The Tennessee Comptroller s

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1 October 2007 Volume 30, Number 3 ABOUT OUR UPCOMING EVENTS Breast Cancer Walk 10/20/07 Breakfast Seminar 10/24/07 The Tennessee Comptroller s Office Takes the Lead on Citizen-Centric Reporting CGFM Exam 2 Directed Study begins 10/25/07 Deadline for CGFM subsidy entries 10/26/07 CEC Meeting 10/29/07 Chapter Luncheon 11/01/07 Deadline for newsletter submissions 11/09/07 Audio Conference 11/14/07 Chapter Luncheon 12/06/07 Winter Seminar 01/8-9/08 Make reservations for the Chapter Luncheon online at The Tennessee Comptroller s Office was recently recognized at AGA s Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Conference in Atlanta by AGA s Executive Director, Relmond Van Daniker, as being a leader in the initiative to provide meaningful and understandable information to a governmental entity s citizens. Two reports were produced: one for the Comptroller s Office department wide and one for the Office of Management Services, a division of the Comptroller s Office. Charles Harrison, past national president, was very instrumental in creating the reports and stated he was, extremely pleased with this year s report and know that now, as well as in future years, the report informs our customers of the job we do in improving the quality of life for all Tennesseans by making government work better. He went on to say that this is the first state department, to his knowledge, to issue such a report for a department of division within the governmental entity. The AGA National Office has posted both reports on its website which can be viewed at: ownloads/tncotcitizenreport 2007.pdf for the Comptroller s Office A Report to the Citizens of Tennessee and at: ownloads/oms2007report.pdf for the Office of Management Services Customer-Centric Report. What s Inside President s Message 2 Luncheon Speaker 3 Committee News 4 CEC Member Profile 10 Meeting Minutes 10 National News 12 Officers and Directors 13

2 President s Message By Ann Collett, CGFM, CPA What do you know about AGA? I would say that for most AGA members it takes a span of years to find out what AGA is all about and what the organization does at all levels-- local, regional, and national. Some people at first do not realize we are part of a national organization. Did you know that anyone can be a member of AGA? It s true! I think people over the years have had different thoughts about what was required to be an AGA member. I have heard people say, Oh, I m not an accountant or I m not a CPA. I have also heard, My degree wasn t in accounting; so, I didn t think it applied to me or Can someone at my level be a member? I once asked my boss, Jan Sylvis, if I could get up and say something about AGA to approximately 400 state employees assembled together for a class, and she replied, Absolutely! As I looked around the room at all these employees with various titles and levels of experience, it made me think that a lot of these people would really benefit from AGA and may have never even heard of it. A couple of people came up to me later to ask questions. One was taking accounting classes and seemed interested in getting ahead in her career. Can AGA be a tool to inspire someone to go further in their career or education or both? Yes. A person may find out about governmental job opportunities they would not normally hear about. I decided to go to the source and confirm what I thought about AGA membership. I asked AGA National about the requirements, and I was told there are not any specifications regarding education to be a member and basically anyone can join. the CGFM there are certain experience and educational requirements to meet. On that note, don t forget about the CGFM exam subsidy drawing talk to Ron Queen, Gerry Boaz or any of the committee members about the CGFM. Also, check out the good information on the CGFM page of the chapter s website. Directed study sessions are about to begin as well. I hope to see you the day after Halloween at the chapter luncheon where the controller for the Titans will be our speaker. You will need a wellbalanced meal after all that Halloween candy you will have eaten the night before!!!! For October, there is still time to sign up to walk and or donate for the AGA team in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Thanks to everyone who has already helping us exceed our goal! As you know this is a tremendous cause so keep the donations coming! Thanks to Elaine Anderson who spoke at the October 1 luncheon about the services that the American Cancer Society provides through funding sources such as this. We are doing a community service project in November that we have not done before the Nashville Rescue Mission. Check out the community service section of the newsletter for details. Ann The way I put it when someone asks me about it, is that AGA is for anyone interested in a professional organization of government accountability professionals. Do you know someone in your office who has worked there a long time and has never really heard about AGA? Has someone gone back to school and finished their degree who might be interested in pursuing the CGFM if they knew it even existed? You do need to remember that for 2

3 Chapter Luncheons November Luncheon Speaker Jenneen Kaufman Please join us for the next chapter luncheon on November 1, 2007, where our speaker will be Jenneen Kaufman, Controller for the Tennessee Titans. We look forward to hearing Jenneen s presentation and hope to see you at the luncheon in November! Jenneen Kaufman celebrates her 10th season as Controller with the Titans. Kaufman is responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement audit for the franchise. She also oversees the accounting of ticket and suite sales, sponsorships and broadcast revenues, while assisting with special projects. In addition, she oversees the accounting for the stadium, including concerts, TSU football games, the Music City Bowl, and other events, and serves as human resources liaison for all Titans employees in Nashville. Before joining the Titans, Kaufman was Vice President of Finance and Human Resources for the American Cancer Society from She previously worked for Arthur Andersen LLP ( ) as an audit division senior accountant. A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Kaufman graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. She earned her CPA certification in 1994 and is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPA s, serving as the chair of the Sports and Entertainment Conference Committee. An active member of the Nashville community, Kaufman serves as a volunteer at her church and speaks at various financial seminars in Nashville. Chapter Recognition Points Chapter Recognition Points Through September 26, Leadership 3,325 3,000 Education 4,000 4,000 Certification 3,000 4,000 Communication 3,280 3,000 Membership 1,325 3,000 Early Careers 350 2,000 Community Service 200 2,000 Awards 3,100 1,000 Total Points YTD 19,005 22,000 Annual National Maximum Points 3

4 Committee News Awards The awards committee is seeking nominations for three state and local government leadership awards: William R. Snodgrass Distinguished Leadership, Distinguished Local Government Leadership, and Private Sector Financial Excellence. Please refer to national AGA's website at: for criteria and nomination forms. Note that none of the awards require the nominee to be an AGA member. Also note that the deadline for nominations is October 26, Nominations may be submitted electronically, by mail, or by fax. Please contact Teresa Kennedy or Scarlet Sneed if you are interested in nominating someone. Thank you! Education Breakfast CPE AGA Winter Seminar - January 8-9, 2008 Come join the Nashville Chapter of Association of Government Accountants for Breakfast CPE!!! WHEN: Thursday, October 25, 2007 WHERE: WHAT: TIME: Nashville City Club The Health of TCRS (2 hours) Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Speaker at 8:00 a.m. COST: AGA Members $10 Non-members $20 To register, contact Nathan Abbott at Nathan.Abbott@state.tn.us or by calling (615) The deadline for registration is 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 18, Confirmed topics and speakers for the Winter Seminar include the following: David Ford Controls over Information Technology David Hancox How Auditors Should Change the Way they Audit Mark Paganelli The University of Tennessee Risk Assessment In addition, we are honored to announce that AGA s National President, Richard Fair, will be speaking on Challenges Facing the Accountability Community. Mindy Stooksbury, our Regional Vice President, will also be presenting a session on Generation Gaps. A member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants will be conducting a session on Ethics in Tennessee. This session will count as state-specific Ethics CPE for all of you who are CPAs. Keep checking the website ( ining_opportunities.htm) for more information as it becomes available. 4

5 Committee News Early Career Newsletter How an Early Career Member can earn extra $$$: 1- Submit an article for the Chapter s monthly newsletter and automatically be entered to win a drawing for $ Each article you submit earns you a chance to win. 2- Participate in Chapter activities and accumulate more points than any other Early Career member and be eligible for a $ MVP prize. 3- Sign up for a chance to have your CGFM application fee reimbursed. An $85.00 value! Want to earn points for yourself as well as your local chapter? You can earn points toward a drawing for a free trip to the National PDC or toward reimbursement of your membership fees. Your chapter will also benefit from your participation. How, you ask? Submit an article for the Chapter s monthly newsletter and: Earn points toward a drawing for a trip to the 2008 National PDC in Atlanta, Georgia. Earn points toward reimbursement of $45 of a new or renewing member s (non-early career) membership fee for the 2009 Program Year. Earn one free lunch certificate. Earn 200 points from National for the local chapter (maximum of 400 points). Become eligible for a newsletter article award. The deadline for submitting articles and information for next month s newsletter is November 9, CGFM Application Rebate Promotion Need an extra incentive to apply for the CGFM Program? Here it is: From Sept. 1 until Nov. 30, 2007, AGA will give a rebate of $20 for CGFM applications received with the assistance of AGA chapters In order to receive a $20 rebate, 1. the complete CGFM application (application form, $85 application fee and copy of the transcript) must be received by AGA Office of Professional Certification during the period of September 1 through November 30, the CGFM application form must have the promotional phrase: CGFM chapter promotion - [name of your chapter] written at the bottom of the form. If the application is submitted online, the applicant must put this phrase in the last question: How did you learn about the CGFM Program? Visit AGA s website for more information: 5 Membership National AGA's Member-Get-A-Member Campaign We Have a Dream National is also sponsoring a membership drive. See aspx for details. Earn Prizes! Pins AGA dollars Round trip airfare A BOSE Wave Music System (valued at $499) for whomever recruits the most new Early Career members during the campaign. Pick up plenty of membership applications. Print your name on the Sponsor s Name line on the application to receive sponsor credit when your recruits join. Follow up with those individuals that you asked to join. Rules/Eligibility All AGA members in good standing are eligible to participate in the Member-Get-A-Member campaign. The campaign period includes all new members joining during AGA s membership year, which runs from May 1, 2007 to April 30, All federal, state and local laws apply. Void where prohibited.

6 Committee News CGFM As an AGA member, do you want to expand your professional opportunities and skill sets or distinguish yourself from others in this competitive work environment? If you answered "yes," then the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) is the certification to obtain. AGA members who believe they are on the high end of the profession or want to be on the "fast track" toward getting there, need a credential that shows they are qualified and have the skills to lead. The CGFM does this like no other credential. The CGFM Committee wants to help you achieve your goal of becoming a CGFM. The committee will be conducting a CGFM Exam Fee Subsidy Drawing at the November 1 luncheon business meeting. If you are an AGA Nashville Chapter member and are interested in taking the CGFM Exams, please let Ron Queen (Ron.Queen@state.tn.us) or Gerry Boaz (Gerry.Boaz@state.tn.us) know by October 26, This drawing is your chance to take all three exams for FREE (except for the application fee)! Please submit your name today! Furthermore, many of you might question the amount of time necessary to prepare for the exams. The CGFM Committee has you covered there as well. Back by popular demand, the committee will begin its directed study sessions with Exam 2 on October 25 at 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. in the 17th floor Conference Room A of the James K. Polk Bldg. These study sessions will cover 8 to10 sessions on the topics in the syllabus. Participants will need to purchase the Exam 2 study guide ($85) from National if they do not already have a copy at ( de.aspx). Participants will be responsible for reading the material before each session. The first 30 minutes of each session will be a review of the material, and the remaining 30 minutes will be a Q&A format. The sessions are informal allowing the format to change based on participant needs. The CGFM Committee's goal is to ensure that all participants become CGFMs. With that goal in mind, the sessions result in extensive interaction with participants. Do these sessions provide the tools necessary to pass the exams? Yes! As a result of the directed study program for the last program year, five directed study session participants (or nearly 50% of the participants) passed the exams and became certified. In addition, five other participants passed at least one of the three exams. Anyone interested in becoming a CGFM should notify Ron Queen (Ron.Queen@state.tn.us) or Gerry Boaz (Gerry.Boaz@state.tn.us) ASAP. 6

7 Committee News Membership How would you like to win a 2 night stay at the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa in Florence, Alabama? The AGA member who sponsors the most new members during September 1 and November 30 will win a 2 night stay at this 4-star hotel. The Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa is located in Florence, Alabama, on the Tennessee River. The hotel is only 8 miles from The Shoals, a first-class golf course that is part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The hotel also has the following amenities: Indoor/Outdoor Pool Fitness Center Onsite Café Onsite Bar & Grill Spa (reservations required) 360 Tower Grille (reservations required) How to Win: The prize will be awarded to the AGA member who sponsors the most new members from September 1 through November 30. All new memberships must be registered with the National AGA office by November 30 th in order to be included in the count. In the event of a tie, a drawing will be held to determine the winner. Other Requirements: The winner will receive a free 2 night stay to be used by August 10, This certificate can be used on any day as long as the hotel is not sold out and if reservations are made at least 2 weeks in advance. The room rate cannot exceed $159 per night. The winner will be responsible for room taxes and any incidental charges made to the room. For more information about this fantastic hotel, please contact Jeff Hughes: Jeff.Hughes@state.tn.us You may also visit the hotel s website for more information: 7

8 Committee News Membership Don t forget about the active member incentive!! The Nashville AGA Chapter would like to welcome the following new members: The association will reimburse a new or renewing (non-early career) member $45.00 of the upcoming year s annual membership dues if and when the member: earns enough points throughout the association s operating year (final point structure coming soon), and provides proof of payment by March 31, of the upcoming year s renewal fee. Earning Points is Easy! Just Ask Last Years Recipients! Amy Abbott Nathan Abbott Katherine Anderson Alla Baranova Gerry Boaz Melissa Boaz Ann Collett Nichole Curtiss Tammy Fruscione Karen Hale Teresa Hensley Robbie Hunter Jacqueline Laws Todd Liebergen Jennifer McClendon Angela McElrath-Prosser Mary Anne Queen Ron Queen Suzanne Sawyers Tammy Thompson Daniel Willis Britt Wood Vincent Finamore, Comptroller s Office Sponsor: Suzanne A. Sawyers Jack Hill, Finance and Administration Sponsor: Tammy F. Worley, CGFM Jeff W. Patterson, Comptroller s Office Sponsor: Jeff Hughes John W. Tidwell, Finance and Administration Sponsor: Michelle Earhart Scott Waller, Comptroller s Office Sponsor: Tammy Fruscione, CGFM Joining is Easy Pick up an application at the luncheon, or Visit registration.aspx on the National Website and you can register on-line with a credit card, or Download and print an application. Information on the point structure will be announced at a later date. 8

9 Committee News Community Service Announcing November s Community Service Activity: Nashville Rescue Mission Join us in serving dinner at the Nashville Rescue Mission. We will be volunteering for kitchen services on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 from 5 PM to 7 PM. We have been told our services may include washing dishes, cleaning tables, serving food, etc This event will be capped at 14 volunteers due to the needs of the Mission. If you are interested in this event, please let me know ASAP. I will take the first 14 people that express interest. There is also a deadline of October 31, 2007 to sign up. This is due to the mission wanting an exact number of participants. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Join Community Service in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk The walk will be held at LP Field and is scheduled for October 20 at 8:00 a.m. This is a five-mile noncompetitive walk; however, you do not have to walk in order to participate. Members can collect donations or simply make a one time donation in order to participate. A link has been added to the local website under Community Service with directions on joining the team or making a donation. We all know of loved ones who have been affected by cancer. Make the decision to participate in honor or in memory of your loved one. It will also be a great opportunity to spend time with your fellow AGA members. Contact Jennifer Lewis if you have any questions. Phone: Jennifer.Lewis@state.tn.us Visit the chapter s website for more information: The Nashville Rescue Missions website is: htm The Community Service Committee is in the process of adding this event to the local AGA website. We think this will be a great opportunity to serve our community and to spend time with other AGA members. This event is worth one point. Contact Jennifer Lewis if you have any questions. Phone: Jennifer.Lewis@state.tn.us 9

10 CEC Member Profile Terry Mason, CGFM Chapter Treasurer Terry Mason is a twelve-year state employee with the past six years spent as an accounting manager in the Department of Finance and Administration, Division of Accounts. In that position, Ms. Mason serves as the statewide program administrator for Tennessee s State Payment Card program. She has been a member of AGA since 2001 and has served on the Membership Committee, 2007 AGA National PDC Host Committee, and as the treasurer. to spend a few amazing hours with Coach Summitt after her speech. Ms. Mason currently lives in Mt. Juliet and enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and two cats -- Sam and Abby. As a Mississippi native, she graduated from Mississippi University for Women with a degree in accounting. After graduation, Ms. Mason headed for the hills of Tennessee and left all sports allegiances behind. She is now an avid fan of the Titans, Vols, and Lady Vols. At the NASACT Conference in Nashville this past August, she was asked to serve as the liaison to Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt and was honored Meeting Minutes Chapter Executive Committee Meeting The Chapter Executive Committee met on October 1, 2007, in the 14 th floor conference room of the Tennessee Tower. To read the approved minutes from the September 2007 Chapter Executive Committee meeting, please visit the chapter website. Minutes monthly_meetings.htm 10

11 Meeting Minutes October Chapter Luncheon The October Chapter Luncheon was held on October 4, 2007, at the City Club. To read the draft minutes from the Chapter Luncheon and see the photo gallery, please visit the chapter website. Members will have an opportunity to approve the minutes at the November 1 Luncheon meeting. Minutes tings.htm At the October Luncheon Meeting, seated from left to right are: Tammy Thompson, Hellens Kruszynski, Tammy Fruscione, and Clare Tucker. Photo Gallery htm Nathan Abbott makes an announcement at the October Luncheon Meeting. Elaine Anderson delivers a moving speech concerning Breast Cancer Awareness at the October Luncheon Meeting. 11

12 News from National CGFM Gets Another Boost in Tennessee Tennessee is already one of the states that formally recognize the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation. Now, new legislation makes the CGFM certification even more valuable. "Tennessee is the only state in the country that requires all municipalities to produce financial statements conforming to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles," said Ron Queen, MA, CGFM, CPA, Manager of the Division of Local Finance, Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury. "A sophisticated level of knowledge is needed to handle accounting standards that change frequently and complicated financial transactions such as variable rate debt and derivatives." "Some municipalities were having trouble understanding all the accounting requirements," Queen said. The legislation passed in June requires all municipalities to employ a certified municipal finance officer (CMFO) or if total revenues are $300,000 or less, the municipality can contract with a qualified person. To become certified, the officer must undergo 80 hours of course work in 10 areas of government financial management, including debt administration, enterprise resource planning, pension and benefits administration, internal controls and budgeting. Queen said the new legislation will do more than improve the stewardship of financial assets in the state's municipalities. "We also believe that this will improve the status of government financial 12 management with the public by having high standards for government financial managers to meet," Queen said. Finance officers in Tennessee's 346 cities and towns, for the first time, will be mandated to either undergo the training or seek approval for an exemption. That's where the CGFM comes in. Individuals who have earned the CGFM, a CPA, or the Government Finance Officers Association's Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) credential are exempt from the educational requirements of the CMFO designation. Queen serves as co-chair of the CGFM committee of AGA's Nashville Chapter. He speculates that the new legislation may prompt more people to earn the CGFM credential because it is transferable across all three levels of government. The 80-hour training program, which will be developed by the Municipal Technical Advisory Service at the University of Tennessee and approved by the Comptroller's Office, is specific to Tennessee municipal governments. In addition, testing facilities for the CGFM are conveniently located throughout Tennessee and in the Nashville area. The Nashville chapter provides incentives, study groups and other supports. The legislation, which was championed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury and the University of Tennessee's Institute of Public Service's Municipal Technical Advisory Service, goes into effect for the largest municipalities in Read the full text of the bill at cipalfinanceofficerssb2059.pdf. by Christina Camara

13 Nashville Chapter Officers and Directors President Ann Collett, CGFM, CPA (615) President-elect Kathy Anderson, CGFM, CPA (615) One-year Directors Treasurer Terry Mason (615) Nathan Abbott, CISA, CFE Education Co-Chair, Webmaster Co-Chair (615) Robbie Hunter, CGFM, CPA Program Co-Chair (615) Immediate Past President, CGFM Co-Chair Gerry Boaz, CGFM, CPA (615) Secretary Jennifer McClendon, CGFM (615) Two-year Directors Ed Burr, CPA, CGFM Membership Co-Chair (615) Michelle Earhart, CPA Early Careers Co-Chair (615) Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs Nichole Curtiss, CFE Education Co-Chair (615) Donna Jewell, CPA, CFE Education Co-Chair (615) Ron Queen, CGFM, CPA CGFM Co-Chair (615) Britt Wood, CGFM, CPA, CFE Membership Co-Chair (615) Dan Willis, CPA, CISA, CGFM Webmaster Co-Chair (615) Hellens Kruszynski, CPA, CFE Program Co-Chair (615) Angela McElrath-Prosser Finance Co-Chair (615) Mary Anne Queen, CGFM, CFE Finance Co-Chair (615) Teresa Kennedy, CPA Awards Co-Chair (615) Joe F. Kimery, CPA, CGFM, CFE Meetings and Attendance Co-Chair (615) Beth Pugh Community Service Co-Chair (615) Suzanne Sawyers, CFE Meetings and Attendance Co-Chair (615) Jennifer Lewis, CFE Community Service Co-Chair (615) Karen Hale, CGFM Public Relations and Newsletter Editor (615) Visit the Nashville Chapter website at: 13 Scarlet Sneed, CPA, CGFM, CFE Awards Co-Chair (615)