Fall Forum Attendee Access

10-11 a.m.

Controls That Work: Designing Financial SOPs to Strengthen Accountability
Speakers: Kim Swain and Lindsey Jackson, Forvis Mazars, LLP

Effective financial management is key to successful grant administration. This session explores essential systems, policies, and controls that ensure compliance, integrity, and efficiency. Participants will learn to build financial SOPs, implement funder-compliant procurement systems, and design internal controls for audit readiness. Through practical tools and examples, we’ll show how standardized policies streamline decisions, reduce risk, and improve transparency. Whether managing federal, state, or private grants, you'll gain strategies to strengthen financial oversight and long-term success.

Learning Objectives:

• Create and apply SOPs and internal controls that align with grantor expectations and foster accountability across departments.
  
  
• Analyze and improve procurement systems to support transparency, cost-efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
  
  
• Develop and implement standardized policies that streamline operations and mitigate risks throughout the grant lifecycle.

PRESENTER BIOS  

Overview

11 a.m.-12 p.m.

People Power: Aligning People, Time, and Costs with Grant Goals
Speakers: Abby Rollins and Carson Phillips, CohnReznick

Effective grants management requires understanding how labor costs support funded deliverables. This interactive session focuses on aligning personnel expenses with grant objectives while ensuring compliance and transparency. Participants will learn to distinguish direct vs. indirect labor costs, understand cost allocation, and track time and effort in line with grant requirements. Designed for entry-level staff, programmatic roles, and those new to grant management, this session builds foundational knowledge for responsible cost alignment.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and differentiate direct and indirect labor costs within grant-funded activities.
  

• Understand cost allocation methods that align with grant requirements, supporting transparent budgeting and responsible financial stewardship.
  

• Utilize time and effort reporting practices to enhance audit readiness, track performance, and ensure labor costs are properly aligned with programmatic deliverables and budget narratives.

PRESENTER BIOS  

Basic

12-12:30 p.m.

Lunch Break

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Unlocking Value: Advanced Cost Allocation and Recovery Tools
Speakers: David Clark and Anish Kochhar, BDO USA

As organizations face increased threats to their ability to charge and recover operating costs through an indirect rate, it is now more critical than ever to consider how your organization performs its cost accounting and assignment. This session will discuss different strategies related to cost recovery, including a focus on common areas of greater challenge or risk, and how to best structure and support cost allocation and distribution to maximize reimbursement from grants.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand nuances involved in direct versus indirect cost distinctions and related strategy
  

• Explore areas of greater focus or challenge regarding cost accounting practices and distribution
  

• Evaluate various strategic options and organizational considerations to balance maximizing cost recovery with necessary administrative effort

PRESENTER BIOS 

Intermediate

1:30-2:30 p.m.

From Silos to Synergy: Collaborative Efforts Between Accounting Teams and Grants Managers
Speakers: Joseph Simon and Joe Gorsuch, Deloitte & Touche LLP

As grants management evolves, the relationship between accounting teams and grants managers has become critical to success. This session will highlight how intentional collaboration between these groups can transform the grants lifecycle—from application through closeout. Presenters will share practical strategies and real-world examples illustrating how breaking down barriers, improving communication, and integrating financial expertise with programmatic knowledge can enhance compliance, streamline processes, and drive stronger grant outcomes. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to foster partnership, improve transparency, and maximize the impact of their grant-funded initiatives.

Learning objectives:

• Identify key benefits of cross-departmental and inter-organizational collaboration in grants management, including enhanced compliance, efficiency, and program outcomes.  
  

• Apply practical strategies to break down silos, improve communication, and foster effective partnerships within and between organizations involved in the grants lifecycle.  
  

• Develop actionable plans to strengthen their organization’s grants ecosystem by leveraging collaborative approaches and shared expertise.

PRESENTER BIOS 

Basic

2:30-2:45 p.m.

2:45-3:45 p.m.

Mastering Grant Closeout: Financial Reconciliation and Documentation Best Practices
Speakers: Kelly Bucci and Molly Moss, Crowe LLP

This session will provide participants with practical strategies to streamline closeout procedures, reconcile financial records accurately, and compile required documentation to withstand audits.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Recognize federal requirements, deadlines, and compliance considerations related to grant closeout, including post-closeout issues such as asset management and reporting.
  

• Apply effective reconciliation techniques to address common errors, support allowability of costs, and strengthen collaboration between grants management and accounting functions.
  

• Distinguish between key grant management concepts (e.g., availability periods, obligation vs. expenditure) and understand how accounting adjustments such as accruals, indirect costs, and reallocations affect closeout.
  

• Develop standardized documentation and timing practices that align internal processes with federal deadlines, improve audit readiness, and support smoother closeout of grants involving subrecipients.

PRESENTER BIOS 

Intermediate

3:45-4:45 p.m.

 
Navigating Accounting Errors and Audit Findings: Strategies for Effective Resolution and Future Compliance
Speaker: Thomas Stanton, KPMG LLP 

This session explores common accounting errors and audit findings, providing practical strategies to address and resolve them effectively. Participants will learn how to implement corrective actions, strengthen internal controls, and ensure ongoing compliance. Designed for grant management professionals and auditors, the training equips attendees with the tools to turn audit challenges into opportunities for improved accuracy and accountability.

Learning Objectives:

• IIdentify common accounting errors and typical audit findings to recognize potential risks in financial processes.
  

• Apply effective corrective actions and strengthen internal controls to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.
  

• Develop strategies to maintain ongoing compliance and leverage audit insights for continuous improvement in financial accuracy and accountability.

PRESENTER BIOS 

Basic

4:45-5 p.m.

5-6 p.m.

Networking Hour
Join the networking hour following the presentations. A link will be provided to paid registrants prior to the event. 

• By 11:59 p.m. ET, October 14 - Cancellations are eligible for a refund minus a $25 service fee.

• As of October 15 – Cancellations and no-shows are not eligible for refunds.

No credits will be given in lieu of refunds.

Refunds by check may not be issued until after the conclusion of the event.

Transfers/Substitutions
Requests for transfer/substitutions must be made directly by the registrant via email at [email protected]. Requests by an employer will not be accepted. The below transfer/substitution policy applies:

• By 11:59 p.m. ET, October 14 - No cost for transfers/substitutions; should a non-member substitute for a member, the difference between fees will be due at the time of transfer.

• As of October 15 - No transfers/substitutions will be allowed.

All attendees of NGMA's virtual events agree to NGMA's virtual code of conduct.

For questions or additional information, contact NGMA at [email protected] or (202) 308-9443.

National Grants Management Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual course for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.