1. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
Certified Government Financial Manager
The Pathway to Certification
Dan Neumann, CGFM
CGFM title
PRESENTER:
Thank the audience for joining you today.
Introduce yourself and your association with AGA.
Are you certified -- CGFM? If so, tell the audience.
Give a brief run down of your professional credentials if this was not done by your hosts.
You received a handout when you came in this (morning/ afternoon/evening). If you did not, please raise your hand. These handouts will help you follow along with my presentation. (Make sure everyone has a handout.)
This (morning/afternoon/evening), I am going to be talking about one of the AGA’s more important programs, the Certified Government Financial Manager Program. The Certified Government Financial Manager, or CGFM, is a ten-year old program that recognizes your achievement in the profession by awarding you with a certification that will tell current and future employers that you take your role in this profession seriously.

2. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
The Bottom Line Up Front…
Who: AGA Members (non-CGFMs)
What: CGFM Instructor-Led Training
When: April (Module 1 and 3) and May 1-3 (Module 2) - Participants need to attend all days if possible
Where: DFAS Indianapolis (8899 East 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249)
Cost: $ – check made payable to AGA Indianapolis due by Jan 25th to Dan Neumann
Withdraw date to receive deposit back is 3/24/17
CGFM subhead/bullets
If you want to become more competent, more competitive, and be eligible for pay incentives, then earning the CGFM is something you should seriously consider.
The CPE requirement is the backbone of the program, encouraging you to keep up with the changes in the field and remain on the cutting edge of the field. It supports the CGFM in keeping its currency as a certification.

3. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
Benefits of Certification to you
Do you want to…
Become more competent?
Be more competitive?
Be eligible for incentives?
Keep up with changes in the field?
If your answer is yes -- then the CGFM is for you!
CGFM subhead/bullets
If you want to become more competent, more competitive, and be eligible for pay incentives, then earning the CGFM is something you should seriously consider.
The CPE requirement is the backbone of the program, encouraging you to keep up with the changes in the field and remain on the cutting edge of the field. It supports the CGFM in keeping its currency as a certification.

4. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
CGFM - Background
Started in 1994
Created by government financial management experts
Over 14,000 CGFM certifications awarded
CGFM addresses special knowledge needs of today’s government financial manager
CGFM provides first certification broad enough to cover the entire field of government financial management – local, state, and federal
CGFM subhead/bullets
Since its inception in 1994, the CGFM has quickly 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.
Conceived and developed by government financial management experts, the CGFM is built on a solid base of expert knowledge and sound psychometrics.
More than 13,000 individuals were awarded the designation so far including __________________, ___________________ and __________________ (PRESENTER: List three to five prominent individuals in your area/chapter who are certified).
Now it's your turn.
Experience the benefits of certification first hand -- the CGFM is the mark of excellence in our profession.

5. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
CGFM - Background
Three examinations
Computer based examination
questions per examination
Two hours and fifteen minutes for each examination
$109 per examination
$70 application fee for AGA members and $99 for nonmembers. (Currently $35 for AGA Members through 3/31/17)
CGFM subhead/bullets
The examination consists of three computerized, 2 hour and 15 minutes exams, with approximately questions per examination.
There is an nonrefundable application fee of $85.
Each examination costs $109 and can be purchased on the AGA website.
Those of you who are Veterans and have participated in the GI Bill are eligible for reimbursement of examination fees. The CGFM examination has been approved for VA reimbursement.

6. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
To Become Certified
CGFM subhead/bullets
To take any of the CGFM Examinations, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have a foreign degree, you must provide an evaluation report that states your degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree (bachelor’s or higher) from an accredited college or university.
Submit Official Transcripts
Education - A Bachelor’s degree with 24 credit hours of study in accounting, auditing, budgeting, economics and related financial management courses is the first step. (See page 2 of the Technical Requirements for the CGFM.)

7. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
To Become Certified
CGFM subhead/bullets
CGFM candidates must have at least two years of professional-level experience in government financial management prior to being awarded their designation as a CGFM. The experience requirement is not necessary to sit for the examinations.
A candidate's experience must involve government financial management at a professional level in federal, state or local government, the private sector, or academia
Experience - Two years of professional-level experience is next. (See page 2 of the Technical Requirements for the CGFM.)

8. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
CGFM subhead/bullets
CGFM Examinations
Examination 1 - Governmental Environment
Examination 2 - Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Budgeting
Examination 3 - Governmental Financial Management and Control
There are three CGFM Examinations.
Examination 1 - Governmental Environment
Examination 2 - Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Budgeting
Examination 3 - Governmental Financial Management and Control
Each examination has a two-hour and 15 minute time limit.
Each examination contains about questions.
Examination questions include:
True or False
Multiple Choice

9. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
Application Process
Apply online (
Complete application form - $70 for AGA members and $99 for nonmembers. Receive your confirmation of eligibility
Submit a work verification form
CGFM subhead/bullets
To take the CGFM Examinations, the first step is to get an application for the CGFM program from AGA.
You can have this application mailed to you by calling the AGA National Office or you can complete the online application on our website (
You have to submit your application with your proof of education in order to receive your letter of eligibility.
In addition, you must complete the Work Verification Form.
As I mentioned earlier, you do not have to have completed two years of professional experience in order to apply and take the examinations, but you will have to have completed the experience requirement before AGA can grant you your certification.

10. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
Examination Process
Purchase examinations on AGA website - exam fee is $109
Print exam authorization letter with exam scheduling instructions
Schedule and take examinations
Get your results immediately
Receive your CGFM Certificate when you pass all three examinations
CGFM subhead/bullets
Once you receive your confirmation of eligibility, you have three years to complete the three examinations.
With your confirmation of eligibility, you go to the AGA website and purchase the examinations. Upon purchase you will print out an exam authorization letter that will provide detailed information on how to schedule a test at a convenient Prometric testing location.
After completing each examination, you will get immediate unofficial results, followed by official notification from AGA.
If you do not pass a particular examination the first time, you must wait 30 days before retaking the examination again. If you do not pass the second or any succeeding time, you must wait 90 days before retaking the examination again. However, you are not precluded from taking the other two examinations.

11. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
To Stay Certified;
Adhere to AGA’s Code of Ethics
Obtain 80 CPEs every two years
Pay renewal fee every year;
$30 for AGA members $65 for nonmembers
CGFM subhead/bullets
Once you become certified you will need to maintain your certification by:
Adhering to the AGA Code of Ethics.
Obtaining 80 continuing professional education hours every two years.
And, paying your annual renewal fee ($30 for AGA members and $65 for nonmembers).

12. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
Professional Certification Summary
CGFM is the mark of professional excellence
CGFM is transferable across agencies and government levels, public, private and non profit sectors
Your agency may change, your job may change, but your CGFM, like a college degree, remains constant
CGFM subhead/bullets
As you have seen, the CGFM Program covers a broad knowledge and skill base.
The challenge facing today's government financial managers is to keep up with the changing times. New innovations, new developments, new methods of implementation are creating a new environment in which government financial managers must function.
The field of government financial management will be far different tomorrow from what it is today. 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 will need to retain and enhance your CGFM.
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.

13. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
Questions?
Dan Neumann
CGFM subhead/bullets

14. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
DFAS Specific Information
To request training time from your supervisor and class reimbursement after you pass all 3 modules, you must have an approved SF182.
Go to the ePortal
Click “My Dashboard”
Click “Training Request”
Click “Initiate Training Request”
CGFM subhead/bullets
If you want to become more competent, more competitive, and be eligible for pay incentives, then earning the CGFM is something you should seriously consider.
The CPE requirement is the backbone of the program, encouraging you to keep up with the changes in the field and remain on the cutting edge of the field. It supports the CGFM in keeping its currency as a certification.

15. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
DFAS Specific Information
The Request Type will be “External Training”
CGFM subhead/bullets
Page 2 – you must include the text in the “Notes Section.”
Submit to Supervisor
If you want to become more competent, more competitive, and be eligible for pay incentives, then earning the CGFM is something you should seriously consider.
The CPE requirement is the backbone of the program, encouraging you to keep up with the changes in the field and remain on the cutting edge of the field. It supports the CGFM in keeping its currency as a certification.

16. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
DFAS Specific Information
Requesting Training Time
DFAS Policy No : Payment/Reimbursement of Expenses Related to Licenses and Professional Certifications
Employees enrolled in a formal self-study or instructor-led certification/licensing examination preparation review course held during non-duty hours for which they have an approved SF182, either employee or DFAS purchased, may be granted up to 40 hours of official duty time during regularly scheduled duty hours for study, subject to supervisory discretion and oversight considering current mission requirements.
AGA Indianapolis verified with LDD that supervisors can grant the 40 hours during duty time with an approved SF182. No additional duty time training will be provided.
A DFAS employee will need to use annual leave for the final day of training.
CGFM subhead/bullets
If you want to become more competent, more competitive, and be eligible for pay incentives, then earning the CGFM is something you should seriously consider.
The CPE requirement is the backbone of the program, encouraging you to keep up with the changes in the field and remain on the cutting edge of the field. It supports the CGFM in keeping its currency as a certification.

17. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
DFAS Specific Information
Requesting Admin Time for Test Taking
DFAS Policy No : Payment/Reimbursement of Expenses Related to Licenses and Professional Certifications
Administrative leave, subject to mission requirements, is approved for the purpose of taking an examination to obtain an approved license or certification that is related to the employee’s career field and in the best interest of DFAS, as determined by the Senior Manager, or designee, in the employee’s organization.
Each employee may be granted admin leave for no more than two sittings for the examination (or for each part of a multi-part examination) required for a particular certification or license during an employee’s career. Scheduling of administrative leave must be coordinated with the employee’s supervisor.
The amount of administrative leave approved to sit for an examination will be at the discretion of the employee’s supervisor based on the length of the examination, travel time required, and whether the employee is expected to report to work before or after the examination.
CGFM subhead/bullets
If you want to become more competent, more competitive, and be eligible for pay incentives, then earning the CGFM is something you should seriously consider.
The CPE requirement is the backbone of the program, encouraging you to keep up with the changes in the field and remain on the cutting edge of the field. It supports the CGFM in keeping its currency as a certification.

18. CGFM - The Pathway to Certification
DFAS Specific Information
Reimbursement Process (via OF1164 and subject to availability of agency funds)
See attached guidance
Can be reimbursed for application, testing (only passed tests), training (with approved SF182), and certification fees.
CGFM subhead/bullets
If you want to become more competent, more competitive, and be eligible for pay incentives, then earning the CGFM is something you should seriously consider.
The CPE requirement is the backbone of the program, encouraging you to keep up with the changes in the field and remain on the cutting edge of the field. It supports the CGFM in keeping its currency as a certification.