Audio Conference on Government Performance Measures

The Association of Government Accountants (AGA) is providing an audio conference called Using Performance Measures to Manage Government Services on July 15, 2009. It's a little pricey, but I thought I'd pass it along. From their website:

AGA is pleased to announce its latest audio conference on using performance measures to improve operations.

Accountability. Transparency. Measurement. These are the buzzwords of the day, but the expectations are real that citizens are expecting governments to be efficient and effective. Collecting good data does not improve government operations, however. What improves operations and service delivery systems are the discussions, analyses of the information, and point/counterpoint debates that focus directly on making changes. A new research project, Using Performance Measures to Improve State and Local Governments’ Service Delivery, will determine the extent to which performance measures are being used in government to improve services, regardless of the level of government. The project will follow up with successful practices in applying these techniques to achieve performance goals and provide quantifiable value.

Join Harold (Hal) I. Steinberg, CGFM, CPA, lead researcher and former first Deputy Controller/Acting Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget, and two government experts who will share their failed attempts and successful experiences.

Please join us for two hours of lively discussion about this important and timely topic. In addition to the speakers’ commentary, 20 minutes will be set aside so participants can ask the speakers questions and share their own experiences.

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Time: 2 – 3:50 p.m. Eastern Savings Time

Learning Objectives: To learn how the use of performance measures can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government

Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of performance measures

Advance Prep: None required

CPE: Two credits

Field of Study: Management Advisory Services

Cost: $249 per site (UNLIMITED ATTENDANCE) if you register on or before Friday, July 10, 2009 and $299 thereafter. SPECIAL PROMOTION: Government agencies and CPAG members who register five or more offices will receive a 20 percent discount ($200 per site)

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Audio Conference: Performance Reporting

From the July 23, 2008 • AGA Education News:

Everything You Wanted To Know About Performance Reporting, But Were Afraid To Ask!

Aug. 20 Audio Conference

AGA, in conjunction with the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) and the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) is pleased to announce a new and increasingly important topic to our audio conference schedule—Everything You Wanted to Know About Performance Reporting, But Were Afraid to Ask!

Is your government thinking about producing a performance report for internal and external use? Do your constituents want to know more about the government’s activities and accomplishments? Does your legislative body need information that can help make the tough budget decisions? Does internal management need performance measures to gauge the success or failure of its programs? With transparency and accountability as the watchwords for effective, efficient and honest government, performance reporting should be on the political agenda of any official who wishes to convey how and on what government is spending tax dollars.

To share their practical experiences in performance reporting, three performance report preparers will explain the positive results achieved with their use of a performance report. Join Drummond Kahn, CGFM, CIA, Director, Audit Services, Portland, Oregon; Rebekah Stephens, Planning and Performance Coordinator, Metro Nashville, TN; and Mike Taylor, CPA, CIA, City Auditor, Stockton, CA, as each of them discuss how their governments are using the performance reports. First-time AGA Certificate of Achievement in Service Efforts and Accomplishments award recipients, Ms. Stephens and Mr. Taylor, will also explain why their municipalities needed a performance report to drive changes within government. Mr. Kahn will share how the Portland, Oregon performance report has matured over the past 17 years and how it is being used to improve government services today.

Please join us for two hours of lively discussion about this important and timely topic. In addition to the speakers’ commentary, there will be approximately 20 minutes for Q & A so that the participants can ask the speakers questions and share their own experiences.

Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Time: 2– 3:50 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Learning Objectives: To obtain an understanding of how performance management and reporting can improve transparency and accountability

Prerequisite: Familiarity with performance management and reporting

Advance Prep: None required

CPE: Two credits

Field of Study: Accounting (Governmental)

Cost: $249 per site (UNLIMITED ATTENDANCE) if you register on or before Friday, August 15, 2008 and $299 thereafter.

SPECIAL PROMOTION: Government agencies and CPAG members who register five or more office will receive a 20 percent discount ($200 per site)

To Register: Register online, print the registration form or print the special promotion registration form.

This audio conference offers important information to almost everyone in the accountability profession. Please share this program announcement with others in your government, chapters, educational institutions and private firms. Remember, there is no limit to attendance per phone site. If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Maria Lucas at 1-800-242-7211 ext. 308 or . Questions regarding the program should be directed to Raymond Harris at ext. 339 or Evie Barry at ext. 324.

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