What makes a good leader? How do we motivate others? And how do we create an environment where staff members are fully accountable? These are the basic ingredients for high performing organizations – but in many audit organizations we promote or hire staff into management or leadership positions based upon their demonstrated technical skills, without preparing them to step into a leadership role requiring an entirely different set of knowledge, skills and abilities – which becomes self-perpetuating as their only reference may be their own managers who were also promoted based upon technical skill – and never learned to lead. 

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

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.

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board is issuing new standards and summarizing existing standards.  This fast-paced session will provide auditors, financial statement preparers, and financial managers with the latest updates on what changed, what stayed the same, and what you may need to do differently (or keep doing) in light of the standards. We'll cover the important changes and review status of everything from GASB 87 to this year's new codifications in GASB 99.  If you prepare, use, or audit government financial statements, you won't want to miss this session!"

Join as we explore 7 key activities - researching, assessing, developing, identifying, communicating, and agreeing on logistics - in order to develop a comprehensive, risk-based, audit plan that is sure to focus your work for maximum impact. 

The increasingly complex and unprecedented nature of risks and challenges facing government, exacerbated by the pandemic, the widespread dissemination of mis, dis, and mal-information in the public square eroding public trust, and the rapidly evolving nature of auditing tools, technologies, and workforce changes, presents and requires new strategies and approaches. This four-hour session focuses on strategies for effectively navigating a new day for public auditors including the use of advanced risk assessment methods, the utilization of a diverse portfolio of audit products, including advisory reports, and fresh ideas for leading auditors in a post-pandemic hybrid working environment, during a generational shift occurring in the workforce. The course will use case examples to highlight key concepts and to foster group discussion. 

This session will demonstrate how to write clear goals and SMART objectives to set program implementers up for success in the future.  Participates will gain skills through examples and practice to improve their work plans so it is easier to evaluate progress towards the mission.  If managers want to gift their future selves, then this course can help them get on the right path. 

Increase effectiveness and efficiency in fiscal management through better living with internal controls. This session may help you to sleep better after you have helped your organization define and clarify requirements and expectations regarding internal control over grants management.