Association of Government Accountants (AGA)

The Association of Government Accountants (AGA) is an association of financial professionals that work for the U.S. Government or any governmental agency.  The AGA works to further the interest of its members in various capacities, such as through publications, events, training, awards and community-building efforts. It also provides professional education and sets professional standards for governmental accounting competence.

Founded in 1950, the Association of Government Accountants was originally named the Federal Government Accountants Association. It offers its members a variety of profesional resources, including certifications, conferences, continuing education opportunities and other opportunities to help advance their skills, networking, and career goals. The organization and its membership have a commitment to transparency and accountability which is employed in the development of accounting and auditing standards and improving the organization and administration of government financial management. The AGA has offered its Certified Government Financial Manager credential, which measures an individual's competency in governmental accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal controls and budgeting at the federal, state and local levels, since 1994. It produces its Journal of Government Financial Management on a quarterly basis.

The AGA has over 14,000 members, which include a broad range of roles, titles and expertise. According to the AGA, its membership roster includes elected officials, senior executives, mid-level managers, entry-level employees and students, work in government financial management professions including accounting, auditing, budgeting, financial reporting, performance reporting, grants management, contract management and information systems. Financial professionals working in state and local government account for 42% of AGA members; federal government members account for 28%; private sector members account for 18%; and academics, students and retirees make up 12%. AGA members interact and network through local chapters, national events, and by taking leadership roles within the organization. Over 2,000 financial professionals attend the association's professional development conference each year.

The AGA offers several membership types, such as:

• Government ($100/year): Available to individuals who work directly for a government entity, academia or non-profit organizations, but not including contractors who work for such groups.
• Private sector ($160/year): Available for sole proprietors and those working for private companies, corporations or partnerships.
• Young professional ($45/year): For younger workers with less than three years of any kind of experience.
• Student (free): Free electronic membership for full-time college students who are not employed.
• Retired ($35/year); For current AGA members who are permanently retired.
• Lifetime (free): Awarded to individuals have 40 consecutive years of AGA membership. Such memberships are awarded each January to recognize their service to AGA.
• Groups: Government groups of five or more people may be available for discounts for AGA training events.