2024 FGFOA School of Governmental Finance

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2024 FGFOA School of Governmental Finance

Register today for
FGFOA's 2024 School of Governmental Finance
The event will be held October 21-25, 2024 at the Renaissance World Golf Village near St. Augustine.

BEFORE YOU REGISTER -- PLEASE make sure that your membership dues paid and up-to-date.

Need to renew? Please do so through the member portal BEFORE registering for the conference, or you WILL be charged the non-member rate.

Allow 24-48 hours for the payment to process before registering for the conference. Memberships are not updated immediately in our system, so if you register on the same day that you pay your dues, you WILL be charged the non-member rate.

What School sessions are best for you?

The school offers two paths during the week and you can register for one or both of the segments:

Basic/Intermediate: 2.5 days beginning Monday morning and ending Wednesday at noon.
The Basic/Intermediate courses are tailored for all financial support staff and for the staff person just beginning a career in governmental finance. In these sessions, participants will be exposed to an in-depth study and analysis of basic governmental finance concepts and principles. These sessions are also informative for anyone wishing to further expand their area of expertise or reacquaint themselves with the fundamentals of governmental finance. In other words, they provide a great refresher course!

Intermediate/Advanced: 2 days beginning Wednesday afternoon and ending Friday at noon.
The Intermediate/Advanced courses are tailored for seasoned finance professionals looking for information on current, more complex issues.

Early registration deadline: September 20, 2024

Take advantage of the early registration rate by completing your registration and payment by September 20.

Registration/Payments/Cancellation Information

Registrations are done on an individual basis. FGFOA does not permit the sharing of a registration between two attendees. Each attendee must have a separate registration and pay the full amount. The registration fee includes admission to all sessions in the block for which you register, plus refreshments. Payment may be made online via Visa, MasterCard or American Express. If you need to pay via check, please email Melanie Howe for a registration form.

Cancellation Policy

FGFOA School registration cancellations must be sent to Melanie Howe no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 11, in order to be eligible for a refund, minus a $50 administrative fee. All refunds will be processed after the event and no refunds will be issued for early departure.

Housing Information

To make your hotel reservations at the Renaissance, please use the reservation link that will be included in your paid registration confirmation. The group rate for registrants is $149/night and is ONLY available via this online link. A credit card is required to hold the reservation.

Note that the reservation cut-off date is September 21, 2024, but the hotel could sell out before that time. If the hotel is sold out, please contact Melanie Howe for a list of alternative suggestions.

From Destin - Fort Walton Beach Airport: Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 85 North/Government Ave (2 miles). Turn LEFT onto Hwy 20 East/John Sims Pkwy (6 miles). Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 293 South; Cross Mid-Bay Bridge ($4.00 Toll) (7 miles).Turn LEFT onto Hwy 98 East (6 miles). Turn RIGHT onto Sandestin Blvd South and proceed through Sandestin guard gate.

From Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport: Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 388 West (4 miles). Turn LEFT onto Hwy 79 South (5 miles). Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 98 West (30 miles). Turn LEFT onto Sandestin Blvd South and proceed through Sandestin guard gate.

From Pensacola Regional Municipal Airport: Turn LEFT onto North 9th Ave/CR-289 (6 miles). Turn LEFT onto Gregory St/Hwy 98 East (40 miles). Turn RIGHT onto Sandestin Blvd South and proceed through Sandestin guard gate.

When

10/20/2024 3:00 PM - 10/25/2024 11:40 AM
Eastern Daylight Time

Where

500 S. Legacy Trail St. Augustine, FL 32092

Registration

Registration is closed.

Program

Select programs by

Monday, 21 October 2024

Description
First-Time Attendees' Orientation Hear from FGFOA board members about the benefits of membership in the organization. First-time attendees are encouraged to attend, but other members who want to learn more are also welcome. Time 7:15 AM - 8:00 AM 7:15 AM
Governmental Accounting Key Principles and Concepts Discover the unique principles that set governmental accounting apart, from fund accounting to budgetary control and the modified accrual basis. Join us to explore essential concepts, practices and challenges that shape governmental accounting! Category AA 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Contracting, Financing and Budgeting for PPP This session will review the Florida Statutes governing public-private partnerships (PPP), provide case examples of different successful contracting, financing, and budgeting processes at the local level, and discuss challenges with PPPs. Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
How to Set Up Investment Plans for Smaller Governments Using GFOA best practices and comparable experiences from other small-to-medium local governments in Florida, this session will discuss how you can develop an updated investment policy, review investment options given limited time and staff, and develop an investment approach that works for your government. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
Preparing Your Budget for the Next Recession With fears of the next recession on the horizon, what should governments be doing now to start preparing to deal with potential fiscal distress. By offering several strategies to reduce budget expenses, create flexibility and assess risk associated with different options, all with the goal of long-term sustainability, we can take lessons learned from the past decade and apply them proactively to address challenges of the next recession. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
How to Prepare for Your Annual Audit Would you like to be more prepared for your annual financial audit? This session will provide you with insight into what your auditors are looking for, and why they ask so many questions and for so much documentation during the audit. You'll walk away with a better understanding of the steps you and your team can take to make next year's audit easier and faster. Category AA 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Emergency Management In this essential session, learn from others who experienced the third-costliest weather disaster worldwide, and the deadliest hurricane to hit Florida since 1935, Hurricane Ian. Come hear from a panel of speakers who will share their best practices to maximize your potential for reimbursement, should your community ever be in a position to need it. Category TB 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Are Your Habits Putting You on a Road to Success? James Clear says that if you get 1% better every day for 10 years, you will be 37% better when you are done. If you are looking for ways to create positive habits that impact your effectiveness, this session is for you. Category BEH 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM
Ways to Re-Think Budgeting: From Ideas to Action This session will provide an overview of the approaches to strategic budgeting, aligning performance and why that matters. Shifting the conversation from budget automation to budget strategy will help to improve decisions, drive outcomes and engage the community. Category TB 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Description
Single Audit Updates This session will include discussion of the single audit update and the latest OMB circular. Category AA 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Leveraging Technology in Finance This session will discuss the process used to identify and implement opportunities to leverage technology at Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Discussion will focus on the steps used to identify and implement opportunities, such as fraud and need for system security, and system contingency planning and execution. Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
The Who, What, When and Where of the Bond Issuance Process This session will discuss municipal bonds, the bond issuance process, financing with municipal bonds, the role of the municipal advisor, the rating agency process and more! Category AA 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
Change Management in the Face of Technology Today’s workforce is changing dramatically, from demographic profiles to technological advancements. This interactive session will explore successful management of a multi-general team in the midst of a technological era. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
You Don't Have to Go Far to Find Fraud In this session, you'll learn about fraud stemming from the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Find out how the Office of Inspector General uses data analytics to tackle an unprecedented task. Category AA 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Bank Loans vs. Bonds In this session, you'll learn about multiple aspects of bank loans versus bonds, including timing; up-front costs; deal structure and covenants; interest rates and rate structures; bond or loan maturity; redemption and prepayment; post-closing disclosure requirements; and intangibles. Category TB 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
How to Make Your Job Easier Using FGFOA Resources Join us for an informative and engaging session designed to help finance professionals leverage the numerous resources available through FGFOA. You’ll gain valuable insights into how to utilize the association's offerings to enhance your career and streamline your work processes. This session will cover four key areas: networking, education, information and leadership. Don't miss this chance to discover how FGFOA can support and advance your professional journey. Category TB 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM
Navigating the Interview Maze In this interactive session, we’ll explore essential do's and don’ts for both interviewers and interviewees. Whichever side of the interview table you're on, mastering these strategies will enhance your chances of success and create a positive experience. Category BEH 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM

Wednesday, 23 October 2024

Description
Financial Reporting Challenges Join us to review complex accounting and financial reporting questions. We’ll discuss a variety of hypothetical scenarios and provide solutions and tools to help you tackle them. Points of discussion will include common deficiencies, reasons for delays, issues with repeatable processes and ACFR deficiencies. Category AA Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Budgeting for Construction Projects: Things to Consider Growth drives the need for projects that are not necessarily on the radar in a timely manner. Coupled with the rising cost of construction, challenges arise to strike the balance between executing and funding critical capital improvement projects. This session will share the struggle that one particular city is facing with building a new police headquarters. Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Grant Administration and Reporting Each grant has common aspects as well as unique requirements. This session will discuss grant administration and reporting best practices, roles and responsibilities, pitfalls, successful approaches and more. Grant administration is not a one-department undertaking, and this course is intended to help ensure a greater understanding of the full process from concept to closeout. Category AA 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
How to Navigate Politics In Budgeting Most budget professionals are adept at the technical aspects of budgeting, such as developing revenue forecasts, counting positions and estimating spending. But navigating the political landscape is something that many finance professionals try to avoid, usually unsuccessfully. This session will provide tools for navigating political traps, confronting special interests, and earning widespread support for decisions while also building on concepts of equity, fairness and accountability. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
What Is in Your Financial Policy Development Toolbox? Whether you're trying to develop a financial plan for your local government funds, need policy development assistance, or want to develop defensible rates, there are many free and valuable online resources that can help you! Don't start from scratch – build from the experience of others! This course will provide an overview of helpful Internet resources for government finance professionals and how to use them. Category TB 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Cyber Security and Fraud Protection Caped crusaders Charles Million and Joseph Scharf will provide the latest trends in cyber security, and what government entities can do to maximize their protection. Category AA 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Saturday Night Live Municipal Bonds As municipal finance bankers, we hear the same thing from our clients all the time: "Matt/Alex, we just wish we knew more about municipal bonds." Well, you're in luck! In this session, you'll learn all the "in's and out's" of municipal bonds on an advanced level. How does an inverted yield curve affect prices and opportunities in the market? What types of refunding options are available now that tax-exempt advance refunds are a thing of the past? Does a shorter call option make sense in today's market? All of that and more will be answered (possibly) in this tell-all session with "two wild and crazy guys!" Category TB 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM
Fraud and Internal Controls This session will focus on the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) internal control framework, fraud case studies, processes for documenting internal controls, and implementing internal controls in an entity with limited resources Category AA 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM
President's Networking Reception After classes are over on Wednesday, join us for a relaxing hour of enjoyable conversation with your colleagues while enjoying some tasty hors-d’oeuvres. Time 4:40 PM - 6:00 PM 4:40 PM

Thursday, 24 October 2024

Description
Impact of Demographic Trends on Local Government Finances This session will include an analysis of demographic shifts, such as aging populations and urbanization, and their implications for local government revenue and expenditure patterns. Strategies for addressing demographic challenges, including workforce planning, will also be discussed. Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
GASB Update This year we will look at several newly issued GASB statements, and statements that will be implemented in the coming year. In addition, we'll discuss what is currently on the GASB agenda, and where you can still help GASB by providing your feedback. Category AA 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Economic Update A record-breaking rise in interest rates, coupled with inflation, Russia's war in Ukraine, regional banking sector instability and recession fears, have created unseen volatility in the markets over the last 18 months. With the Fed signaling that it may be toward the end of its tightening cycle, how are local governments affected? This session will focus on these and other current economic indicators, and more specifically their relevance to cash management, investments and overall financial decision-making for public sector entities. Participants will gain an understanding of how to interpret and utilize this data when making decisions related to daily operations, forecasting, liquidity management, borrowing and optimizing their investment portfolio. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
Vendor Account Compromise (VAC) In the past several years, there has been a reported uptick in what we have termed vendor account compromises (VACs). These are incidents of unauthorized access to existing vendor accounts or unauthorized creation of vendor accounts on behalf of existing vendors within online vendor portal systems. This unauthorized access provides the actors the privilege to update information on behalf of the vendors. Ultimately, the actors seek to update the bank account or physical address of where vendor payments go to redirect these payments. This presentation provides the following: an overview of VACs; a walk-through of how a typical VAC unfolds from start to finish; and three important areas state and local entities should focus on when developing mitigation steps and security. Category AA 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 PM 10:00 AM
Positive Arbitrage: It’s Back! Issuing tax-exempt debt is an important component of governmental and non-profit entities' debt management programs. Issuers and borrowers must be aware of the compliance requirements after the bonds are issued, including compliance with the arbitrage rebate and yield restriction rules. This is especially important in a high or rising interest rate environment. This session will discuss the arbitrage rebate basics, exceptions to the rules and the calculation and payment process, as well as tips and best practices for an effective, ongoing compliance program. Category TB 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
How to Attract, Retain and Engage the Best Employees Now that you have hired them, did you ever wonder how to keep them? Learn how great leaders retain and engage the best employees. In this engaging session, you'll explore ways to let your team members know their significance to the overall mission of your organization, and why they matter. Category BEH 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Situations Strategies As an existing or future leader, it is important to work with people who have differing perspectives. It is impossible to agree with everyone all the time, but it doesn’t have to end in conflict. Learn how to break down a conflict and approach it from a new perspective. Category BEH 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM
Turning Off Autopilot on the Budget Process Inertia can be a powerful force. How often does your budget process feel like “last year, plus or minus?” Come explore strategies to inject some life into your budget! Category TB 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM

Friday, 25 October 2024

Description
Modern Cyber Risks for 2024 Modern cyber risks can impact operations and financial performance in a number of ways. This session will explore the current state of cyber threats, detailing how attackers progress from your online presence (both personally and professionally) to execute phishing and account compromises that can result in data breaches, data theft and, finally, ransomware that shuts down operations. Throughout the session, we will examine root causes leading to breaches, and mitigation strategies to minimize likelihood and impact, along with an overview of how the mitigating strategies can be designed to address Florida cybersecurity requirements within CH/HB 7055. Category AA 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Budget Through Procurement: It's a Partnership. Are you striving to make your budget planning process more efficient, transparent and aligned with your organizational goals? Procurement can play a pivotal role in this journey. By ensuring that your organization’s spending is both strategic and cost-effective, procurement can significantly contribute to more informed and successful budgeting decisions. In this session, we’ll explore how leveraging procurement expertise during the budget planning process can lead to greater efficiency, enhanced transparency, and better alignment with your overall financial objectives. Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Impact Fees: Ways to Recover the Cost of Growth Are you striving to ensure that growth pays for itself? One way to recover the cost of capacity needed for system growth is through charging new customers instead of existing customers. This session will explore various impact fees that can be considered, as well as how to calculate and implement these fees. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
General Audit Success The presentation will cover the essentials of achieving audit success. We will start by exploring the different types of audits and their specific objectives. Then, we'll discuss strategies to have a successful audit process and how to avoid common pitfalls. Finally, we will focus on how to use audit findings to drive continuous improvement within the organization. Attendees will gain practical insights for enhancing their audit practices and promoting ongoing success. Category AA 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM