GFOA Graduates First Class of Certified Public Finance Officers. (Profiling GFOA).(Government Finance Officers Association)(Brief Article)

For the first rime since the program's inception, 192 individuals have been awarded the designation of Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO). To earn this designation, candidates must demonstrate their knowledge of public finance by passing five separate examinations within a five-year period. The examinations represent the core functions of public finance: governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting; cash management and investments; debt management; operating and capital budgeting; and pension and benefits, risk management, and procurement. Pension and benefits, risk management, and procurement was offered for the first time at GFOA's annual conference in Philadelphia.

Certified Public Finance Officers will be distinguished by using this designation on official correspondence. To maintain CPFO designation, these individuals must participate in 30 hours of continuing professional education each year.

The GFOA Executive Board created the professional certification program in 1995 to provide objective verification of an individual's knowledge of the core competencies of public finance. Since the first examination was administered on April 25, 1997, 555 candidates have participated in the program and 423 have passed one or more of the five examinations.

To participate in the program, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

* a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution,

* current government employment or, if unemployed, immediate past employment with a government and active search for government employment,

* at least three years of government ...