Session #23

Pandemics vs. States: Testing Controls in the Wake of COVID-19
1:00 – 1:50 p.m.   
CPE Field of Study: Finance

PPT Presentation

Data sharing culture and technology can help states use available data to facilitate better internal collaboration. This helps solve current and future problems, such as economic recovery. Hear from state leaders who are breaking down data silos and using predictive data analytics to prepare successful financial recovery plans in the context of COVID-19. In addition, learn how testing program controls related to fraud prevention ensures the security of high-risk programs like Medicaid and other essential services.

 

Julia Fischer is the director of data services for the state of Maryland, a position within the Maryland Department of Information Technology. Fischer has 20 years of professional experience delivering data management, analytics and visualizations to support the business needs of government agencies through the utilization of business intelligence and geographic information systems.  Fischer has a master's degree in GIS, from the University of Maryland, College Park and a bachelor's degree in geography, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

 
Lori S. Pilcher is the regional inspector general for audit services for HHS Office of Audit Services, Office of Inspector General based in Atlanta, Georgia. Lori is responsible for providing direction and guidance for: protecting the integrity of Medicare and Medicaid and the well-being of beneficiaries; safeguarding the integrity of HHS’s grant programs; identifying and reducing the incidents of improper payments; and using Enterprise Risk Management to improve work planning, assessing HHS OPDIVS and recipients, and managing unimplemented recommendations. Lori started her career with HHS-OIG in 1987 in the Boston regional office and has fulfilled several roles including assistant inspector general for financial management and regional operations and assistant inspector general for grants, internal activities and IT Audits based in Washington, DC. Lori holds a B.S. in business administration degree from Bryant University and an M.B.A from Simmons College. Lori is a certified internal auditor and certified public accountant.

 
Robert M. Finlayson, III is a senior business development executive for Tyler Technologies. Formerly the inspector general for the Georgia Department of Community Health, he has 29 years of experience in the administration and investigation of federal and state public assistance programs. He also served within the Georgia Department of Human Resources as deputy director in the Office of Investigative Services (formerly Office of Fraud and Abuse). Rob was an investigator for the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and served as a police officer and field training officer for the Cobb County Georgia Police Department. 
 

 


The NASACT Community

NASACT serves as the premier organization working to bring together state auditors, state comptrollers and state treasurers to cooperatively address government financial management issues. NASACT also manages two secretariats - the National State Auditors Association (NSAA) and the National Association of State Comptrollers (NASC). Both NSAA and NASC are included under the umbrella of NASACT’s budget and utilize staff hired by NASACT.