If you are even thinking about having an ALGA peer review anytime over the next year, call your peer review coordinator now. You have probably heard this advice, or something close to it, several times over the years. While it is always a good idea to contact your coordinator early, it is even more important now. Here's why.

Demand for peer review services is increasing. This might suggest I would ask you not to contact us anytime soon, but we really do need to know who is looking for peer review services. We are already looking to expand the number of regions and coordinators to accommodate known requests. If we hear from those of you who haven't already contacted us, especially those considering their first peer review, it will help the committee establish balanced regions. Better balance among the regions means better service to you.

The Peer Review Guide for shops that follow Government Auditing Standards (GAS) has changed to reflect the 2007 GAS update. The new guide is now posted to the website. Your coordinator will likely suggest you study it, but they can also help direct you to the more significant changes. Becoming familiar with the changes early gives you more time to make any needed adjustments in your policies and procedures.

We also want to hear from those of you who need a review in accordance with IIA standards, but for a slightly different reason. Because "Red Book" reviews are still fairly new for ALGA, our list of qualified reviewers is not very long. If we know the upcoming demand for "Red Book" reviews, it will help us determine how much recruiting we need to do for those with experience following IIA standards.

Administrative procedures for all peer reviews have changed. The changes are not earth shattering, but those of you who are used to the prior process will want to become familiar with the changes.

The Peer Review Committee, in cooperation with the Education Committee, is looking into the possibility of offering the Peer Review Workshop as part of regional training. Knowing the demand for peer review services, which translates into a demand for peer review training, will help us plan the location and timing of workshop offerings.

If you are not yet convinced that you should call, take a look at how much the demand for peer review services has increased over the years:

We don't want anyone to get lost in the crowd, so please speak up. Current peer review regions and coordinators are listed on ALGA's website at:  http://www.governmentauditors.org/content/view/263/217/

If that's too much keying for you, go to ALGA's home page and follow the links.

P.S. Thank you to JoAnne Griggs, Jerry Heer, Rol Malan, Jerry Silva, Debbie Taylor, and Dick Tracy for all their comments about peer review during their general session at the Philadelphia conference. Individuals in ALGA who have served on the Peer Review Committee have worked hard to provide a useful service to the members. We get positive feedback from our post review surveys and from the membership survey, but it really feels good to hear it directly. Ω