Federal Legislative Update (Salons F-H)

Presenter:    

Emily Brock, Director-Federal Liaison Center, GFOA of the U.S. and Canada

Moderator:

Kristie Hansen-Hightower, CPA, Comptroller, Town of Southold    

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 provided much needed funding for state and local governments, and a constant need to focus on Washington, DC, for the latest guidance, regulations, and updates. Add on IIJA infrastructure implementation efforts and the newly enacted Financial Transparency Act and you realize there is a lot of activity at the Federal level which impacts government finance professionals here in New York.  GFOA’s Federal Liaison Center staff is prepared to present attendees with the most recent information from Washington, DC, and discuss opportunities for outreach efforts.

1.5 CPE Advisory Services (Gov’t)  | 1.5 GFI Elective Credits­­­­


KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: B Your Best! Personal Empowerment for the Finance Officer (Salons E-H)

Presenter:   

Dr. Benita Zahn, Certified Health Coach

Moderator:  

Jennifer Mulligan, CPA, Business Office Manager/Controller, Questar III BOCES

We have just experienced an unprecedented time that changed our outlook on work, life, and our future. That upheaval and isolation has stressed us out. So how to chill? Where to look for support? How to recognize and sort out the big stuff in life from the 'navel lint'? 

That's where nationally certified health and wellness coach, Benita Zahn, DPS, MS, CHWC, NBC-HWC, comes in. She delivers a lively road map for finding more joy in your life. It's a fun-filled, fact-based primer on how we can change our mindset and keep the emotional wolves at bay.  

Benita, a long-time award-winning journalist (NY EMMY)  and actress, (Actors Equity Assn, SAG-AFTRA-) weaves stories with her upbeat delivery leaving audiences empowered, happy and better able to find their joy. And of course, there’s ample opportunity to ask questions and maybe even eat chocolate! 

1.5 CPE Advisory Services | 1.5 GFI Elective Credits     


Accounting Update: Compensated Absences and Disclosing Component Units

Presenter:    

Duane Shoen, CPA, Partner, Insero & Co., CPAs, LLP

Moderator:

Jeff Davoli, CPA, Partner, PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP

It is often difficult to determine whether a legally separate entity should be reported as a component unit (CU) of another government and, if so, whether it is properly included as a fiduciary, blended, or discretely presented CU. Additionally, in 2022 GASB issued new guidance on accounting for compensated absences (Statement No. 101) which replaces Statement No. 16.  Topics covered in this session include the criteria for identifying and classifying CUs, the disclosures required to explain how and why each has been incorporated, as well as changes to accounting for compensated absences.

1 CPE Accounting (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit


Preparing the New AUD

Presenter: 

Jay Phillips, Project Coordinator, OSC - Office of Local Government and School Accountability

Moderator:

Abbas Sura, Director of Finance, Town of North Castle 

The Office of the State Comptroller will present on what is new regarding Annual Update Document (AUD) reporting and discuss the status of their Financial Reporting Modernization Project.  Come learn the latest and bring your questions.

1.5 CPE Accounting (Gov’t) | 1.5 GFI Elective Credits


ARPA Reporting for Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs)

Presenter:   

Peggy Mousaw, DBA Consult, Inc., Certified WBE 

Moderator:   

Scott Oling, CPA, Partner, PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP

The next round of ARPA fund reporting for Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs) is due to the U.S. Treasury by April 30th.  The presenter has experience working with local governments throughout the state and will walk you through the reporting process, how to avoid common reporting pitfalls, and negotiate the ARPA reporting portal.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit


NYS OGS Procurement Services Overview and Updates

Presenter: 

John 'JP' Behrle, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, NYS Office of General Services

Moderator:  

Patricia Caporale, Comptroller, Town of Yorktown

In this session, the NYS Deputy Chief Procurement Officer will provide an overview of the process and options for using OGS centralized contracts.  The session will focus on the commodities, services and technology offerings that are most relevant to local governments, and will highlight recent updates and changes to state contracts and procurement platforms.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit


Preparing the ACFR – Today’s Common Errors

Presenter:   

Timothy Doyle, CPA, Partner, Bonadio & Co., LLP

Moderator:  

Karen Christie, CPA, Treasurer, County of Jefferson

Each year, volunteer reviewers for National GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting program perform reviews on over 4,400 annual comprehensive financial reports (ACFRs). This session will examine a number of the more common deficiencies identified during these reviews.

1 CPE Auditing (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit


Lifecycle Costing Analysis for Capital Assets

Presenter: 

Denise Williamson, CPA, Government Audit Manager, RBT CPAs, LLP

Moderator:  

Michele Yen, CPA, Senior Manager, PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP

Capital assets seem to only get more expensive with age. However, the Finance office plays a critical role in informing the timing of decisions on repair, maintenance, and replacement based on total lifecycle costs and working with engineers and operators to get the maximum return. This session will address how to get started with lifecycle costing and how to use lifecycle cost data to both improve the performance of assets, reduce total operating costs, and eliminate costs repair or replacement needs in an asset’s last few years of service.

1 CPE Accounting (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit


Electronic Payments from A (ACH) to Z (Zelle)

Presenter:   

Thomas A. Gregory, Senior Vice President, TD Bank, N.A.

Moderator:  

Debra Gentile, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A

With the ever-growing types of electronic receivables, it is important for governments to remain both aware of new technologies and updated about the tried and true electronic payment methods. Governments continue to adapt to provide more positive experiences for customers and vendors. This session will discuss the variety of electronic payment methods available in the government sector, and what is in store for the future of payment acceptance.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit


State Retirement System Update

Presenters: 

Colleen Gardner, Executive Deputy Comptroller, New York State and Local Retirement System

Andrea Goldberger, Deputy Comptroller, New York State and Local Retirement System

Moderator:  

Janet Plarr, Village Administrator, Village of Blasdell

This session provides an overview of the State Retirement System, the latest information for employer's on the System's online reporting portal and answer your questions.  

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit


Fraud Prevention in Treasury Services

Presenters:   

Max Alexander, Vice President,J.P. Morgan Chase Bank

Carol Mark, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank

Moderator:  

Robin Lois, Comptroller, County of Dutchess

Governments should all be on heightened alert regarding fraud, especially the Treasury office. Of particular concern are the sophisticated methods being used by external players including phishing scams, cyberattacks, and actions involving false vendor invoicing or banking information. Governments need to have strong prevention policies, procedures, and plans in place to identify and address fraud before it becomes a reality in the Finance office.

In this session, attendees will hear about lessons learned and discover appropriate tools to prevent and react to fraudulent schemes.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) I 1 GFI Elective Credit 


Setting User Fees and Charges

Presenter: 

Michael Maker, Partner & Deputy Managing Partner, NewGen Strategies and Solutions

Moderator:  

Patricia Caporale, Comptroller, Town of Yorktown

State and local governments, utilities, and stand-alone business-type organizations use charges and fees to help fund services (both external and internal), and well-designed charges and fees can reduce the need for additional revenue sources and promote service efficiency. However, for many organizations, setting user fees and charges can be difficult. This session will explore the important elements to consider during the charge and fee setting process.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) I 1 GFI Elective Credit


Rating Agency Update

Presenters:  

Robert Weber, Vice President, Moody's Investors Service

Lauren Friere, Associate Director, S&P Global

Shannon McCue, Senior Director, Fitch Ratings 

Moderator:   

Timothy Doyle, CPA, Partner, Bonadio & Co., LLP 

This popular session will provide an opportunity for attendees to compare and contrast the criteria ratings agencies utilize when reviewing debt issued by government entities.  Particular emphasis will be placed on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards and how they are applied to the credit review process.    

1.5 CPE (Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1.5 GFI Elective Credits


Developing a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

Presenter: 

Andrew Schreyack, CIPMA, Financial Analyst/Municipal Advisor, Fiscal Advisors & Marketing, Inc.

Andrew Watkins, CIPMA, Financial Analyst/Municipal Advisor, Fiscal Advisors & Marketing, Inc.              

Moderator:  

Karen McLaughlin, CMFO, Treasurer, Village of Rhinebeck

Would you like to develop a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), but don’t think you can muster the resources to put one together? Not sure where to begin or who to involve? This session will demystify the process of developing a CIP and outline the steps your organization can take to get started.

Learn how to convince other stakeholders in your organization of the benefits of a CIP, how to develop objective criteria for evaluating and prioritizing projects, and how to present the CIP for approval to your governing body.

1 CPE (Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit 


Cyber Attack – It’s Coming for Your Entity

Presenter:   

Thomas DeMayo, CPA, Principal - Cybersecurity & Privacy Advisory, PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP

Moderator:  

John Savash, CPA, CGFM, Associate Professor of Accounting, Elmira College

It is well known that local governments are an attractive target for cyber criminals and it’s possible that your organization will suffer an attack. How are you as a finance officer going to respond, and are you prepared for such an event? This session will cover immediate steps to take after a cyber incident, how to ensure proper business continuity, mitigate ongoing risks, control the situation, and begin to recover. Additional resources will also be highlighted to help governments prepare an appropriate disaster response plan.

1.5 CPE Specialized Knowledge  (Gov’t) | 1.5 GFI Elective Credits


Dazed and Confused About Employee Drug and Alcohol Testing?

Presenters:

Michael Kenneally, Executive Director, NYS Comp Alliance

Robert Blaisdell, Director of Loss Control, NYS Comp Alliance

Joseph Rupinski, Senior Risk Control Specialist, NYS Comp Alliance

Moderator:  

Janet Plarr, Village Administrator, Village of Blasdell

Learn the sobering truth about the hazards of drug and alcohol use in the workplace, and the rights and obligations of municipal employers as they deal with impaired employees.  The speakers will provide a high-level discussion on the regulatory framework of drug and alcohol testing, with a particular focus on the newly enacted Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act and how to detect articulable signs of impairment.     

1.5 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1.5 GFI Elective Credits


Outsourcing the Finance Function

Presenters: 

Thomas Smith, CPA, Partner, EFPR Group, LLP

Mario Mejia, CPA, Partner, Corporate Accounting Solutions, LLC

Moderator:  

Brendan Kennedy, CPA, Partner, BST & Co. CPAs, LLP

For governments unsuccessful with traditional recruiting or without options for succession planning, alternative solutions for replacing staff in the Finance office may be necessary. This session will explore possibilities that may be available for outsourcing finance functions. Many models exist from 1099 “employees” to staffing firms, to shared services, and turning over complete control of financial operations. The pros and cons of each approach will be discussed.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit


NYS EFC Financing Initiatives for Clean Water & Drinking Water Projects

Presenters:  

Jennifer Sunkes, Finance Manager, NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation

Elizabeth Ricci, Environmental Engineer III, NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation

Moderator:  

Inna Reznik, CPA, City Comptroller, City of Long Beach

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYS EFC) provides low-cost financing solutions for public sector clean water and drinking water projects in municipalities throughout the state. Learn the latest on what is available!

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit


Government Procurement – Know Your Policies

Presenters:  

Mark Stevens, Supervising Attorney, OSC - Legal Services

Erina Fitzgerald, Senior Attorney, OSC - Legal Services

Ingrid Otto, Auditor 2, OSC - Office of Local Government and School Accountability

Moderator:  

Patricia Caporale, Comptroller, Town of Yorktown

Procurement at the local level consistently raises questions regarding process, statutes, compliance requirements, and policies.  This session will focus on the importance of having comprehensive and concise procurement policies and direct you to resources to assist in negotiating the procurement process.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit