New Orleans Chapter
Le Journal de
Nouvelle Orleans

Reflecting on February, what an educational dinner meeting at Doug’s Restaurant in Slidell!  We all learned about “forensic accounting” while earning credit toward CPE. If you were in attendance, it was a great opportunity to network with AGA’s many colleagues.  Thanks to Jim Julian for arranging our speakers…a superb presentation!  To accommodate the speakers, we changed the meeting format with the presentation during dinner.  It seemed to work so well that Ron Parent, President-Elect, is considering this format for some of our future meetings.  Thanks to all Chapter Executive Committee members and committee volunteers for a very successful February.  Much hard work goes on behind the scenes in producing successful chapter events.  Join me in thanking those that make it all possible.   

This message is not complete until I remind you of our community service events.  Our chapter prides itself on its many community services.  For March and April, Betty Salisbury has coordinated assistance with 2002 personal tax returns at Clearview Mall.  We are pleased to announce that again this year, the American Society of Women Accountants (ASWA) will be assisting us.  I participated in providing donations to two nursing homes in late February.  Nursing home officials’ thanks were overwhelming since the need for donations is so great. Remember to bring magazines, books, cell phones, toys, toiletries, etc. to the next AGA meeting to help those less fortunate.

See you on March 20^th ,
Pam

AGA President Pam Lincoln called the meeting to order at 6:33 p. m. Shelda Melancon led the members in the invocation and pledge of allegiance.

Pam then introduced President - Elect Ron Parent who advised everyone that the chapter by-laws where available on the Internet. A vote was taken to ratify the chapter by-laws and all members were in agreement. Ron then announced that he is looking for a newsletter editor and a President-Elect for next year.

Betty Salisbury stated that she is still looking for volunteers. Tax assistance will be provided on 02/25/03, 03/11/03, 03/18/03, 03/25/03 and 04/01/03 from 7 p. m. until 9 p. m. at the Clearview Mall.

Gerry Knepp followed requesting old cell phones, book, magazines, maternity clothes and toys for the community service projects AGA is presently involved in.

Vincent Parenti announced that the chapter's next meeting would be held on March 20, 2003 at the Five Happiness Restaurant. It is a joint meeting with the American Society of Women Accounts. The speaker will be from the FBI and will discuss "The Modern Criminal and the Internet." Jim also announced that the newsletter contained an advertisement from the FBI concerning job vacancies for accountants.

Lila Thompson announced that newsletter editors are needed. Pam Lincoln then reminded the members that the chapter is attempting to send the newsletter out by email and she requested all members with email addresses to be sure that the chapter has that information.

Jim Julian then introduced the first speaker, George Panzsca, who defined forensic accounting as it relates to his practice. He has been used as an expert witness in court cases. His work

typically involves proving causes of damage, amounts of damages, analytical assignments, valuation and general consulting.

Laura East, the second speaker, provided examples of her work in the forensic accounting area. She works more on the criminal side of cases in the "White Collar Crime Investigation" area. Her practice relies on investigative techniques rather than valuation methods.

After such an interesting presentation, questions were asked by members and answered by the speakers. Gifts were presented to both speakers by Jim Julian.

Marci Harringhaw won the 50/50 raffle. The amount was $26.50.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30
p.m.

Dawn Wagener
Secretary

Congratulations to our 2003 Scholarship Award Recipient, Tia Moss. Ms. Moss is a junior accounting major at Xavier University. The award will be presented at the March meeting.

VITA

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers are needed to assist taxpayers to prepare 2002 income tax returns on February 25, March 11, March 18, March 25, and April 1 from 6:30 pm. to 9:00 pm. AGA will provide this assistance at the Clearview Shopping Center site.

The New Orleans Chapter of AGA wishes to congratulate Tracey Edwards on notification of passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam in November 2002.

Tracey graduated with honors from Southern University at New Orleans in May 2002 and is employed with the Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG) as an Internal Auditor.

Tracey concluded, "It is a tremendous blessing to have passed a very comprehensive national exam, which tests an individual on every level of accounting."

Congratulations Tracey from your New Orleans Chapter and much success in the future!

AGA Logo Information
Are you looking for AGA merchandise? If yes, log on to www.agacgfm.org/marketplace/index
for ordering polo shirts, coffee mugs, executive notebooks, and lots of other items.

AGA Members Only Data
Has your name changed? Moved lately? If so, updating your information is not a problem. Member information can be updated directly into the National AGA database by logging in with your Name and Member ID Number. Log onto AGA's website at https://www.agacggm to update personal information such as phone and address changes.

The following list includes sponsors from May 2002 through February 2003:

AGA’s monthly newsletter, Government Financial Management TOPICS, recognizes all of the above sponsors in the February 2003 issue.

If you interested in joining this distinguished list of sponsors, START RECRUITING TODAY!

New Orleans Chapter member Michael B. Bruno, CPA, CGFM, is pleased to announce the admittance of Paul L. Andoh, CPA, MBA, CGFM into the partnership of Bruno & Tervalon LLP, Certified Public Accountants effective October 2002. Paul was born in Gahana, West Africa and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Xavier University. He completed his Master in Business Administration from Tulane University Graduate School of Business in 1980. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM). Paul and his wife Doris have three children: Quinniece, Paul Jr., and Kwesi. 

“GASB’s New Model Implementation
Well Underway”

By James M. Williams

More than 450 state and local governments have
notified the Governmental Accounting Standards
Board (GASB) that they early implemented the
new financial reporting model required by GASB
Statement No. 34, Basic Financial Statements—
and Management’s Discussion and Analysis—for
State and Local Governments. Ohio has been a
recognized leader with over 45 governments early
implementing GASB Statement 34.
Implementation was required for fiscal years
ending after June 15, 2002 for the largest
governments and will be required over each
of the next two years for the other governments.

How has the implementation been going? GASB Chairman Tom Allen recently stated, “Responses received from those who have implemented [GASB Statement 34] early have been overwhelmingly positive and often have included encouraging comments from city and county managers and government board members once they have been informed by finance officials and auditors of the additional finance information contained within the reports.”

How have users reacted to the new financial reporting model? User reaction has been very positive since GASB Statement 34 was issued in June 1999. The GASB has issued a series of guides to assist users in understanding the financial statements prepared under the new model. These guides primarily target citizens, taxpayers, elected officials, and financial analysts. The GASB will monitor reactions and the need for additional guidance as users gain experience in understanding and evaluating financial statements following GASB Statement 34.

The above information only hits some of the highlights about GASB Statement 34 and its implementation. You can find more information under the GASB 34 button at the GASB web site (www.gasb.org).

AGA Cleveland Chapter member Jim Williams is a GASB member and retired Ernst & Young LLP partner and National Director of Public Sector Accounting and Assurance Services.

The views expressed in this article are those of Mr. Williams. Official positions of the GASB are determined only after extensive due process and deliberations.

No Better Time to Enter Government Service

For those of you just embarking on your financial management career, you may wish to seriously consider entering government service.  If you haven’t taken college courses in government accounting and budgeting, if you haven’t decided which sector of financial management you wish to enter, we recommend you consider augmenting your college degree with practical training by earning your Certified Government Financial Management (CGFM) designation. 

In today’s world, state, local and federal government financial groups need highly skilled and knowledgeable employees.  But governments also contract with private organizations to help with their financial management needs.  By earning the CGFM designation you strengthen your opportunities for long-term success in both the public, private government sector.

As Laura Price, CGFM, CPA, Partner, KPMG, LLP says, “I regularly remind our staff that

“There hasn’t been a better time to join the federal government than today. The number of opportunities that will be available for advancement over the next 10-15 years are going to be incredible.  If you are a young person in government now, you are going to have a great open field in front of you if you have the right skills,” according to Miguel Torrado, associate commissioner for personnel at the Social Security Administration. (IBM Endowment’s The Business of Government magazine) According to the most recent figures, almost half the federal workforce may retire during the next eight years.

Earning the CGFM is a worthwhile and valuable performance goal. We encourage all our professionals to earn the designation...." Whatever sector you choose to work in, the CGFM certification indicates to your employer that you are serious about your profession and have met the rigorous standards set by a national professional body.

There is no better time than the present to begin enhancing your knowledge and skills. The CGFM will provide you the edge in today’s competitive workforce!

If you need a CFGM application, please contact me at 504 255-6291 or email me at carolyn.sibley@usda.gov or visit the AGA website at www.agacgfm.org to find out more about the CGFM certification process.

Carolyn Sibley
CGFM Director

P.O. Box 29186
New Orleans, LA 70189-0186

TIME VALUE MATERIAL
PLEASE EXPEDITE

Please contact Linda Lewis (504-255-5902) with address corrections.