About Us
The Public Performance Reporting Toolkit website was developed collaboratively by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) and the Public Performance Measurement and Reporting Network (PPMRN) at Rutgers University.
Association of Government Accountants (www.agacgfm.org)
The Association of Government Accountants is a professional association consisting of 15,313 government accountability and financial management members of which 43 percent are employed by state and local governments. Our members are comprised of students, entry-level employees, mid-level professionals, senior executives and elected officials. AGA’s mission, adopted by its National Executive Committee is:
Serves government accountability professionals by providing quality education, fostering professional development and certification, and supporting standards and research to advance government accountability.
AGA’s foray into state and local government performance reporting began because with an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant awarded in January 2003. The purpose of the program was to encourage state and local governments to prepare and issue high-quality comprehensive reports on the government’s service efforts and accomplishments (SEA) and once issued, review the reports and provide feedback to improve the usefulness and the communication of the reports to external audiences. Using the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) special report in 2003, Reporting Performance Information: Suggested Criteria for Effective Communication as the basis for the AGA review document, AGA has reviewed over 50 reports using uniquely designed rubric. After years of deliberation and thoughtful discussion, GASB issued a final document, Suggested Guidelines for Voluntary Reporting, SEA Performance Information and hence once of the purposes for developing this website.
Since the preparation of an SEA (performance) report is not mandated by GASB and is completely voluntary by governments, the rising citizen interest in government transparency and accountability may encourage state and local governments to produce these reports both for internal and external uses.
Though the Sloan funding has ended, AGA’s corporate partner, Accenture is providing the much needed resources to continue the program’s growth. Accenture provides a technical consultant and resources to continue our SEA review program. With AGA celebrating its 60th year in 2010 in advancing government accountability, the development of this website is a testament to AGA’s commitment to government transparency.
The Public Performance Measurement and Reporting Network (www.ppmrn.net)
The Public Performance Measurement and Reporting Network is a nationwide network of more than 3,600 practitioners, researchers and scholars specifically dedicated to advancing the practice of performance measurement in order to develop valid, reliable data that is used a key element in decision-making. Our membership consists of entry-level practitioners, mid-level professionals, senior executives, public and elected officials, researchers, scholars, and students. The majority of our membership consists of practicing professionals in the field of public performance measurement, reporting and public management.
The goal of the Public Performance Measurement and Reporting Network (PPMRN)is to promote the use of valid, reliable data as a key element in improving the delivery of public services. In support of the Network, the National Center for Public Performance has implemented a series of initiatives: a comprehensive and continuously updated database of publications and cases; national conferences and workshops; publications of measurement-based books and articles; an Online Public Performance Measurement Certificate; and a monthly e-newsletter.
PPMRN will strengthen connections among citizens, government officials and administrators, nonprofit managers, academics and other groups that focus on the measurement and improvement of public sector performance.
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board
Without the initial funding from the Sloan Foundation, both of the above programs could not have been possible. Their unfailing support and guidance were invaluable to building both programs.
The GASB staff and consultants assisted greatly to the development of this website by making recommendations and painstakingly reviewing the performance reporting website. Without their valuable insight, this website could not have been possible and serves as their commitment to promoting government accountability. Our heartfelt thanks are extended to Lisa Parker, project manager, GASB; Jay Fountain, consultant and retired GASB staff; and Daniel Brown, GASB Post-Graduate Technical Assistant.