Essay Contest

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Essay Contest!

This year’s winners wrote essays on one of three current topics:

• The Growth of Artificial Intelligence: We are currently witnessing the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), defined as “systems with intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience.” While we have long embraced related capabilities like robotic process automation, AI represents a distinct paradigm shift. What roles should artificial intelligence play in the future of financial management? Please provide examples of potential applications and their potential impacts.
• Centralization in Decision Making within Defense Financial Management: Budget execution may seem relatively straightforward in times of financial abundance; however, when budgets become constrained, organizations tend to gravitate toward centralizing resource decision making. As a general premise, should decision making within defense financial management be more centralized or less? Please provide examples to substantiate your viewpoint.
• Accelerating DoD’s Path to Financial Auditability: The Department of Defense (DoD) is on a path towards achieving financial auditability, but this journey is lengthy and challenging. What improvements should be prioritized now, such as policy guidance, systems integration, training/education, etc., to expedite audit readiness within the DoD?

Congratulations to the winners – and read their essays soon!

Distinguished: Dr. Jennifer A. Miller, CDFM-A, Washington Chapter

Meritorious: Sarah Lorraine Gwaltney, CDFM, Aviation Chapter