120th Annual Conference Sessions
120th Annual Conference Sessions
Conference RegistrationBrowse by Topic:
Sessions for Sunday, June 28
-
Sun
28 Jun
2:50 PM - 3:40 PM CT
E345
Trending Topics in Public Finance
From Big Data to Better Decisions: Ensuring Data Quality Amid AI Disruption
Governments today operate in an environment where big data has become a strategic asset, shaping decisions, services, and long-term planning across the public sector. In a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence (AI)—where algorithms, automated systems, and data-driven tools can amplify both insights and risks—the need for strong data hygiene is more critical than ever.
1 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Sun
28 Jun
2:50 PM - 3:40 PM CT
Accounting and Financial Reporting
I Want You to Have it All: Avoiding Common Deficiencies in Financial Reporting
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (COA) award recipients adhere to high professional standards that enhance accountability, transparency, and uniformity of financial reporting. All government participating in the program need to be rewarded for their accomplishments and public service. However, all reports are also not perfect and GFOA's COA program exists to provide education and work collaboratively to drive improvement.
1 CPE credits
Level: update
More info -
Sun
28 Jun
2:50 PM - 3:40 PM CT
Leadership, Ethics, and Trust
Lucky to Lead Together: Influence and Transformation with the Women’s Public Finance Network
GFOA's Women’s Public Finance Network (WPFN) fosters the careers of women in public finance through education, networking, and mentoring opportunities. Guided by the 2026–2027 theme, "Lead. Influence. Transform.," this session will focus on how women at all stages of their careers can strengthen their leadership presence, expand their influence, and drive meaningful change within their organizations and communities.
1 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Sun
28 Jun
2:50 PM - 3:40 PM CT
Debt Management
The World as I See It: Disclosure Best Practices for Municipal Issuers
Continuing disclosure is a critical responsibility for municipal issuers, ensuring transparency and maintaining investor confidence in the municipal market. This session will provide an in-depth overview of continuing disclosure requirements under SEC rules, explore best practices for meeting these obligations, and highlight the role of technology in streamlining disclosure processes.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Sun
28 Jun
2:50 PM - 3:40 PM CT
Economic Development
Update on Federal Programs to Support Affordable Housing
If anything brought strong support from Congress in the 119th, it was the need to address housing affordability across the country. HR1 not only expanded the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, but also extended the Opportunity Zones (OZ) program, which encourages long-term investment in economically distressed areas, including rural communities.
1 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Sun
28 Jun
4:00 PM - 4:50 PM CT
Budgeting and Forecasting
It Always Seems Impossible Until It's Done: Voting Yes for a Tax Increase
Public hostility towards increasing prices is a powerful force that has dominated elections, news cycles, and everyday conversations recently. However, at the same time, some governments have also been successful in getting public support for tax increases.
1 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Sun
28 Jun
4:00 PM - 4:50 PM CT
Business Process Improvement
Make No Small Plans: Addressing Big Challenges in Your Community
Governments are responsible for not only delivering basic services like garbage pick-up and street maintenance to their residents, but also for addressing problems that negatively impact the quality of life in their communities. Challenges such as high unemployment, homelessness, and affordability often feel too large for a government to tackle alone, yet many have managed to do so successfully.
1 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Sun
28 Jun
4:00 PM - 4:50 PM CT
Accounting and Financial Reporting
Rising from the Ashes: FDTA and Voluntary Digital Financial Reporting
While we await the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) final rule around the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA), the likelihood of a standardized digital financial reporting framework for government financial information increases. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has been working with a consultative group of stakeholders to develop a digital taxonomy for GAAP financial statements.
1 CPE credits
Level: update
More info -
Sun
28 Jun
4:00 PM - 4:50 PM CT
Risk Assessment
Risk Management: It's a "We" Thing!
Getting employees excited about and interested in enterprise risk management is no easy task, but successful programs require all employees to actively participate in identifying and mitigating risk. In this session, speakers will discuss strategies for improving awareness of common risks, increasing employee engagement, and developing policies and procedures that work to reduce exposure and lower costs.
1 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Sun
28 Jun
4:00 PM - 4:50 PM CT
Debt Management
Rules of the Game: Working with Regulated Entities for Debt Management
Debt issuing organizations often rely heavily on outside professionals—municipal advisors, bond counsel, underwriters, and others—to navigate the complexities of planning and issuing debt. This session will walk issuers through the federal protections designed to support issuers, including fair dealing duties, obligations to avoid conflicts of interest, the municipal advisor’s federally-mandated duty of care and duty of loyalty, and counsel’s professional obligations.
1 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info
Sessions for Monday, June 29
-
Mon
29 Jun
8:30 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Debt Management
Bond Sale Three-Peat: Part 1 – Preparing for the Sale
Issuing municipal bonds is a complex process that requires careful planning and coordination. This session will guide municipal issuers through the essential steps to prepare for a successful bond sale—from identifying capital needs and selecting the right financing approach to assembling your support team and meeting statutory and legal requirements.
2 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
8:30 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Business Process Improvement
One Step at a Time: Getting Results with Incremental Process Improvement
Governments often face resource constraints, compliance requirements, and pressure to deliver better services—making large-scale transformation daunting. This session explores how incremental process improvement can drive meaningful change without overwhelming staff or budgets.
2 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
8:30 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Budgeting and Forecasting
Questions and Answers: Understanding GFOA's New Budget Award Criteria
Trends in budgeting and technological advances have significantly changed the way that leading governments communicate budget information to stakeholders. Websites, dashboards, newsletters, videos, and other popular media can be more effective than a lengthy PDF document for communicating key messages. Based on research, member feedback, and recommendations from subject matter experts, GFOA is excited to update the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
2 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
8:55 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Debt Management
Cybersecurity in Municipal Bond Issuance: Protecting Transactions, Funds, and Public Trust
Cybersecurity has become one of the most urgent emerging risks for governments, including in the municipal bond market. All governments—especially small and medium sized issuers with limited IT capacity—are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cybercriminals who understand the mechanics of public finance transactions.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: advanced
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
8:55 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Procurement
Procurement Policy Modernism: Updating the ABA Model Procurement Code
The values of public procurement–ethics, competition, transparency, and accountability–are clear. However, compliance with the detailed multi-layered framework of federal, state, and local laws, policies, and regulations can be difficult for all stakeholders to understand and follow. Procurement policies serve a critical role in clarifying expectations, defining legal authority, establishing thresholds, ensuring public access, and protecting against corruption.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
8:55 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Trending Topics in Public Finance
Talent Pipeline: A Guide to Developing an Effective Internship Program
Governments keep hearing they need to “build a talent pipeline,” but many struggle with how to do so. Implementing a robust internship program is one option that has worked well for some local governments. This session will offer a behind-the-scenes look at designing internship programs and implementing practices that keep them working year after year.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Accounting and Financial Reporting
Accounting and Auditing Year in Review
An annual conference favorite, the Accounting and Auditing Year in Review provides conference attendees with an overview of changing standards and previews upcoming projects. During this session, speakers will provide a comprehensive overview of the key developments in accounting, auditing, and financial reporting that affect state and local governments.
2 CPE credits
Level: update
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
ERP Systems and Technology
Cyber Risk Savvy: GFOA's 2026 Cybersecurity Update
A cyberattack has the potential to shut down your organization's operations and inhibit its ability to deliver critical services to the community. In addition, the cost of recovering from an attack can escalate quickly to millions of dollars. While governments will never completely eradicate this risk, there are effective practices and strategies that you can put in place to minimize your organization's risk.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: update
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Budgeting and Forecasting
From Combative to Collaborative: A Better Approach to Police Staffing Conversations
Conversations between budget professionals and police chiefs about staffing sometimes devolve into combative exchanges. Staff in the budget office say, "I need you to cut staff," and the police chief says, "If I do that, crime will go through the roof!" An alternative to these types of conversations is to develop a data-driven approach that aligns police staffing with identified workload.
2 CPE credits
Level: advanced
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Procurement
You Get a P-Card, and You Get a P-Card, and Everyone Gets a P-Card
Religion, politics, family drama, and purchasing card (P-card) policies are the four topics we can all agree should not be discussed at the dinner table. Within the world of public finance and procurement, P-cards tend to elicit strong emotions. Are P-cards an efficient tool for streamlining processes, empowering managers, and modernizing payment options that should be used as much as possible by departments and their staff? Or do P-cards invite fraud, reckless spending, lack of compliance, and reconciliation nightmares?
1.5 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
3:10 PM - 4:25 PM CT
ERP Systems and Technology
Better With You. The Need for Alignment with IT Purchases
With the expansion of cloud software and the buzz surrounding AI capabilities, it has become easier than every for individual departments to commit to software without coordinating with peers in information technology (IT), budget, or procurement. Even at the GFOA conference, some of you might discover the latest "must have" product from the exhibit floor.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
3:10 PM - 4:25 PM CT
Treasury and Investment Management
Measure Thrice, Explain Once: Reporting on Performance of Investment Portfolios
Measuring government investment portfolio performance is essential for accountability and transparency, strategic decision-making, and achieving governmental goals. However, government investing follows different principles than traditional investing. Safety and liquidity are the hallmarks of public investing, followed by return, and governments should incorporate these concepts in how they measure the performance of their investment portfolio.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
3:10 PM - 4:25 PM CT
Debt Management
Strengthening Investor Relations: Effective Engagement with Municipal Investors
A strong investor relations (IR) program is becoming an essential component of transparent governance, effective market communication, and achieving favorable borrowing outcomes. This session will guide municipal issuers through the key elements of building and maintaining an IR program.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
3:10 PM - 4:25 PM CT
Leadership, Ethics, and Trust
Why I'm a Finance Officer
There is no single roadmap to becoming a finance officer. Across GFOA’s 30,000+ members, professionals arrive at public finance through a wide range of roles, disciplines, and experiences. What unites them is a shared responsibility to maintain public trust, support their communities, and help build resilient organizations in an environment shaped by workforce constraints, heightened scrutiny, and growing complexity in local government.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
4:45 PM - 5:35 PM CT
Treasury and Investment Management
A Penny for Your Thoughts
In 2025, the United States federal government stopped producing new pennies. Anticipating a penny crunch, some retailers are moving away from using "cents" in financial transactions by rounding cash transactions up or down to the nearest nickel, but depending on state and local laws, governments may not be able to round tax and fee transactions.
1 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
4:45 PM - 5:35 PM CT
Procurement
From Avoidance to Aligned: Building Better Procurement Relationships
From a back-office function known for paper-heavy processes, complex and changing requirements, lengthy delays, and confusion, procurement departments in organizations of all sizes can transform into strategic partners. By focusing on customer service, efficiency, and results, they can follow the lead of speakers in this session by building relationships, listening to and understanding the needs of all stakeholders, and reducing complexity.
1 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
4:45 PM - 5:35 PM CT
Accounting and Financial Reporting
Money, Myths, and Misinformation: Making Government Finance Make Sense
In an era of misinformation, skepticism toward institutions, and “AI-generated everything,” public trust in government has never been more fragile—or more essential. As communities face growing fiscal pressures and the need to pass critical levies, local governments must find new ways to engage residents and explain how public finance truly works.
1 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Mon
29 Jun
4:45 PM - 5:35 PM CT
Leadership, Ethics, and Trust
The Three Cs of Leading in a Polarized World: Conviction, Commitment, and Connection
Polarization is a key feature of today’s political landscape, even at the local level. It can limit government leaders from reaching their full potential, and, worse, it reduces everyone's ability to serve the community and solve problems. When faced with challenges like this, leaders must strive to respond in a deliberate, collaborative, and mature manner, and avoid emotional arguments that create winners and losers, weaken trust, and damage relationships.
1 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info
Sessions for Tuesday, June 30
-
Tue
30 Jun
8:30 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Treasury and Investment Management
Cyber Crime and Public Finance
Fraud and cyber-enabled crimes are advancing quickly, exposing new vulnerabilities in local government treasury operations. Sophisticated schemes—from compromised email systems to payment diversion—are outpacing traditional controls, making stronger defenses essential. GFOA’s Cyber Risk Savvy report highlights the accelerating threat environment and offers strategies every government should adopt.
2 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Tue
30 Jun
8:55 AM - 10:10 AM CT
ERP Systems and Technology
Bots Behind the Books: Robotic Process Automation Use Cases for Government
Robotic process automation (RPA) is not new, but many finance professionals are still not sure what it really looks like in day-to-day work. Governments continue to rely on staff to enter invoices, move data between systems, reconcile accounts, and prepare routine reports, even when those tasks follow the same steps every time. The result is busy teams, long cycle times, and limited capacity for analysis and service improvements.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Tue
30 Jun
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Debt Management
Bond Sale Three-Peat: Part 2 – Executing the Bond Sale
For small- and medium-sized municipal issuers, executing a bond sale can feel complex—especially when entering the market infrequently. This session provides a practical overview of the activities leading up to a competitive bond sale, including finalizing the Preliminary Official Statement (POS), publishing the Notice of Sale, structuring the sale, and ensuring the financing team is aligned for sale day.
2 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Tue
30 Jun
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Budgeting and Forecasting
Look for the Good: Communicating the Costs and Benefits of Government Services
Traditional government budgeting and accounting has focused on departments, cost centers, and expenditure objects that help describe how much the government is spending. This approach makes it easier to manage costs internally, but it does little to show all the good work the organization is doing to add value in the community.
2 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Tue
30 Jun
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Leadership, Ethics, and Trust
Practice Makes Perfect: Navigating Complex Issues in Procurement Ethics
Avoid conflicts of interest. Seek no personal gain. Minimize the impact of lobbying. Recognize and reduce potential bias. Most government professionals know the right thing to do. However, knowing what is right is much easier than doing what is right. Everyday scenarios in procurement cause finance and procurement professionals to confront difficult ethical scenarios. When you are faced with the challenge, will you have the confidence to take a stand?
2 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Tue
30 Jun
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Budgeting and Forecasting
Trending Topics in Rate-Setting with the Utility Finance Forum
Setting utility rates is a complex process. Utility operators are challenged to ensure their rates cover costs, including for much-needed capital investments while also maintaining affordability for their customers. Utilities also need to ensure they are accurately predicting future revenue based on evolving customer demands.
1 CPE credits
Level: overview
More info -
Tue
30 Jun
3:35 PM - 4:50 PM CT
Budgeting and Forecasting
Be Honest. Do You Really Have Position Control?
Most finance, budget, and human resource professionals will agree that position control is critical to manage personnel costs, structure sound business processes, and implement enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. At the same time, it remains one of the most overlooked functions.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Tue
30 Jun
3:35 PM - 4:50 PM CT
Treasury and Investment Management
Dealing with the Heat: Understanding the Hottest Topics in Investment
To uphold their fiduciary duty, finance and treasury professionals must understand the variables that could impact their investment portfolios and mitigate any potential negative impacts. In today's volatile and uncertain market, this is easier said than done.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Tue
30 Jun
3:35 PM - 4:50 PM CT
Debt Management
Remember Me? Getting Familiar Again with Arbitrage Strategies for Tax-Exempt Bonds
As short-term reinvestment rates have risen since 2021, issuers of tax-exempt bonds are experiencing positive arbitrage at levels not seen in over a decade. Managing compliance remains complex, especially as the potential for positive arbitrage persists, and presents both opportunities and challenges for issuers of tax-exempt bonds.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: advanced
More info -
Tue
30 Jun
3:35 PM - 4:50 PM CT
Federal Advocacy
Washington, D.C., Update
Even amid gridlock, Washington, D.C. never really slows down. In 2026, state and local budgets, capital plans, and financial markets are being impacted by federal policy decisions in new ways, and GFOA's Federal Liaison Center (FLC) remains active in advocating to maintain state and local flexibilities, protect state and local revenues, and reduce unfunded mandates.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info
Sessions for Wednesday, July 1
-
Wed
1 Jul
8:30 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Risk Assessment
Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail: Planning for Disasters
It's impossible to predict the severity, type, or timing, but every government will eventually face a disaster and must be ready to respond when it hits. How do you keep operations going? How do you adapt to keep the community safe? How do you recover once the disaster has passed? How do you pay for all of this?
2 CPE credits
Level: basic
More info -
Wed
1 Jul
8:30 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Accounting and Financial Reporting
Talking Single Audits in the Second City
In 2026, all federal funds Single Audits will be conducted in accordance with the audit guidance in the 2024 Uniform Guidance (UG) update, and most governments will have been following that updated UG for all or most of their grants for the year under audit.
2 CPE credits
Level: update
More info -
Wed
1 Jul
8:30 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Compensation and Benefits
The Ups and Downs of Outsourcing Payroll
Processing payroll is arguably one of the most important internal functions a government performs. Your people are your most valuable asset, and you need to make sure they are paid correctly and on time. At the same time, processing payroll is often one of the most frustrating tasks for finance staff. Hoping all employees submit their timesheets on time, ensuring pay codes are applied correctly, validating deductions for taxes and benefits, processing last minute personnel changes, and the ongoing complexity of collective bargaining and retro pays are enough to drive even the most serene payroll manager bonkers.
2 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Wed
1 Jul
8:55 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Leadership, Ethics, and Trust
Beyond 9 to 5: Alternative Solutions to Traditional Staffing Models
As workforce expectations evolve, governments are experimenting with innovative approaches to attract and retain talent while maintaining service quality. This session will bring together leaders from organizations that have piloted remote workers, contract employees, alternative schedules, meeting-free days, shared employees, and more.
2 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Wed
1 Jul
8:55 AM - 10:10 AM CT
Compensation and Benefits
Magic 8 Ball, Will My Health Plan Costs Ever Level Off? Reply Hazy, Try Again
Government health plan costs have been increasing for several years for many organizations. Is there any relief in sight? In order to plan and budget effectively, governments need to understand how changes happening in the healthcare and health insurance industries could impact their own health insurance plans, but given the complexity, it sometimes feels like consulting a magic 8 ball would be better than trying to figure it all out.
1.5 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Wed
1 Jul
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Trending Topics in Public Finance
Ask Me Anything: Advanced Concepts In Public Finance
In this advanced version of Ask Me Anything, a panel of public finance professionals will provide candid, relatable responses to burning questions submitted by attendees in the areas of revenue, procurement, organizational culture and management, and ethics.
2 CPE credits
Level: advanced
More info -
Wed
1 Jul
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Debt Management
Bond Sale Three-Peat: Part 3 – Post-Issuance Compliance
After the successful sale and closing of municipal bonds, issuers take on a long‑term set of responsibilities to ensure ongoing compliance with paying bondholders, federal tax rules, securities laws, and other requirements. This session provides municipal issuers—especially those with small and medium‑sized programs—with an overview of key post‑issuance compliance duties.
2 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Wed
1 Jul
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Accounting and Financial Reporting
Get What You Pay For: Reporting Enterprise Funds and Stand-Alone Business-Type Activities
Governments charge for many different kinds of goods and services they offer, often with the intent of covering all—or at least a significant portion of—the costs of providing those services, or even to generate additional revenues to subsidize other services.
2 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info -
Wed
1 Jul
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Procurement
The Revolution Is Here: Hot Topics in Procurement
The procurement profession is in the middle of a rapid transformation. Faced with stakeholder frustration, rapidly advancing technology (including artificial intelligence), increasing public pressure, and new approaches that are redefining beliefs around competition, policies and practices in procurement are changing.
2 CPE credits
Level: overview
More info -
Wed
1 Jul
10:30 AM - 12:10 PM CT
Budgeting and Forecasting
Timeless or Trendy: Debating the Staying Power of Common Budget Fads
For the past 50 years, governments have discovered the "perfect" solution to address budgeting challenges only to revert back to their prior approach a few years later. At GFOA, we have witnessed the rise and fall of zero-based budgeting, budgeting for outcomes, participatory budgeting, biennial budgeting, and more only to see the trend revived a few years later.
2 CPE credits
Level: intermediate
More info