Finance School

Albany Update
Representatives from NYSAC and OSC will provide an update on the State budget, legislative priorities, and other issues and concerns impacting counties. (Wednesday, 5/1/24, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.)

PDF of Slides (D. Lucas, NYSAC)

PDF of Slides (R. Lois, OSC)

The Business of Cybercrime
NYSTEC will take you into the thriving business of cybercrime. Cyber expert Rob Zeglen will discuss the best practices business model used and why cybercrime is recession proof and still growing. Steps will be shared on how your county can understand risk posture and establish controls to protect against cybercrime impacting your financial systems. (Wednesday, 5/1/24, 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

PDF of Slides

Developing Diversified Partnerships
Managing millions of dollars of taxpayer funds can be a daunting task. This workshop will help both new and experienced county finance officials understand how partnerships can help build your knowledge and confidence in the full range of county investment options and improve your returns. (Wednesday, 5/1/24, 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.)

PDF of Slides

Obligating, Spending & Readying for U.S. Treasury Desktop Reviews – Tales, Tactics & Tying Together Your Federal COVID-19 Fund Spending with Eligible Uses
The runway for obligating Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) is shortening as U.S. Treasury OIG continues its desktop reviews of Coronavirus Relief Fund and Emergency Rental Assistance, and other COVID-19 monies. Exciting times. This session will discuss creative approaches that states and counties nationally are using to obligate and spend their SLFRF on time and in line, along with tactics for documenting dollars spent to eligible uses that can do the talking come desktop review time. (Wednesday, 5/1/24, 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.)

PDF of Slides

Keys to Successful Financial Cost Recovery for Disasters: FEMA Public Assistance Program
Documentation is the key to success in disaster finance issues. Eligible Subrecipients are responsible for establishing and maintaining accurate records of events and expenditures related to disaster recovery work for which FEMA assistance is essential. The documentation describes the “who, what, when, where, why, and how much” for each item of cost. These records become the basis for recovering your final project costs. This training will help staff with a role in documenting financial cost recovery following a disaster to organize required financial and administrative documentation and prepare for an audit on the use of disaster assistance funds. Learn how to reduce or eliminate audit findings related to eligible use of funds and to understand documentation retention requirements. (Wednesday, 5/1/24, 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

PDF of Slides

Establishing and Accounting for Reserves
Properly established reserves can provide many benefits to municipalities. This session will assist local officials in understanding the purpose, benefits, and proper use of reserves. We will discuss commonly used reserves, the distinction between accounting and legal reserves, and the accounting treatment for reserves. (Wednesday, 5/1/24, 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

PDF of Slides

Leveraging the Full Potential of Artificial Intelligence
Join experts as they discuss the utilization of AI government financial management and how it can significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of processes and provide agencies with valuable insights to support decision-making. Generative AI allows agencies to focus on higher-value activities, promotes continuous improvement, and ultimately enhances the value they deliver to clients and stakeholders. Learn how this innovative technology can be an asset to your county’s financial systems. (Thursday, 5/2/24, 9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.)

PDF of Slides

Developing an Effective Fund Balance Policy
Fund balance is a principal element of a municipality’s financial condition. This session will explain factors to consider when determining a reasonable amount of fund balance, methods for using unrestricted fund balance for maintaining a balanced budget, and the need for an effective fund balance policy. (Thursday, 5/2/24, 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)

PDF of Slides

GASB/Accounting Update
Join us and hear from accounting experts for an overview of emerging accounting and financial reporting issues facing counties today, including the latest information on GASB rules. (Thursday, 5/2/24, 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)

PDF of Slides

Internal Controls and Fraud Risks
Are your controls helping or hurting your organization? How can you effectively assess and mitigate risks and make a positive impact on your external audit? Join us to answer these important financial questions and more. (Thursday, 5/2/24, 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

PDF of Slides

Building a Consolidated Finance Department
In this workshop, county finance leaders will share their experience with successfully consolidating county finance departments. The discussion will include hurdles they overcame, how they managed the change, their goals, and outcomes. (Thursday, 5/2/24, 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

PDF of Slides

New York State and Local Retirement Systems Update
A representative from the State Comptroller's Office will provide an update on the New York State and Local Retirement System. (Thursday, 5/2/24, 3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.)

PDF of Slides

Ethics for County Finance Officers
Local officials are held to a high standard of ethical conduct and need to avoid even appearances of impropriety. It is important that officials understand the laws governing this area. This session will provide an overview of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law and the requirement for local codes of ethics. (Friday, 5/3/24, 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.)

PDF of Slides

Real Property Tax Roundtable
There are bills pending in the State Legislature that could (and will) alter Real Property Tax Laws in New York. In Rem continues to be a rapidly evolving topic. Learn the latest updates on how these changes may impact county real property tax operations now and, in the future. (Friday, 5/3/24, 9:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.)

Live Discussion Only - no slides available for this session