It's All About the Culture

The public expects: * Mission excellence, whether in protecting the nation or in delivering social programs; * Customer service, including electronic interface; * Responsiveness to current public needs; * Anticipation of and preparation for rapid response to emerging needs and risks; * Efficiency and effectiveness of programs and operations; * Prudent spending with full accountability and transparency for tax dollars; * Accountability for and transparency of results; * Protection of public assets and resources. [...]for openness, one of two transformation drivers found in competencies and context, leading organizations are able to say "yes" to statements such as: * Is there openness to doing things differently, including needed flexibility and innovation? * Are top management and staff mindful of changes that introduce new risks or exacerbate existing risks to levels beyond the organization's risk appetite/tolerance? * When issues arise, are they openly and professionally discussed in the organization, with the objective of collectively solving the problem? Addressing norms, behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, values, perceptions and assumptions that represent an agency's risk culture will guide the ERM journey in the "right direction" and create a foundation to enable strong risk management. Ū Jeffrey C. Steinhoff, CGFM, CPA, CFE, CGMA, an AGA Past National President and member of AGA's Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. chapters, is managing director of the KPMG Government Institute. An executive fellow of the KPMG Government Institute, he has over 30 years of cross-functional experience, including risk management, internal controls, commercial and consumer credit, and treasury operations, primarily with Fortune 500 financial services companies and at all levels of government.