Boston s Beacon. Regional Vice-President s Message. Calendar of Events. Boston Chapter. National. Inside this Issue

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1 Boston s Beacon Calendar of Events Boston Chapter September 21, 2006 Chapter Lunch Meeting with Guest Speaker October 19, 2006 Fall Seminar - Fraud and Ethics Dave Hancox, NY Office of the Comptroller State Audit Bureau Lombardo s Randolph, MA November 14, 2006 Fall Workshop December 7, 2006 Annual Holiday Charity Lunch January 18, 2007 Winter Workshop - Volpe Transportation Building, Cambridge, MA February 15, 2007 Chapter Lunch Meeting with Guest Speaker March 13, 2007 Regional PDC - Bentley College, Waltham, MA National September 25-26, 2006 National Internal Control and Fraud Conference at Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, GA October 30-31, 2006 National Performance Management Conference at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, Schaumburg, IL Inside this Issue Annual Awards... 2, 3 Chapter Balance Sheet... 4 Chapter Recognition Program... 4 CEC Meeting Highlights... 2 Member News... 4 Membership Application... 9 National Office News... 7 Officers & Directors List...10 President s Letter...3 Trivia..6 Urban Financial Myths...5 Regional Vice-President s Message Hello and welcome to the AGA Program Year! I m Julia Burns and it is my privilege to serve as the New England Region Vice President for the current year. Please join me in congratulating Immediate Past RVP Nicholas Dahl, CGFM and the three Immediate Past Presidents of the New England Chapters: Perstein Cave, CGFM (Hartford); Karen Doyle, CGFM (Maine); and David LeBlanc, CGFM (Boston) for their outstanding accomplishments. The New England Region was well represented at the recent National PDC award presentations. The Boston Chapter was awarded Platinum designation, the Hartford Chapter received Chapter Recognition, and the Maine Chapter was awarded Gold designation in the Chapter Recognition Program. Additionally, the Boston Chapter received Honorable Mention for its monthly newsletter, Boston s Beacon. Massachusetts Comptroller (and Boston Chapter member) Martin Benison, CGFM was awarded the prestigious Frank Greathouse Distinguished Leadership Award and Wallace A. Franklin, CGFM, CGA (Boston Chapter member) received the Chapter Service Award for Group B. And last, but by no means least, the New England Region was awarded Gold designation. Congratulations all around! A warm welcome is extended to the incoming Chapter Presidents John Beveridge, CGFM (Boston), Perstein Cave, CGFM (Hartford) and Heather Perreault, CPA (Maine) and their chapter leadership teams. A second warm welcome is extended to the RVP Team that will be serving with me this year RVP-Elect Jody Breton, CGFM; Immediate Past RVP Nicholas Dahl, CGFM; and Regional Coordinators Jane Gustowski, CPA; Althea Harris; David LeBlanc, CGFM; and Joseph Valchuis, CFE. If we can be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact us. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming chapter event in Boston, Hartford or Maine! - Julie Page 1

2 Boston Chapter AGA At the 2006 National Professional Development Conference in San Diego On June the Boston Chapter of the AGA was represented by 11 members at the AGA National Professional Development Conference (PDC) in San Diego. This was the largest PDC ever, with a reported 1,800 attendees Dave LeBlanc, Julie Burns, Kathie Still, Nick Dahl Sue Tefft (chapter scholarship winner), Mike Armstrong, Kim Rapoza, Marty Benison, Dick Donaldson, Eric Berman, and Bill Kilmartin were in attendance from the chapter. Marty Benison, Bill Kilmartin and Eric Berman doubled up as presenters at the PDC. The Chapter was also well represented at the awards podium this year. For the first time ever the chapter and it s members won five national awards. National President Sam McCall presented Marty Benison with the Frank Greathouse Leadership Award and Al Franklin was awarded the National Chapter Service Award. Julie Burns was the winner of the Group B Honorable Mention Award for the Chapter Newsletter. Chapter President Dave LeBlanc accepted another Platinum Level Chapter Recognition award for Boston and Nick Dahl was recognized at the Gold Level for his work as Regional Vice President. The attendees participated in a number of classes and workshops over the four days and networked with a number of their contemporaries from around the country. Next year, it s off to Nashville ya all! Wallace Alan Franklin, CGFM winner of the National Chapter Service Award To all AGA Boston Chapter Members and Readers I would like to thank the AGA Boston Chapter for sponsoring me for the AGA s 55 th Annual Professional Development Conference that was held in San Diego this past June. In recognition of attending five Boston Chapter AGA meetings that offered CPE credits during the 2005/2006 year, I was entered into a drawing to be sponsored for the 2006 PDC and had the great fortune of having my name chosen out of a hat. While in California, I was able to spend time exploring the San Diego area prior to the conference, which of course included Disneyland. I then used the conference as a means to network with some great people, and build up my CPE credits by attending many wonderful educational sessions. If the opportunity is offered for the 2006/2007 year, I would strongly encourage members to attend meetings offering CPE credits, so that they can be entered into next year s drawing and possibly be selected as the winner. I would also encourage non-members to consider joining, so that they too may be eligible if they meet the attendance requirements. With sincere thanks, Susan A. Tefft, CGFM, CPA Page 2

3 CEC Meeting Highlights The Boston Chapter Executive Committee met on July 11, The following items were discussed: AGA PDC The Chapter Training and Meeting calendar was discussed and updated. Section I Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) was held in Columbus, OH on May 12-13, 2006 National is encouraging a chapter in each state capital. Due to New England s size this is not feasible. Looking into possibility of satellite structure. San Diego Professional Development Conference Joint Meetings Plans underway to offer joint meetings and training again this year Boston Chapter Price Structure Modifications No changes to member fees, slight increase in some non-member prices to training sessions and meetings AGA National is offering a series of Audio Conferences. We plan to make a number of these (2 CPE each) available to members at no cost, $10 to nonmembers. Marty Benison, CGFM winner of the AGA Frank Greathouse Distinguished Leadership Award AGA National President Sam McCall Presenting Julie Burns, CGFM with the Chapter Newsletter Award Nick Dahl, CGFM and his Regional Vice President Gold Level Recognition Award AGA National President Sam McCall Presenting Dave LeBlanc, CGFM with the Chapter Platinum Award Page 3

4 Volume , Issue 2 Boston s Beacon February August Please join the Membership Committee in welcoming the following new and transfer members to the Boston Chapter: Welcome! James Ware, US Air Force Ben Blodgett, Human Capital Inst. Francis Davin, Mass State Auditors Office Darlene Costa-Brown, Bridgewater State College Mathew King, Assumption College (Student) Andrew LeBlanc, Seton Hall University (Student) Member News Nick Dahl, CGFM of the US VA OIG office was recently promoted to Regional Audit Manager for New England. Elaine McGrath recently joined the Mass Exec Office of Health & Human Services Congratulations to each of these individuals Go for Growth! Membership Update The Boston Chapter membership includes: 220 Active Members 6 New Members 0 Members Transferred In 0 Members Transferred Out 41 Suspended Members **************************** The Boston Chapter recognizes and thanks the following new member sponsors since May 2006: David A. LeBlanc, CGFM....2 Jane Gustowski..1 From the Editor Do you know someone in the Boston Chapter who has recently received promotion, accepted a new position, retired or won an award? Would you like to share your good news with fellow AGA members? Or maybe you re interested in writing a technical article for an upcoming issue of Boston s Beacon. Please forward submissions for the next issue of Boston s Beacon to dleblanc@doe.mass.edu. Thanks! 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 wellrounded chapter. The Chapter Recognition Program year begins on May 1 st and concludes on April 30 th. Boston Chapter credits as of July 31, 2006 were: Maximum Credits Credits % of Categories Credits Earned Allowed Avail Leadership, Planning & Participation 3,000 1,950 1,950 65% Education & Professional Development 4, % Certification 4, % Communications 3,000 1,842 1,842 61% Membership 3,000 1,325 1,325 44% Early Career % Community Service 2,000 3,200 2, % Awards 1,000 2,350 1, % Total 22,000 12,142 9,592 44% Boston Chapter Balance Sheet June May 31, 30, Assets Assets Cash Cash Checking Account $ 3,706 Checking Savings Account $ 15,029 6,196 Certificates Savings Account of Deposit 12,425 18,159 Total Cash Certificates of Deposit $31,160 12,916 Total Accounts Cash Receivable $37,271 0 Total Accounts Total Accounts Receivable Receivable $ 0 Total Assets $31,160 $37,271 Liabilities and Fund Balance Accounts Payable $ 0 Accounts Current Fund Payable Balance $ 31,1600 Total Current Liabilities Fund Balance and Fund Balance $31,160 37,271 Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $37,271 Page 4

5 Urban Financial Myths Every now and then you read about a retiree snookered in a Nigerian bank scam, or some nitwit marched off to jail while still insisting the income tax is illegal, and you just shake your head and wonder who could believe that guff. Unfortunately, a lot of people. It doesn't help that rooted in many myths is the tiniest grain of reality, the trick is extracting that truth. Check out this collection of ten Urban Financial Myth legends: Myth No. 1: You can float a check longer if you write in red ink. The theory is that a bank's equipment can't scan red ink, so it takes longer to process the check. Poppycock, the color of the ink makes no difference. However, gel ink doesn't image well, which makes it difficult to verify the signature and the check. As a result, the paying bank cannot authorize the transaction, and chances are the check will be returned to the creditor or merchant. Then, instead of getting some extra time on the float, you are socked with a returned-check fee. Myth No. 2: You don't have to pay income tax -- it's illegal. Only foreign income is subject to Uncle Sam's cut, the story runs, and there's a form you can file to exempt yourself. But no one will tell you about it. The truth is, there is no form. You'll get arrested if you don't pay your taxes. Sorry, Charlie: You must fill out your IRS forms by April 15. Myth No. 3: I'm under 18, so I can't be held accountable for a debt. (Variation: Credit-card debts are wiped out when you turn 19.) Spring-breakers love to use this one to justify running up a cruise or resort-hotel bill on their credit cards. This one is only partly myth, because it is true that people younger than 18 cannot sign a legally binding contract. So they can't take out a loan or sign a credit-card agreement. You are legally an infant until you are age 18. However, credit-card companies will allow a minor to have a card -- if an adult has co-signed the agreement or added the minor to their account as an authorized user. So someone will pay -- the adult who signed on the dotted line. Myth No. 4: My hotel key card has my credit-card information. The ramification is that you'd better clutch it tightly or a con will decode it and rack up a big bill. This urban legend has an actual source: the police in Pasadena, Calif. A fraud-detection team had honed in on one such hotel key and notified each other before verifying whether it was standard practice in the industry. It wasn't, but they didn't find out until after the information leaked to the public and spread like wildfire. The manufacturers who churn out these magnetic-strip room-key cards employ three embedded and encrypted tracks. Most hoteliers use track three, which contains locked information listing the guest's room number and check in/out dates. The remaining tracks -- if supplied by the hotel's property-management system -- provide additional, limited guest information like a folio number or name to identify guests at point-of-sale terminals located throughout the hotel. Myth No. 5: Boycotting a few gasoline brands brings gas prices down. Poor Exxon and Mobil. They often show up as the bad guys in a mass urging Americans to avoid their pumps on a particular day. Its easy-to-understand language makes the plea plausible. The trouble lies in the fact it's too simple -- and economics don't work that way. For starters, gasoline is what's known as a fungible commodity -- if one company has an oversupply, it sells it to a competitor. No matter who you buy from, the basic supply numbers remain the same. Furthermore, prices at all the non-boycotted outlets would rise, thanks to the temporarily limited supply and increased demand, making the original prices look cheap by comparison. Besides, the industry is too large for a boycott of two companies to make a dent. Myth No. 6: It's better if you don't sign the back of your credit card. Some well-meaning pigeon decided one day this would protect him from identify theft. Unfortunately, in the real world, it only "protects" you from having the merchant accept your payment at the checkout counter, says Mills. Not to mention that an unsigned card in the hands of fraudsters is much easier to use for unauthorized purchases. They can just sign the card themselves. Then their signature will always match the receipt signature. Page 5

6 Speaker Database The AGA-Boston Chapter is building a speaker database. Do you know a dynamic speaker who you would like to see at an upcoming educational event? Are you a speaker who would like to be included in the database? Please send the speaker s name, address, phone number, address and potential topics to the Chapter s Director of Registration Howard Olsher, CGFM at Howard.Olsher@sao.state.ma.us. August Quote Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours. Yogi Berra Around the New England Region New England Region Contacts: Julia P. Burns, CGFM RVP Julia.Burns@osc.state.ma.us Jody L. Breton, CGFM RVP-Elect Jody.L.Breton@maine.gov Nicholas Dahl, CGFM Immediate Past RVP Nicholas.Dahl@med.va.gov Althea R. Harris RC Membership Althea.Harris@maine.gov Jane Gustowski, CPA RC Chapter Dev j_gustowski@mwcc.edu David A. LeBlanc, CGFM RC Education daleblanc@doe.mass.edu Joseph Valchuis, CFE RC Certification Joseph.Valchuis@sao.state.ma.us TRIVIA QUESTION! Visit the New England Region online! Hartford Chapter at Maine Chapter at What was the name of the volleyball that kept Tom Hanks' character company on a deserted island in the hit Cast Away (2000)? Answer found elsewhere in the newsletter. Boston s Beacon is published by the Association of Government Accountants Boston Chapter. Comments should be forwarded to dleblanc@doe.mass.edu 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 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... Page 6

7 News from National AGA s Internal Control & Fraud Conference AGA is proud to announce its latest educational offering. The First National Internal Control and Fraud Conference will be held on September 25-26, 2006 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Atlanta, GA. With a theme of "Fraud Prevention and Detection: The Newest Tools and Techniques," the conference will focus on management's responsibility for ensuring a good system of internal controls and the role of all accountability professionals in minimizing the risk of fraud, waste and abuse. Hear from leaders in government and private industry who will discuss the latest discovery techniques and lessons learned from various schemes, and how different levels of government are cooperating to improve services to citizens. The Fraud Conference will bring together leaders from all levels of government, the private sector and academia. In addition to an outstanding technical, this event offers unparalleled opportunities to network, exchange ideas and share best practices with colleagues and friends. Register today and secure your place at AGA s newest educational and networking event! AGA's Second Annual National Performance Management Conference AGA's Second Annual National Performance Management Conference is on the calendar for October 30-31, 2006 at the Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, Schaumburg, IL, just outside of Chicago. Watch the AGA website and future issues of TOPICS for more information! Urban Financial Myths Continued from page 5 Myth No. 7: You can make a pile of dough by helping a foreigner solve his money problems. "Hello, my name is unpronounceable, and I need to get money out of my country. Will you let me use your bank account?" is the gist of this plea. It's called the Nigerian bank scam. For one, the back-story changes constantly to reflect current events. Expect a new variation every time a foreign leader dies or is deposed. Presently, Yassar Arafat's widow is supposedly seeking help moving his secret bank account out of enemy hands, and the sergeant who found Saddam Hussein's hidden gold wants help keeping it out of insurgent hands. Myth No. 8: You can now opt out of having credit bureaus give your information to anyone who asks. Just call (888) and give them the Social Security numbers of everyone in the household in a single call, says the message. But hurry -- you only have 60 days to take advantage of this ability. The credit-reporting bureaus are working hard to debunk this one, if only to stop people from calling that number. It merely connects you to an operator who can help you opt out of receiving pre-approved credit offers. Keep in mind that if they weren't allowed to give out credit information on you, they wouldn't exist. The grain of truth lies in the fact that companies are required by law to inform their customers of their privacy policies. (Remember the flood of confusing legalese that showed up in your mailbox from every department store credit card prior to July 1, 2000?) If you don't want them to sell your personal information, you must call them directly -- one by one -- to halt the practice. Myth No. 9: You can buy your way out of points on a speeding ticket. If you pay a bit more than your fine actually is, the state will send you a refund check for the difference. Don't cash it and they can't assess points because the transaction isn't complete. Hmmm, sounds good -- a way to circumvent rising insurance rates for a mere $5. But when it was checked into, it was discovered the popular advice originated in Australia. Maybe it works for Aussies, but Americans aren't so lucky. Myth No. 10: Hotel Bibles often have $100 bills tucked into them. Heard the one that Gideons leave $100 bills in their hotel Bibles to reward folks who turn to the Good Book? One woman rejoiced when she actually discovered such a treasure during her honeymoon -- and found out a few hours later that her new husband was pretending to be God. The only thing Gideons leave behind is the book. If it sounds too good to be true. Page 7

8 Full Disclosure in Action NW3C 2006 Economic Crime Summit October 24-25, 2006 Providence, RI Westin Providence The National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) is hosting the 2006 Economic Crime Summit in Providence, Rhode Island on October Topics for this year s summit include Online Auction Fraud, Credit Card Fraud, Disaster Fraud, and Terrorism and White Collar Crime. TRIVIA ANSWER! Wilson [It sold for $18,400 in an online auction of movie props in 2001] This is the 10 th anniversary of NW3C s Economic Crime Summit and we re celebrating in the city where the inaugural conference was held. Typical attendees include security professionals, law enforcement personnel, victim and consumer service advocates, certified fraud examiners, auditors and loss prevention specialists, technology and business professionals, and other specialists. Breakout sessions on the topics of Credit Card Fraud, Online Auction Fraud, Terrorism & White Collar Crime, and Disaster Fraud. Visit to register online and reserve your space today Boston Chapter AGA Scholarship Winners June 28, 2006 AGA - Boston Chapter Scholarship Committee C/O William A. Muench Dear Mr. Muench: Thank you very much for selecting me for to receive the FY 2006 Walter Frese $1000 memorial scholarship. I am very honored to have been selected. I will use the scholarship money to help pay my tuition at Assumption College this September. I am sorry I did not have the chance to meet you and thank you in person. I graduated that afternoon and did not get back to Boston in time for the cruise. But I will always remember the generosity of the Boston AGA. Thanks Again! Matt King Assumption College, 2010 June 26, 2006 AGA - Boston Chapter Scholarship Committee C/O William A. Muench Dear Mr. Muench: I would like to thank you and the Boston Chapter of the AGA for honoring me this year with the George E. Brady Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will greatly assist me as I continue my formal education, pursuing a Master s degree in Experimental Psychology at Seton Hall University. I would also like to thank you for the invitation to the awards dinner earlier this month. Unfortunately I was unable to attend due to taking a class at Seton Hall in New Jersey. Thanks again for the honor of this scholarship and the financial help towards my graduate studies. Sincerely, Andrew LeBlanc Page 8

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10 Volume , Issue 2 Boston s Beacon February August Officers, Directors and Chairs John W. Beveridge, CGFM, CFE President Office: John.Beveridge@sao.state.ma.us Wallace Alan Franklin, CGFM, CGA President-Elect Office: Wallace.Franklin@SAO.state.ma.us David A. LeBlanc, CGFM Immediate Past President Newsletter Editor Office: dleblanc@doe.mass.edu Richard Sullivan, CPA Secretary Office: rsullivan@powersandsullivan.com Maria Mamakos Treasurer Office: mmamakos@doe.mass.edu Julia P. Burns, CGFM Vice President for Education and Programs Office: Julia.Burns@osc.state.ma.us Christine Donohoe Vice President for Planning Office: cdonohoe@massport.com Nick Dahl, CGFM Director of Bylaws and Procedures Office: Nicholas.Dahl@med.va.gov. Joseph Valchuis, CFE Director of Professional Certification Office: jnvalchuis@rcn.com Kimberly Rapoza, CGFM, CPA Director of Community Service Office: Kimberly.Rapoza@oig.hhs.gov Susan Tefft, CGFM, CPA Director of Membership Office: stefft@doe.mass.edu Howard Olsher, CGFM, CFE Director of Registration Office: Howard.Olsher@sao.state.ma.us William Muench, CGFM, CPA Director of Scholarships and Awards Office: wmuench@dcaa.mil Kelly Lanier Chapter Auditor Office: klanier@doe.mass.edu Mary T. Leyden, CGFM Career Day Chair Tel: Daniel Simmons Webmaster webmaster@aga-boston-chapter.org Association of Government Accountants Boston Chapter c/o 17 Pleasant Street Malden, MA Platinum Chapter