In this issue
Archives
Side Articles
2026 Winter Newsletter
President's Report
GGFOA Members,
As we move through winter and look ahead to spring, many of us are already feeling the familiar shift in pace. For some, budget season is ramping up; for others, audit preparations are front and center. No matter where you fall, this time of year often brings a renewed sense of focus—and, let’s be honest, a little hustle and bustle—as we prepare for the months ahead.
As this is my first letter to you as President of the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association, I want to begin by saying how grateful I am to be part of this community and to serve alongside so many dedicated professionals. The work you do each day—often behind the scenes—plays a vital role in supporting transparency, accountability, and public trust across our state.
One important opportunity on the horizon is Georgia Government Finance Professionals Week, taking place March 16–20, 2026. This week is a chance to pause, reflect, and intentionally recognize the critical role finance professionals play in our organizations and communities. Whether through a proclamation, a social media post, or a simple moment of recognition within your department, your participation helps elevate the profession and the people behind the work. We look forward to celebrating with you across the state.
That same week, we will also host our Spring Training Seminar on March 17–18. This seminar offers timely, practical training during a busy season and provides a valuable opportunity to connect with peers who truly understand the challenges and rewards of government finance. I encourage you to join us if you are able.
Looking a bit further ahead, I recently had the opportunity to visit Chicago in advance of the National GFOA Conference in June, and I am already looking forward to returning. We are planning a Georgia meet-up during the conference and hope many of you will be able to attend and connect with fellow GGFOA members while there.
As always, thank you for your continued involvement, professionalism, and commitment to excellence in government finance. I look forward to the months ahead and to finding meaningful ways for us to learn, connect, and celebrate together.
Sincerely,
Ashlan Webb
GGFOA President
Announcement
GGFOA is excited to launch the first statewide celebration of Government Finance Professionals Week, taking place March 16-20, 2026. This initiative recognizes the essential contributions of government finance professionals and their vital role in maintaining public trust across Georgia.
We are pleased to share that Wayne County has issued the first proclamation recognizing Government Finance Professionals Week, helping to build momentum across communities statewide.
To support participation, GGFOA has developed a Participation Toolkit and a brief Participation Survey to help coordinate the statewide effort and provide assistance as needed. Participation resources are available at: https://ggfoa.org/
If you have already completed the participation survey, thank you—we sincerely appreciate your time and support.
If you have not yet responded, we encourage you to take a moment to share your preferences so we may plan accordingly.
For any questions, please contact [email protected]
Article
Tim Lyons, CPA, Partner at Mauldin & Jenkins
Discover six key fraud prevention lessons drawn from real forensic accounting cases--and learn how government entities can strengthen controls, reduce risk, and maintain public trust.
Useful Links
This article is adapted from CKH Group’s CPE-accredited course
From bank reconciliations to payroll reporting, this article distills key lessons from a CPE course into a practical guide for strengthening month-end close processes in local government.
