SDFM NCR PDI 2025: All Hands for Audit 2028

Management Concepts was proud to be a Diamond Sponsor of the Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM) National Capital Region (NCR) Professional Development Institute (PDI), which took place on March 26, 2025, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

This extremely popular day-long training event sold out for the second year in a row, with 1,400 members of the defense financial management (FM) community coming together for continuing education opportunities and to hear the latest developments from Department of Defense (DoD) leadership.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “All Hands, All Domains for Audit 2028!”, Management Concepts was proud to bring together a panel of distinguished speakers at our breakout session “Audit Remediation: Everyone’s Business.”  The session was moderated by Tom Devine, product management director, financial management, at Management Concepts. Guest speakers included Tina M. Pierce, deputy chief financial officer, DoD; Gregory G. Koval, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (Financial Management Systems), Office of the Assistant, Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller); Debra Del Mar, senior financial management systems advisor, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense, Comptroller; and Shawn Lennon, finance (J8) deputy director, deputy chief financial officer and the director of financial improvement audit remediation, Defense Logistics Agency. Data and technology featured prominently throughout the discussion, highlighting the role of technology, particularly AI, as crucial in accelerating audit remediation, improving data accuracy, and achieving the 2028 clean audit goal for the DoD. Success stories and lessons learned emphasized the importance of collaboration across agencies to leverage best practices for successful outcomes. During the discussion, Ms. Pierce noted significant progress made by the Air Force in valuing military equipment and construction in progress, and reducing material weaknesses in fund balance. Mr. Koval summarized the recent wrap-up of the Marine Corps’ audit process, emphasizing the need for big data solutions to connect disparate systems and improve FM.

As always, Management Concepts staff at our exhibit hall booth were ready to educate new attendees and reconnect with familiar faces, with information on new courses, EDFMTC certification, complimentary webinars, and more. Explore all of the ways Management Concepts is defense-ready.