The National Academy of Public Administration and Cherry Bekaert Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance Trust in Government

Post Date: January 29, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Academy of Public Administration and Cherry Bekaert LLP, one of the nation’s leading advisory firms, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering public trust and improving the fiscal management and efficiency of government agencies.

This substantive collaboration will focus on three critical areas: trust in government, working capital fund management, and a principles of cost management collaborative that focuses on cost allocation at the state and local levels, encompassing cities, counties, and states. Both the Academy and Cherry Bekaert LLC bring to the table a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to transparency, accountability, and innovation in the public sector.

“The Academy is dedicated to making government work, and work for all,” said Academy President and CEO Terry Gerton. “Trust is the cornerstone of our public institutions, and through this partnership with Cherry Bekaert, we aim to increase trust in government at all levels by addressing some of the most pressing challenges faced by public agencies today. Our combined expertise will pave the way for more effective governance.”

Srikant Sastry, Managing Partner for Advisory Services at Cherry Bekaert, remarked on the joint effort: “Cherry Bekaert is thrilled to partner with the Academy. The combination of the Academy’s impressive cadre of public administration experts and its long history of providing trusted advice are qualities government needs now more than ever. Together, we will leverage our insights and experience to enhance working capital fund management and cost allocation at the city, county, and state levels. We will also conduct a scan of research and statistics on trust in government, with an eye toward documenting and providing thought leadership for what can be done to restore trust in American government. Our goal is to provide public sector leaders with the tools and strategies they need to optimize their resources and deliver greater value to the communities they serve.”

The collaboration will kick off with a series of working group and panel meetings that will serve as a resource for public administrators at all levels of government. Outcomes of the efforts will include compiled research and recommendations on trust in government, webinars, and other sources of collaboration and thought leadership.

About the National Academy of Public Administration:

The National Academy of Public Administration is an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan organization established in 1967 and chartered by Congress to assist government leaders in building more effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent organizations.

About Cherry Bekaert LLP:

Cherry Bekaert LLP is one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the United States, providing guidance and support to public sector entities and businesses across various industries.

###