The Fiscal Forum Newsletter is your monthly roundup of FGFOA news, events, and resources. Published on the first Monday of each month at 2:00 PM, the newsletter offers regular updates and highlights that help you stay connected to what’s happening across the organization.
See You at the Annual Conference!!
The FGFOA Annual Conference is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see everyone there!! This year promises to deliver another outstanding experience filled with high-quality education, meaningful networking, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state.
Whether you are a first-time attendee or a seasoned participant, the conference offers something for everyone – from emerging professionals to experienced leaders looking to stay at the forefront of government finance.
Don’t Miss the Evolution Series
A dynamic set of sessions designed to explore growth, innovation, and the future of our profession. Topics in this series include:
- ERP Implementation without the Headache
- Bridging the Gap: A Budget Bootcamp for Finance Professionals
- Stewardship and Building Trust with Citizens: A Leadership Perspective
- Elected Officials are our Friends
- The Gift that Keeps on Giving – The Mentoring Series
- And More!!
These sessions provide practical insights and real-world strategies that you can bring back to your organization.
Spotlight on Leadership
Sarah Simpson, CPA, CGFO, CPFO
Budget Manager, City of Aventura
Congratulations to our newest Board Member Sarah Simpson!!
Sarah Simpson is the Budget Manager for the City of Aventura with 12 years of municipal government experience. She began her public finance career with Miami Shores Village, where she advanced from Accountant to Controller, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an MBA from Barry University. A CPA, CGFO, and CPFO, Sarah has been actively involved in FGFOA, serving as Chair of the Conference Program Committee for the past three years, and was recently selected to serve on the FGFOA Board of Directors.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Sarah!
Celebrating Excellence: GFOA Triple Crown Winners
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Triple Crown Award represents one of the highest honors in public finance. This prestigious recognition is awarded to governments that achieve excellence in all three of GFOA’s major award programs: the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (ACFR), and the Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) Award.
Earning the Triple Crown reflects a strong commitment to financial transparency, accountability, and effective communication with both elected officials and the public. It signifies that an organization has successfully demonstrated technical excellence while also making complex financial information accessible and understandable to its community.
The City of Orange City is a first-time winner and Pinellas County has held this prestigious award for over 20 years.
We extend our congratulations to all GFOA Triple Crown winners for their outstanding achievements and commitment to excellence in financial management.
Scroll down to see all of the Triple Crown Award Winners!
Committee Corner
Get Involved: Join an FGFOA Committee and Make a Difference!!
Looking for a meaningful way to get more involved with FGFOA while growing professionally? Serving on an FGFOA committee is one of the best ways to do both.
- CGFO Certification – this committee administers the Certified Government Finance Officers Program (Must be a CGFO to participate)
- Annual Conference Program – this committee creates the educational program for the Annual Conference.
- Educational Programs – this committee creates the educational program for the webinars.
- Event Host – this committee plans and organizes various events at the Annual Conference and School of Governmental Finance.
- Local Chapter – this committee supports and assists the local chapters across the state.
- Professional Development – this committee helps shape our current and future leaders through the Mentor/Mentee Program, Leadership Program and much more.
- School of Governmental Finance (SOGF) – this committee creates the educational program for SOGF conference.
- Technical & Legislative Resources – this committee reviews and responds to proposed legislation on behalf of the membership and delivers timely information on these changes to keep you informed.
Looking for additional ethics CPE opportunities?
The Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) is offering “FICPA Ethics: Protecting the Integrity of the Florida CPAs,” created with the DBPR and approved by the Florida Board of
Accountancy. Sessions are available online, in-person, and on-site (live or virtually).
Tuesday Night Event – Connect and Celebrate
Of course, no FGFOA conference would be complete without a memorable Tuesday Night Event!! This highly anticipated evening offers a perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with peers, and enjoy fun, engaging atmosphere outside of the classroom.
This year we are returning to Universal’s CityWalk where you will enjoy an exciting block party with food and entertainment from Pat O’Briens, Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom, and live karaoke at Rising Star.
FGFOA Accomplishments: A Year of Progress and Purpose
This past year has been one of meaningful growth and impact for FGFOA. Through conferences, training programs, and certification opportunities, we have continued to provide high-quality education and valuable resources that empower our members to excel in public finance.
Our committees have played a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission and achieving significant successes, including:
- Newsletter Committee – Successfully published 12 newsletters, achieving an impressive 38% member view rate.
- Professional Development Committee – Expanded engagement through the mentoring program,, with 22 mentors and 27 mentees participating, and hosted the 2026 Leadership Class with a 30% increase in applications.
- Certification Committee – Strengthened the CGFO program by rewriting the ethics exam, updating instructional materials, reviewing all test questions for accuracy and relevance, and revising policies and procedures.
- School of Governmental Finance Committee – Delivered a successful five-day conference, offering 36 educational sessions that provided valuable learning opportunities for our members.
- Annual Conference Program Committee – Expanded the conference with new AI and leadership-focused sessions while continuing procurement, GFOA speakers, and member-driven topic selections. It also strengthened attendee engagement through keynote breakouts and the ongoing Evolution Series, including Women in Leadership, mentoring and Board-led sessions.
- Educational Programs Committee – Delivered 12 high-quality webinars on timely government finance topics, providing 24 hours of CPE credit and reaching more than 2,100 attendees, with 300-700 participants per session. The committee also supported member development by carefully selecting strong programming and training moderators as a leadership opportunity.
- Technical and Legislative Resources Committee – Served as a key resource to FGFOA and its members by updating the Government Resource Manual and providing input on GASB’s Proposed Implementation Guide on Financial Reporting Model Improvements and Subsides. The committee also monitored legislative activity by analyzing bills and preparing summary of enacted legislation.
- Event Host Committee – Supported both the Annual Conference and the School of Governmental Finance by planning engaging events and hospitality activities, including four themed events at SOGF. The committee also enhanced the conference experience by sourcing opening general session talent, coordinating welcome ambassadors, planning the Tuesday Night Event and assisting with welcome bags and promotional details
Virtual Training Opportunities
Upcoming FGFOA Webinars – Mark Your Calendar!
Stay current and connected with FGFOA’s lineup of professional development webinars! Each session is designed to provide practical insights, timely updates, and tools you can apply directly in your daily work. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your technical knowledge or expand your leadership skills, there’s a webinar for you.
- June 25, 2026 – Modernizing Municipal Finance
- July 2, 2026 – Privacy Protection Online
- July 23, 2026 – Common Reporting Deficiencies/Findings on IT Controls and Review of SAS 145
- August 20, 2026 – A Case Study of State Employee Theft
Visit the FGFOA WEBINAR PAGE and click “Register Now” or log in to your member portal and go to the “Events” tab.
Don’t miss these valuable learning opportunities!
Spotlight on Membership
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond? A mentor, colleague, or chapter leader who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them for the FGFOA Member Spotlight! It only takes a few minutes, and your nomination could help highlight the inspiring work of a fellow member.
GFOA Triple Crown Award Winners!
Below are submissions we have received noting their awards, pictures and/or the number of years they have received the GFOA Triple Crown Award.
City of Fort Myers
1-5 Years
City of Kissimmee
1-5 Years
Manatee County
6-10 Years
Martin County
1-5 Years
City of Orange City
First Year
Palm Beach Clerk of the Circuit Court
1-5 Years
City of Plant City
1-5 Years
Pinellas County
16-20 Years
City of Royal Palm Beach
First Year
City of Sarasota
11-15 Years
Seminole County
6-10 Years
Village of Wellington
1-5 Years
Local Chapter News
FGFOA’s local chapters are the heartbeat of our organization, offering members valuable opportunities to connect, learn, and grow within their own communities. These events range from professional development sessions and technical trainings to networking socials and community outreach initiatives.
Attending your local chapter events is a great way to stay engaged, expand your professional network, and share ideas with peers who understand the challenges and opportunities of government finance. Be sure to check your Local Chapter Calendar for upcoming local chapter events and opportunities to engage with your peers.
Monthly Events Preview
Stay up to date with what’s happening across FGFOA! The Upcoming Webinar Schedule can be found on our website.
How do I register for FGFOA Events?
- Log into your FGFOA member portal
- Go all the way to the very top. You’ll see the “event” tab. (Don’t hover over it, just click on it.) That will open up all of the events that are open for registration.
- Click on the hyperlink of the event you want to attend.