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FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT SEMINARS 2008

OVERVIEW

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is responsible for administering billions of dollars worth of financial assistance to the transit industry each year. Through its Financial Management Oversight (FMO) program, the FTA seeks to help grantees improve their financial management of FTA grants. The FTA is sponsoring this series of seminars to prepare grantees for FMO reviews and to enhance and refine their financial management systems to meet the standards established by the Common Rule. The seminar also covers the topics of Financial Capacity Assessment and the related requirements of grantees seeking New Start funding. The seminars will begin with introductory remarks by key FTA personnel and training instructors followed by a description of the FMO review process. The instructors will also lead a review of sound internal control and Disaster Recovery Planning concepts and will provide the participants with exercises and case studies patterned after actual FMO reviews.

The seminar will also address particular areas of financial management concern including the financial status reporting process, budget changes and grant amendments, cash management issues, and cost allocation plans.

The seminar format provides for individual questions throughout the sessions with additional time after sessions and during breaks. FTA will provide a workbook and other training materials at each seminar.

AGENDA

DAY ONE (8:30AM - 4:30PM)
- Registration/Coffee & Pastries
- Opening Remarks
- Course Objectives and Introductions
- Financial Management Oversight Process
- Break
- Grantee Regulatory Environment
- Common Rule
- Lunch On Your Own
- FTA Circulars, Part I
- Break
- FTA Circulars, Part II
- OMB Circular A-87
- Wrap Up Day One

 DAY TWO (8:30AM - 3:30PM)
 - Cost Allocation
- Break
- FMS Controls
- Self-Assessment Form
- Lunch On Your Own
- Self-Assessment Form (Continued)
- Business Recovery Planning
- Break
- Financial Capacity
- End of Seminar

SPEAKERS

Welcome by the Regional Administrator or a representative from the Regional Office

Linda Barnes - Federal Transit Administration (FTA)- Financial Management Oversight Program
 Ms. Barnes works for the FTA's Office of Oversight in Washington, DC. Her responsibilities include all financial management oversight and grantee oversight assessment program functions. Ms. Barnes has over 10 years experience working in the area of oversight.

INSTRUCTORS

John Milligan, CPA, Managing Principal, Milligan & Company, LLC

Mr. Milligan started his accounting firm in 1985. Prior to this, he worked over nine years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, an international accounting firm. Mr. Milligan has served as project manager for numerous Financial Management Oversight (FMO) reviews since 1991. Several of these reviews have included the nation's largest transit operators. Mr. Milligan performed various special reviews for the FTA over the past several years, including the financial capacity reviews. He has lectured on the FMO process and on third party contracting requirements of 4220.1E. Mr. Milligan has also been involved with triennial reviews.

Charles Holmes, CPA, Principal, Milligan & Company, LLC

Mr. Holmes has over 16 years of diversified public accounting experience. Prior to joining Milligan & Company, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers for five years. Mr. Holmes has served as either project manager or senior manager for over 30 FMO reviews including NJT, MBTA and Caltrans. Mr. Holmes has also performed various special project reviews for the FTA.

Donna McCoy, CPA, Senior Manager, Milligan & Co., LLC

Ms. McCoy has over 10 years of diversified public accounting experience. Prior to joining Milligan & Co., LLC, she worked at PriceWaterhouseCoopers for three years. Ms. McCoy has served as manager for over 40 FMO reviews. Ms. McCoy has also performed specialized reviews for the FTA.

Henry G. Kirschenmann - SGI

Mr. Kirschenmann was formerly the deputy assistant secretary for procurement assistance, and logistics for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For over twenty years Mr. Kirschenmann has played a key role in the development and issuance of policies and procedures related to grants and contracts awarded by the federal government.

James W. Reid, CPA, MBA, Managing Director, Reid Consulting, LLC

Mr. Reid founded Reid Consulting, LLC in 2001. Last year the firm (teaming with Milligan and Company) was selected as a prime contractor under the contract that includes delivery of the FMO Seminars. During the past year, Mr. Reid has served as Engagement Partner on the Reid/Milligan team that has conducted FMO Seminars, FMO full-scope reviews, cost allocation reviews, and financial capacity assessments. James has also served the US Department of the Treasury as an instructor for governmental accounting classes; and the Department of Health and Human Services as a member of the Fiscal Improvements Work Group.

SEMINAR SCHEDULE

SESSION I
Atlanta, GA
January 8-9, 2008

Hyatt Regency Atlanta
On Peachtree Street
265 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
(800) 233-1234
Rate: $139.00 plus tax
Reservation deadline:
December 14, 2007

SESSION II
Boston, MA
January 23-24, 2008

The Langham Boston
250 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
(800) 791-7761
Rate: $186.00 plus tax
Reservation deadline:
January 22, 2008

SESSION III
Los Angeles, CA
March 19-20, 2008

Sheraton Los Angeles, Downtown
711 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(800) 325-3535
Rate: $118.00 plus tax
Reservation deadline:
February 14, 2008

SESSION IV
Washington, DC
April 22-23, 2008

Marriott at Metro Center
775 12th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 228- 9290
Rate: $201.00 plus tax
Reservation deadline:
March 21, 2008

SESSION V
Fort Worth, TX
May 21-22, 2008

Hilton Fort Worth
815 Main Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(800) 445-8667
Rate: $134
Reservation deadline:
April 29, 2008

SESSION VI
Denver, CO
June 25-26, 2008

Renaissance Hotel
3801 Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80207
(800) 468-3571
Rate: $140
Reservation deadline:
May 27, 2008

NOTES: You must pre-register for the seminar of your choice. A limited number of seats are available for each session. Register early to ensure acceptance. Hotel rates may increase slightly depending on government per diem for 2008.

REGISTRATION/HOTEL INFORMATION

To register for a seminar, complete the attached registration form and submit it by facsimile to the attention of Carolyn Mims-Clark, FAX # (215) 496-0980. Please submit a separate registration form for each participant. Upon receipt you will receive a faxed confirmation letter and your name will be added to the list of confirmed attendees. If you do not receive this letter, please contact Mrs. Clark at (215) 496-9100 Ext 160. Do not assume that your registration is confirmed until you receive your letter of confirmation. This is not a walk-in seminar and space for each seminar is limited. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Attendance is limited to two individuals per agency in order to accommodate as many agencies as possible. Maximum number of participants is 50.

A block of rooms at special seminar rates is available at each of the hotels. Once registered for the seminar, contact the hotel listed for your individual room reservations. When making reservations, mention the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Financial Management Oversight (FMO) Seminar in order to receive the special rate available to seminar attendees.

REGISTRATION FORM

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

GRANTEES WITH FEWER THAN 300 VEHICLES

- Executive Director/General Manager
- Chief Financial Officer
- Controller
- Director of Accounting
- Director of Grants Management
- Director of Project Management
- Director of Budget and Planning
- Chief Financial Officer

GRANTEES WITH MORE THAN 300 VEHICLES

- Chief Financial Officer
- Director of Finance
- Controller
- Director of Accounting
- Accounting Supervisor
- Director/Managers of Internal Audit
- Director of Grants Management
- Director of Project Management
- Director of Budget and Finance
- Director of Planning