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PITI-VITI News Items
04 May 2021
Jason Aubuchon
Events
04 Aug 2021 - 06 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Intermediate Grants Management
This 3-day virtual course will provide information about how to access guidance on compliance, how to update program/project narratives and how to avoid financial pitfalls. In addition, this course will provide information about how to prepare a continuation application, the steps that need to be taken to make changes to the grant as well as the concept of carryover and explain how to prepare a carryover request.
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28 Sep 2021 - 30 Sep 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Pandemic Relief Funding: Reviewing and Auditing Awarded Contracts
Pandemic relief funds provided through the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan of 2021 has resulted in a large number of grants being awarded to aid in the fight against Covid 19 to many first-time recipients.
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23 Aug 2021 - 23 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Opening Plenary: Government Finance and Audit in the New, New Normal + Appreciative Leadership: Encouraging the Best in Everyone
The opening plenary will contain welcoming conference remarks and two sessions – First, Mark Funkhouser will present on Government Finance and Audit in the New, New Normal. Second, Margie Bastolla will present on Appreciative Leadership: Encouraging the Best in Everyone.
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24 Aug 2021 - 24 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Creative and Critical Thinking for Auditors
Creative Thinking for Auditors explores why creative and critical thinking are essential tools of auditor providence that should be applied throughout all phases of the audit process. The class will discuss personal and organizational challenges to creative thinking and change, and ways to overcome the natural resistance to change for breakthrough ways of seeing root causes of problems and considering new possible solutions. This course will include brain training exercises and tools to get participants to think more abstractly to look beyond the obvious, to challenge the status quo, and to use process techniques for generating new ideas for action. This class will explore the power of “why” in looking for root causes of problems, and the power of the possible in considering new opportunities and threats for forward-thinking recommendations.
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24 Aug 2021 - 24 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Auditing in the Time of COVID
Audit organizations world wide have been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Even if you are not conducting a COVID-19 specific audit, auditors conducting audit work during the pandemic, or whose scope of work falls within the period of the pandemic, may face obstacles that can increase their audit risk including the unavailability of key staff, the inability to access key information, and the inability to follow established controls.
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24 Aug 2021 - 24 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Understanding the Single Audit Report
This course introduces basic governmental accounting principles, terminology, and financial statements. It provides an overview of governmental accounting systems and related internal control and documentation requirements. Participants will gain knowledge of the financial reporting process and the end product.
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24 Aug 2021 - 24 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Understanding the Financial Statements
This course introduces basic governmental accounting principles, terminology, and financial statements. It will enable understanding of the types of questions that financial statements can answer as well as where to find the answers. Participants will gain knowledge of the financial reporting process, the annual audit, and the resulting reports.
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25 Aug 2021 - 25 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Government Auditing Standard Peer Review Update
Receive an in-depth review and update on the 2018 revision of Government Auditing Standards, plus a brief history on the development of the standards. Discuss the structure of the recent revision of the standards and the major changes, focusing on the sections applicable to performance audits. Discuss the purpose and requirements of individual standards, with emphasis on the recent changes. Apply specific standards to real life cases. Discuss APIPA's Peer Review schedule and next steps to review APIPA member offices.
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25 Aug 2021 - 25 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Auditor Heal Thyself: How Government Auditors Can “Walk the Walk” by Implementing Effective Internal Continuous Improvement and Culture Enhancement
Public sector auditors are experts at helping their government organizations improve their operational cultures, control environments, and services. Yet, audit organizations are not always as focused on strengthening their own internal cultures, internal controls, and services. This session presents ideas for developing and deploying effective continuous improvement and change management activities within audit organizations and includes three entertaining audit organization change management case examples as well as learning objectives focused on auditing in a post-pandemic world.
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25 Aug 2021 - 25 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Introduction to Grants Management
The Grants 101 course will provide basic information about grants, including the responsibilities of recipients and keytasks that must be completed during the project period. This course will be most informative for administrative andprogram staff from organizations that were awarded a new grant in FY 2020 or FY 2021. It will also be relevant for newstaff on existing grants who do not have extensive experience in grants management.
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26 Aug 2021 - 26 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Effective Audit Resolution, Follow-up and Implementation
Audit resolution, follow-up, implementation, and reporting is a responsibility shared by the audit organization, the auditee organization follow-up coordinator and action officials. This responsibility is described in a variety of laws and OMB Circulars to provide a basis for accountability of the audited entities in responding to audit recommendations, reaching resolution and implementing the agreed upon corrective actions to reduce the risk of loss, improve operational performance and financial integrity in all levels of government. This course will explore the statutes, guidance and standards for audit recommendations, resolution, follow-up progress, monitoring and reporting. It will also define the roles and responsibilities of the audit organization and those designated to perform follow-up, implementation and congressional reporting and budget submission functions.
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26 Aug 2021 - 26 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Performeter -- Review and Update
The Performeter is an analytical tool that takes a government’s financial statements and converts them into useful and understandable measures of financial performance. The Performeter uses financial ratios and a copyrighted analysis methodology to arrive at an overall rating of 1-10, which indicates the overall financial health and performance of a government. Since 2002, PITI-VITI has been developing Performeters annually for each of the insular areas. As a result, multiple years of cumulative data is now available for each government. In addition to being able to track overall scores, the Performeter can also be used to track individual trends within ratios: Net Assets, Fund Balances, Revenue Dispersion, Intergenerational Equity, etc. This session will describe the Performeter tool, highlight recent results by insular area, and consider next steps for island governments' financial health and performance.
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26 Aug 2021 - 26 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
The Performance Audit Tool Belt- Re-Thinking and Imagining Performance Audit Methods
Performance auditing is both and art and a science. Performance auditors are generalists who deploy advanced interdisciplinary based methodologies and tools to “interpret realty” in order to execute effective root cause analysis necessary to develop objective audit conclusions and strong recommendations. This session “audits” common and emergent performance audit methodologies including the strengths and weaknesses of methods and strategic cost-benefit considerations. Learning objectives include a discussion of standards of evidence, auditor competency and skill requirements as well as the importance of investing in tools. The session highlights data analytics as a powerful and emergent tool in the auditor tool belt and highlights several case examples including an entertaining story about how auditors brought down a fraud scheme in Oregon.
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27 Aug 2021 - 27 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Plenary Session: Creating Impactful Relationships with Management + Love Triangle - Audit Risk, Internal Control, and Sampling
Creating Impactful Relationships with Management Good analytical skills, an understanding of the business, and a knowledge of the organization’s key risks are essential to your success as an internal auditor. But there’s another skill that can help make the difference between being a good auditor and a great one. It’s a knack for building solid relationships with management and the C-Suite. Internal auditors with strong professional relationships are happier, more productive, and enjoy greater success in the workplace. Furthermore, audit clients and executives are more likely to value audit’s opinions, assessments, and recommendations if they know and trust them. Love Triangle - Audit Risk, Internal Control, and Sampling Audit risk, internal control, and sampling are key components to any audit. It is important not only to understand each of those aspects, but also to understand how they relate to each other. We will examine the various components of audit risk and internal control and how those may impact sampling.
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30 Aug 2021 - 30 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Plenary Session: Leadership, Motivation and Accountability for High Performance Auditors + Business Etiquette in an Instant Information World
Leadership, Motivation and Accountability for High Performance Auditors Great audit organizations need leaders who see their role differently than just being super auditors. This highly interactive course will help audit staff cross the threshold toward becoming super leaders by understanding what makes a good leader, how to motivate others, and create an environment of accountability for high performance. This session will examine the traits, characteristics and styles of successful managers and leaders that can be learned and practiced, as well as why people in leadership positions often fail. We will explore ways to inspire and motivate staff through constructive coaching, growth opportunities and appreciation. This session also explores the communication tools, approaches, and techniques to inspire a new level of performance accountability, self-awareness and commitment through empowerment and ownership. Business Etiquette in an Instant Information World The proliferation of computes, smart phones, and other digital devices combined with easy internet access has created a brand new world in which the old rules of business etiquette are no longer adequate. Is texting during a business meeting rude? Are “all caps” messages alarming to recipients? Should you be Facebook friends with coworkers? This workshop offers insights into potential problem areas along with best practices for professional presentation in an online world.
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31 Aug 2021 - 31 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Providing Extra Value for your Audited Entities
When public auditors conduct audits of financial statements, compliance with authorities or do performance audits of programs and services, there are opportunities to provide audited entities with extra value when conducting the audit work related to the audit objectives. This session will provide some ideas for how you can make a greater difference with your audit work.
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31 Aug 2021 - 31 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Enterprise Risk Assessment
This course introduces the Enterprise Risk Management framework with the goal ofunderstanding how to identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout an organization. In order toachieve strategic objectives, organizations need to be able to identify and manage the risks theyface.The importance of risk management has become increasingly clear in a pandemicworld
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31 Aug 2021 - 31 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
GASB Update: So Much for 2020 Vision, huh?
Wow, what a year. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, GASB’s standard-setting activity had actually slowed to a more manageable level in 2020 after several very busy years. However, that slower pace is set to pick up again with the implementation of many of the standards whose effective dates were initially postponed by GASB 95. In this session, we will talk about fiduciary activity accounting and the new financial reporting requirements related to leases, along with several other pending GASB statements. In addition, several newer projects are closer to completion, with newer standards immanent. We will also address the “big 3” project, which includes a proposed new financial reporting model. Whoop! Whoop! Who’s ready for the GASB Update!?!
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01 Sep 2021 - 01 Sep 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Managing for Better Results
Governments struggle with managing resources and requirements for delivering efficient and effective programs and services. The additional cost of systems and practices to manage and report on government operations can seem daunting at times. This session will discuss concepts for results based management that are fit for purpose and can provide the kind of accountability needed for many government programs and services.
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01 Sep 2021 - 01 Sep 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Going Green in the Workplace – Everyone’s Job!
The island governments are in the news as they step forward to lead the fight to halt climatechange. Going green in the workplace brings the fight homeand enables everyone toparticipate. While “going green” might mean different things to different people, our definitionwill be “making conscious and sustainable choices.” We will take a look today at identifyingchoices that can be made and creating plans for action
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01 Sep 2021 - 01 Sep 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Intermediate Grants Management
This course will provide information about the steps that need to be taken to make changes to the grant as well as the concept of carryover and explain how to prepare a carryover request. The webinar will be most relevant for staff who are involved in the programmatic and financial management of the grant, particularly staff that prepare the budget.
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02 Sep 2021 - 02 Sep 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
The Emotionally Intelligent Auditor
Managing positive and productive relationships during the course of audit work, directing, coaching or working with members of the audit team, and dealing with auditees, organizational management and external stakeholders can be emotionally challenging and often confrontational. We often have to deal with difficult people in difficult situations– and they have to deal with us! This executive seminar will examine the emotionally intelligent competencies and communication skills necessary to maintain control, and better connect with people in defusing angst and in building positive, cooperative relationships for constructive problem solving and inspired action. We will explore differences in personality types that cause misunderstandings, how to manage your own hot buttons, and how to manage difficult personality types or potentially contentions situations for positive outcomes.
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02 Sep 2021 - 02 Sep 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Thinking Out of the Box to Maximize Audit Impact and Value: Four Innovative Performance Audit Portfolios and Strategies
Government auditors need to continually deploy strategies to ensure their audit work results in maximum impact and value. This session previews four innovative performance auditing portfolios that demonstrate the power and potential f non-traditional performance auditing scope and objective areas including auditing culture (tone at the top and middle), auditing equity, execute real-time auditing, and deploying advisory service. The session includes case examples highlighting each of the innovative audit portfolios and includes cost-benefit and other strategic considerations for deploying these innovative practices.
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02 Sep 2021 - 02 Sep 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Project Management
This course will provide information about how to use program management to improve grant implementation. In addition, a sample work plan will be provided and discussed. The webinar will be most relevant for staff who are involved in the programmatic and financial management of the grant.
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03 Sep 2021 - 03 Sep 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Plenary Session: Closing Remarks + Accountability and Auditing: Panel presentation by all APIPA member offices
To conclude the APIPA Annual Conference, we will hear wrap-up remarks from our host organization and describe next steps for island accountability. The main session will feature short presentations and a panel discussion with APIPA member offices. These presentations and discussion will highlight current work examples and provide a template for next steps for accountability and auditing in the region.
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20 Aug 2021 - 20 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Zoom Practice Session APIPA 2021
All APIPA 2021 courses will be delivered via Zoom. If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, the APIPA Secretariat will be hosting two options Zoom orientation sessions. Click on the links below to join the session at the appointed time. In addition to these practice sessions, the APIPA Secretariate has prepared a list of Frequently Asked Zoom questions, which you can review and download.
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21 Aug 2021 - 21 Aug 2021
Guam (GMT+10)Change
Zoom Practice Session APIPA 2021
All APIPA 2021 courses will be delivered via Zoom. If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, the APIPA Secretariat will be hosting two optional ZOOM orientation sessions. In addition to these practice sessions, the APIPA Secretariate has prepared a list of Frequently Asked Zoom questions, which you can review and download.
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August/September, 2021
Photo Gallery
Photos from recent activities hosted by the Pacific and Virgin Islands Training Initiatives (PITI-VITI) in support of conferences, training and leadership development, are available below.
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