Introducing a New Training Opportunity
On November 19, Widmer Roel will host its inaugural Beyond the Numbers: Government Accounting and Auditing training event – a free program designed to support the financial leadership of North Dakota’s local government professionals. The event welcomes accountants, auditors, administrators, and others working in cities, counties, rural water districts and other local governments. The goal is simple: provide practical tools and expert guidance to help participants move beyond basic compliance and toward confident, proactive financial management.
A Theme That Reflects Modern Governance
The name “Beyond the Numbers” speaks to a broader mission. Good governance isn’t just about accurate bookkeeping – it’s about understanding the systems behind the numbers. Attendees will dive into topics like:
- Bank reconciliations
- Capital asset tracking
- Inventory management
- Single audit preparation
- Fraud prevention
- Internal controls
- Audit communication strategies
These sessions are led by CPAs and government finance experts who work directly with local entities across the state and understand the real-world challenges they face.
What Sets This Training Apart
What makes Beyond the Numbers different is the experience behind it. Widmer Roel’s audit team works with hundreds of government entities every year. They know what questions come up, what issues cause confusion, and what practices lead to success. This training is built around that insight – offering practical, field-tested advice that participants can apply right away.
Craig Hashbarger, CPA and Audit Partner at Widmer Roel, emphasized the event’s accessibility for professionals at all levels:
“The idea of Beyond the Numbers is to provide free, useful information on certain aspects of accounting, compliance, internal controls, and audit preparedness for North Dakota local governments,” Hashbarger said. “We hope that attendees who are new to government accounting, management or compliance will learn some of the fundamentals of these topics and gain access to some valuable resources, should they want further information.”
Tailored Content for Local Government Professionals
Jonathan Worrall, CPA, audit manager at Widmer Roel, explained that the content was built with the
audience in mind:
“The target audience is local government accountants, auditors, finance officers, and others,” he said. “The content was designed to provide them guidance to help with their day-to-day activities.”
Worrall, who previously worked at the North Dakota Office of the State Auditor alongside Heath Erickson, CPA, added:
“We wanted to help local governments navigate both their daily responsibilities and be prepared for their yearly audit.”
Real-World Insights from Experienced Presenters
Heath Erickson, CPA, who helped design and will present at the event, emphasized the relevance and practicality of the material:
“The topics we’re covering are very applicable to anyone involved in government accounting or local government audits,” he said. “We’ve tailored the sessions to include real-world examples that aren’t always addressed in other trainings.”
Q&A for Practical Solutions
The training wraps up with a live Q&A session, giving attendees a chance to ask questions and get direct feedback from the panel.
“We hope this training increases understanding of topics that can be challenging for finance professionals,”
Erickson added. “Our goal is to leave everyone in a better position after the training is complete.”
A Commitment to Community and Professional Growth
Widmer Roel’s decision to offer the event at no cost reflects its values:
“At Widmer Roel, investing in our community, our profession, and the development of others reflects the foundation of our core values,” said Randy Heller, CPA, CGMA. “That’s why we created this complimentary program – to share our expertise and provide valuable updates on industry trends and best practices.”
Hashbarger echoed that sentiment:
“One of our firm’s core values is ‘Give Back.’ We are grateful for the relationships we have had with our wonderful local government clients, and we are also grateful for the important service our local governments provide throughout the state. We feel that sharing some of our own knowledge and experience is one way we can express our gratitude.”
Building Connections Across North Dakota
Worrall spoke to the broader impact of the initiative:
“Beyond the Numbers provides benefits for local government entities by strengthening financial management skills and building staff confidence.”
Erickson added that long-standing relationships helped spread the word:
“My years at the State Auditor’s Office allowed me to build important connections,” he said. “We’re grateful to everyone who helped us reach the communities that could benefit most from this training.”
Who Should Attend?
If you’re wondering whether this training is for you, Erickson has a clear message:
“If you’re involved in the financial management of a local government in North Dakota, you’ll take something positive away from this training. We designed it to be informative, interesting, and helpful.”
Hashbarger added that the event is designed to serve professionals at all stages of their careers:
“The team who has developed the event collectively has more than 50 years of experience in serving local governments. We have worked with hundreds of government entities and officials from a wide range of experience levels and backgrounds. We have learned much about the questions, issues, and concerns among our government clients and colleagues. We believe this event will answer many of those questions and empower the participants with some helpful knowledge and resources.”
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Initiative
As expectations around fiscal accountability and transparency continue to grow, the “Beyond the Numbers” initiative plays an important role. Widmer Roel is committed to hosting this training each year to help professionals stay informed and ready for what’s ahead.
Interested in future training opportunities or resources for local government finance professionals?
Widmer Roel is committed to supporting local governments. To learn more about upcoming sessions or how
we can support your team, contact us at info@wr.cpa or (701) 237-6022.