PARTNERING WITH UNIVERSITIES TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE GOVERNMENTAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

At the very time when government organizations face these challenges, the financial management human capital that is critically needed to guide these organizations is at risk of an unsustainable future. Since 2011, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has placed strategic human capital management on the biannual high risk report to Congress.3 Recently, an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) review found over half of the GAO high-risk list areas and approximately 38 percent of the inspector general annual management challenge reports identified human capital concerns, especially in training and staffing levels.4 Further, the 2017 "State and Local Government Workforce: 2017 Trends" survey conducted by the Center for State and Local Government Excellence reported that more than 80 percent of state and municipal governments polled consider both recruitment and retention of qualified personnel with the needed skills for public service and staff and leadership development an important workforce issue.5 Governmental agencies of all sizes are experiencing increases in retirements as the demographic impact of baby boomers hits the US over the next 15 years. [...]of this network, AUM students get updated coursework, extra-curricular activities, and internship and job opportunities. With an average enrollment of 20 students per class, the courses align with material in the Certified Government Financial Manager examination as well as the Certified Public Accountant examination. Since they began in fall semester 2007, more than 50 students have completed courses and gone on to accept government financial management positions. [...]individual state employees paid the cost unless their respective agencies allocated training money.