the alabama journal of government finance · august 25, 2016—purchasing/accounts payable november...
TRANSCRIPT
Government F inance Off icers Associa tion of A labama
FROM T H E PR ES ID E NT… I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
Members on the Move: Kathleen D. Baxter
3
CGAT Summer Conference and Recent Graduates
4
Upcoming Events
5
Board of Director’s Meeting Minutes
6
Annual Meeting Minutes
7
Board of Directors and Officers
8
Committee Chairpersons
9
$$ MONEY TALK $$ The Alabama Journal of Government Finance
Volume XVI Issue II Summer 2016
Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like
it. -Russell Baker
It’s hot! That’s all I can say about summer right now. The heat of summer
doesn’t slow things down, though. The challenges we face as government finance pro-
fessionals continue to grow and become more complicated, regardless of the time of
year. The theme, Sharing Solutions & Strategies, of the Government Finance Officers
Association (GFOA) conference, held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in May drives that
point home. The only way that we can deal with the ever increasing government fi-
nance issues is to learn from our peers. Sharing knowledge and best practices, as well
as enhancing our technical and managerial skills are paramount in succeeding in to-
day’s government environment. As evidenced in GFOA’s agenda for this year’s confer-
ence, it’s not all about the debits and credits of accounting. The issues we tackle go
well beyond accounting. Financial planning and forecasting, information technology,
economics, pension and treasury management, to name a few, are all topics that we
must understand. And when you throw a little politics into that mix, isn’t that fun?
GFOA never disappoints in understanding the topics that we need each year. If you
haven’t had an opportunity to experience their annual conference, I encourage you to
add that to your to-do list. I am certain that you will find it beneficial, both personally
and professionally.
Speaking of great conferences, don’t forget our Sum-
mer Conference is right around the corner! This great oppor-
tunity for education and professional development will be
held August 17 – 19 at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Orange
Beach. Sarita Tapscott, GFOAA’s 2nd Vice President, is chair
of the conference committee and has a great lineup of topics
and speakers. It’s not too late to register, so please visit www.gfoaa.org for more infor-
mation. Oh, and did I mention that IT’S AT THE BEACH?!
As I have done in past newsletters, I would like to promote another great educa-
tional opportunity offered by GFOAA. The Certified Government Accounting Technician
(CGAT) program offers courses that improve the professional, administrative, and fiscal
skills of participants in the areas of General Ledger, Fund Accounting, Purchasing/
Accounts Payable, Payroll, Billing/Accounts Receivable, and Budgeting.
Continued on Page 2
Page 2
FROM T HE PR ES I DE N T . . . C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1 .
Over the next few months, I will be working with other board members to resurrect an ad-hoc committee
that is tasked with managing this program. This committee, which consists of a selection of program graduates,
GFOAA board members, and GFOAA officers, will manage this program by coordinating each of the five classes,
promoting the program, and organizing a CGAT conference that allows graduates of the program to earn continu-
ing education credit. I will be reaching out soon to fill these committee positions. If serving the organization in
this capacity is something that you are interested in, please email me at [email protected]. In addition
to this committee, I will be seeking instructors to fill vacancies, as necessary. If you are interested in sharing your
knowledge of any of the five class topics mentioned above, please let me know.
The next CGAT class, Purchasing/Accounts Payable will be held on Thursday, August 25 at the University
of Alabama – Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa. This class is designed to familiarize participants with
techniques used to purchase goods and services necessary for government operations and pay the vendors as-
sociated with those purchases. Penny Smith, Finance Director of the City of Auburn, will be teaching the class.
More information about this class can be found on our website, www.gfoaa.org.
Save the date! The 33rd Annual Conference will be held in the Birmingham/Hoover area. The conference
is scheduled for February 22-24, 2017 and will be held at the newly transformed Hyatt Regency Birmingham –
The Wynfrey Hotel. Conference and hotel registration information should be available in the fall. Travis Hulsey, a
long-time GFOAA member is chairing the conference committee. I am excited to see what the committee has in
store for the agenda. Please check our website for updates on the conference.
In closing, I would ask that you continue to provide feedback on the organization and its activities. I take
every opportunity I have to mention the benefits of being a member of GFOAA. The networking alone is worth the
amount I pay for membership. The relationships, both personal and professional, that I have developed over
time with other members is invaluable. Those benefits can be enhanced and improved by your suggestions. No
idea or suggestion is too small, and all feedback will be considered when planning for the future. Please feel free
to contact me by email ([email protected]) or by phone (334-501-7233) and share your thoughts. En-
joy the remainder of your summer and I look forward to seeing you soon!
Allison D. Edge
(334) 501-7233
“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.”
- James Dent
Page 3
MEMB ER S IN T HE NE W S KAT H LE E N D. B AX TE R
Kathleen D. Baxter, GFOAA Director, was appointed as Deputy State Comp-
troller for the State of Alabama in July 2016. Previously, she worked as the Admin-
istrative Director of the State of Alabama Accounting Resource System (STAARS).
She still continues to support the STAARS project as well as carrying out the du-
ties of the Deputy State Comptroller.
Having worked for the State of Alabama for 26 years, Kathleen began her State career at the
State Military Department in 1990 and transferred to the Finance Department in 1993 to continue the
upgrade and support of the then new Financial Resource Management System (FRMS). After the com-
pletion of that project, she transferred to the State Comptroller’s Office where she served in several ca-
pacities, the last of which was Accounting Director/Chief Financial Officer. In 2013, she began working
on the Medicaid Agency’s Accounting System. After going live with the Medicaid Accounting System,
she took on the job of Administrative Director for the upgrade to the new statewide Accounting, Procure-
ment, Budgeting, and HR system, now known as STAARS.
Kathleen is also an accounting instructor with Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) and very
involved with AUM’s State Initiative Program that provides educational opportunities in Accounting for
the State’s workforce. Before working for the state, Kathleen worked in the accounting field for Health
Services, Inc., Prattville Hospital, Bank of Prattville, and as a bookkeeper for the family business, Durbin
Auto Parts, Inc.
Kathleen is a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Public Manager (CPM)
and is a graduate of Prattville High School, Trenholm Technical College (AAS - Culinary Arts), Auburn Uni-
versity Montgomery (BSBA - Accounting and MBA - Governmental Accounting) and Auburn University
(PhD – Public Administration and Public Policy). She is truly a proponent of lifelong learning.
Kathleen and her husband, Darrin, have been married for 27 years and live in Prattville. They
have two sons and a daughter-in-law, Taylor and Rachel Baxter, and Hunter Baxter.
"
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to
be looking for it."
-Henry David Thoreau
Page 4
CER TI FI ED GOV ER NM E NT AC C OU NT I NG TEC H N IC I A N PRO GR A M (CGAT)
REC EN T CGAT GR A DUAT ES
GFOAA partnered with Auburn University Montgomery College of Business School of Accountancy
to present the Certified Government Accounting Technician (CGAT) Conference. The conference was
held July 11, 2016 at the Taylor Center located on Auburn University Montgomery’s campus. There
were twenty attendees, all of them CGAT program graduates.
Four presentations were given at the daylong conference. Dr. Keren Deal, AUM professor and
GFOAA board member, gave an update on government pensions. The Alabama Ethics Commission Ex-
ecutive Director, Tom Albritton, held a question and answer session on Ethics in Alabama. Two repre-
sentatives from the Alabama Department of Revenue (ALDOR) spoke. Arleen Alexander, Government
Relations Manager for ALDOR, discussed Atlas Alabama, which is a website designed to help guide new
businesses through the business startup process in Alabama. Lee Ann Rouse, Local Tax Liaison with
ALDOR, gave an overview of the department. The conference closed with Alana Barranco of Summa
Source Organizational Consulting discussing The Productivity Formula. She showed attendees how Mi-
crosoft Outlook can help users work smarter, not harder, by effectively handling pressing concerns, stor-
ing information for future reference, and making better use of the calendar, tasks, and folder functions.
Geneva Allen, Janice Alvis, LaTisha Battle, Deborah BoBo, Kenshatta Brooks, Amy Brunson, Mary Jackson, Susan Allison Lee, Michael Rinker, Kellye Campbell, Rebecca Colburn, Kelly Homan, Debra Langston, Natasha Neese,
and Amanda Williams.
CGAT SU M ME R CO N FE R E N CE MON T GO ME RY , AL ABA M A
Page 5
UP C OMI N G EVE N TS
GFOAA Quarterly Board Meeting
August 17, 2016
Hampton Inn and Suites
25518 Perdido Beach Blvd.
Orange Beach, AL
10:00 AM
GFOAA Summer Conference
August 17-19, 2016
Hampton Inn and Suites
25518 Perdido Beach Blvd.
Orange Beach, AL
Click Here for More Information
CGAT Certified Government Accounting Technician
August 25, 2016—Purchasing/Accounts Payable
November 3, 2016—Billing/Accounts Receivable
All classes to be held at the University of Alabama
Bryant Conference Center
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Registration fee $150.00
(Includes Lunch)
For additional information, click here.
Don’t miss the Summer
Conference in Orange Beach!
August 17—19, 2016
Hampton Inn and Suites
Governmental Accounting
and Auditing Forum (GAAF)
November 30—December 1, 2016
Birmingham Marriott
3590 Grandview Parkway
Birmingham, AL
GFOAA Quarterly Board Meeting
November 30, 2016
Birmingham Marriott
3590 Grandview Parkway
Birmingham, AL
The Quarterly Board of Directors meeting was held Feb-
ruary 3, 2016 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Tusca-
loosa, Alabama. President Allison Edge called the meet-
ing to order at 10:04 a.m. Minutes of the December
2015 board meeting held in Birmingham, Alabama were
reviewed and approved.
Treasurer’s Report—Melissa Woods presented financial
information for the organization. She reported member-
ship dues appear low because the transfer has not
been made for the dues collected as part of the confer-
ence registration fee. She suggested we amend the new
budget to account for credit card fees. The Treasurer’s
report, except for the proposed budget, was approved
There was discussion over the approvals required to
move funds between the savings and checking ac-
counts. Melinda Lopez made a motion to maintain
$25,000 in the checking account, allowing for the trans-
fer of funds from checking to savings without board ap-
proval, and restricting funds being transferred from sav-
ings without board approval. The board approved. There
was discussion over having the credit union require two
signatures to transfer funds from savings to checking.
Melissa Woods agreed to investigate this option.
Melissa Woods presented the proposed budget and it
was approved.
Scholarships, Awards, and Service-Melinda Lopez sug-
gested a change from the current requirement of three
recommendations, with one being a dean, to two recom-
mendations with one being a dean or professor. The
board approved. She reported there would be no recipi-
ents presented at the annual meeting this year due to
the schedule change. There was no report on awards.
Ms. Lopez also suggested that the person assigned the
task of notifying Past Presidents also notify Emeritus
Members.
Certification Board and CGAT – Sarah Williams reported
she had three CGFO holders fail to respond. She has
given them until Friday to renew before revoking their
certifications. There are currently 25 certified CGFOs.
Charles Clack proposed we consider focusing on CGFM
for our members desiring certification.
.Public Information – Charles Clack stated in the current
newsletter that he reported the need for CGAT instruc-
tors, the opportunity for Becker training courses, and
asked the board to let him know of anything they would
like included in the newsletter. Keren Deal stated she
Page 6
Q UA R T E R L Y B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S M E E T I N G T U S C A L O O S A , A L A B A M A F E B R UA R Y 3 , 2 0 1 6
would do something on demographics, and maybe high-
light new members.
Membership – Keren Deal reported that STAR Chapter
shows we have 301 active members and Jamie Moyers’
records show 588. Ms. Deal says she will reconcile the
two databases. Sarah Williams stated there is a non-
member database in STAR Chapter as well, which may
help in reconciling the two. Ms. Deal discussed the vari-
ous costs and benefits of GFOAA having booths at other
organizations conferences. She proposed budgeting
$3,000 for marketing the organization. There was discus-
sion on how much should be budgeted for marketing,
and what could be decreased to allow for the new budget
line. There were conflicting opinions on pulling from re-
serves to fund marketing efforts. Also, Melinda Lopez
introduced the idea of reviving our strategic planning
efforts in the future.
Annual 2016 Conference – Derek Reeves reported the
conference having 90 attendees, four guests, and thirty
sponsoring participants.
Summer 2016 Conference -Sarita Tapscott reported
things are going well, with only a couple of speaker slots
to fill. She has arranged for speakers to cover the GASB
update, as well as records retention.
Annual 2017 Conference—Melinda Lopez announced
that Travis Hulsey will chair the 2017 Annual Conference
in Birmingham, February 22 – 24. Keren Deal made a
motion to approve the contract with the Wynfrey Hotel,
Melissa Woods seconded, and it carried unanimously.
New Business - Cyber Board Room - The topic of looking
into the feasibility of purchasing Cyber Board Room soft-
ware was discussed. Sarah Williams has contacted them
to discuss. Melinda Lopez explained there are website
companies that handle electronic meetings and storing
documents. The average cost is $1,200 annually.
Contract Renewal – The Executive Committee met on
January 22 to review and revise contracts. This consisted
of the website contract with Ashley Gallagher White,
newsletter contract with Charles Clack, the CGAT con-
tract, and the Carr, Riggs, and Ingram engagement letter.
The board approved the contracts. There will be an elec-
tronic vote at a later date to approve the contract for the
Administrative Assistant after the proposed changes are
discussed with Ms. Moyers.
Continued on Page 7.
Contnued form Page 6…
Directors and Officers 2016 -2017—Because of the reluctance of current officers to move into the role of President,
some of the current officers agreed to remain in their positions and share duties to lessen the burden. Melissa Woods
will move up to Secretary, and Karly Standridge will move to Treasurer.
Emeritus Status Request – Melinda Lopez made a motion to grant emeritus status to Tracy Croom. It carried unani-
mously.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:03 p.m.
Page 7
Q UA R T E R L Y B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S M E E T I N G T U S C A L O O S A , A L A B A M A F E B R UA R Y 3 , 2 0 1 6
G F OA A A N N UA L B U S I N E S S M E E T I N G T U S C A L O O S A , A L A B A M A F E B R UA R Y 4 , 2 0 1 6
President Allison Edge called the meeting to order at
12:41 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the annual busi-
ness meeting. She recognized the conference sponsors,
the Conference Committee, and the current officers and
directors. Minutes from the February 26, 2015 annual
business meeting were presented and approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Melinda Lopez presented the latest financial report (as of
January 31) and the proposed budget for 2016-2017.
As of January 31, 2016 there was a combined bank bal-
ance in excess of $165,000. She went over the pro-
posed budget approved by the board the previous day.
Nominations for 2016-2017 Officers and Directors
President Edge explained that because some officers
prefer not to continue up the rotation, that some of the
officers would retain their current roles. She presented
the slate of officers and directors for 2016-2017 and
they were approved.
Recognition of Outgoing Officers and Directors
Allison Edge recognized and thanked the outgoing direc-
tors and officers, Relya Mallory, Mandi Jones, Donna
Cooper, and Kelly Brendle.
Recognition of Past Presidents
President Edge recognized past presidents in attendance:
Gene Stabler, Mike Wright, Sarah Williams, Steve Boone,
Roger Rendleman, Penny Smith, Clara Myers, Charles
Clack, Mac Underwood, Rob Terry, Travis Hulsey, Tracy
Croom, Melinda Lopez, and Derek Reeves.
Announcement of Upcoming Events
Allison Edge announced the upcoming CGAT Classes and
Summer Conference, the GFOA National Conference, May
22 -25, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the GAAF in
Birmingham in December 2016.
Sarita Tapscott gave an update on the Summer Conference
to be held in Orange Beach, August 17 -19, 2016.
Travis Hulsey announced next year’s Annual Conference to
be held in Birmingham, February 22 – 24, 2017.
Adjournment
President Edge adjourned the meeting at 12:57 p.m.
President:
Allison D. Edge
Office: 334-501-7233
First Vice President:
Keren Deal
Office: 334-244-3971
Second Vice President:
Sarita Tapscott
Office: 256-426-6663
Secretary:
Kathy James
Office: 354-501-7234
Treasury:
Melissa Woods
Office: 205-739-7132
Page 8
BOAR D O F D IR E C TO R S A N D OFF IC ER S A P R I L 1 , 2 0 1 5 — M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 1 6
Associate Director
Mike Diehl
Office: 850-466-4053
Immediate Past President
Melinda James Lopez
Office: 205-444-7612
Administrative Assistant
Jamie Moyers
Office: 334-312-2770
Public Information Officer
Charles Clack
Office:334-353-8070
Directors:
Elizabeth Howell
Office: 251-574-8399
Barbi Lee
Office: 334-242-2997
Kathleen Baxter
Office: 334-242-4857
Kelly Brendle
Office: 334-242-6379
Cathy C. Hoekenschnieder
Office: 256-427-5087
Erika K. Sprouse
GFOAA Office Administration
Please notify Jamie Moyers to change your address, or other pertinent information,
at the following address:
P. O. Box 240574
Montgomery, AL 36124-0574
Phone: 334–312-2770 or
Email: [email protected]
$$ money talk $$
Certification Board
Sarah Williams, CGFO
Office: 334-954-3907
Education
Allison D. Edge
Office: 334-501-7233
Government Relations
Charla Doucet
Office: 334-242-7305
Membership
Keren Deal
Office: 334-244-3971
Scholarships & Service
Melinda James Lopez
Office: 205-444-7612
Page 9
CO MM ITT EE FU N CT IO NS
CO MM ITT EE CH A IR PER SO N S
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee shall promote and encourage membership in GFOAA and is responsible for the annual
membership directory.
Government Relations Committee
The Government Relations Committee shall monitor and report on legislative action affecting governmental finance
and promote intergovernmental cooperation.
Education Committee
The Education Committee shall establish, organize and promote educational programs within the membership.
Scholarship, Awards and Service Committee
The Scholarship, Awards and Service Committee is responsible for the administration of the scholarship and awards
program. The committee is also responsible for implementing and monitoring service projects as assigned.
Strategic Planning Committee
The Strategic Planning Committee is responsible for preparing the long-range plans to meet the organization’s goals
and objectives. The committee is also responsible for communicating the plan to each committee. The committee
will serve as the monitoring entity for the committee projects associated with the strategic plan.
P. O. Box 240574
Montgomery, AL
36124-0574
Govern ment Finance Off icers
Associat ion o f Alabama
$$ MONEY TALK $$ The Alabama Journal of Government Finance
Editor: Charles W. Clack
57 Blue Pine Lane
Wetumpka, Alabama 36093
Mission Statement
The mission of the Government Finance Officers Association of Alabama is to provide a professional associa-tion for government finance personnel dedi-cated to enabling its members to provide quality professional service to their con-stituents with the high-est level of integrity.