Instructor

This 4-hour workshop delivered in 2-hour sessions over 2 days (4 CPE) addresses common
ethical problem areas for government employees. It focuses on the importance of culture
in maintaining an ethical work environment.

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The Island Government Finance Officers' Association winter meeting took place in Honolulu, HI, from December 12-14, 2023. The goals of the meeting were to review the current status of single audits for insular governments, including anticipated delays and ongoing strategies to catch up and issue timely audits; discuss challenges that have arisen during the audit process and identify potential solutions to improve future audits; review insular government finance office performance measures and discuss potential modifications and reporting; review changes to regulations and/or funding sources which may impact insular government financial operations; review forthcoming GASB standards and plan for their timely implementation; and identify key takeaways from the week for each insular government and develop follow-up activities to ensure that the insights gained from the meeting are effectively applied in each government.

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A suite of auditing standards – SAS 134 through SAS 140 will be effective starting December 15, 2021, which will impact the financial statement audits and thus auditees.  Changes include a revised audit report format, optional reporting of Key Audit Matters, additional procedures for related party transactions, and additional communications to those in governance.

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This 5 day (mornings only) course is an introductory course for participants with little or no knowledge of governmental accounting.  It provides an overview of governmental accounting systems and includes a basic introduction to accounting principles, internal controls, and documentation requirements

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The American Institute of CPAs Auditing Standards Board released SQMS 1 and SQMS 2 which require a new quality management system to govern the provision of professional services.  Government audit organizations may want to consider adopting some or all of the new standards as they, too, aim for the performance of high-quality engagements.  

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This course addresses compliance requirements and includes coverage of the Single Audit, findings, and corrective action plans.  The grant reporting function and process are also reviewed as are the links to the governmental accounting system.  Participants will leave the course with improved knowledge and skills in understanding the Single Audit Report and taking appropriate action.

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The island governments are in the news as they step forward to lead the fight to halt climatechange. Going green in the workplace brings the fight homeand enables everyone toparticipate. While “going green” might mean different things to different people, our definitionwill be “making conscious and sustainable choices.” We will take a look today at identifyingchoices that can be made and creating plans for action

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Increasingly, governments and businesses are being asked, if not required, to disclose their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Such disclosures are essential in both identifying the objectives undertaken and the progress made. This course introduces ESG disclosures, focusing on environmental initiatives, and provides examples. The difficulties involved in making such disclosures are also discussed

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This course introduces the Enterprise Risk Management framework with the goal ofunderstanding how to identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout an organization. In order toachieve strategic objectives, organizations need to be able to identify and manage the risks theyface.The importance of risk management has become increasingly clear in a pandemicworld

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This course introduces basic governmental accounting principles, terminology, and financial statements. It provides an overview of governmental accounting systems and related internal control and documentation requirements.  Participants will gain knowledge of the financial reporting process and the end product.

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This course addresses compliance requirements and includes coverage of the Single Audit, findings, and corrective action plans.  The grant reporting function and process are also reviewed as are the links to the governmental accounting system.  Participants will leave the course with improved knowledge and skills in understanding the Single Audit Report and taking appropriate action.

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Leadership, Motivation and Accountability for High Performance Auditors

Great audit organizations need leaders who see their role differently than just being super auditors. This highly interactive course will help audit staff cross the threshold toward becoming super leaders by understanding what makes a good leader, how to motivate others, and create an environment of accountability for high performance. This session will examine the traits, characteristics and styles of successful managers and leaders that can be learned and practiced, as well as why people in leadership positions often fail. We will explore ways to inspire and motivate staff through constructive coaching, growth opportunities and appreciation. This session also explores the communication tools, approaches, and techniques to inspire a new level of performance accountability, self-awareness and commitment through empowerment and ownership.

Business Etiquette in an Instant Information World

The proliferation of computes, smart phones, and other digital devices combined with easy internet access has created a brand new world in which the old rules of business etiquette are no longer adequate. Is texting during a business meeting rude? Are “all caps” messages alarming to recipients? Should you be Facebook friends with coworkers? This workshop offers insights into potential problem areas along with best practices for professional presentation in an online world.

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This active 1½ day course provides an introduction to the basics of accounting and financial reporting for governmental entities. Participants will gain a working knowledge of fund types and categories and learn how to record routine transactions for governmental activities. Internal controls as they apply to the accounting cycle and good accounting practice will be emphasized throughout the course. The session emphasizes hands-on practice in the accounting cycle process, from recording a transaction to preparing financial statements. Participants will leave the course with a more complete understanding of accounting terminology, the recording process, the role played by reconciliations, and the preparation of financial statements. No advanced accounting knowledge is necessary.

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This course introduces basic governmental accounting principles, terminology, and financial statements. It provides an overview of governmental accounting systems and related internal control and documentation requirements.  Participants will gain knowledge of the financial reporting process and the end product.

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This course introduces basic governmental accounting principles, terminology, and financial statements. It will enable understanding of the types of questions that financial statements can answer as well as where to find the answers. Participants will gain knowledge of the financial reporting process, the annual audit, and the resulting reports.  

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This 3-day virtual course addresses managerial controls in the government's financial management system. The budget process and reltated budgetary controls will be revieweved as well as their incorporation into the government information systems.

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This 5-day virtual course is an introductory course for participants with little or no knowledge of governmental accounting. It provides an overview of governmental accounting systems and includes a basic introduction to accounting principles, internal controls, and documentation requirements.

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This 3-day course introduces the internal control system and the role that each person plays in that system. A refresher in the internal control framework is provided along with a review of common high-risk areas and the controls used to address those areas.

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COVID-19 triggered immediate changes to business processes with the widespread movement of employees to “work-from-home” arrangements. The urgency and speed of the required changes resulted in temporary workarounds as processes designed for office environments were extended to a remote, home-based workforce. Organizations
now need to consider their internal controls to determine whether changes are needed to adapt to the new business environment.

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This 3-day virtual course addresses compliance requirements and includes coverage of the Single Audit, findings, and corrective action plans.  The grant reporting function and process are also reviewed as are the links to the governmental accounting system. 

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This 4-day course (3 mornings only and 1 full day – 20 CE) is geared primarily toward accountants for governmental units who already have a basic knowledge of introductory accounting principles.  It focuses on preparing for the year-end close in the governmental funds, specifically, the General Fund. 

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This 3-day virtual course is an introductory course for participants with little or no knowledge of governmental accounting.  It provides an overview of governmental accounting systems and includes a basic introduction to accounting principles, internal controls, and documentation requirements. 

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This 5-day virtual course is an introductory course for participants with little or no knowledge of governmental accounting. It provides an overview of governmental accounting systems and includes a basic introduction to accounting principles, internal controls, and documentation requirements.

VIEW ADDITIONAL DETAILS

COVID-19 triggered immediate changes to business processes with the widespread movement of employees to “work-from-home” arrangements. The urgency and speed of the required changes resulted in temporary workarounds as processes designed for office environments were extended to a remote, home-based workforce. Organizations
now need to consider their internal controls to determine whether changes are needed to adapt to the new business environment.

VIEW ADDITIONAL DETAILS

This 5-day virtual course is an introductory course for participants with little or no knowledge of governmental accounting. It provides an overview of governmental accounting systems and includes a basic introduction to accounting principles, internal controls, and documentation requirements.

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This 2-day course provides an introduction to governmental financial statements and the Single Audit report from a governance viewpoint.  Participants will gain knowledge of the financial and compliance reporting process and its end products. 

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This 4-hour workshop delivered in 2-hour sessions over 2 days (4 CPE) addresses common
ethical problem areas for government employees. It focuses on the importance of culture
in maintaining an ethical work environment.

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A suite of auditing standards – SAS 134 through SAS 140 – was issued in 2019 and 2020 with an original effective date of December 15, 2020.  Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the extensive changes made in these standards, the effective date was delayed to December 15, 2021. That date is now rapidly approaching.

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