Session Descriptions
Spring 2008 FOCUS conference
Tuesday, May 13
General Sessions:
8:30 – 9:20am
Motivational Ideas for Accountants - Brian Charette, James Madison
University
Dr. Brian Charette, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources and
Training at James Madison University, will speak on motivational ideas for
accountants and finance staff members.
9:20 –10:10am
DOA Update – David Von Moll, Comptroller for the Commonwealth of
Virginia
Mr. David Von Moll, Comptroller for the Commonwealth of Virginia, will
provide an update on new initiatives and recent developments at the
Department of Accounts. Additionally, he will address specific concerns and
issues raised by the group.
10:10-10:40am
Break
10:40-11:30am
Virginia Budget and Legislative Update
A representative from the Department of Planning and Budget will provide an
update on the Virginia State Budget adopted by the 2008 General Assembly
and provide insight into its impact on higher education. A representative from
the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia will provide an update on
other legislation passed by the 2008 Virginia General Assembly that will
impact higher education.
11:30 – 1:00pm Lunch
1:00 – 1:50pm
Campus Sustainability Planning – Bryna Dunn, Moseley Architects
If you’ve ever felt like there’s plenty to be done on your campus to make it a
more sustainable place to be but don’t know where to begin, then this session is
for you. With a focus on practical steps a campus can take immediately to
assess its “state of sustainability,” this presentation will help you set and
prioritize your goals right away. Using a case study from Longwood
University’s ongoing Master Plan update, you will be exposed to the “why,” the
“how,” the “what next,” and the “where do I find some good resources” of
campus sustainability planning.
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Tuesday, May 13
Concurrent Sessions:
2:00 – 2:50pm
A) PCARD / Travel Card Roundtable
Laura Temple, Accounts Payable Specialist at the University of Mary
Washington, will lead an informal question/answer session with DOA
Representative Valerie Smith who will be available for GE MasterCard
program questions to include discussions regarding:
 The GE MasterCard and Commonwealth rebate program;
 1099 issues associated with the GE MasterCard program;
 Exception policy for the cards;
 Any other information the group would like to address; and
 Any information Valerie would like to discuss.
Please send suggestions and questions for the DOA Representatives to
ltemple@umw.edu.
B) PCI Compliance / Bursar’s Roundtable*
Ken Sinarski from the University of Virginia will moderate a panel discussion
about the scanning requirements related to PCI compliance. Panelists will be
information technology experts from higher education and/or industry.
C) GASB Update / UPMIFA – Larry Goldstein, Campus Strategies
This session focuses on recent GASB standards with upcoming effective dates.
Relevant topics include GASB Statements 48 (sales and pledges of future
revenues), 49 (pollution remediation obligations), 50 (pension disclosures), 51
(intangible assets), and 52 (endowment land). The recent FASB Staff Position
related to the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act
(UPMIFA) will be addressed.
2:50 – 3:20pm
Break
3:20 – 4:10pm
D) A/P Roundtable*
Laura Temple, Accounts Payable Specialist at the University of Mary
Washington, will lead an informal discussion of various Accounts Payable
issues to include:
 Any follow-up discussions from the earlier DOA session;
 IRS regulations and DOA guidance regarding gift-giving;
 Discussions about recent DOA/APA/DGS audit findings;
 Rules and regulations regarding lodging costs that exceed allowable rates;
 Other travel concerns.
Send topic suggestions to ltemple@umw.edu.
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Tuesday, May 13
Concurrent Sessions:
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E) Bursar’s Roundtable*
Linda Combs, Director of the University Business Office at James Madison
University, will lead a discussion on simplifying and enhancing student account
processes through e-billing.
F) DOA Directive and other Financial Reporting Topics
Carol McGinnis, Associate Controller at George Mason University, will lead an
interactive discussion on the FY 2008 DOA Directive and template preparation,
as well as any other financial reporting issues of interest to the group. Please
forward discussion items to Carol at cmcginn2@gmu.edu.
4:10 – 4:40pm
Primary Representatives Meeting
Wednesday, May 14
Concurrent Sessions:
8:30 – 9:20am
G) FY 2007 Audit Experiences - SAS 112 Update / I-9 Roundtable*
Michelle Martin from Norfolk State University, Jesse Garland from Virginia
State University, and Randy Sherrod from Longwood University will be
facilitating a roundtable to talk about audit experiences from the FY 2007 audit
with particular focus on SAS 112 and I-9 compliance. Please forward
discussion items to Randy Sherrod at sherrodrb@longwood.edu.
H) Payroll Roundtable*
Sandra Ianuzi, Assistant Controller for Disbursements at Old Dominion
University, will lead a roundtable discussion focusing on issues regarding
Payroll Services. Topics for discussion should be forwarded to
sianuzi@odu.edu.
I) “Customer Service in the Accounting World” - Jennifer Testa, James
Madison University
Jennifer Testa, Director of Training at James Madison University, will discuss
customer service concepts applicable to fiscal activities.
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Wednesday, May 14
General Sessions:
9:30 – 10:20am ARMICS - Joe Kapelewski, Virginia Department of Accounts (DOA)
Joe Kapelewski, Assistant Director of the Accounting and Internal Control
Compliance Oversight Unit at the Department of Accounts (DOA), will provide
an update on the status of ARMICS Stage I reviews.
10:20 – 10:50am Break
10:50 – 11:40am “Leadership Skills for Today’s Environment” – Larry Goldstein, Campus
Strategies
All individuals have the potential to be leaders – even if they do not supervise
others. This presentation describes the unique roles, skills, and qualities needed
for success in today’s challenging higher education climate. Participants will be
able to individually rate their performance in these key areas. Also addressed
are the pitfalls to avoid and specific actions individuals can take to improve the
results of their leadership efforts.
11:40 – 12:00pm Wrap-up Session
* Attendance at these sessions is reserved for FOCUS members only.
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