IGFOA Summer 2021 Conference Report

IGFOA Winter 2021 Conference Report

The Island Government Finance Officers’ Association (IGFOA) met virtually on March 24, 2021 and March 25, 2021 (a day earlier in American Samoa, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands) to review the FY2019 audits, the Audit Improvement Update, and to present the FY2019 Performeter scores. The goals of the March 2021 IGFOA conference were to (a) share the status of each government’s single audits, finance office operations during COVID-19, performance measures, and other initiatives completed since the July 2021 IGFOA summer virtual conference; (b) present and discuss updates to financial management information systems, action plan, finance office performance measures, managing FMIS procurement and installations; and (c) Exchange information on the latest Performeter results. The IGFOA has met for the past 20 years to participate in professional development and networking activities to advance an agenda for financial management improvement in the insular areas.

IGFOA Summer 2023 Conference Report

The IGFOA brought together 49 government finance leaders and staff from the U.S.-affiliated Island jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia— including the FSM national government, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Yap—Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the
Republic of Palau, the U.S. Virgin Islands.

IGFOA Winter 2023 Conference Report

The Island Government Finance Officers’ Association (IGFOA) Winter meeting took place in Honolulu, Hawaii, from February 14-16, 2023. This was the first time since 2019 that the IGFOA had an opportunity to meet in person, and the theme for this year’s conference was “Resetting.”

Forty-eight finance leaders across the U.S.-affliated Pacific Islands, including American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, FSM National Government, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap, Guam, Republic of Palau, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands, came together to share their experiences, exchange ideas, and discuss strategies for managing their respective island’s financial situations. Their discussion covered various topics, including federal grants, GASB 87, 94, and 96, resetting performance measures, tax reform, and discussion of COVID-related challenges.

Improving Oversight and Accountability One Island at a Time

In the government accounting world, the U.S.-affiliated island governments operate in many ways like a state or municipality of the United States. They use the U.S. dollar, receive U.S. federal grants, and must comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and the Single Audit Act. But unlike a typical U.S. jurisdiction, the insular government’s administration and accounting responsibilities include all the services that are typically handled by a state, county, and city and sometimes a country. Deborah A. Milks has more than 32 years experience working with the insular governments on accounting related issues.

IGFOA Action Planning Framework

IGFOA Action Planning Framework

IGFOA 2023 Winter Conference Agenda

The IGFOA 2023 Winter Meeting, scheduled for December 12-14 in Honolulu, Hawaii, aims to foster collaboration and sharing of best practices among finance professionals. Key agenda items include updates on jurisdictional audits, discussions on audit transitions, exchange of information on Performeter analysis, and updates on GASB reporting. The conference features presentations from notable figures in the field, as well as forums for discussing common audit issues and government action planning. This event is a significant opportunity for professionals to network, share insights, and learn from each other's experiences in government finance and auditing.