Boston s Beacon. President's Message. Calendar of Events May 13, Beyond the Code: Ethical Decision Making in the Real World

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1 Boston s Beacon Calendar of Events May 13, 2015 Beyond the Code: Ethical Decision Making in the Real World Thomas O Neil Federal Bldg, Conf Room B, Boston, MA June 3, 2015 Audio Conference Government Financial Management July 12 July 15, 2015 Professional Development Training Gaylord Opryland, Nashville, TN Inside this Issue Chapter News & Updates..2 Career Opportunities.3 National News...4 Chapter Financials..5 CEC Meeting Highlights Chapter Recognition Program...6 Training Events...7 Useful Links....8 Regional Information..9 Officers & Directors 10 Volume , Issue 10 April 2015 President's Message As I conclude a 30 year career in state government and transition to the private sector, I thought it appropriate to reflect on the role professional development, and in particular the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), has had on my career. In the mid 1980 s I began work in the budget area for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, first with the Legislature and later with the Governor s budget office, then known as the Fiscal Affairs Division. Orientation was a pencil, a calculator and an introduction to a senior analyst who would train me while they got their regular job done. In those times I met some great friends and mentors, some of whom I still communicate with today. I deeply value those lessons and experiences, but that mentorship needs to compliment not replace, more formalized professional development. In 1992 I moved to the Office of the Comptroller in the financial reporting area. The office was actively engaged with the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) and the AGA, both at the chapter level and national levels. It was the early days of the CGFM program with some individuals qualifying based on their experience and other preparing for the test. During that time the Boston Chapter hosted the National Professional Development Conference at the Hynes Convention Center and the Office of the Comptroller hosted the NASACT annual conference. I had entered an organization that valued professional development and investing in its employees. As I engaged in these organizations I immediately saw the value of formal professional development. I also benefited from networking opportunities. At NASACT I met counterparts from other states with similar jobs and challenges; many with much more experience than me. At the AGA conferences, I met federal counterparts and saw a new perspective on how these counterparts viewed the state financial officers. Not only did I gain formal training but I was exposed to a new world of peers and mentors. As I became more experienced I was asked to partic- ipate on program committees and in presentations at training events. At first I thought it was my turn to give back, then I realized I was still learning as I developed and honed presentation and speaking skills. Today when considering candidates for jobs in our office one of the qualities I look for is an interest in lifelong learning. As a leader I see an obligation to encourage and support lifelong learning in the team. As I became Comptroller this led me to review the training our organization provides for state financial officials. We expanded are catalogue of offerings and identified ways to leverage AGA training and webcasts for our organizations and for likeminded financial officials. I can say I would not be the professional I am today without this wealth of professional development. The Office of the Comptroller and most government entities could not offer the breadth of training if they had to purchase it in the private market. When you think about it, it is astonishing the amount of training we can gain in a year just from Boston Chapter training events. The Boston Chapter is a valuable resource and I hope we all take a moment to appreciate all it provides.

2 Page 2 Boston s Beacon Chapter News and Updates Change is inevitable. Change is constant. - Benjamin Disraeli This month, the Office of the Comptroller says good bye to two AGA Boston members. By Scott Olsen Marty and Rene Rancourt at the 2013 NASACT Conference in Boston Martin J. Benison Comptroller Martin Benison is moving on to a new adventure with Accenture. Marty was the Comptroller for 16 years, and was with the office for 23 years. Under Marty s leadership, the office set a new standard of excellence for efficiency and accountability throughout state government. Many enterprise systems were upgraded, introducing new technology and processes to modernize operations. Just as important, Marty created and fostered an environment where people truly value each other and see each other as family. Marty s knowledge, experience, diplomatic and political skills, and his understanding of people made him a great Comptroller and leader. I feel honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to work for Marty. I left each interaction with him feeling as though I learned something new or had acquired a new perspective, and I truly value the lessons I learned from him throughout the years. Last week was tough to say goodbye, but it was also a great opportunity to reflect and celebrate his run as the Comptroller of the Commonwealth. Good luck Marty, we wish you all the best! Taneka Simmons Taneka Simmons This month we also say goodbye and good luck to our colleague and friend. Taneka served the Comptroller of the Commonwealth as the Director of the Federal Grants and Cost Accounting Bureau. Taneka worked diligently to keep up with the ever changing world of Federal Grants and Reporting. She also created a new, succinct, and efficient Federal Grant policy for Commonwealth agencies to follow. Taneka worked closely with the Comptroller training unit to develop and enhance the Federal Grant set up and reconciliation classes for state agencies. In addition to her many accomplishments at the Office of the Comptroller; Taneka was also the Vice President for Communication for the Boston AGA Chapter and was also a key contributor organizing the wildly popular guest program for the 2013 NASACT Conference in Boston. While working at CTR, Taneka acquired her CPA and GCFM (see page 3). Taneka is pursuing a new adventure in the Washington D.C area. Taneka was a pleasure to work with and we will miss her dearly. Good luck in Washington. We know you will be a huge success!

3 April 2015 Page 3 Career Opportunities Office of the State Auditor Audit Manager Brockton Office SALARY RANGE (Grade 15) CSA935: $61, $91, (Commensurate with experience) North Shore Workforce Investment Board Director of Grants and Finance Salary: $61, $ 82,446 plus full benefits. Comptroller of the Commonwealth Budgetary Unit Manager Salary Range: $57, to $94, Annually Application Deadline: 5/15/2015 Career Opportunities New Certified Government Financial Manger (CGFM) CGFM is a professional certification recognizing the unique Congratulations to new CGFM Taneka Simmons! Learn more about CGFM Certification skills and special knowledge required of today s government financial managers. Welcome New Members! Rolph Jean-Baptiste Operational Services Division Tim Waitkevitch MassIT Kathi Ingle State of New Hampshire

4 Page 4 Boston s Beacon News From National AGA Members, I'd like to personally invite you to attend AGA's 2015 Professional Development Training (PDT). This will be my first PDT as AGA's Chief Executive Officer and I am looking forward to the powerful agenda with topics that will be informative and top of mind for all of our members, whether federal, state, local, academia, non-profit or private sector. We are also excited about new opportunities to encourage engagement and participation, including: Ann M. Ebberts, MS, PMP Chief Executive Officer, AGA Audience Response System Ability to engage with speakers during sessions: ask a question or vote on questions other attendees post, respond to polls, and provide immediate evaluation at the end of each session. PDT Mobile App Provides easy access to event information and planning tools from your mobile device; search for exhibitors and sessions, and add your favorites to a personal plan for easy reference. Networking Activities Designed to help you make the most of your PDT experience. Hundreds of your colleagues will be joining us as we "innovate, transform, achieve" either in-person or virtually for those who aren't able to travel. We hope that you will join us in Nashville! Sincerely, Ann M. Ebberts, MS, PMP Chief Executive Officer, AGA Nashville

5 Page 5 Boston s Beacon Chapter Financials CEC Meeting Highlights The Boston Chapter Executive Committee met on March 3, Please note the following: Education: PDC conference was held and was a great success. Community Service: $500 was donated at the PDC Cradles to Crayons. The Community Service Committee also partnered with other non-profits this year: The Lions Club, St. John s Food for the Poor, Interfaith Social Services in Quincy, and Pets in Need. Scholarships and Awards: Nicholas R. Juzyca awarded the 2015 George E. Brady Memorial Scholarship and Zeyu Zheng awarded the 2015 Walter Frese Memorial Scholarship: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2015.

6 Page 6 Boston s Beacon Chapter Recognition Program The Chapter Recognition Program is designed to support, encourage, and promote the accomplishment of AGA s mission and to provide flexible noncompetitive guidelines for a well-rounded chapter. The Chapter Recognition Program year begins on June 1 st and concludes on May 31 st.. Boston Chapter credits as of April 25, 2015 are: Maximum Credits Awarded % of Categories Credits Earned Points Avail Leadership, Planning & Participation 3,000 3,950 3, % Education & Professional Development 4,000 5,075 4, % Certification 4,000 4,400 4, % Communications 3,000 6,948 3, % Membership 4,000 6,800 4, % Accountability 2,000 2,400 2, % Community Service 2,000 6,775 2, % Awards 1,000 2,000 1, % Total 23,000 38,348 23, %

7 April 2015 Page 7 Training Event/ Web Conference Beyond the Code: Ethical Decision Making in the Real World May 13th 2-3:50 p.m. ET 2 CPEs Location: Thomas O Neil Federal Bldg, Conf Room B, Boston, MA Price- Members: Free; Non-Members: $25 Ethical thinking and behavior, so critical to our reputation and in our lives and organizations, has been studied as a vague and intangible subject. Ethical models have been translated into rules-based codes, failing time and time again and leaving us wondering how we can address ethics in a meaningful way. Indeed, new research shows that some ethics education courses leave students making less ethical decisions than before the class. Ethical decisions are not simply a discussion of right or wrong, but skilled critical thinking on a continuum of complicated choices studied by behavioral science. These decisions can be heavily influenced by unconscious biases and poorly framed perceptions. This innovative and interactive presentation uses compelling real-world events and the latest behavioral research to examine ethical thinking in a real-world context, giving attendees new thinking tools and a new perspective on what ethical thinking really is and how to practice it. Highlights: -based thinking -conscious thinking biases Speaker: Toby Groves, President, Groves Research and Consulting With his work and story featured on NPR, in the CPA Journal, and studied by business schools around the country, Toby Groves presents groundbreaking research in engaging and entertaining demonstrations for profession-al and academic interests. His presentations are an eye-opening, must see for anyone interested in under-standing the fascinating psychological science behind our organizational behaviors, and particularly those involved in auditing, governance, culture, compliance, or leadership. Educated in psychology and forensic ac-counting, Groves researches the roles that individual and group psychology play in aberrant organizational behaviors. Learning Objective: Identify and understand concepts of critical thinking and apply them to professional judgment in auditing, accounting and governance situations. Field of Study: Ethics **Register by May 11th, 2015 online at or Joseph Valchuis at jvalchuis@doe.mass.edu or (781) ** Any individual that may require special accommodations for the disabled at any Boston Chapter Training should communicate this and include the information in their registration prior to the event.

8 Useful Links Citizen Centric Reporting The Association of Government Accountants, the thought leader for the government accountability Boston Chapter AGA Website profession, evaluates reports for the Certificate of Excellence in Citizen-Centric Reporting award. AGA determines award recipients based on content, visual appeal, readability, distribution, and timeliness of reporting. To view a copy of the Chapter s Citizen Centric Report, please go to our website at: The Boston Chapter of the AGA has an award winning website. Please change your browser favorites to the following: Websites of Interest American Society for Public Admin (ASPA)... MA Chapter of ASPA... Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE)... Greater Boston Chapter of CFE... Association of Government Accountants... AGA Boston Chapter... AGA Aroostook County Chapter.... AGA Hartford Chapter... AGA Maine Chapter... COSO... First Gov... Governmental Accounting Standards Board... Government Executive... Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)... IIA Greater Boston Chapter... Intergovernmental Audit Forum... International Accounts Payable Professionals (IAPP)... National Assoc of State Auditors, Comptrollers & Treasurers... National Assoc of State Comptrollers... National Assoc of State Treasurers... National State Auditors Association... National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council... Take a tour around the site and send your feedback, suggestions and thoughts to the webmaster or any chapter Officer or Director. Check the site often for updates and valuable information. Are you using social media? The Boston Chapter invites you to follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Fan Page, and/or join our LinkedIn Group. Our moniker is you guessed it Boston AGA! We plan to provide periodic updates regarding education sessions, community service events, etc. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Julia Burns at BostonA- GA@gmail.com.

9 Regional Information Northeast Region Vice President Team Northeast Region Chapter Presidents Thalia Melendez, Regional Vice President Jennifer Cormier, Aroostook County Chapter President Brenda Carver, Regional Vice President-Elect Joseph Valchuis, CGFM, CFE, Past Regional Vice President Martin Benison, CGFM, Boston Chapter President Northeast Regional Coordinators Lynn Farruggia, Regional Coordinator for Certification Kim Baron, Hartford Chapter President Linda Gover, Regional Coordinator for Member- Philip Platt, Maine Chapter President ship and Early Careers Jane Gutowski, CPA, Regional Coordinator for Chapter Development & Assistance Brenda Carver, New York Capital Chapter President Julia P. Burns, CGFM, Regional Coordinator for Education Paula Bicking, Rome Chapter President Craig Hall, Regional Coordinator of Accountabil- ity

10 Officers, Directors and Chairs Martin Benison, CGFM President Office: Suzanne Bump, Esq Immediate Past President Office: Dan Bonnette, CPA President Elect Office: Richard Sullivan, CPA Secretary Office: Patricia (Tanona) Rydlak, CIA Treasurer Office: Shana Doiron, CPA Chapter Auditor Office: Julia P. Burns, CGFM Vice President for Education and Programs Office: Benjamin Howe, MPIA Vice President for Planning Office: Taneka Simmons, CPA Vice President for Communication, Newsletter Editor, Office: Nick Dahl, CGFM Director of Bylaws and Procedures Office: Jane Gustowski, CPA Director of Community Service Office: Shannon Gianatassio Vice President for Membership Director of Early Careers Office: William Muench, CGFM, CPA Director of Scholarships and Awards Office: Male Kamya Director of Professional Certification Office: Mary T. Leyden, CGFM Career Day Chair Tel: David A. LeBlanc, CGFM, CFS Director at Large Ex-Officio &Webmaster Office: Craig Hall Director of Accountability Office: Association of Government Accountants- Boston Chapter c/o 75 Pleasant Street Malden, MA Boston s Beacon Published by the Association of Government Accountants Boston Chapter. Comments should be forwarded to Scott.Olsen@state.ma.us