Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)
Why Earn the CGFM?
The Certified Government Financial Manager
The Mark of Excellence in Federal, State and Local Government.
Since its inception in 1994, the CGFM has become the standard by which government financial
management professionals are measured. Its education, experience and ethics requirements have
served to elevate the most seasoned financial professionals.
More than 13,000 individuals have received the designation so far. Now it's your turn. Experience the benefits of certification first
hand - the CGFM is the mark of excellence in your profession. We look forward to adding your name to our distinguished list of
Certified Government Financial Managers.
In a 2001 survey by Robert Half International, a financial management placement firm, 85% of the 1400 CFOs surveyed "believed
that a professional certification...can boost career advancement opportunities."
Heritage and Needs
Over the past two decades, a number of factors have created a rapidly changing environment for today's government financial
managers. Beginning with the New York City financial crisis in the 1970s and 1980s, state and local governments began overhauling
their financial management systems. In 1990, the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) act called for reforms that brought the goal of
accountability to the forefront.
The value of financial managers against this turbulent backdrop has shot upwards. Those who believe they are on the high end of
the profession, or on the "fast track" toward getting there, need a credential that shows they are qualified and have the skills to
lead. The Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) does this like no other credential.
The CGFM is the first certification broad enough to cover the whole field of government financial management - federal, state and
local. It deals not with testing a person in a specific area, but with measuring a wide range of knowledge and skills that a
professional needs to succeed in the federal government financial environment, or to meet the unique challenges faced by state
and local government financial managers.
In today's complex and changing world, a professional certification provides prospective employers with a degree of confidence that
candidates are prepared for the real world." John Radford, CGFM, State Controller, State of Oregon.
Expertise, Value and Recognition
The foundation of the CGFM is the requirement for Education, Experience and Examination. Building on this foundation is a Code of
Ethics and required Continuing Professional Education (CPE).
This designation is already recognized as a professional standard. Since the 2001 federal legislation authorizing federal
government agencies to use appropriated funds to pay for expenses to obtain professional credentials, three agencies including the
DoD and twelve of its components, have issued formal professional certification policies, with other agencies soon to follow suit. The
CGFM designation is listed as one of the funded certifications.
To date, seven states have formally recognized the CGFM - Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Maine, Tennessee, Virginia and
Washington. Also, various counties, including Contra Costa county in California, and cities, including Topeka, KS have also formally
recognized the CGFM. Each year more and more federal agencies and state and local governments are realizing the value of the
CGFM and are formally embracing the designation.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Board of Regents has also recognized the CGFM. It is accepted as a waiver for part IV of the
CIA examination.
Toward the Future
The challenge facing today's government financial managers is to keep up with the changing times. New innovations, new
developments and new methods of implementation are creating a new environment in which government financial managers must
function.
Increasing knowledge and skills is the key to staying abreast of the latest developments. AGA presents a dynamic program of
events and courses every year containing solutions, innovations, and technological breakthroughs that you'll need to retain and
enhance your CGFM.
The field of government financial management will be far different tomorrow from what it is today. Having a broad knowledge and a
recognized professional designation will be the way to distinguish yourself from the crowd.
There's no time like the present for joining the thousands of other leaders in government financial management who already have
discovered the unique value and benefit of the CGFM designation.
Why Certification?
"Certification programs are win-win-win--the certifiers benefit; the certified benefit; and so does any customer, client or employer
who relies on the certification. That should explain why, within a decade, every market leader in every global industry will offer
certification programs for its key employees." Fortune Magazine, 6.26.00
For more information about the CGFM Certification and an application form, please visit:
http://www.agacgfm.org/cgfm/cgfmdefault.aspx
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