Flaptekst

When Irv Dennis was pulled out of retirement after a successful 37-year career at Ernst & Young to lead the financial affairs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that organization hadn't received a clean audit in several years. It was beset by material weaknesses in its accounting processes and uncompliant with most governmental financial reporting regulations. In Transforming a Federal Agency: Management Lessons from HUD's Financial Reconstruction, the author tells the story of his transformative tenure as Chief Financial Officer of HUD, where he led a process of financial renewal with surgical and tactical precision. Written to allow each chapter to stand on its own so that critical management teachings can be drawn from each section, the book addresses a variety of subjects, like HUD's state of affairs upon Irv's arrival, how the author approached his first 100 days at the Department, and the evaluation of governance, people, processes, and technology. Transforming a Federal Agency also explores the transformation process at HUD--with lessons to be drawn for other private and public organizations--and the barriers to success the author encountered and overcame during his financial restoration of the Department. It also examines the steps necessary to ensure the improvements made would endure a change in administration. Finally, the book examines the importance of bringing private-sector experience to governmental departments, and the differences between the two worlds relevant to those in positions of financial leadership. Transforming a Federal Agency: Management Lessons from HUD's Financial Reconstruction is an indispensable resource for government employees, finance professionals in the public and private sectors, and business students. It also belongs in the libraries of anyone interested in the inner workings of governmental departments or in exemplary financial leadership.