Sessions: 2025 Government & Public Sector Virtual Conference

Public Finance Federal Update with GFOA’s Emily Brock

Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM

Emily Brock - Government Finance Officers Association

Some things change, and some things stay the same, so they say. In 2025 with a new Congress and new administration, GFOA's Public Finance Network (PFN) in Washington, DC, is advocating to maximize state and local flexibility and to minimize unfunded mandates. At the same time, the PFN is also pursuing opportunities to advance initiatives on behalf of GFOA's members to Congress, the administration, and the Supreme Court. Attend this session to learn about public finance initiatives and gather insight on the future of policy advocacy in public finance.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the evolving landscape of federal advocacy
Identify key public finance initiatives
Explore the future of policy advocacy in public finance

Advancing Government Efficiency with Performance Audits: Insights from the Field

Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Denise Lippuner - Cherry Bekaert
Tiffany McCoy - Cherry Bekaert
Dave Boliek - State of North Carolina

This course will enhance your skills in evaluating and improving the performance of government agencies and programs through the use of performance audits. Participants will learn how to evaluate programs for effectiveness, economy, and efficiency using Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book) as well as hear from the North Carolina State Auditor on how he is leveraging performance audits to foster accountability and improve government operations in his state.

Learning Outcomes:

Explain the value of performance audits in improving government accountability and efficiency
Identify the three types of performance audit objectives
Describe the 5 elements of a Yellow Book Compliant audit finding

Lunch Break

Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Navigating Grants Compliance: Strategies for Success in Today's Regulatory Environment

Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM

Kathleen Kizior - Cherry Bekaert
Paula Heller - Cherry Bekaert

Navigating today’s complex grants compliance landscape requires organizations to stay agile and informed. With evolving federal regulations like the OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and increasing agency-specific mandates, compliance professionals must proactively address challenges such as indirect cost scrutiny, performance-based funding, and audit readiness. Ensuring financial integrity through strong internal controls, accurate reporting, and strategic use of technology, such as automation and grant management software, is essential for sustaining funding and demonstrating responsible stewardship. By adapting to regulatory shifts and leveraging best practices, organizations can confidently manage compliance and maintain eligibility in a rapidly changing environment.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the evolving grants compliance framework
Establish financial integrity and reporting accuracy
Adapt to compliance challenges in the changing grants environment

Closing with Confidence: Year-End Best Practices Unlocked

Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM

Danny Martinez - Cherry Bekaert
Lauren Strope - Cherry Bekaert

As audit timelines stretch and reporting pressures mount, this session equips government finance professionals with the tools and best practices needed to take control of the year-end close. Learn how to streamline your close process, reduce errors, and improve audit readiness—especially critical as many governments face increasing delays and scrutiny. Whether you're catching up or aiming to get ahead, this course offers practical guidance to help you close the year with confidence and clarity.

Learning Outcomes:

Identify common challenges and root causes contributing to delays in governmental year-end financial reporting and audit readiness.
Apply best practices and process improvements to streamline the year-end close and enhance the accuracy and timeliness of financial statements.
Evaluate internal controls and documentation strategies that support a smoother audit process and reduce the risk of post-close adjustments.

Smart Finance, Stronger Government: The Path to Modernization

Thursday, August 7, 2025, 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM

Michael Piotrowski - Cherry Bekaert
Brandi Westbrook - Cherry Bekaert

Learn about an approach to modernizing financial systems and processes that is both practical and results driven. The focus is on continuously refining existing operations, technology, and workflows while adopting cutting-edge best practices and new technologies. By optimizing what works and transforming what is necessary, governments can achieve sustainability and efficiency without unnecessary risk or disruption.

Learning Outcomes:

Conduct a Comparative Analysis of Government vs. Private Sector Financial Operations
Apply a People-Process-Technology-Data Framework to modernization planning
Define compliance-driven requirements for modernizing finance operations

GASB Update

Thursday, August 7, 2025, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Scott Anderson - Cherry Bekaert
Danny Martinez - Cherry Bekaert

We will learn about the latest GASB developments including pronouncements effective this year.

Learning Outcomes:

Identify and interpret key GASB Pronouncements - Participants will be able to identify the major revisions introduced in GASB Statements 101 through 104 and explain how these changes differ from previous standards. This includes understanding the scope and intent of GASB 101 (Compensated Absences) and GASB 102 (Certain Risk Disclosures), which are effective for fiscal years ending June 30, 2025.
Apply New Standards to Financial Reporting - Participants will demonstrate the ability to apply the new GASB principles in the preparation and audit of governmental financial statements.
Evaluate the Impact of Ongoing GASB Projects - Participants will assess the potential impact of current GASB technical agenda items on their organization’s accounting practices. They will also be prepared to provide feedback to GASB during due process periods.

Lunch Break

Thursday, August 7, 2025, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Cybersecurity Best Practices and How Managed IT Services Can Reduce Risk

Thursday, August 7, 2025, 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM

Kurt Manske - Cherry Bekaert
Jim Kramer - Cherry Bekaert

This course equips public sector leaders and IT professionals with essential knowledge of cybersecurity risks facing government agencies and public institutions. It explores proven security best practices and demonstrates how Cybersecurity Risk Management combined with Managed IT Services can help mitigate risk, support compliance with federal and state regulations, and enhance the resilience of critical public services. Designed for those responsible for safeguarding sensitive data, citizen services, and infrastructure in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Learning Outcomes:

Recognize Key Cyber Threats Facing Government Agencies: Understand the unique cybersecurity risks and threat actors targeting the public sector, including ransomware, insider threats, and nation-state attacks.
Implement Public Sector Security Best Practices: Learn actionable cybersecurity strategies tailored for government environments, including access control, incident response planning, and regulatory alignment (e.g., NIST, CJIS, FedRAMP).
Leverage Managed IT Services to Strengthen Resilience: Evaluate how Managed IT Services can enhance threat detection, streamline compliance efforts, and ensure continuity of mission-critical operations within constrained public sector budgets.

Delivery Method | Group Internet Based
Recommended CPE Credit | Up to 1 hour of CPE, pending approval
Recommended Field(s) of Study | Information Technology, Management Services, Specialized Knowledge, Auditing (Governmental)
CPE Capability | Technical Expertise/Problem-Solving
Prerequisites | None
Program Level | Basic
Advanced Preparation | None

Navigating the ERP Selection & Implementation Proces

Thursday, August 7, 2025, 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM

George DelPrete - Cherry Bekaert
Jim Holman - Cherry Bekaert

This session will guide government professionals through the key success factors for selecting and implementing an ERP system, while addressing common challenges and strategies to overcome them.

Learning Outcomes:

Identify best practices for navigating the ERP selection process in the public sector.
Recognize key success factors that contribute to a smooth and effective ERP implementation.
Gain practical insights from government leaders on what to do—and what to avoid—when selecting and deploying ERP systems.