GFOAA : Government Finance Officers Association of Alabama

CERTIFIED GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICER PROGRAM

a program sponsored by the

GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA

ABOUT THE CGFO PROGRAM
_________________________________________
The Government Finance Officers Association of Alabama (GFOAA) program of professional education and development leads to the designation of qualified persons as Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO). The ultimate purpose of this program is to provide

special recognition to individuals who possess high level of expertise in governmental financial management, and

improved service to the public in the financial management of state and local government.

To accomplish this, the program will provide the recognition of an established level of competency and proficiency among finance officers and the promotion of continuing professional development of finance officers. Those who meet the program's standards of examination, education, and experience will become Certified Governmental Finance Officers.

Although the GFOAA certifies that individuals meeting the criteria for professional certification have demonstrated certain competencies, the GFOAA expressly withholds an opinion as to the capability of any individual to successfully perform in a given position. This decision ultimately rests with the prospective employers and employees.

QUALIFYING FOR THE CGFO
_________________________________________
Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the Certification Program, a candidate must meet the following conditions:

be an active member in good standing of GFOAA

have a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, including course work in a related field to government financial management

have a minimum of six years government financial management experience at a professional level in federal, state, or local government; the private sector; or academia.

accept the GFOAA Code of Ethics

Experience Requirements

Professional level experience in federal, state, or local government; the private sector; or academia may encompass one or more of the following areas:

Budget formulation or implementation

Accounting and auditing policy and procedures development, implementation or interpretation

Audit of financial operations, financial statements, internal controls or compliance with laws and regulations

Financial systems design, implementation or operation

Financial planning or analysis

Information systems

Government finance course design or instruction

Investigation of fraud

Other experience in government financial management accounting may be considered acceptable by the Certification Board.

Certification Requirements

To be certified, an individual must successfully pass all subject area examinations:

Accounting and Financial Reporting

Budget

Debt Administration

Public Finance

Treasury Management

Examinations are given twice a year (winter and summer) in conjunction with the GFOAA Annual Meeting (winter) and the GFOAA Summer Workshop. Upon acceptance into the programs, candidates will be provided with detailed examination data including dates, content areas, and study materials.

The uniform examinations are written by the Center for Public Management, University of North Texas, for the consortium of State GFOA organizations. Candidates must complete all examinations within a five year period of the first examination taken.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
_________________________________________
To retain the Certified Government Finance Officers (CGFO) status, each CGFO designee is required to earn a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education credit hours per year. One hour of continuing education is equal to 50 minutes of continuous participation in a group program which conforms to CGFO standards and has been approved as a recognized sponsor of CGFO continuing education by GFOAA. Only courses relative to government financial management are allowed. Each Certified Government Finance Officer is required to report CE hours accrued from October through September of the year following certification. Records of individual participation in a program must be kept by the individual for a period of five years. Failure to meet the continuing education hour requirements leads to revocation of the CGFO designation.

GFOAA will work actively with National GFOA, Alabama colleges and universities, and other organizations to promote and sponsor training programs that will help reinforce this program.

CERTIFICATION RENEWAL
___________________________________________
To apply for certification renewal, a fee of $30.00 plus documentation of the completion of the required 40 hours of continuing education must be submitted to GFOAA no later than March 1 of each year. Click here for the CGFO Program renewal application

How To Enroll
___________________________________________
To apply, click here for the CGFO Program application

Or

An application form can be obtained by writing:

GFOAA
Certified Government Finance Officer Program
P.O. Box 240574
Montgomery, AL 36124-0574