benefits

Since 1954, the Association of Government Accountants Cleveland Chapter is a professional organization that has been-and remains -the educational organization dedicated to the enhancement of public financial management. AGA serves the professional interests of financial managers, from local, state and federal governments, as well as public accounting firms, responsible for effectively using billions of dollars and other monetary resources every day.

AGA Cleveland members form a diverse group of individuals-from students to entry- level employees to senior executives and elected officials-working for local and state governments, school districts and retirement systems, colleges and universities, federal agencies and public accounting firms. Membership is open to any professional in the financial management arena, not just accountants.
The diversity of the Cleveland Chapter allows our members to network with managers, accountants, financial managers, IT professionals, budget analysts and local politicians who work for Department of Defense Inspector General, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, NASA, State Of Ohio Auditors, county government agencies, public universities, libraries, local city government, and private industry such as Booz Allen and Sierra Lobo.
Since its inception in 1994, the Certificated Government Financial Manager certification (CGFM) has become the standard by which government financial management professionals are measured. Its education, experience and ethics requirements have served to elevate the most seasoned financial professionals. The AGA Cleveland Chapter has resources to help you attain and maintain a CGFM certification.

CPES
Need affordable Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours to maintain a certification? For a cost of $188 ($5.37/CPE hour) you can earn up to 35 CPE hours a year in several ways:
- Our AGA Cleveland Chapter offers six to 10 audio conferences that are FREE to members. That is 12 to 20 CPEs for free.
- We have seven lunches a year that offer one CPE. Each luncheon is $14 so for $98 you can earn an additional 7 CPEs a year.
- Once a year we have a daylong professional conference that offers 8 CPEs for $90 which includes a continental breakfast, snack and lunch.

CGFM Certification
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours earned at AGA luncheons and conference and all of AGA's national educational activities can be used to fulfill CGFM CPE requirements. To learn more about the CGFM Certification, please visit the AGA National website.
Ohio Certification

AGA Cleveland is registered with the Accountancy Board of Ohio and agrees to follow the NASBA CPE Standards as a sponsor of continuing professional education programs.

Becker Educational Programs
Becker Professional Education programs and the AGA currently have a cooperation agreement. This agreement provides AGA members with discounts for using Becker review classes. If you are a federal employee, Becker will provide a discounted rate of $1930 for the CPA Exam Review full four part course. New for 2011 is a larger discount of $600 (increased from $300 in 2010) off the list price for AGA members that are State and Local Government employees. If you are an AGA member but not a government employee, Becker provides a $300 discount off the list price. If a AGA member chooses not take the discount, they may receive the Becker CPA flashcards at no cost instead with registration for a four part review course. The agreement also provides that AGA members may receive a discounted rate of $150 per person per year for an agency sponsored direct bill CPE Distance Learning subscription and a discount off the list price for the Stalla Chartered Financial Analysts Review System.

Professional Luncheons:
The Cleveland Chapter sponsors seven lunches with speakers from the private sector and government with topics including new initiatives in government or personal financial information such as planning for your retirement.

Monthly Newsletters:
AGA Cleveland Chapter's award winning monthly newsletter, The Voice, covers member and Association activities on both the Chapter and National levels. The Voice features Chapter news, developments within the profession and articles of interest to members. Columns range from the president's monthly message to national columns of interest to the government financial manager professional and CGFMs

Up to Date Communications:
Our award winning website, www.agacleveland.org is constantly updated with upcoming events, community service events, pictures, and past luncheon/conference presentations. You will receive bi-monthly email updates on what is going on in the chapter and if you do not want to wait for that email update, just sign up for our Facebook or Twitter site for immediate updates.

Social Events:
It is just not all work and no play in our chapter. We take time out to have fun during the year with several events.
- Our adult winter gathering is an evening social event at a local restaurant and is free to members and their guest.
- Our family summer picnic is at the NASA picnic grounds and is FREE to members and their guests.
- We will sometimes gather for other after work gatherings such as sporting events, happy hours, or other get-togethers.