GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC)

Hope you can join us for the last forum of the year! The forum includes an update on employee benefits, GST issues for local governments, ARO management and ESG standards! The GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) Accounting & Auditing Forum webinar on December 5, 2024, provides an opportunity to learn about new and changing public sector accounting standards. 📣 Riley Turnbull, CPA, CA of Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) on the Employee Benefits Re-exposure Draft, as they finalize principles for the determination of discount rate for defined benefit post-employment benefit plans. 📣 Mario Piroddi and Darren Taylor of BDO Canada on GST issues and reminders for local governments. 📣 Bailey Church, FCPA, FCA, CIA of KPMG Canada on how effective ARO management supports municipal objectives, as well as the latest on ESG standards. The forum is complimentary for members! Register online here: https://buff.ly/415RFAU #GFOABC #GFOABCBETTERTOGETHER

GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) would like to thank everyone who attended the Financial Planning Forum Webinar on November 20! It was an excellent discussion, focusing on strategic planning, as well as the political interface of financial planning and budgeting. Presenting at the Financial Planning Forum Webinar were Shayne Kavanagh, Senior Manager, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), Anna Mathewson, CAO, City of Port Moody, and Allan Neilson, Principal, Neilson Strategies Inc.. We would like to thank these presenters, as well as facilitator Emily Pagdin, CPA, CMA, CTP, Principal, ERPIE Advisory Inc., for contributing to engaging professional development for our members. The next Financial Planning Forum Webinar will take place February 12, 2025. Registration will open in the new year. #GFOABC #GFOABCBETTERTOGETHER

GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) would like to thank all our facilitators, presenters, and attendees for participating and engaging in this year’s Fall Professional Development Program. Our facilitators' and presenters' dedication and expertise provided insightful sessions and our attendees’ active participation and engagement were crucial in fostering an environment of growth and collaboration. Thank you to the following facilitators and presenters: Development & Amenity Cost Charges Daryl Abbs, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. Gary Scandlan, Policy Advisor Financial Indicators Shelley Hahn, GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) Contractor Lenora Lee, KPMG Canada Andrew Hoge, CFA, CPA, Capital Regional District Leadership Competency Framework Emily Pagdin, CPA, CMA, CTP, ERPIE Advisory Inc. Meghan Aebig, Urban Systems Ltd. Property Tax Policy & Tax Rate Setting Doug Stein, GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) Contractor Janene Brierley-Green, City of White Rock Regional District Day Teri Fong, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District John Illes, Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako https://buff.ly/4fNGyRp This program was made possible partly by support from the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia Sustaining Education Alliance grant. #GFOABC #GFOABCBETTERTOGETHER

GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC)'s ReThinking Budgeting Initiative has been added to the Financial Planning Forum Webinar! This GFOABC forum webinar takes place November 20, 2024, and will open with a presentation by Shayne Kavanagh, Senior Manager for Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), on the ReThinking Budgeting Initiative. Shayne will be joined by Anna Mathewson, CAO, City of Port Moody and Allan Neilson, Principal, Neilson Strategies Inc., in a discussion on integrating strategic planning with local government operations, board and council input, and reporting frameworks. Emily Pagdin, CPA, CMA, CTP at ERPIE Advisory Inc., will moderate this discussion. Participants will be invited to engage with topics directly through polling, Q&A and group discussions. The forum is complimentary for members! Register online here: https://buff.ly/3Q9qaA9 #GFOABC

Recognize exceptional work in local government finance! Submit a nomination for a GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) Excellence in Local Government Finance Award! Our members contribute tirelessly to the profession – through innovations, volunteer work and mentoring the next generation. For example, earlier this year recently retired Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia Chief Services Officer Shelley Hahn was given the GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) Life Member Award for her work on the board, as well support of professional development programs such as Boot Camp and Fall PD! There are five (5) award categories that celebrate outstanding achievements and contributions of local government finance professionals across BC. Written nomination submissions are being accepted until December 31, 2024! More information on the Excellence in Local Government Awards can be found here: https://buff.ly/4fk9Fwm. #GFOABC

Looking for innovative ways to maximize your procurement value? In this quarter’s GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) Dollars & Sense Perspective newsletter, Canoe Procurement Group of Canada notes group procurement or cooperative purchasing offers a collaborative approach that can provide a competitive edge, regardless of size or budget. Read the latest issue of Dollars & Sense Perspective here. https://buff.ly/4eJfN0g #GFOABC

How robust is your local government’s financial management system? In this quarter’s GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) Dollars & Sense Perspective newsletter, @brittstark, CEO of Municipal 360, notes that by establishing clear segments in your Chart of Accounts (COA) string, you can create built-in intelligence that both you and your software can use to generate reports and provide insights. Read the latest issue of Dollars & Sense Perspective here. https://buff.ly/4eJfN0g #GFOABC

Boot Camp is a rite of passage for many local government finance professionals, providing in-depth discussions on an array of topics. In this quarter’s GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) Dollars & Sense Perspective newsletter, Carolyn Brown, CPA, CGA, CFO at the Town of Golden, reflects on her journey from Boot Camp attendee to Boot Camp facilitator, and the impact ongoing professional development can have on local government finance careers. Read the latest issue of Dollars & Sense Perspective here. https://buff.ly/4eJfN0g #GFOABC

The latest edition of the Dollars & Sense Perspective newsletter is out! In this issue, GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) President Rianna Lachance, CPA, CA reflects on her attendance at the Washington Finance Officers Association conference, its themes, and new opportunities to partner with western US state GFOAs to share knowledge and innovative ideas. Read the latest issue of Dollars & Sense Perspective here. https://buff.ly/4eJfN0g #GFOABC

Are you aware of exceptional work by local government colleagues? Is this work deserving of special recognition? Nominate an individual, team or initiative for a GFOABC (Government Finance Officers Association of BC) Excellence in Local Government Finance Award! We have some amazing members. Like Mallory Denniston, CFO at the City of Powell River, who was recognized earlier this year with the New Member Award! There are five (5) award categories that celebrate outstanding achievements and contributions of local government finance professionals across BC. Written nomination submissions are being accepted until December 31, 2024! More information on the Excellence in Local Government Awards can be found here: https://buff.ly/4fk9Fwm. #GFOABC