To view the complete conference schedule, click here.

Day 1

• GASB Update - Performance Measures
  This session will provide participants with a current view of the use and reporting of SEA performance information as an approach to improving performance of services and informing citizens of the importance and value of government services.  Learn about the key elements of managing for results; how to use GASB’s suggested criteria to effectively communicate results of programs & services; and how to assist citizens and elected officials in understanding and using SEA performance information.
  Jay Fountain, Governmental Accounting Standards Board, Norwalk, CT

• GMAP - Accountability for Results
  Washington's Governor Gregoire uses Government Management Accountability and Performance (GMAP) to review agency performance on a quarterly basis and drive accountability for results throughout state government.  Larisa Benson, the Governor’s Special Assistant for GMAP, will provide an overview of the GMAP model and how it’s used to review an agency’s performance.
  Larisa Benson, Office of the Governor, Olympia, WA

• Fraud Update
  Explore the hottest fraud schemes government employees use to embezzle funds from their employers.  Through analysis of actual case studies, learn about high risk areas for fraud and the methods fraud perpetrators use to infiltrate the treasury function for their own personal benefit.  The speaker discusses the keys to fraud detection, including: ways to monitor employee tasks, the compromise of the accounts payable system, no fixed responsibility, money laundering, bogus check fraud risk, accounts receivable fraud, and payroll fraud.
  Joseph R. Dervaes, CFE, CIA, Washington State Auditor's Office, Olympia, WA

Day 2

• Audit Risk Alert
  This session will provide practitioners with a summary of recently issued standards affecting the audit process, along with insight to even more proposed changes and risks coming down the line.  Learn about recent AICPA Audit Standards, proposed changes to the Yellow Book Standards, and audit risk alerts.
  Frank Crawford, Crawford & Associates, Oklahoma City, OK

• Performance Auditing
  In November 2005, the state’s voters approved Initiative 900, granting the State Auditor’s Office the authority to conduct independent performance audits of all state and local government agencies.  The intent of conducting performance audits is to help improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of government.  This session will provide an overview of how the State Auditor’s Office is implementing performance auditing in the state of Washington.
  Brian Sonntag, Washington State Auditor's Office, Olympia, WA
  Linda L. Long, CPA, Washington State Auditor's Office, Olympia, WA

• WA State Board of Accountancy Update
  Over the luncheon break, the Executive Director of the Washington State Board of Accountancy will provide a brief update on the role and current activities of the State Board.
  Richard C. Sweeney, CPA, MBA, Washington State Board of Accountancy, Olympia, WA

• Electives

  Track 1

  CPE in Ethics: A Requirement in Washington State
  This concurrent session covers the Public Accountancy Act, along with the related Rules and Policies of the Washington State Board of Accountancy with specific application of RCWs and WACs to the practice of public accounting in the state of Washington.  The session will also review major provisions of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.  This session meets the WA State Board of Accountancy ethics requirement.
  Thomas G. Neill, CPA, Finney, Neill & Company PS, Seattle, WA

  Track Two

  Regulatory Update
  An in-depth discussion on the current issues facing all CPAs, including those in public accounting, private industry and governmental accounting and auditing.  The Executive Director of the Washington State Board of Accountancy will discuss the definition of public accounting and “holding out as a CPA” in our state; mobility and cross-(state) border practice; internet practice; peer review; and enforcement proceedings.
  Richard C. Sweeney, CPA, MBA, Washington State Board of Accountancy, Olympia, WA

• IT Security and Controls
  This session will explain all you need to know about IT security and controls, including the most significant tools your organization needs, weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and handling the media and other nontechnical issues.
  Julian Soh, Washington State Department of Revenue, Olympia, WA

• Bonds - Risk Issues
  Learn about governmental actions (and inactions) that might pose potential risks to municipal bond owners. These include: pension and non-pension funding (including GASB 45); IRS audits; recording-keeping for the IRS; securities disclosure; SEC audits; asset-backed securities; conflicts of interest; and risks created by accountants’ audits themselves.  Two well-known (and controversial) municipal bond issues in Washington State, and their consequences, will be discussed.
  Hugh Spitzer, JD, Foster Pepper & Shefelman PLLC, Seattle, WA

Outside Washington, call 425.644.8199,
In Washington, call 800.272.8273, or
Online at http://www.wscpa.org/wscpa/p3.htm.