Reaching for the Peak

Association of Local Government Auditors

30th Annual ConferenceMay 6-9, 2018 — Colorado Springs, CO — The Antlers Hotel

Kristine Adams-Wannberg, Portland (OR), ChairTina Adams, Charlotte (NC) Brenda Auner, City of Long Beach (CA) Tom Baird, Colorado Springs (CO) Jennifer Carpenter, Colorado Springs (CO)Diana Coomes-Lynn, Atlanta (GA)Alexandra Fercak, Portland (OR)David Givans, Deschutes County (OR)

Chris Horton, Arlington (VA)Andrew Keegan, Austin (TX)Ronda Kohlheim, Milwaukee (WI)Kip Memmott, Audits Division (OR)Denny Nester, Colorado Springs (CO)Mark Stidd, Colorado Springs (CO)Coia Walker, Atlanta (GA)Kymber Waltnumson, King County (WA)

May 6 Workshops• WS#1. Peer Review Workshop (Auditing-Governmental)

CPE: Up to 8 credits

Participant Learning Objectives: Following this training, attendees will be able to prepare for and conduct peer reviews based on U.S. GAO Government Auditing Standards.

• WS#2. Audit Methodologies and Documentation (Auditing-Governmental)

CPE: Up to 8 credits

Participant Learning Objectives: Following this training, attendees will be able to choose appropriate methodologies for a variety of objectives, discern strong evidence from weak evidence and develop a stand-alone working paper for a methodology.

• WS#3. Managing People from Poor to Peak Performance (Personnel/HR)

CPE: Up to 4 credits

Participant Learning Objectives: Following this training, attendees will be able to write outcome-oriented staff performance evaluations, build performance plans that work, engage in strategic real-time coaching, and have effective difficult conversations.

May 7-8 ALGA Annual ConferenceCPE: Up to 14 credits

Participant Learning Objectives: Following this training, attendees will be able to:• Apply practical skills learned through case studies from

peers.• Apply strategies for remaining objective in a professional

setting affected by the political environment.• Identify and discuss new guidance and standards as they

apply to local government auditing.• Define and implement leadership strategies.

May 9 Workshops• WS#4. Show and Tell: Cultivating the Art of

Communicating Your Audit Findings (Communications & Marketing)

CPE: Up to 4 credits

Participant Learning Objectives: Following this training, attendees will be able to use words and images to effectively convey findings to intended audiences.

• WS#5. Comparing and Miscomparing in Audits (Auditing-Governmental)

CPE: Up to 4 credits

Participant Learning Objectives: Following this training, attendees will be able to determine when comparisons are appropriate for audit work, the different types of comparisons and when each is useful, and the methodological considerations for comparing appropriately.

• WS#6. Agile Project Management for Auditors (Auditing-Governmental)

CPE: Up to 4 credits

Participant Learning Objectives: Following this training, attendees will be able to discern differences between waterfall and agile project management in the context of an audit and apply agile project management techniques to streamline audits.

The following applies to all:Level of Knowledge: Overview

Education or Experience Prerequisite: None; government auditors of all levels, and other interested parties are encouraged to attend.

Advance Preparation: No advance preparation is required.

Delivery Method: Group-Live. All session include Q&A.

Attendance Requirements: In order to obtain CPE credit for this event, participants must submit attendance verification codes provided during each session.

The Association of Local Government Auditors is registered with the National Association of State Boardsof Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry ofCPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual coursesfor CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry ofCPE Sponsors through its website www.nasbaregistry.org.

Continuing Professional Education

Conference Planning Committee

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ALGA Members and Friends,

On behalf of the ALGA Board of Directors and the 2018 Conference Planning Committee, I am pleased to welcome you to ALGA’s 30th Annual Conference in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado. The “Reaching for the Peak” conference will focus on striving for auditing excellence. This applies not at the individual auditor level, but also for audit shops, and for the profession as a whole.

The Conference Committee has worked diligently to recruit diverse speakers on dynamic topics you requested the most. Sharing ideas among colleagues and making networking connections is an invaluable benefit of conference attendance. I encourage you to actively engage in concurrent sessions, to make new contacts, and to meet up with peers, whether it is formally during the trainings, or informally during breaks, lunches, and evening receptions.

The National Intergovernmental Audit Forum will be hosting the Biennial Audit Forum following the ALGA Conference. The Forum will be in the same location, so it is a great opportunity if you are looking for additional education and networking opportunities.

Colorado Springs has a rich history and amazing, natural landscapes, such as Pikes Peak and the towering rock formations at Garden of the Gods. The area is home to over 50 national sports organizations, including the United States Olympic Committee Headquarters, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

One of Colorado Springs’s many notable attractions is the United States Olympic Training Center, which supports Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The center will be the site of our Monday night social! After dinner, you will have an opportunity to tour the center, watch a gymnastics exhibition, and participate in a torch lighting ceremony.

Welcome to Colorado Springs! We look forward to seeing you and sharing ideas about how local government auditors can achieve peak excellence. Thank you for your continued support of ALGA and for attending this special 30th annual conference!

Kristine Adams-Wannberg2018 Conference Chair

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Message from the Conference Chair

SUNDAY, MAY 6

Welcome Reception - 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.Catch up with old friends or meet new ones at the Sunday night welcome reception. The reception will be held at the Antlers. Stop by and have refreshments with other ALGA conference attendees before retiring to your room or heading out to dinner.

Knighton Informational Meeting - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.Have you ever wanted to apply for an ALGA Knighton award? Are you curious about the selection process, or just wanted to volunteer to be a Knighton judge? Awards Committee members will be available to talk to you and answer your questions!

You Are ALGA’s Future: How to Become One of ALGA’s Emerging Leaders - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.Have you ever wondered how members become ALGA leaders? Well, we’re going to let you in on all of the secrets. ALGA Board Members invite you to come talk with us about the path to ALGA leadership. We want you to be a part of taking our organization to the next level.

MONDAY, MAY 7

Networking Event at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center - 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. This Monday night networking event at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center will feature a "Cowboy Cookout" theme. Attendees will also participate in a special olympic torch lighting and optional VIP tours, and will get to see a gymnastics demonstration.

The Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center is the flagship training center for the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Olympic Training Center programs. USA Swimming and USA Shooting have their national headquarters on complex. More than 22 other member organizations, as well as two international sports federations and the USOC headquarters are also located in Colorado Springs.

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Special Events

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Saturday, May 2 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ALGA BOARD MEETING

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING (Closed Session)

Sunday, May 3

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

WS#1. Peer Review Workshop (Auditing-Governmental)In this interactive workshop, members of ALGA's Peer Review Committee will use ALGA peer review guidance along with in-depth exercises to teach you the requirements and skills to serve as a team member on an ALGA peer review. In addition to instruction on peer review logistics and performance, this popular workshop includes discussion of the various ways that ALGA shops meet particular standards within the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.

This is a paperless training. Each participant is required to bring an electronic device (laptop, iPad, or other large tablet with a pdf viewer installed). Electronic copies of the workshop slides will be available upon request in advance, and the remaining materials, including exercises, will be available for download via free WiFi when you arrive. Continental breakfast & lunch provided.

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

WS#2. Audit Methodologies and Documentation (Auditing-Governmental) Have you ever wanted to say something in your audit report but you can’t support it with evidence? Or have you ever wasted a significant amount of time on a test that you didn’t need to perform? We will design audit methodologies that get you where you want to go as quickly and easily as possible. The resulting working papers convince your audit leadership that you can confidently conclude against your audit objective. Continental breakfast & lunch provided.• Leita Hart-Fanta, Owner, Yellowbook-CPE.com

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

WS#3. Managing People from Poor to Peak Performance (Personnel/HR)Ever felt stymied when trying to help an employee get to peak performance when they are struggling to meet your expectations? We’ll talk about tested approaches to get the performance you need and win-win outcomes. You will learn how to write outcome-oriented staff performance evaluations, build performance plans that work, engage in strategic real-time coaching, and have effective difficult conversations. Participation limited to managers or CAEs. Continental breakfast provided.• Kymber Waltmunson, County Auditor, King County (WA)

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. WELCOME RECEPTION

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. KNIGHTON INFORMATIONAL MEETING 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. YOU ARE ALGA'S FUTURE: HOW TO BECOME ONE OF ALGA'S EMERGING LEADERS

Monday, May 23 7:00 – 8:00 a.m.BREAKFAST 8:00 – 8:45 a.m.WELCOME AND AWARDS• Tina Adams, Deputy City Auditor, Charlotte (NC), and

President of ALGA• Lisa Monteiro, Senior Management Auditor, City of Anaheim

(CA), and Chair of the Awards Committee

8:45 – 10:00 a.m. GENERAL SESSION

GS#1. Making a Difference in Government: Tips for Public Auditors to Thrive (Not just Survive) (Auditing-Governmental)Many of us are called to government service because we want to “Make a Difference.” We then find ourselves faced with the realities of budget limitations, a beleaguered workforce, and disengaged (if not hostile) stakeholders. Our speaker will discuss how she built a highly effective internal audit organization in one of the most challenging and important public sector organizations in the world, the U.S. Congress. She will show us how public auditors can truly “Make a Difference.” • Theresa (Terry) Grafenstein, Advisory Managing Director,

Deloitte & Touche LLP

10:20 – 11:10 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS

CS#1. Enterprise Risk Management: How to Start Achieving Results (Management Services)In practice, management and internal audit both play key roles in the ERM process. This session will explore ways in which Management and Internal audit should collaborate and where they should remain distinct throughout the ERM process. The session will conclude with a discussion of common hurdles and pitfalls in the ERM process and how those can be mitigated. • Mark Maraccini, Partner, Crowe Horwath• Bill Dykstra, Manager, Crowe Horwath• Brandon Reed, Senior Manager, Crowe Horwath

CS#2. What’s Coming With Going Concern? (Auditing-Governmental)Is the concept of a "going concern" relevant to governments? Is there an alternative disclosure that would be more beneficial both to governments and the users of their financial statements? This session will bring you up to date on the Governmental Accounting Standards Board's research into these issues, including whether there are consistently accurate predictors of severe financial stress and how governments might use them to evaluate whether stress is coming (or has already arrived).• Dean Mead, Senior Research Manager, Governmental

Accounting Standards Board

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Saturday, May 5

Sunday, May 6Monday, May 7

Conference Agenda

CS#3. Interactions for Positive Change: Saying it Right When the Stakes are High (Personnel and HR)During this highly interactive session, participants will discuss three skills that underpin interactions for positive change, analyze fears that often delay high-stake interactions, and learn how effective, positive interactions build confidence and enhance credibility.

• Margie Bastolla, Principal, Margie Bastolla Facilitations, LLC

CS#4. Prioritize and Improve Roads with Limited Resources (Auditing-Governmental)In 2015 voters in Colorado Springs approved a special tax to help repair the City’s deteriorated streets. Recognizing the importance of delivering on the promises made to this unprecedented voter approved tax increase, teams from the City’s Streets Department and Colorado Springs Utilities had to develop new methods for communicating and coordinating their activities. The results have been impressive with over 200 lane miles per year paved with no utility cuts into newly paved roads.

• Vickie Classen, Audit Supervisor, City of Colorado Springs (CO)

• Corey Farkas, Public Works Operations & Maintenance Division Manager, City of Colorado Springs (CO)

• Darlene Garcia, Principal Project Manager, Water Services Division, Colorado Springs Utilities (CO)

11:25 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.CONCURRENT SESSIONSCS#5. Safeguards from the Siege: Protecting Your Audit Function from Existential Threats (Auditing-Governmental)This presentation will utilize the GAGAS Conceptual Framework Approach for Independence to discuss threats to audit function existence and safeguards that address or mitigate these threats. Speakers will showcase a real-life experience from a shop that experienced threats and survived. The session will also cover some of ALGA's advocacy activity in California, including one function added and one lost, as well as one that has been outsourced and one that has come back from outsourcing.

• Jay Poole, City Auditor, City of Chesapeake (VA)• Ann-Marie Hogan, City Auditor, City of Berkeley (CA)• Carolyn Smith, Internal Auditor, Columbus City Schools (OH)

CS#6. Construction Audit – You Can Do It! (Auditing-Governmental)Does your organization spend money on capital projects? Have you audited them – or have you put it off because you feel you lack the experience or expertise? A small audit shop will guide you through the steps of how they started auditing capital projects. Learn from their mistakes and benefit from their discoveries. They will suggest a few areas you can start reviewing immediately. You will walk away with more awareness, a few techniques, and the confidence that – you can do it!

• Paul Walker, Director of Internal Audit, Tacoma Public Schools (WA)

• Trang Nguyen, Senior Capital Projects Auditor, Tacoma Public Schools (WA)

CS#7. Using Data Wisely: The Controversy of Demographics (Auditing-Governmental)This is an interactive session for auditors to share their experiences dealing with sensitive demographic data—such as gender, race, age, and socioeconomic status--to support findings

in complex audits. The session will discuss ways to handle controversial topics such as housing, economic and work force development, and policing. We will also share the results of our survey of audit managers across the country related to their perspectives on controversial topics and how to navigate them. Participants will leave better prepared to address controversial audits that are of great public interest and importance.

• Nia Young, Senior Performance Auditor, City of Atlanta (GA)• Rebecca Robinson, Senior Performance Auditor, City of Atlanta

(GA)

CS#8. Is That Your Scope I Hear Creeping? (Auditing-Governmental)You’ve done what the Yellow Book said you should do. You defined the boundaries of your audit (“scope”) and the nature and extent of audit procedures you think will be required (“methodology”) to address the topic at hand (“objective”). But things happen… you find some really interesting information… you think of a new approach… your scope creeps. This session will describe and discuss key elements of a good audit scope, and when and where scopes should be allowed to creep.

• Sharon Erickson, City Auditor, City of San Jose (CA)

12:15 – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH

1:30 – 2:45 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS

CS#9. Small Shop Roundtable (Auditing-Governmental)Come to the small shop roundtable prepared to discuss yourideas and experiences with managing or working in a small shopand hear lessons learned from other participants. This session is geared toward shops with five or fewer auditors, but is open to everyone.

• Kristi Jackson, Compliance Officer, El Paso County (CO)

CS#10. Chief Audit Executive Roundtable (Auditing-Governmental)Come to the chief audit executive (CAE) roundtable prepared to discuss your ideas and experiences with leading audit shops and hear lessons and perspectives from other participants.

• Lori Churilla, Assistant Deputy, Auditing, Allegheny County (PA)

• Paul Duggan, Director, Audit Services, Regional Municipality of York (ON)

CS#11. IT Audit Roundtable (Auditing-Governmental)Come to this roundtable prepared to discuss your ideas and experiences related to IT auditing and hear lessons learned from other participants.

• Mark Stidd, Information Systems Auditor, Colorado Springs (CO)

CS#12. Construction Roundtable (Auditing-Governmental)Come to the construction roundtable prepared to discuss yourideas and experiences with construction audits and oversightand hear lessons learned from other participants. Topics will begenerated by attendees.

• Sonia Montano, Audit Supervisor, City and County of Denver (CO)

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Conference Agenda

CS#13. The “Secret” to Identifying Cost Savings (Auditing-Governmental)The "secret" to identifying cost savings is inside every auditor, waiting to be unlocked. We will discuss the common themes and success factors that our office uses to identify significant savings in government operations. Our cost-saving themes have been so successful that we have received significant multi-year budget increases. In addition, our office produces an annual report on these savings to summarize our work, and demonstrate the value to politicians and city officials. We will also discuss our cost savings calculation method, how we compile this annual report, and the pros and cons of producing this report.

• Beverly Romeo-Beehler, Auditor General, City of Toronto (ON)

• Ina Chan, Assistant Auditor General, City of Toronto (ON)• Jane Ying, Assistant Auditor General, City of Toronto (ON)

3:05 – 3:55 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS

CS#14. Are You Up to the Standards? (Auditing-Governmental)Practitioners around the world weighed in on the proposed changes to the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Standards).The revised Standards became effective January 1, 2017. Join us as we discuss the key changes to the Standards and how they are being implemented in our audit shops. • Vickie Classen, Audit Supervisor, City of Colorado Springs

(CO)• Bridget Toelle, United States Olympic Committee, Senior

Director, Audit; IIA District Rep, Chapter Relations Committee for North American Board of the IIA

CS#15. Knighton Award Winners (Part 1) (Auditing-Governmental)Hear from Knighton winners about their award-winning reports, useful project approaches, and successful audit processes.

CS#16. Creating an Audit Shop From Scratch (Auditing-Governmental)When creating an audit shop from scratch, the first 90 days should include building a foundation for industry compliance and creating functional documentation methodologies for the organization. This session will cover the components of the build-out including audit documentation, the annual audit plan process, developing reporting documents, reporting structure, and organizational awareness.

• Emily E. Kidd, Internal Auditor, City of Reno (NV)

CS#17. Tips from a Grizzled Old Auditor on How to Have a Successful, Long-term Career in Auditing (Auditing-Governmental)You’re young, smart, well-educated, and just starting out your career as a local government auditor. You want to do your best, be successful and move up the career ladder in your office as quickly as possible. What can you do to help yourself navigate this path and ensure you have a successful, long-term career in auditing? This session will provide you career tips and advice from a grizzled, almost 30-year auditor to help you succeed as an auditor.

• Eduardo Luna, City Auditor, City of San Diego (CA)

4:10 – 5:00 p.m. GENERAL SESSION

GS#2. Action and Cause in Auditing: Impacts on Risk, Resources, and Audit Training (Auditing-Governmental)We’ll review key insights on issues that impact risk and resources in auditing. From William Shakespeare to John Adams, we’ll cover how to audit what’s important, take action on audits when we need to, and consider frameworks to enhance the results of our audit recommendations. We’ll consider how to best align our audit offices’ limited resources to address the unlimited risks our organizations face.

• Drummond Kahn, Faculty, Government Audit Training Institute and International Institute, Graduate School USA

6:00 – 8:30 p.m. AN EVENING AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER

Tuesday, May 24

7:00 – 8:00 a.m. BREAKFAST

8:00 – 8:45 a.m. BUSINESS MEETING

8:45 – 10:00 a.m. GENERAL SESSION

GS#3. Increasing the Use of Audits and Evaluations (Auditing-Governmental)Good technical skills and professional standards are not enough to produce useful audits and evaluations. Based on his work with the Idaho Legislature over the past 15 years, Rakesh will discuss strategies that can make audits and evaluations more useful. These strategies include four words that are seldom considered when developing workplans: politics, policymakers, the public, and the press. Not only will these strategies help increase the use of your work, but they will also help you find meaning in it. • Rakesh Mohan, Director, Legislative Office of Performance

Evaluations (ID)

10:20 – 11:10 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS

CS#18. Staffing the Performance Audit Function: What Veteran Auditors See as Vital Skills and Abilities (Auditing-Governmental)One of the biggest challenges facing performance audit organizations is attracting, training and retaining staff. That challenge is exacerbated by the fact that, unlike for most other professional disciplines, there is not a clearly acknowledged body of knowledge, skill and ability associated with performance auditing or an academic pathway to entry into the profession. Working with the Center for State and Local Finance at Georgia State University, and with the support of professional associations including ALGA, the International Center for Performance Auditing has conducted a national survey of practicing performance auditors aimed at determining answers to those questions. The results of that survey and a discussion of its implications will be presented in this session.

Mark Funkhouser, Publisher, Governing Magazine

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Tuesday, May 8

Conference Agenda

CS#19. The Actionable Audit Report (Communications and Marketing)During this highly interactive session, participants will sharpen their “report thinking” and “report writing” skills, answer the 25 Questions to Report Writing Excellence, and discuss attributes of the actionable audit report.

• Margie Bastolla, Principal, Margie Bastolla Facilitations, LLC

CS#20. Security Auditing for the Non-technical Auditor (Information Technology)This session will cover why we tend to avoid cybersecurity audits and how to overcome the apprehension of performing them. It will also address strategies that help auditors perform successful audits even without a technical background. Hear real world examples of how security audits could have prevented breaches. • Rick Gamache, Senior Consultant, BerryDunn• Qian Yuan, Principal Auditor, Metro Government of Nashville

and Davidson County (TN)

CS#21. Ethics: Gifts, Conflicts, and Beyond (Regulatory Ethics)Ethical behavior is critical to a well-functioning government. But is it sufficient to focus on gifts, conflicts of interest, and nepotism, or should we conceive of ethical behavior in government more broadly. This session will use a blend of best practices, case studies, and discussion to stimulate ways for auditors to conceptualize ethical behavior for themselves and their organizations. This session will also count toward the ethics training requirement for Certified Internal Auditors. • Chris Horton, County Auditor, Arlington County (VA)

11:25 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS

CS#22. Auditing Homelessness: Navigating Complexity for Compelling Results (Auditing-Governmental)Auditing homelessness programs carries a unique set of challenges: a highly complex set of funding streams and federal requirements; varying relationships between governments, private charitable organizations, and service providers; and diffuse practices and performance standards. This session will provide a high-level background of the groups typically involved, problems to expect and avoid when developing audit scope, and innovative methods to consider for fieldwork and reporting. • Justin Anderson, Senior Management Auditor, King County

(WA)• Dawn Wiseman, Audit Manager, City and County of Denver

(CO)

CS#23. Knighton Award Winners (Part 2) (Auditing-Governmental)Hear from Knighton winners about their award-winning reports, useful project approaches, and successful audit processes.

CS#24. Combatting Vendor Fraud with Data Analytics (Auditing-Governmental)Have you been paying your contractors too much? With a heightened focus on reducing fraud, waste and abuse in a constrained budget environment, how can you be sure you are addressing your highest risks? Data analytics are not only a detective tool to identify red flags but can be used to help you proactively identify root causes and provide assurance that you are reducing risk. • Nonie Dalton, Senior Product Manager, Public Sector, ACL

Services

CS#25. Maximizing Audit Resources: Navigating Audit Crossroads (Auditing-Governmental)A savvy auditor must recognize when the path of their audit will not produce the most effective result. At these audit crossroads, an auditor must be prepared to change course. Possible choices include stopping, accelerating, or delaying the audit. This session will cover how to identify when you are at an audit crossroad and how best to proceed.• Andrew Keegan, Assistant City Auditor, City of Austin (TX)• Mary Dory, Supervising Senior Auditor, City of Austin (TX)

12:15 – 1:30 p.m. LUNCH

1:30 – 2:45 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS

CS#26. Schools Roundtable (Auditing-Governmental)This session facilitates discussion of preventing Fraud in your school and other locations.

• Paula Ward, Chief Internal Auditor, Washoe County Schools (NV)

CS#27. Investigations Roundtable (Auditing-Governmental)Come to the Investigations Roundtable to discuss your ideas & experiences for all things related to investigations, fraud, waste, and abuse. Topics will be generated by attendees.

• Coia Walker, Senior Performance Auditor, City of Atlanta (GA)

CS#28. New Auditors' Roundtable (Auditing-Governmental)Join the discussion on what helped or what could’ve been improved during the moderator's experience as a new auditor.• Tom Baird, Auditor, City of Colorado Springs (CO)

CS#29. Law Enforcement Roundtable (Auditing-Governmental)Join the discussion on topics specific to auditing law enforcement. Topics will be generated by attendees.• Wendy Gamble, Audit Supervisor, Los Angeles Police

Department (CA)

CS#30. Auditing Uber, Lyft and Taxi Cabs (Auditing-Governmental) Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft have grown rapidly and upended old regulatory models and the taxicab business. Join us for a ride, as we look at the risks special to TNC operations, audit criteria you can use, and different audit approaches. We will discuss stakeholders’ varied perspectives and challenges you might bump into while auditing, with lots of examples.

• Minh Dan Vuong, Senior Management Auditor, City of Portland (OR)

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Conference Agenda

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3:05 – 3:55 p.m.CONCURRENT SESSIONS

CS#31. FAST Innovative Methodologies Edition (Auditing-Governmental)These FAST sessions (five minute presentations with auto-advancing slides) will feature auditors who want to share unique audit methodologies. Do you want inspiring ideas for your next audit? Then this is the session for you. • Sean DeBlieck, Senior Management Auditor, King County

(WA)• Cameron Lagrone, Auditor, City of Austin (TX)

CS#32. Q & A About QA (Auditing-Governmental)Knowingly or unknowingly, you are a part of the quality assurance process for your organization. In some organizations, QA is everyone's responsibility, while others dedicate a whole division to the effort. Either way, QA is something that is happening all day every day. In this session, we will establish common ground about QA for local government audits and investigations. We will also talk about QA tools, from the the most basic to more developed and dedicated functions. • Olga Ovcharenko, Quality Assurance Coordinator,

City of Austin (TX)

CS#33. Audit Analytics to Automation (Auditing-Governmental)A case study on how Harvey M. Rose Associates, serving as the Management Auditor for the County of Santa Clara, worked with the Child Abuse and Neglect Call Center to develop an automated dashboard for real-time performance management. By helping department management and staff better use data already being collected by their phone system, we empowered the department to optimize the deployment of its staff and resources to increase its call response rate from 60% to nearly 100%. • Adrian Gonzales, Principal Analyst, Harvey M. Rose

Associates, LLC

CS#34. Fraud Prevention Practices in Natural Disaster Assistance – Avoiding the Disaster After the Disaster(Auditing-Governmental)In the wake of some of the most destructive natural disasters in U.S. history, in 2017 Congress was faced with approving a record amount of requests for disaster assistance funding, estimated to exceed $130 billion. With this funding comes an associated risk to state and local governments regarding fraud and mismanagement. Federal regulatory agencies, along with state and local governments, are charged with preventing fraud that has historically plagued disaster assistance programs. Learn how a collaborative effort between federal regulatory agencies, states and local governments focused on identifying and mitigating opportunities for fraud and mismanagement in these programs.

• Leslie Wilks, Chief Assistant County Auditor, Harris County Auditor’s Office (TX)

4:10 – 5:00 p.m.GENERAL SESSION

GS#4. Appreciative Leadership: Encouraging the Best in Everyone (Personnel and HR)

Simply put, employees want to feel valued for who they are and what they bring to the workplace. During this session, we will discover how genuine appreciation builds a positive corporate

culture and enhances employee retention; the four languages of appreciation; new skills to build respect and cooperation in the workplace; and how appreciative leadership brings out the best in everyone.

• Margie Bastolla, Principal, Margie Bastolla Facilitations, LLC

5:15 p.m. ALGA BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, May 9 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

WS#4. Show and Tell: Cultivating the Art of Communicating Your Audit Findings (Communications and Marketing)Every audit has a story to tell, but moving from data to message is always a challenge. During this four-hour workshop, Emily Jacobson, Reporting Specialist from the Denver Auditor’s Office, will present tools to help you tell your story, both through words and visuals. Continental breakfast will be provided. • Emily Jacobson, Reporting Specialist, City and County of

Denver (CO)

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

WS#5. Comparing and Miscomparing in Audits (Auditing-Governmental)This workshop introduces comparison as an audit methodology. Workshop participants will learn when comparisons are appropriate for audit work, the different types of comparisons and when each is useful, and the methodological considerations for comparing appropriately. Workshop topics and activities focus on understanding and identifying appropriate comparative dimensions; the methodological considerations for selecting comparative peers; explaining and understanding the different types of comparisons and when each is useful in audit work; and common comparative practices that are methodologically problematic. Continental breakfast will be provided.

• Scott Swagerty, Methodologist, Office of the Auditor General (AZ), and Owner, Swagerty Associates, LLC

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

WS#6. Agile Project Management for Auditors (Auditing-Governmental)In this session, we will discuss how agile project management can be applied to managing an audit. We will go through various audit steps and discuss how agile can be used to accomplish audit planning tasks and comply with the Yellow Book. This will be an interactive session, where participants will get hands-on experience using agile tools and techniques. Continental breakfast will be provided.

• Ben Thompson, Deputy Auditor, King County (WA)

Wednesday, May 9

Conference Agenda

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Hotels & Shuttles

Annual Conference Sessions: May 7-8

Pre-Conference Workshops: May 6

• Peer Review (8 CPE)• Managing People from Poor to Peak Performance

(4 CPE)• Audit Methodologies and Documentation (8 CPE)

Post-Conference Workshops: May 9

• Comparing and Miscomparing (4 CPE)• Agile Project Management for Auditors (4 CPE)• Show and Tell: Cultivating the Art of Communicating• Your Audit Findings (4 CPE)

Registration

Go to alga.membershipsoftware.org to register!

Antlers Hotel │antlers.comThe conference will be held at the Antlers Hotel. A negotiated room rate of $135 per night will be offered to attendees. To make a reservation, call (866) 299-4602 and reference the Association of Local Government Auditors.

The Mining Exchange Overflow rooms are currently being held at The Mining Exchange (a sister property to the Antlers) which is located about two blocks from the Antlers. To reserve rooms at The Mining Exchange, call (719) 323-2051 and ask for the ALGA Conference rate, which is also $135 per night.

Holiday Inn Express & SuitesAdditional rooms are being held at the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites which is located about one mile from the Antlers Hotel. To book a room there, call (719) 424-4300 and ask for the group rate for the Association of Local Government Auditors, which is also $135 per night. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites will provide shuttle service to/from the Antlers. The cut-off date to receive this rate is April 15.

Shuttle Service From DenverFor those flying into Denver and needing shuttle service from the airport to Colorado Springs, we recommend contacting Colorado Springs Shuttle. Shuttle schedules and rates can be found at www.coloradoshuttle.com.

Fees ConferenceEarly Registration(thru Feb 16)

ConferenceRegular Registration(after Feb 16)

4 CPE Workshop

8 CPE Workshop

Member $525 $575 $150 $300Non-Member $625 $675 $150 $300Guest $100 $100

Sold Out

Sold Out

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ParkingValet parking charges for hotel guests are $17.00 short term and $22.00 overnight with in and out privileges. Self-parking is available at $10.00 overnight, with in and out privileges. Attendees not staying at the hotel can receive free parking with validation at the registration desk.

Dress CodeAppropriate dress for the conference and workshops is business casual. Meeting rooms can be cool so be sure to bring along a light jacket or sweater. Feel free to wear casual clothes to both the Sunday and Monday night events.

WeatherAverage temperatures in Colorado Springs in May range from the upper 60’s for daytime highs to low 40’s for evening lows.

Session Handouts & the Mobile AppSession handouts will not be provided at the conference. Handouts (when made available by the speaker)will be made available through ALGA's website prior to the conference.

ALGA’s mobile app, Crowd Compass, will also be available for download on iOS or Android mobile devices. You’ll be able to access schedules, maps, presenter bios and materials, attendee directory, sponsors, and more on your Apple or Android mobile devices at the conference. If you do not have an iOS or Android mobile device, all available conference materials can be accessed on the website version of the app.

Refund and Complaint PolicyFull refunds are available for cancellations on or before April 6. Refunds of 50 percent will be allowed for cancellations on or before April 27. After April 27, no refunds will be granted. Substitutions are always permitted. Complaints may be directed to ALGA Member Services, 449 Lewis Hargett Circle, Suite 290, Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 276-0686.

QuestionsFor more information regarding ALGA’s administrative polices or for questions regarding the 2017 conference or the registration process, contact ALGA Member Services at (859) 276-0686.

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General Information

Go to alga.membershipsoftware.org to register!

2018 ALGA Annual Conference

ALGA Member Services449 Lewis Hargett Circle, Suite 290, Lexington, KY 40503

(859) 276-0686, www.algaonline.org