Friday, May 21, 2021
Pre-Conference Investment Seminar
(Additional and pre-registration required)
CPE Credit: 8 Hours (TB) Total For Entire Pre-Conference
8:00 a.m. - 9:40 a.m.
Update on the Economy, Market and Events that Affect our Investment Opportunities
CPE Credit: 2 Hours (TB)
Join us for a discussion of the current and expected market dynamics of the economy, as well as the fixed income and the municipal debt market.
10:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.
Investment Policy- Best Practices in Policy, Process and Practice
CPE Credit: 2 Hours (TB)
How to draft and investment policy that your investment objectives and complies with State requirements, Common and unusual policy mistakes, as well as Investment opportunities in the current market.
1:00 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.
The Philosophy of Sleep-Adjusted Returns
CPE Credit: 2 Hours (TB)
This session will provide strategies for local government public fund managers who want to eat well and sleep well.
3:00 p.m. - 4:40 p.m.
Measuring Investment Performance with Various Government Strategies and Communicating with Stakeholders and Elected Officials
CPE Credit: 2 Hours (TB)
In this session a panel of different sized local government officials will discuss their investment approach and how they measure success. Then the fun part….how to communicate those strategies and results to their stakeholders and elected bodies.
Monday, May 24, 2021
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Opening General Session - All In
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (BEH)
During the New York Giants’ 2011 Super Bowl run, much of their inspiration is attributed to Gian Paul Gonzalez (pronounced John-Paul). Prior to the Giant’s Christmas Eve game with the NY Jets, Gonzalez delivered the now famous “ALL IN” rally cry message during the Giants’ chapel service and is now widely recognized as having inspired the New York Giants to their Super Bowl victory and was featured on ESPN on Super Bowl Sunday, and has had notable appearances on Fox News, ABC and CNN. He has traveled across the nation as a motivational speaker for the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers, to the Army Cadets at West Point, United States Air Force, Anheuser-Busch, Sam’s Club, Patch.com, PNC Bank, DSW Shoes as well as many other corporate, athletic, government agencies, and educational institutions.
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Redefining Your Organization for Performance Excellence After COVID 19
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (BEH)
An approach for organizations to redesign themselves after Covid-19. How can they rebuild and succeed in a changed environment? I delivered this presentation virtually 2 weeks ago to 100 business and not-for-profit leaders in Florida and Georgia and received excellent scores and feedback.
How to Leverage Digital Banking Technologies to Meet Constituent and Vendor Demand
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (TB)
With the banking industry undergoing massive digital disruption, with online deposits, mobile transfers, and e-bill payments fundamentally becoming the norm, learn how to safely integrate digital banking options into your local government operations.
1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
GASB Update
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (AA)
This session will include the latest news from the Governmental Accounting Standard Board (GASB) and provide answers to address public confusion about current pronouncements.
Different Biases & How to Mitigate Them When Investing
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
People are predisposed to certain investments and investment styles. We'll discuss why that's so and how to work around those biases when making investment decisions.
2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
GASB Hot Topics
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (AA)
This session will include a general update on future pronouncements and proposals affecting state and local government.
Economic Update - Planning for a Post Pandemic Future
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
The economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic is something federal, state and local government has not faced in nearly a century. This session will focus on the post pandemic economic outlook, where we are headed, and what is needed to address the vulnerabilities the pandemic has exposed.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Introduction to Governmental Accounting
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (AA)
Are you new to the governmental arena? This session covers the basics and foundation of governmental accounting and reporting in today's environment. It will review the unique aspects of the governmental environment, recognize the financial reporting structure used by governments and review the basic differences between commercial and governmental accounting and why these differences exist.
AI-Artificial Intelligence in Financial Services Risk Management, Fraud Prevention and Process Automation
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
Learn how the use of AI in a finance environment can lessen the burden of automated tasks, reduce rick of human-error, and offers an unbiased analysis of data.
10:45 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
Common Audit Findings
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (AA)
This session will include discussion of common audit findings at various local government entities related to financial reporting, internal controls and compliance as well as best practices for addressing them.
Redefining Leadership for 2021
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (BEH)
The social, economic and political challenges of this decade require innovative approaches to leadership and responsibly. As local governments put sustainability and equitability on their top 10 list, a broader range of leadership skills are needed. The ability to fulfil the mission and vision of the city or county, using innovation and technology, is paramount and must become second nature. This session reveals elements of responsible leadership for high performing organizations. Participants learn tips lead in this decade.
1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Strengthening Your People Skills
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (BEH)
Building rapport with the people who work with you and around you is an important skill in the world of work. This session will provide tips for developing better relationships with those you know and like as well as new people. Participants will leave this session with 3 tools to help minimize misunderstandings, improve emotional intelligence and ultimately, with practice, assist in dealing with difficult conversations. The foundation for success is practicing healthy ways to relate to coworkers with respect, trust and support.
Post Issuance Disclosure
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
Congratulations, you've issued debt - now what? Here's everything you need to know and do after the debt's been issued.
2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Auditor General and Department of Financial Services Update
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (AA)
Update from the Florida Auditor General’s Office and Department of Financial Services on current issues pertaining to local governments.
Budgeting for Small Governments
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
Great techniques for new budget staff, those with limited or no budget staff (finance staff wearing all the hats), and smaller governments.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Legislative Update
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
This session will review the 2020 legislative session, review the bills that passed and failed, and discuss their implications for local governments.
Strategic Debt Issuance and Communicating it to Decision Makers/Elected Officials
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
This session will provide an enhanced perspective on the pros and cons of borrowing. Additionally, this session will address key talking points with elected officials as it relates to debt.
10:45 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
Creating Efficiencies for Internal Audit
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (AA)
Obtain insights and best practices on how to be efficient with internal audit activities, and when to leverage outsource resources.
Incorporating IT into Internal Controls
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (TB)
This session will provide an overview of the ever increasing role of Information Technology on internal controls in local governments with a focus on security of data and audit risks.
1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Lies, Lies & Economic Forecasts
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
Where and when forecasts work and where and when they don't. Why a public fund should prefer losses.
Contract Administration: Beginning with the End in Mind
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
Many of us feel that once we’ve prepared the solicitation, sent it to the vendors, opened and evaluated the responses and posted the award, our work is done. However, looking at the breadth of the contract management cycle tells that this is likely to be the least amount of time that will be invested in the contract for we often put them in place for terms of a year or more. In addition to the contract length, there are often requirements added that can be complicated to perform or have a huge impact on the success of the contractor. That makes it imperative to understand what is necessary for good contract administration. During this session we will cover the basics of proper contract administration, while keeping in mind what we are trying to accomplish.
2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Equal Employment and Implicit Bias
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (BEH)
Discrimination need not be intentional. Non-objective factors such as liking a person, thinking a person looks professional, responding to a “normal” name or similar background, are all fraught with subjective bias. When biases are left unchecked or go unnoticed, they can hamper our ability to make sound and equitable decisions. We all should be aware of potential biases that can result in employment discrimination during the selection process. This presentation involves self-evaluation and an understanding of equal employment laws to prevent discrimination.
Providing Government Services in a Remote World
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
Everyone had to learn quickly how to adapt to a new way of working remotely in an emergency. Learn how to transition your organization to an adaptive model that supports customers and residents while both saving resources and increasing productivity.
Thursday, May 27, 2021
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Financial Reporting Complexities in Local Governments
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (AA)
This session will provide answers to a series of hypothetical questions that present complex accounting and financial reporting issues facing many Florida governments of varying sizes and structures.
Rating Agency Panel
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
Past, Current and Future Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on State & Local Government Discuss how Florida local and state governments have been financially affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic and their views on the recovery.
10:45 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
Management Leadership Skills for 1st time Supervisors
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (BEH)
Managing people is a great responsibility. When you first become a manager, it is normal to feel proud about yourself and the accomplishments that got you there. However, over time and with experience, however, you will find that your pride is about your employee's success instead of your own; great managers take on the success of their employees as their own. This session outlines a look into management tips to help you understand what success in management means early on in your career, so that you know what to expect from your new responsibilities, as well as what to do in your new role as manager or supervisor.
Retirement Plans Best Practices (DB, DC and OPEB Plans)
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (TB)
The industry has evolved significantly during the past decade, and service providers have improved their technology platforms. This session will discuss industry trends, best practices, and how plan sponsors can take advantage of possible enhancements for their DB, DC and OPEB plans. Key discussions will include but not limited to: retirement income replacement, default investment option, Roth 457(b), data aggregation, VEBA trusts, and service guarantee.
1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Panel Discussion - Legal Aspects of Work from Home Programs, What Work can be Done from Home and Performance Metrics
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
Working from Home: Trends, Benefits, and Challenges of Implementing Telework in the Local government sector.
Debt: Financing Options Used for Public Infrastructure
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
The fundamentals of tax-exempt bonds & financial tools available to state and local government and related entities; the role tax exempt bonds play in infrastructure financings & as an investment product. Update on any regulatory or Congressional actions related to this market.
2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report- Tips and Tricks to Ensure Timely & Accurate Reporting
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (AA)
This session will address preparation of local government financial statements and some of the common issues encountered during this process.
Disaster Recovery - How do You Solve the Hurricane Problem: FEMA Challenges and Issues
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
Build your culture of preparedness - have pre-positioned contracts with enforcement mechanisms, "rainy day" or disaster relief funds, and understand federal procurement standards.
Friday, May 28, 2021
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Disaster Recovery Accounting and Single Audit Aspects
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (AA)
This session will provide an overview of the single audit process as well as the implications of correctly accounting for disaster recovery to maximize grant funds.
Liquidity Estimation: How to Maximize Earnings While Meeting Cash Flow Needs
CPE Credit: 1.5 Hours (TB)
This session will provide a practical approach on how to maximize earnings while meeting the cash flow needs for your local government.
10:45 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
Revenue Enhancement Initiatives as a Strategic Planning Tool
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (TB)
State Legislators across the country are passing legislation that negatively impact local governments through limitations on property tax assessments. The voter approved amendment to the Florida Constitution for limitations on property tax assessments is a measure that may potentially cut into your budgets next fiscal year and in future fiscal years. Today we will explore revenue enhancement through forensic audits of utilities bills and medical cost containment for worker's compensation as strategic planning tools for budgeting.
Florida Open Financial Statement System - Getting Ready for 2022
CPE Credit: 1 Hour (TB)
Attend this session to learn about the new financial reporting requirements aimed at offering more accessible financial data through XBRL and the creation of a new interactive repository called Florida Open Financial Statement System.