team.

We know this sounds pedestrian, but when was the last time

you asked your team members how they feel about their jobs?

Its a small thing, but do it.

Try a simple, anonymous questionnaire:

Do you understand where the company is going andwhat you need to do every morning?

Do you see how you t in?

Do you care enough to take action?

How loyal are you to your projects and your team?

Mary Ann Masarech, director of research and marketing

at management consulting rm BlessingWhite suggests

combining these questions with others directed at personal

satisfaction:

What are the aspects of your work that you like most?

What would you like to learn?

What are your aspirations?

Which of your talents gives you the greatest satisfaction?

2. Create great jobs.

Whats a great job? Individual expectations naturally vary,

but the 600 senior executives and HR professionals surveyed

for The Work Foundations 2009 Good Jobs report agreed

on several common factors for job satisfaction:

Task variety

Workplace friendships

Fair procedures

A balance between how much effort workers put it and

the rewards they receive

A certain level of autonomy and control for employees

to work unsupervised.

The takeaway? Your team members want meaningful work that

makes use of their talents and interests, and that offers good

compensation not just nancial rewards, but recognition,

authority, or leadership.

So know your employees personal goals and make sure that

they have the tools to achieve them. Set aside some time in

annual reviews to collaborate on goal-setting. What would

they like to do more of? What would make their jobs moreinteresting? The past year has meant that [managers] cannot

offer people promotions or new titles, so they just avoid asking

about goals or aspirations, says Tom Barry, managing director

of BlessingWhites Europe ofce.

Every job has elements that are repetitive, but these can be

leavened with personal projects that give employees freedom

to indulge an interest or acquire another skill that can prove

helpful to the business. Confectionary company Cadbury

recently beefed up a leadership program that gets high-potential

senior managers involved in projects with charities. Those

whove done the course have a hugely increased connection

to the company, says James Longwell, Cadburys globallearning and development director. An added bonus: The

program gives junior staff something to which they can aspire.

3. Create great careers.

Work with your direct reports to develop an extended career

plan for them even if that plan means the individual must

leave the business to achieve a certain professional goal. The

reality is that some of your key people will leave for a variety

of reasons, no matter how much they seem to like their jobs.

Why not map a path that would welcome them back into

more senior roles after gaining other experience? So-called

boomerang employees can be great external advocates foryour company. McKinsey and Microsoft realized this benet

and created online alumni networks to keep in touch with

departed colleagues.

4. Rebalance the blame culture.

Most people dont leave their company, they leave you their

boss, says entrepreneur and author Jo Owen, author of The

Death of Modern Management. If you want engagement,


7/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


7

you must show that you care, delegating more than just the

rubbish that you dont want to do. A manager who is quick to

apportion blame for mistakes is highly corrosive. Delegating

effectively means sharing credit and taking blame. Do that,

and the staff will take the risks that are required for success.

Theyll do it with you and for you.

5. Make meetings optional.

Most people dislike meetings because often they dont create

results. Denmark-based workplace happiness advocate

Alexander Kjerulfs advises against making meetings

compulsory. This is about treating people like adults, he says.

They can decide if their time is best served by going to a

meeting or working at their desks.

That way, those who attend do so voluntarily, and with the

expectation of adding something valuable. Make meetings

shorter, more focused and get everyone whos attending to

inuence the agenda, says Kjerulf. And always start ameeting with something positive. It sets the tone.

6. Acknowledge individuals.

There are lots of ways to create a sense of respect among your

team. Some things are really banal: saying good morning,

says Barry. If youre a manager, make sure you make yourself

available to people when they need to speak to you. General

team praise is largely meaningless, but specic and personal

thanks goes a long way. Move from Good job, team to

Thanks, Jane, for staying late last night.

7. Put employees into the bigger picture.

This should be something every manager thinks about from

recruitment onwards. Employees look to team leaders to

remind them why their work is important in the big picture,

and to create excitement about what the company is doing.

Theres no quick way to achieve this. Its your job to align

business values and goals for employees. Focus on results,

says Kjerulf. Find ways to make people feel like their work

has an impact on the overall business, such as keeping

them in the loop on what happens next for a project theyve

completed or acknowledging when their work has generated

more customers or revenue.

Final tip: Be realistic about what you can offer as an

employer. You cant make people happy and youre going to

see some turnover. But some churn is healthy, says Owen. Its

innitely better than an ofce lled with loyal, but useless

time-servers, he says.

The 10 most commonly

used passwords on the

web have been revealed

as part of an analysis of

tens of millions of internet

accounts.

Imperva, a data security

rm, said it had analysed around 32 million passwords that

had been exposed in a recent hack of the RockYou website.

In December last year, a hacker breached the sites company

database and gained access to the unencrypted usernames

and passwords of all its 32 million users.

After studying the security breach, Imperva has come up with

a list of the most commonly used passwords.

Everyone needs to understand what the combination of

poor passwords means in todays world of automated cyber

attacks: with only minimal effort, a hacker can gain access

to one new account every second, said Amichai Shulman,

Impervas chief technical ofcer.

Employees using the same passwords on Facebook that they

use in the workplace bring the possibility of compromising

enterprise systems.

The top 10 most common passwords

1. 123456

2. 12345

3. 123456789

4. Password

5. iloveyou

6. princess

7. rockyou *

8. 1234567

9. 12345678

10. abc123

* Note: this list was sourced from the RockYou website

The 10 Most CommonlyUsed Passwords


8/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


8

Mind Mapping for Accountants:Lessons from the Mastersby Nigel Harris, AccountingWeb.co.uk

I have been intrigued for some

time by the technique of Mind

Mapping but never really got

it, so I couldnt resist when I

saw that Mind Mapping creator

Tony Buzan was running a

public training seminar in

London. Here are some of the

highlights of Mind Maps,

Memory and Creativity.

Some background

Buzan developed Mind Maps back in the late 1960s,

partly driven by his own frustration with traditional note

taking while studying as a student himself. Having taught

psychology, he went on to study creativity, memory, how the

brain works and how we can train it to work better and keep

on improving. He has published more than 98 books to date

and continues to write and consult with the top companies

worldwide.

Mind Mapping is more than an alternative way of setting out

your notes. It is a tool to increase your creativity by using

techniques that work the way your brain works.

Buzan describes the brain as a gigantic Branching

Association Machine, a biological super-computer where

thinking radiates from a truly innite number of data nodes.

Its a vast matrix of connections or associations. Can we reach

our full capacity? Put it this way, if your brain assimilated 10

information units (individual words or images) every second

over a 100-year period you would only use about 10 per cent

of your brains capacity!

Physically, brain cells constantly reach out to make

connections with adjacent cells. Mind Mapping is so

effective because it mirrors this activity by creating a web

of connections and associations.

Memory

A big part of the day was spent looking at how the brain works

and how we can use it most effectively. In all of Buzans

books, Mind Maps feature prominently as a powerful tool

to help improve memory. Here are just three reasons why

they are so effective:

1. Relaxation is a key to retrieval and even creation of data.

Our brains just dont work as well when were under

constant stress. Mind Mapping is a far more informal

method of note taking and helps to encourage the sort

of relaxed concentration that helps us remember data

and be more creative.

2. Our brains need us to collect data into clusters. We can

cope with ve to seven non-linked items, but beyond

that we need to group them in order to assimilate the

data. Linear note taking doesnt do this very well. Mind

Mapping, particularly with its highly visual elements, is

far better at facilitating clustering of data and helping usto remember it.

3. Repetition assists the recall of information. Those of a

certain age will remember this well from their school

days! Reviewing data reactivates and strengthens the

synaptic connections in your brain, making the memory

stronger and easier to access. As they gather everything

on only one page, Mind Maps encourage the brain to

constantly review and repeat the data.

Some examples

For some inspiration, take a look at Tony Buzans Mind Mapgallery [http://www.buzanworld.com/Mind_Maps.htm].

Throughout the site youll nd some interesting examples

which showcase the technique as an effective note taking

and summarizing tool.

Treat the gallery as design examples though, rather than trying

to follow the content too closely. A Mind Map is personal

to the creator and will mean far more to him or her than to

an unconnected reader because it will help the originator to

recall the thought process and physical experience of making

the original Mind Map.

What next?

Am I a Mind Mapping convert? I cant say that I have made

great use of them since the seminar, but the few Mind Maps

I have made have been extremely helpful. Unlike the many

letters, notes and lists I have written, I can recall the Mind

Maps in some detail many days and weeks afterwards.


9/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


9

Nineteen Federal GovernmentAgencies Recognized for FiscalAccountability and Transparency

Mind Map Tips1. Use a plain sheet of paper in

landscape orientation this layout

is more compatible with our wide

peripheral vision and can contain more

information than a portrait format MindMap. Avoid lined paper as you may

be tempted to adopt a rigid, grid style

which limits the creativity which Mind

Mapping tries to stimulate. Have colored

pens and highlighters at hand.

2. Start with your topic in the center

of the page. Use a colorful central image

to stimulate your senses and encourage

those synaptic connections. The process

should be fun, so dont think too hard

while you get your initial thoughts down

on paper.

3. Branches are what its all about: the

central picture will trigger associative

processes in your brain, so go with the

ow and draw in branches and sub-

branches as they come to you. Dont

try to work out the structure too much

in advance, but leave space to add and

extend branches as new ideas occur

to you. The brain nds curves more

interesting than straight lines, so make

the branches curl a little but keep thetext fairly horizontal so you can read the

whole page without needing to turn it

around.

4. Use key words one word or picture

should be enough on each branch. If its

a long word, make it a long branch, so

that the branches, words and pictures

make an organic whole.

5. Reect from time to time review

at the whole Mind Map to look for links

and associations. Draw in or highlightthe links with an appropriate color or

image. Dont worry about repetition

this might well lead you to discover new

connections.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - (Business Wire) The highest standards of federal

accountability reporting were recognized recently when the Association of

Government Accountants (AGA) presented its prestigious Certicate of Excellence

in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) Award to 19 federal departments and agencies.

The CEAR is awarded to federal government entities whose Performance and

Accountability Reports (PARs) and the Annual Financial Reports (AFRs) achieve

AGAs high standards of clarity in communicating nancial information and

demonstrating accountability.

The awards come at a time when government is widely perceived to be failing to

close the gap between the types of government nancial reporting that citizens

expect and what they get, according to a poll released by AGA earlier this year.

Given the scal status of the United States government and the public perceptions

about government scal accountability and transparency, the achievement of this

years CEAR recipients is even more signicant, said AGA Executive Director

Relmond P. Van Daniker, DBA, CPA. The agencies and departments being

honored today truly represent an elite group within the government nancial

management community.

We are heartened by the numbers of agencies and departments receiving the

certicate and those who participated in the program, he continued, Nineteen

awards is a large number, and we welcome it as evidence not only of continuous

improvement, but also of a real commitment to accountability and transparency

among federal government nancial managers and their agencies.

Of the 21 entrants for the 2009 Program, the following agencies/departments

received the award: Federal Aviation Administration; Federal Housing Finance

Agency; Federal Trade Commission; Ofce of Financial Stability, U.S. Department

of the Treasury; Peace Corps; U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission; U.S.

Department of Education; U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Department of Housing

and Urban Development; U.S. Department of the Interior; U.S. Department of

Labor; U.S. Department of the Treasury; U.S. General Services Administration;

U.S. Government Accountability Ofce; U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission;

U.S. Patent and Trademark Ofce; U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission;

U.S. Small Business Administration; U.S. Social Security Administration.

The CEAR Awards were presented to the recipients at a dinner at the National

Press Club in Washington D.C., Wednesday May 26, 2010. Jeffrey Zients, Chief

Performance Ofcer, U.S. Ofce of Management and Budget (OMB), delivered

remarks.


10/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


10

President Obama has given federal agencies marching orders

drastically overhaul the federal hiring process for government

workers. The change may reduce by 50 percent the time it takesto ll vacancies. The hope is that the presidents executive

order will enable federal agencies to match the private sector

in the recruiting process.

The order, part of the White

Houses initiative to bring a

21st Century approach to the

federal hiring system, comes

shortly after the president issued a

memorandum to federal agencies

directing them to overhaul their

hiring procedures within 180days. Federal workers ll crucial

roles that defend Americans from

terrorism, infectious diseases,

food-borne pathogens, forest

res and countless other threats, U.S. Ofce of Personnel

Management (OPM) Director John Berry said at an event

announcing the order.

We cant afford delays in lling these jobs, nor can we rely

on a system that causes qualied candidates to give up in

frustration. President Obama and I believe that we must cut

the red tape clogging the federal hiring process in order to

bring aboard outstanding applicants quickly, Berry added.

The presidents memorandum directed federal agencies to:

Reduce the time between when a job is announced and

is lled.

Eliminate Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) essays

as an initial application requirement. Essays may still be

used later in the process. Under the previous system, if

an individual applied for ve separate federal jobs, he or

she often needed to complete ve separate sets of essays.

Use shorter, plain-language job announcements.

Accept resumes from applicants, instead of requiring

them to submit complex applications.

Allow hiring managers to choose from among a group

of best-qualied candidates, rather than limiting their

choice to just three names, through expanded use of

category ratings.

Notify applicants in a timely manner, at four points in

the process, regarding the status of their application.

Submit a hiring and recruitment plan for top talent to

OPM by the end of this year.

When they visit colleges on

ofcial business, Cabinet-level and

senior administration ofcials will

discuss career opportunities in the

federal service with students.

At the presidents direction, OPM

will:

Design a government-wide plan

for recruiting and hiring qualied,

diverse talent.

Review the Federal Career Intern Program and, within

90 days, offer a recommendation to the president on its

future and on providing effective pathways into the federal

service for college students and graduates.

One of the goals of the overhaul is to cut hiring time to about

80 days from the date a vacancy is announced to the point a

candidate is hired. In several federal agencies, it can take upto 150 days to complete the hiring process. The Government

Accountability Ofce, unions, advocates of government

efciency, and both Democrats and Republicans have urged

improvements in the federal employment setup. The changes

in the hiring process are to go into effect no later than Nov.

1, 2010. As part of the initiative, the OPM is launching a

website that will guide federal agencies and hiring managers

through the change.

Obama Wants to Speed Up Federal Hiringby Michael Keating (www.govpro.com)


11/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


11

York State Society of CPAs and the Institute of Management

Accountants.

Other accomplishments realized under the leadership of the

Chapters Community Service Vice President, Nicole Van

Hoesen, who once again did an outstanding job of coordinating

the Chapters community service events. Key contributors

assisting Nicole were Brian Gee and Thalia Melendez. A few

notable events were the Annual Golf Tournament beneting

the Albany Medical Childrens Hospital, WMHT Membership

Drive, Capital City Rescue Mission Soup Kitchen, Equinoxs

Thanksgiving Dinner preparation, Ronald McDonald House

meal preparation, and St. Johns/St. Anns Soup Kitchen to

take place June 5th. Please consider volunteering! Theres

a certain satisfaction youll realize once youve completed

one community service project so dont delay and considervolunteering today.

Lastly, I would like to review a few initiatives that have come to

fruition this year. The rst being an updated Chapter Strategic

Plan which may be viewed at: http://www.aganycap.org/

downloads/StrategicPlan.pdf. Amanda Zibella coordinated

this effort and was instrumental in bringing it to completion.

Another is the Team Captains program spearheaded by

Ray Harris. Volunteers to the Captains program are given

notication of upcoming Chapter events and charged with

the task of passing this information along to colleagues via

e-mail and postings to ofce bulletin boards, etc. Our Chapter

offers some of the best training in the government nancialmanagement eld and we desperately need to get the word

out to other professionals that would benet. If you are

interested in helping the Chapter in this effort, please contact

us at: http://www.aganycap.org/contact.asp. And for a nal

initiative, the Chapter Executive Committee has completed

updates to the Chapter Bylaws viewable at: http://www.

aganycap.org/downloads/BylawsJune2010.pdf. There were

several areas that we felt needed updating and all changes

are shown on the document.

I invite you to review the Chapters Bylaws and attend the

June 15th Appreciation Luncheon at Wolferts Roost CountryClub to vote on them. I truly hope to see you there as we

would like to thank you, our members, most of all for your

participation and support.

Presidents MessageContinued from page 2

You may have heard about

phishing scams that thieves

use to gain access to your

personal information. With this

type of scam, a thief sends you

a fake e-mail pretending to be

a vendor you may already use

like PayPal or your nancial

institution and tells you to

visit a website to update your account information so the

thief can gain access to your personal data.

Now scammers are using a new ploy called Vishing to gain

access to your personal data. Heres how.

What is Vishing?

In a new twist, identity thieves send e-mails to victims saying

your credit union or PayPay account has been compromised.

However, unlike phishing e-mails, they dont give you a Web

link to conrm your account information. Instead, they urge

you to call a phone number to verify account details. When

you call, youll be asked to enter your name, card or account

number, and social security number so they can capture this

information.

Tips to avoid being scammed by Vishing

The best way to avoid becoming a victim of a scam is to stay

educated. Here are some tips to consider to make sure you

dont become a victim.

Never call a phone number you receive from a spam

e-mail.

Do not open an attachment to an unsolicited e-mail unless

you verify the source.

If you believe the contact is valid, go to the companys

website by actually typing in the address you know to

be correct.

If you are ever in doubt about the origin of an e-mail, call

the vendor to conrm that they actually sent it.

Scam Alert

Vishing Scams UsePhones Instead of Fake

Websites


12/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


12

The art of the possible, a catchphrase among boosters of themodern transparency movement, may be running headlong

into practical necessities.

In late 2008, we cheered when the District

of Columbia announced it had surfaced

260 data feeds that could be mashed

up usefully by citizen coders. Apps for

Democracy, an initial contest with modest

prize money, is now a recurring D.C. event

and has proliferated to San Francisco,

Seattle and New York.

The idea was spread by the SunlightFoundation in helping citizens,

bloggers and journalists be their own

best watchdogs, by improving access to existing information

and digitizing new information, and by creating new tools and

Web sites to enable all of us to collaborate in fostering greater

transparency. The foundation funded Code for America,

which created a replicable model for data mash-up contests.

Sunlight cut its chops in this space with Apps for America,

which encouraged the same kind of transparency in the federal

government. The contests second round, Data.gov Challenge,

found talent to interrogate raw resources in the federal data

repository, the holdings of which began with 47 entries and

now approaches 120,000 data sets.

Its hard to dispute that information wants to be free, but - and

it is an increasingly large but - somebody must pay to for

the plumbing if transparency is to fulll its promise.

It isnt that surfacing government data is bad, but it comes

with a bow wave. The more data feeds, sets and sources that

are surfaced, the larger the wave. Government sets the wave

in motion for all the right reasons and now nds itself with

an unpaid mandate of its own creation - providing context.

In a recent analysis, Daniel Castro, senior analyst of theInformation Technology and Innovation Foundation, wrote,

Although Web sites like Data.gov provide tools for users

to rate the quality of data sets, agencies responsible for

maintaining data sets should take on more

responsibility for noting any data quality

issues. For example, agencies should make

clear any known limitations of data sets,

such as poor survey response rates, grossly

inaccurate data or outdated information.

There are also the serious matters of data

denitions, standards and architectures -

the lifes work of a small, unsung groupof data professionals. They make the case

for bringing old-school disciplines to these

new pursuits. Its the kind of thing you cant get done by

crowdsourcing alone.

Several states - Maine, Utah and California - have brought

data sets (about 40 each, excluding GIS data) together in a

single spot on their respective portals. Those relatively small

numbers may prove advantageous as they and others ramp

up for what comes next. In addition to raw data, states are

packaging and presenting data in consumable ways - through

stimulus tracking tools, searchable state checkbooks that show

revenue and expenditures, and campaign nance disclosure

services.

Whether done by governments or third parties (friendly or not),

and 44 years after the dawn of the open government movement,

we still may be closer to the beginning of the process than

the end. Perhaps the greatest risk is the digital equivalent of

malicious compliance - where government makes available

huge volumes of undisciplined data in ways that cant be

used to hold public agencies accountable, keep communities

safe, fuel economic activity or some other public good.

Opinion

Transparency Has Become Another Unfunded Mandateby Paul W. Taylor, Government Technology


13/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


13

The rst true written evidence of

accounting come from a man named

Luca Pacioli, a Franciscan monkand contemporary of Columbus.

His seminal work, Summa

de Arithmetica, Geometrica,

Propotioni et Proportionalite,

published in 1494, contained

a section, Particularis de

Computis et Scripturis (Details

of Accounting and Recording) that

described the system used in Venice.

But history aside, there are many famous folks today who

started out in accounting. Youll nd a few surprises on this list.

1. John Grisham.

While this red-hot novelist is well known for being a lawyer

prior to his writing career, what is less well known is the fact

that his rst degree was in Accounting from Mississippi State

University. It wasnt until later that he went to law school

and watched a 12-year-old rape victim testify and inspire

his rst novel.

2. Kenny G.

The famous soprano saxophone player graduated Magna

Cum Laude from the University of Washington with a degree

in accounting. Although hed already been playing semi-

professionally since high school, he wasnt sure hed make inthe music world so accounting seemed like a much safer bet.

3. Bob Newhart.

This funny man got his rst job out of the army working

as an accountant in downtown Chicago. He claims to have

invented his own system for balancing the petty cashwhen

the drawer was short, he replaced any missing money from

his own pocket. When his boss accused him of not using

sound accounting practices, he decided to try something else.

Ironically, it was while he was working as an accountant that

he began doing his famous telephone routines.

4. Gibby Haynes.

It might be hard to believe, but this outrageous lead singer

of the hot punk band The Butthole Surfers went to Trinity

University and earned his degree in accounting. In fact, he was

captain of the basketball team, president of his fraternity, and

was voted Accounting Student of the Year. After graduating,

he worked for over a year at an accounting rm before

starting the band.

5. Tim DuBois.

You might not know this name right off the bat, but hes known

as The Singing Accountant. Hes written many a hit countrysong, including Love In The First Degree, She Got the

Goldmine, I Got The Shaft and the Vince Gill hit When I

Call Your Name. While currently the head of Arista Records,

he taught accounting at Owen University for many years.

6. Walter Diemer.

Another name you might not recognize, he worked as an

accountant for the Fleer Corporation in the 1920s. But in his

spare time he tinkered with recipes until he invented a little

something we know today as Bubble Gum.

7. J. P. Morgan.

This famous nancier and banker began his early career asan accountant on Wall Street. But after his father died and

left him the family business, J.P. Morgan went on to become

a banking and corporate pioneer. He began buying distressed

businesses, in particular railroads, and merging thema

common business practice still today.

8. Walter L. Morgan.

A name well known in the business world, Walter L. Morgan

was a CPAand is considered the father of the mutual fund

industry. His fundThe Wellington Fundbecame the

agship fund of the Vanguard Group, the second largest

mutual fund company in the world. When he died in 2000 at

the age of 102, he was the oldest living accountant and CPA.

9. Arthur Blank.

Today best known for owning the Atlanta Falcons football

team, he started his early career as an accountant. But he

worked part-time in a hardware store and along with another

employee went on to found Home Depot, the famous chain of

hardware stores. This little company made him a billionaire

and his accounting know-how taught him how to spend it.

10. Josiah Wedgewood.

Yes, that Wedgewood, the famous potterhe invented what

we now call Cost Accounting. Thanks to a lucky combination

of an embezzling clerk and a depression, Josiah was forced

to come up with a system of tracking bottom line costs and

prot. He used this system to determine the costs of his

product, and was only one of hundreds of potters to survive

the depression.

Source: www.topaccountingdegrees.com

Top Ten Famous Accountants


14/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


14

Registration: Online at www.aganycap.org

Advancing

Government

Accountability

PO Box 1923

Albany, NY 12201

www.aganycap.org

TOPIC:ANNUAL APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

CHAPTERAWARDS ANDRECOGNITION

CEREMONY

DATE:TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2010

TIMES:11:30 AM 12:00 PM REGISTRATION

12:00 PM 12:45 PM LUNCH

12:45 PM 2:00 PM AWARDS ANDRECOGNITION CELEBRATION

HOSTS:ANNMARSH, CHAPTERPRESIDENT

SHELLYTALEPOROS, INCOMING

CHAPTERPRESIDENT

LOCATION:WOLFERTS ROOST COUNTRY CLUB

VAN RENSSELAERBLVD., ALBANY, NY

MENU CHOICES:ASIANCHICKENSALAD

LONDONBROIL

PASTAPRIMAVERA

COST:$10 FORAGA MEMBERS

$20 FOROTHERS

AWARDEES ATTEND FREE OF CHARGE

President Ann Marsh will first summarize the

Chapters successes for the 2009-2010 program

year and will turn the gavel over to our

incoming President, Shelly Taleporos, who will

outline her goals for the 2010-11 program year.

This year-end event is marked by numerous

recognition awards

presented to thehardworking

volunteers that help

make our Chapter one

of the most highly-

regarded of all AGA

chapters. We will also

recognize the 2010

recipient of our

Outstanding

Achievements in

Government

Accountability Award. As you will recall from

last year, David Hasso from the Office of theState Comptroller won this prestigious award.

The Annual Appreciation Luncheon always

provides excellent networking opportunities, as

well as a chance to meet the Chapters new

officers and Board members.

So please mark your calendars and attend this

special event. The Luncheon brings together our

Chapter family to

conduct a little

business - whilehaving great food

and lots of fun!


15/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


15

Association of Government Accountants

New York Capital Chapter

Membership Appreciation Luncheon

June 15, 2010Wolferts Roost Country Club, Albany, NY

Association of Government Accountants - New York Capital Chapter

2010 Membership Appreciation LuncheonCertificates of Appreciation Cherly Almonte

Suzette Baker, CGFM

Raymond Barnes

Laurie Burns

Michael Bush

Brenda Carver

Maria Caviglia

Eileen Chambers

Linda Cioffi, CGFM

Judy Danto

Taryn Davila-WebsterLynn Farruggia

Francis H. Felts, III

Deanna Franklin

David R. Hancox, CGFM

David Hasso, CGFM

Cole Hickland

Meredith Holmquist

Elaine Jenkins

Marcella Junco

Emily Kunchala

Matthew Lindemann

Wendy Matson

Suzanne Mazone

Katie Meyer

Michele Murphy

Resa Ostrander

Jennifer Paperman

Mary Peck

Nancy Quay

Danielle Rancy

Scott Ray, CGFMDavid Robertson

Sandra Schleicher

Todd Seeberger

Brittani Smalls

Amy Thomas

Anil Thomas

Wolferts Roost Country Club

Amanda Zibella

Linda Zinzow, CGFM

Chapter Service Awards Laura Brown, CGFMSigrid Coons, CGFM

Brian Gee

Deborah Harrington

Raymond Harris, CGFM

Roger C. Mazula, CGFM

Thalia Melendez

Heidi Nark

Kevin Smith

Richard Sturm, CGFM

Shelly Taleporos

Nicole Van HoesenEmerging Leader Awards Anthony Calabrese, CGFM Ashley Weil

New CGFM Michael Mezz, CGFM Patrick Orton, CGFM

Tone from the Top Excellence Award James Cox, CGFM Joan SullivanChapter Champion Kirk Schanzenbach

Distinguished Chapter Service Award Michael Abbott, CGFM

Outstanding Achievement in Government Accountability Award Lynn Canton

Recognition of National Awardees

AGA National Einhorn-Gary Award Robert H. Attmore, CGFM

AGA National Educator Award LeRoy W. Mitchell, CGFM

AGA National Presidents Award Roger C. Mazula, CGFM

AGA National Chapter Recognition Award Ann M. Marsh

AGA National Chapter Community Service Award Nicole Van Hoesen

AGA National Chapter Education AwardMichael A. Abbott,CGFM

AGA National Chapter Website Award Laura J. Brown, CGFM

AGA National Chapter Newsletter Award Roger C. Mazula, CGFM

AGA National Scholarship Award William Raymer, CGFM

Longevity Awards

30 Years Stephen E. DolingWilliam M. Kahn, CGFM

Terrill E. Menzel, CGFM

25 Years Brian J. Lotz, CGFM Sandra Storfer, CGFM (Retired)

20 Years Karen A. Bogucki, CGFMLaura J. Brown, CGFM

Jayne A. Colangelo, CGFM

Raymond H. Harris, CGFM

Roger C. Mazula, CGFM


16/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


16


17/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


17

Mark your calendar for July 1114, 2010 and make plans to join us in sunny Orlando for AGAs 59 th Annual Professional

Development Conference & Exposition (PDC)the premier education and networking event for government nancial managers

and accountability professionals.

The PDC is the authoritative source for the knowledge and contacts you need to succeed in todays constantly changing environment.

Offering 24 CPE hours, the conference covers the latest research and information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act, the constantly changing rules and standards, new management techniques, technological advances and practical tips for bringing

greater efciency to government operations. The PDC offers a comprehensive program, captivating speakers, lively discussions,

top-quality education sessions, and equips you with knowledge and skills you need to be a more effective leader.

In addition to an outstanding technical program, the conference features a numerous networking events to help you make new

contacts, exchange ideas and collaboratively work on solutions to common problems. Exhibitors are also available to demonstrate

the newest products, tools and cutting-edge technology available to help your agency achieve its mission.

PDC 2010 will be bigger and better than ever! This event is packed with dynamic speakers, informative sessions and unparalleled

opportunities to network. And now, everything you need to know about the agenda is available online at http://www.agacgfm.

org/pdc2010/.

KPMG LLP is pleased to recognize

and support the New York Capital

Chapter of the Association of

Government Accountants.

us.kpmg.com

Transforming visions into reality.

Were proud to help.

2009 KPMG LLP, a U.S. limited liability partnership and a member rm of the KPMG network of independent member rms afliated with KPMG

International, a Swiss cooperative. All rights reserved. 13774ALB


18/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


18


19/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


19

AGA New York Capital Chapter

Community Services Calendar2009-10

Continuous Throughout the 2009-2010 Year

Pull Tab for the Shriners Hospital

When: All Year!

Last year our Chapter started to reach out to its membership to Pop-A-Top from their

soda or beer cans for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Shriners provide care

to children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and

palate. Those children eligible for care and receiving medical treatment at the Shriners

Hospitals receive all services in a family-centered environment at no charge regardless of nancial need. In addition, if

transportation is needed, it is provided by the Hospital. Please stay tuned to our website and newsletters for how to donate

your cans tabs to the Shriners. We will be setting up collections at our local training events this year. If you already have

tabs collected and are waiting to donate them or if you have any questions or would like to help- please contact Sigrid

Coons at [email protected].

** Pulling the tab off of the cans does not interfere with deposit refunds**

Clothing Collection

When: All Year!

The New York Capital Chapter of the AGA will be assisting numerous local charities and organizations with donations from

its membership for used items, mainly clothing. Do you have professional business clothes you no longer wear? There are

organizations in the capital district looking to assist those who are less fortunate for such items to have for job interviewing.

Please contact Mary Roylance at [email protected] or (518) 474-3271.

August 2009

WMHT Membership Drive

When: August 4, 2009, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Where: The WMHT Studios

4 Global View

Troy, NY

As our local public broadcasting station and a non-prot organization, WMHT relies heavily on

the support of the community. The membership drives enable the PBS station to provide quality

television programs. Please join the New York Capital Chapter in collecting pledges in their live

broadcast! Volunteers are trained before the shift and will be answering phone calls of pledges for PBSs viewers. Snacks

are provided and the AGA will receive on-air recognition for our efforts. This will be the eighth year we have participated

in the broadcast. Parking is located adjacent to the studios. If you would like to participate or have any questions please

contact Nicole Van Hoesen at [email protected] or 914-466-0850 no later than July 27, 2009.

September 2009

Golf Tournament for Albany Medical Centers Childrens Hospital

When: 7:45 a.m., September 25, 2009

Where: Van Patten Golf Club

The local chapters of the Association of Government Accountant (AGA), Institute of Internal

Auditors (IIA), the Association of Certied Fraud Examiners (AFCE) and ISACA are co-

sponsoring a golf tournament to benet the Albany Medical Center Childrens Hospital and you

are invited to participate. The cost of this event will be $75.00 per person with the proceeds to

benet the Albany Medical Centers Childrens Hospital.


20/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


20

October 2009

Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes

When: October 3 2009

Where: Cook Park, Colonie

The American Diabetes Association and the New York Capital Chapter of the AGA are on a quest

to cure diabetes, but we cannot reach our goal without your help. Please make a donation or join theAGA for a fun-lled day. Your support will take us one step closer to a cure. The event is fun for

the whole family. A light breakfast is served, along with lunch, entertainment and tness fair. Step Out and experience the

difference you can make; along with your fellow AGA members and friends. The more the merrier!!

Preparing and Serving a Meal for the Capital City Rescue Mission

When: Thursday, October 22, 2009 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Where: 259 South Pearl St, Albany

The AGA New York Capital Chapter will assist the Capital City Rescue Mission

in preparing and serving a meal for Downtown Albanys homeless. The Rescue

Mission provides three hot meals a day as well as shelter to homeless and needy

families. The mission always needs volunteers to provide this valuable service to

the Capital District. Please contact Thalia Melendez at [email protected]

if you would like to help out or have any questions.

November 2009

Rafe to Benet Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York at AGA Fraud Conference

When: November 2009

Where: Holiday Inn, 205 Wolf Rd., Colonie

Since 1982, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY is helping to feed the poor and hungry in our communities.

It is the only organization of its kind in northeastern New York. Even if you are not attending the annual fraud

conference, please drop by to make a contribution and enter the rafe for some terric prizes.

Project Equinox

When: Thanksgiving Week, 2009

During Thanksgiving week of every year, at least 7,500 meals are prepared at the Empire State Plaza and thendelivered by volunteers to individuals who live within a 25 mile radius of downtown Albany. This year, the

AGA will take part in this great cause, and help prepare 8,000 pounds of turkey, 2,000 pounds of ham, 2,800

pounds of yams, 940 pies, 625 dozen dinner rolls, 48 gallons of cider and 19,500 pieces of fruit. For more

information, contact Thalia Melendez at [email protected].

December 2009

Holiday Luncheon Rafe

When: December, 2009

Each year, the local chapters of the AGA, IIA, ACFE and ISACA come together to celebrate the holidays and to listen to

a motivational speaker. Its a great time for friendship and networking, as well as an opportunity to benet a local charity.

We hope that you will join us and perhaps win a prize or two!

January 2010

IRS Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

When: January April 2010 Training in November 2010

VITA involves IRStrained volunteers who provide free tax assistance at community locations to individuals

who need assistance with basic income tax return preparation. VITA is aimed at those for whom paid

professional assistance may be out of reach, those who are nonEnglish speaking, persons with disabilities,

those with a low to xed income, the elderly, and other individuals with special needs. For more information

or to volunteer, contact Linda Ciof at [email protected] or (518) 437-8444.


21/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


21

Spring in January Flower Fundraiser

When: January 2010

The New York Capital Chapter of the AGA is proud to offer the Spring-In-January ower fundraiser

to benet the Capital District Sponsor-A-Scholar Program. The Program supports youth from low-

income families at Troy, Albany, and Schenectady High Schools reach their goals. Those students

selected must demonstrate leadership potential and have a commitment to their education. We will

be selling mixed bunches of hybrid anemone bunches for $12 each. To purchase a bunch of owers,or for more information about this event, contact Nicole Van Hoesen at [email protected]

or call (518) 474-3271.

February 2010

Valentines and Cookies for Veterans at the Stratton VA Medical Center

When: February, 2010

We will be baking cookies and delivering the cookies and valentines made by school children to

the veterans at the medical center. Last year, the veterans were extremely touched by the valentines

and appreciative of the cookies. It is a fun, heart-warming experience. If you would like to

bake cookies or hand out the treats and cards to the veterans, please contact Sharon Siekowski at

[email protected] or call (518) 474-3271.

March 2010

Preparing a Meal for the Residents of Ronald McDonald House

When: March 2010

The Ronald McDonald Houses motto is a strong mind; a strong body; and

a safe, supportive place to grow. These are things that every child needs and

deserves to have. Helping to provide these things is what the Ronald McDonald

House Charities do. By creating, nding and supporting programs that directly

improve the health and well being of children, Ronald McDonald House Charities is working to better the lives of children

and their families around the world. Contact Nicole Van Hoesen at [email protected] or call (518) 474-3271.

April 2010

Plant a Tree with the Capital District Community Gardens (CDCG)

When: November, 2009 or Spring 2010

Established in 1975, CDCG is a private, non-prot community service organization that

has been helping residents of Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady Counties improve their

neighborhoods through community gardening and urban greening programs for more than

30 years. CDCG manages 48 cooperative neighborhood food gardens in Albany, Cohoes,

Latham, North Greenbush, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Troy. CDCG also organizes annual street tree plantings for the

cities of Troy, Cohoes, Scotia, Green Island, and Rensselaer and works with local municipalities and nonprot organizations

to implement a wide range of urban greening projects, enhancing our regions cities. Come join us to help CDCG with

street tree planting. For more information, email Nicole Van Hoesen at [email protected] or call (518) 474-3271.

May or June 2010

St. Johns/St. Anns Welcome Table (Soup Kitchen)

When: June 2010

Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve a meal to individuals living

in Albanys South End in conjunction with St. Johns/St. Anns Welcome

Table Program. St. Johns/St. Anns Church is a private, not-for-prot

organization which has Federal and New York State tax-exempt status. The Center has served Albanys South End

Neighborhood since 1837 and responds with compassion and care to all their neighbors in need regardless of race, creed,

sex, national origin, age, disease, handicap, or lifestyle. To volunteer, please contact Brittany Smalls at [email protected].


22/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


22

Charity Golf Outing for Albany MedicalCenters Childrens Hospital

Helping at the St. Johns/St.Anns Soup Kitchen


23/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


23

AGA Partners with Norwich

University to Promote CGFMby Christina M. Camara

CGFMO

R

N

E

R

A new partnership with Norwich University gives AGA

members the opportunity to earn 12 graduate credits and

prepare for the CGFM designation at the same time.

AGAs three government nancial management courses that

are the basis for preparing for the CGFM Examinations are

being expanded by the Northeld, VT-based University for

its online Master of Public Administration program.

We are excited about incorporating the CGFM course

materials into our curriculum. It ts our mission to work

with professionals, and will be an important step forward

in adding value to our program, said Donal F. Hartman Jr.,

J.D., LLM, director of the MPA program. He added, Our

curriculum opens the door for AGA members to learn more

about management and leadership via the online classroom,

which is asynchronous, interactive and capable of bringing a

world of online resources to the student. It offers a balanced and

proven learning experience that includes case studies, research

proposals, written assignments and online discussions.

The universitys rst 11-week seminar will begin Dec. 1,

2008. It will present MPA students an optional concentration

in government scal management. For people interested only

in earning the CGFM, it provides graduate credits that can

be used later through in Norwichs MPA Program should a

student wish to do so later. Six seminars, of six credits each,

are needed to earn the Norwich MPA, which can be completed

in 18 to 24 months. In effect, successful completion of the

new concentration provides 12 graduate credits for future use.

AGAs Intensive Review Course, and the CGFM Examinations

themselves, will be administered at Norwich University as

part of the required one-week residency conference prior tograduation.

The advantage for MPA students is that they have the

opportunity to earn a recognized professional credential in

addition to a degree, Hartman said. It means they have

special skills and knowledge. It is also valuable for public

service professionals seeking to use nancial management

principles to improve internal efciencies as well as to enhance

the scal health of their organization.

The idea of a government nance concentration came about

during a discussion among the Board of Fellows for the

Universitys School of Graduate Studies. One of the members

is Pete Aliferis, CGFM, AGAs deputy executive director

of Operations and Professional Certication. Aliferis, who

is a 1968 graduate of Norwich University, said that in his

experience, MPAs exit their academic programs without

enough knowledge of government nancial management.

The CGFM courses were seen as a good t.

The two-year-old MPA programs faculty includes former

police chiefs, executive directors of public human services

and nonprot organizations and others with vast public

administration experience along with knowledge of online

learning. All students questions are answered in 24 hours

or less, and the students work in online classrooms of 15

students or less.

Some of our people may be looking for an opportunity to

enhance their professional leadership skills, some want a

promotion, some want to teach following retirement frompublic service, Hartman said. A masters degree opens

those doors. Add the CGFM credential, and opportunities

expand even further.

New Chapter CGFMsWho are our Chapters most recent Certied Government

Financial Managers? They are:

Michael Mezz, CGFM, Supervising Accountant, Ofce of

the State Comptroller

Patrick Orton, CGFM, Senior Auditor, NYS Education

Department - Audit Services.


24/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


24

Our AGA Chapter is currently in the midst of the Rally for Retention Campaign. The membership year runs from April 1

to March 30. The Chapter would like to thank those members who have renewed their membership for 2010-11. If you

have not renewed yet, please do so today. As part of the retention campaign, Chapter Executive Committee members will

be reaching out to members who did not renew.

Continued membership has several benets. Among them are: savings on CPE costs, and opportunities to network, participate

in community service projects, and develop leadership skills by serving on a committee.

Anyone interested in participating on one of the many committees, please contact incoming President Shelly Taleporos at

[email protected].

We would like to recognize the new and returning members during 2009-10:

MemberItems

Membership NewsRally for Retention Campaign

by Sigrid Coons, CGFM

Devisha M. Baldeo

Michael F. Conners

Lisa Cutten

Kenneth H. Foley

Erin Fratangelo

Jon P. Hildreth, Jr.

Pamela J. Johnson

Christine A. Konsistorum

Janice A. Lamphron

Edward Lenart

Melissa Little

William J. OReilly

Andy Padman

Geoffrey S. Plante

Regina Shakirova

Kenneth I. Shulman

Michaela A. Siegel

Mark H. Smith

And welcome our rst new member of 2010-11:

Lila Ang

AGAs National Awards Committee has announced the

recipients of AGAs 2010 National Academic and Community

Service Scholarships. Recipients of the full-time and part-

time academic scholarships were rated on their academic

success and achievements and their potential to make a

signicant contribution to government nancial management.Congratulations to scholarship recipient William L. Raymer,

CGFM from the New York Capital Chapter who received a

$3,000 Merit Scholarship for Full-Time Study.

We are also proud to congratulate:

Cherly N. Almonte who successfully passed all parts of

the CPA Exam.

Ashley Weilwho received her Masters Degree in accounting

from the College of St. Rose.

Please contact Roger Mazula if you or anyone you know havedone something to anounce in Member Items.

http://www.aganycap.org

Surf over to the New York

Capital Chapters Website

Advancing Government Accountability


25/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


25

10. Keep up with the Latest Developments

AGA uses its base as the collective voice for government

financial managers to help shape legislation in closeconsultation with government entities. AGA works to

strengthen government accounting and reporting systems

and to enhance the productivity of the nancial management

process.

9. Save Money

Its true - your AGA membership can help you save money.

Your membership in AGA entitles you to signicant savings

on registration fees for conferences, workshops and courses,

as well as AGA periodicals and training materials. So you

can keep current - without breaking the bank.

8. Stop Reinventing the Wheel

Learn from your colleagues who have dealt with the same

issue or problem youre facing. The more than AGA members

come from every level of government nancial management.

The collective wisdom and experience of these colleagues

from around the country gives you a solid base of real-world

knowledge and experience. As an AGA member, you can

draw from this reservoir of experience!

7. Make New Friends and Important Professional

Contacts

Your local AGA Chapter puts you in contact with other

nancial management professionals in the area. Youll get the

chance to participate in social events, business meetings and

educational seminars with other professionals who understand

your concerns. Your AGA membership means youre part of

a tremendous nationwide network.

6. Be Represented by an Industry Leader

AGA represents every level of government scal management

through its network of elected chapter ofcers, Regional Vice

Presidents and national executives who maintain contact withsenior ofcials and other decision-makers whose actions affect

government nancial managers. AGA serves as the singular

voice for its thousands of members and other professionals

involved in all levels of government nancial management.

5. Build Your Leadership Skills...

And your professional reputation. How? Active participation

in your local AGA Chapter and AGA National Committees

can lead to important volunteer leadership positions within

AGA. NOW is the time to get your career on the fast track!

4. Sharpen Your Professional Skills

In todays busy society, everyone knows it is harder than ever

to keep up with the latest nancial management advances...

know whos doing what...and how. One way you can have

regular access to the latest information--and build your

professional network at the same time--is by attending AGA

seminars, conferences, and local chapter educational activities.

It is the best opportunity you have to keep on keeping up...

and as a member, youre assured of hearing about all the

conferences and meetings well in advance.

3. Save Money

It is not a mistake: we put this in twice because we wanted

to make sure you noticed this great benet. In addition to the

great savings on a range of exciting professional development

opportunities, your AGA membership entitles you to special

savings on a range of personal services. An important AGA

membership advantage is that eligible members may request

coverage in the highly competitive AGA Term Life Insurance

Program, Long Term Disability Insurance or both. And an

Exclusive AGA MasterCard can be yours. The program

offers members premium Gold and Silver MasterCards

with high credit lines and valuable discounts for todays

busy professional.

2. Earn the Recognition You Deserve

Youve put a lot of hard work into getting where you are

today. Enhance your credentials as a government nancial

manager by choosing to have your unique skills and

knowledge recognized through professional certication in

AGAs Certied Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

designation. The CGFM designation offers considerable

benets to you personally and the government nancial

management community you serve.

1. Get a Head Start on Your Career

Make valuable contacts. Meet your peers. Keep up your

education. Build a professional network. Learn new skills.

Learn from the leaders. Dont waste another valuable minute.

Now is the time to join the Association of Government

Accountants! But do it soon, so you wont miss out on any

of these great benets!

The Top Ten Reasons to Join AGA


26/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


26

Visit the Group A - AGA Chapter Award-WinningWebsite: www.aganycap.org


27/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


27

Association of Government AccountantsNew York Capital Chapter

Chapter Executive Committee

2010-11

President .........................................Shelly A. Taleporos

President-Elect ................................Thalia J. Melendez

Vice Presidents:

- Certication ......................Linda C. Zinzow, CGFM

- Communications ...............Roger C. Mazula, CGFM

- Community Service ..........Nicole Van Hoesen- Marketing .........................Raymond H. Harris, CGFM

- Membership ......................Todd Seeberger

- Programs and Education ...Brian Gee

Treasurer .........................................Anthony Calabrese, CGFM

Secretary .........................................Deborah Harrington

Directors .........................................Michael A. Abbott, CGFM

Deanna Franklin

David R. Hancox, CGFM

David Hasso, CGFM

Marcella Junco

Scott Ray, CGFM

Kirk Schanzenbach

Steve Sossei

Richard K. Sturm, CGFM

Amanda L. Zibella

Immediate Past President ...............Ann M. Marsh

Web Coordinator ............................Laura J. Brown, CGFM

Registrar .........................................Jessica Lynch


28/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


28

Municipal SpecialistswSingle Audits w Contract Audits wRate and Cost Studies w Forensic Investigations w

GASB Implementation w Program and Grant Audits w

ARRA w Accounting Systems w Staff Training

26 Computer Drive West, Albany, NY 12205

Tel: (518) 459-6700 (800) 724-6700

28 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036

Tel: (212) 661-8640

Bollam, Sheedy, Torani & Co. LLP, CPAs TG Associates CPAs, PLLC

Serving

Federal, State, and

Local Governments

www.bstco.com

Early Careers Center

Career Mistakes that Can Sink You...by Dan Moran

What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind there

are just four essential ingredients: Choose a career you love, give it

the best there is in you, seize your opportunities, and be a member

of the team. Jonathan R. Fairless

Everyone makes mistakes. The real key to success is making good

on a mistake you made, or being watchful to the pitfalls you can

avoid. With a number of new recent college graduates beginning

new jobs and others wondering how to avoid career mistakes, I

thought these tips would be helpful:

Not accepting responsibility

When you make a mistake in your work, fess up to it accept

responsibility. In his book on leadership Good to Great, Jim Collins

identies a key traits: When in the face of crisis when a mistake

has been made, followers look for someone to blame; leaders look

in the mirror and accept responsibility.

Not being a team player

No one likes a prima donna who is just focused on me me me.

Being a team player, and contributing to joint efforts will help one

dene their success. Demonstrate that youve got the greater good

of the organization at heart.

Working with a fear of failure

Many work every day doing the same

thing over and over. They appear not to

believe in themselves. If you dont believe

in yourself, no one else will. Instead of

saying, Ive never done that try Ill learn

how. Find learning opportunities in every

situation. Consistently being risk-averse

can be more hazardous to your career than

making mistakes and learning from them.

Undermining people or the company

Talking behind the backs of others,undermining managers or the company.

Discussing a condential matter; spreading

gossip. Not only will you nd yourself

isolated, but others will not trust you and

when not trusted, your growth stops. Dont

engage others in inappropriate discussions.

While there is such a thing as free speech,

its not so free if it costs you your job!

Being disrespectful

Being disrespectful to others treating

everyone as you would expect to be treated

is important. Being condescending to

others, pretentious or making someone feel like they arent good

enough is so damaging to all. There is no place in a job for yelling

or calling someone out in front of others.

Being one of the walking dead, without goals

You know them the people who just come to work every day, do

the bare minimum and simply collect a paycheck. They get by fora while, but when business conditions require cost cutting, guess

whos the rst to go. Always work with a set of goals long and

short term. Talk your goals over with your manager.

Checking your people skills at the door

Researchers found that if employees are disliked, its almost irrelevant

whether theyre good at what they do, because other workers will

avoid them. Go out of your way to communicate, establish strong

working relationship with others, smile and be engaging with others,

it will work wonders for you.

Learn from mistakes. Try to avoid them in the rst place. Above

all lead and dont follow!


29/36

May/June 2010

Capital ideas


29

Corporate governance regulations aimed

at increasing scal transparency within

public, private, and nonprot organizations,

and the growth in ultramodern elds like

forensic and international accounting,

nance professionals have been able to

shed their bean counter image in place

of a new prominent role as a business

partner and even thrill-seeker.

Today, accounting and nance workers

are tasked with such key initiatives as

driving the direction of their companys

business procedures, seeking outcost-saving opportunities within the

organizatio

Documents

AGA MayJun10 nl