Frequently Asked Questions About CGFM
Choosing the CGFM designation:
What are the benefits of having the
certification?
What states recognize CGFM?
CGFM application process:
How do I apply for the CGFM Program?
How much is the application
fee?
Can I get reimbursed for CGFM
examination fees?
Do I have to be an AGA member
to apply for the CGFM?
What is the education requirement for
the CGFM?
I don’t have a bachelor’s degree. What do
I do?
What do I send as proof of my bachelor’s
degree?
What is the experience requirement for
the CGFM?
I don’t have the required experience.
Can I still apply for the CGFM now?
I’ve submitted the CGFM application
form and
proof of my degree. What do I do next?
How long is the eligibility
period?
Studying for CGFM examinations:
What is the best
way to study for the CGFM examinations?
Do I have to apply
for the CGFM Program before taking the courses?
What book can I buy to study for the
examinations?
Can I talk to any current CGFM holders
about preparing for the examinations?
Are there sample examination questions?
Why
Purchasing and taking CGFM examinations:
What is the cost of CGFM examinations and
how do I purchase them?
I cannot pay for the cost of the exams.
Is there any way to reduce the cost?
How often are the examinations
offered?
How do I schedule my examination
appointment?
How can I find the nearest Prometric testing
center?
What is the Test Authorization
Letter?
Am I required to take all three
examinations even though I have other certifications?
Do I have to take all three
examinations at the same time or in any particular order?
How long are the exams?
I need to cancel my exam appointment.
How do I do that?
What do I do if there appears to be
problems during the exam?
I did not pass. How do I retake the examination?
Can I get the numerical score for
taking the CGFM examination?
Maintaining your CGFM:
What are the requirements for
maintaining my CGFM?
I did not renew last year. What do I do?
How can I calculate my two-year CPE cycle?
How many CPEs do I need to renew?
Where and how do I send in my CPEs?
Will AGA send me my CGFM renewal
information?
I have been a CGFM for two years and I
have not received any benefits from AGA such as the publications or
membership information.
I just retired. What do I have to do to retain the
CGFM?
I have not earned the 80 CPEs in my last
two-year cycle.
What
must I do to retain my designation?
Choosing the CGFM designation:
Q: What are the benefits of having the
certification?
A: CGFM highlights your achievements, serves as a tangible
indicator of your experience and knowledge and stays with you throughout
your career. In addition, the CGFM may:
· enhance your marketability throughout all levels of government
· provide networking opportunities with other government financial
managers
· support continued education to keep you informed of the latest
developments and cutting edge technologies
· provide increased employee value, both real and perceived
· increase confidence on the job
· encourage employer incentives - raises, promotions and bonuses
Q: What states recognize CGFM?
A: Currently, the CGFM is recognized
statewide or by certain departments in Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri,
Maine, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington. Check with your employer
and/or the human resources director.
CGFM application process:
Q: How do I apply for the CGFM Program?
A: You can apply
online, via
fax
or mail.
Go to Where Do I Start?
section for more information on application requirements.
Q: How much is the application fee?
A: The nonrefundable application fee for the CGFM Program is
$85. You can pay it by check or credit card when submitting your
CGFM Application Form.
Q: Can I get reimbursed for CGFM examination
fees?
A: Your federal government agency may have a professional
certification reimbursement policy - please check with your office HR
Director. Currently, DoD, GAO and EPA/IG offices have such policies. For
state and local government, check with your HR department. If you are a veteran, you may be
eligible for reimbursement: go to
VA Certification Benefit for
more information.
Q: Do I have to be an AGA member to apply for
the CGFM?
A: AGA
Membership offers many valuable benefits to its members, but it
is not required for your CGFM designation.
Q: What is the education requirement for the
CGFM?
A:
In order to take part in the Certified Government Financial Manager
examinations, you must have already earned a bachelor's degree from an
accredited college or university, and have completed at least 24 credit
hours of study composed of courses in: accounting, auditing,
budgeting, economics, electronic data processing, finance, information
resources management, public administration or other financial
management topics.
Q: I don’t have a bachelor’s degree. What do I
do?
A: Contact
the Office of Professional Certification at 1.800.AGA.7211
(703.684.6931), ext. 306 or
agacgfm@agacgfm.org
Q: What do I send as proof of my bachelor’s
degree?
A: As part of your application for the CGFM Program, please
submit a copy of your transcript from an accredited college or
university. The transcript must show that a degree (bachelor's or
higher) was awarded and must list at least 24 credit hours of courses in
financial management topics. Your name and the name of the college or
university must appear on all transcripts. Please note: CPA card or
license is not acceptable as proof of degree.
You can send this information to the Office of Professional
Certification via fax 703.562.0361 or mail (AGA, 2208 Mount Vernon
Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301).
Q: What is the experience requirement for the
CGFM?
A: Certification candidates must have at least two years of
professional-level experience in government financial management prior
to designation as a CGFM. The experience requirement is not necessary to
sit for the examinations; however, documentation of professional
experience must be filed before the designation can be granted and the
certificate is issued. For more information, please see
CGFM
Work Verification Form.
Q: I don’t have the required experience. Can I
still apply for CGFM now?
A: Yes. The experience requirement does not have to be satisfied
at the time of application.
CGFM
Work Verification Form can be submitted after passing the CGFM
examinations.
Q: I’ve submitted the CGFM application form and
proof of my degree. What do I do next?
A: Wait for your Eligibility Letter from AGA. It is usually sent
out within 2-3 weeks of receipt of your CGFM application.
Q: How long is the eligibility period?
A:
You have three years from the date your application is processed to pass
the three CGFM examinations.
Studying for CGFM examinations:
Q: What is the best way to study for the CGFM
examinations?
A:
The best way to study depends on your knowledge, experience, time and
location constraints and individual preferences. Start by reviewing the
contents of each examination in the
What Do Exams Cover?
section. Then review each of the choices in
How Do I Prepare?
section.
Q: Do I have to apply for the CGFM Program
before taking the courses?
A: No, you can take
instructor-led
courses at
any time.
Q: What book can I buy to study for the examinations?
A: AGA now has three study guides to help you study for the three
CGFM Examinations: Examination 1 - Governmental Environment, Examination
2 - Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Budgeting and for
Examination 3 - Governmental Financial Management and Control. See
study guides for
more information. For additional list of resources, go to
reading resources
list.
Q: Can I talk to any current CGFM holders about
preparing for the examinations?
A: Yes, we have a list of mentors who can
share their experience of studying for the CGFM examinations. Call the
Office of Professional Certification for more information –
1.800.AGA.7211, ext. 306.
Q: Are there sample examination questions? Why?
A: Sample questions are not currently provided due to a limited
number of questions being used on the examinations. Detailed information
on the content of examinations can be found in
What Do Exams Cover?
section of the CGFM web pages.
Purchasing and taking CGFM
examinations:
Q: What is the cost of CGFM
examinations and how do I purchase them?
A: The cost is $109 per
examination. There are three examinations: Governmental Environment
Examination; Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Budgeting
Examination; and Governmental Financial Management and Control
Examination.
You can purchase the examinations on AGA website.
Go to How to I
Purchase the Exams? section for more information.
Q: I cannot pay for the cost of
the exams. Is there any way to reduce the cost?
A:
Unfortunately, this fee is based on what AGA is
charged to have the exams administered on our behalf. We are unable to
offer financial assistance. If you are an AGA member, your chapter may
be able to offer you partial support through their scholarship fund.
Contact your
local chapter.
Q: How often are the
examinations offered?
A:
They are offered six days a week all year round. Some
centers may even offer evening hours for testing. You will schedule your
own examination testing appointment after purchasing the CGFM
examinations on the website.
Q: How do I schedule my
examination appointment?
A:
After purchasing the
examinations on AGA website (see
How to I Purchase the
Exams?),
you should print an Test Authorization Letter that will give you
instructions on how to schedule your appointment with Prometric.
Q: How can I find the nearest Prometric testing
center?
A: To find the closest center, click "Testing
Centers" and follow these steps:
1) Select "Academic, Professional Licensure & Certification, Government,
and Corporate Programs" and "Net Certification" from the pull-down menu
in Step 1 and "United States" and your state in Step 2. Click on "Next".
2) Click on "Locate a Test Site"
3) In the Exam Selection menu select “2 hour appointment time block”
exam. Click on "Next".
4) A page should show the test centers within the state.
Please do not call the local testing centers to schedule your
examination appointment - refer to your Test Authorization Letter for
instructions on scheduling your exam.
Q: What is the Test Authorization Letter?
A: It is a letter that you can print after
purchasing your CGFM examinations through the website. It gives you
instructions on how to schedule your examination testing appointment.
If you misplace the letter, you can go to the
Training and Educational Center page, choose “Already
Registered” area and enter the Student Login ID and Password you chose
when you first purchased a CGFM examination.
Q: Am I required to take all
three examinations even though I have other certifications?
A: Yes. All applicants are
required to take all three examinations regardless of other credentials
or past experience.
Q: Do I have to take all three examinations at the same
time or in any particular order?
A: No. You may take up to three years to
complete all three examinations. Examinations can be taken in any order.
Q: How long are the exams?
A:
Each examination has approximately 100 questions. You are given
two-hours and fifteen minutes to compete each exam.
Q: I need to cancel my exam
appointment. How do I do that?
A:
Cancellations must be handled by Prometric at 1.800.715.8345.
Cancellations may also be reported to the local testing center
(Prometric may give this phone number when candidates schedule their
appointment). Cancellations must be reported by noon, two days before
the examination appointment, or a penalty fee may be assessed. See
Examination Procedures
for more information.
Q: What do I do if there
appears to be problems during the exam?
A: First of all, contact your Prometric
Testing Coordinator - show them the problem that you are experiencing.
This accomplishes three things:
1) They have resources, including manuals about the specific exams,
technical support, etc. and may be able to solve the problem;
2) They will document the problem and submit it to Prometric; and
3) You have additional eyes looking at the issues for verification,
documentation, and solutions.
If the Prometric Testing Coordinator is not able to resolve the issue,
document the problem that you are having (you can use your scratch paper
to document). The more details you can provide about the problem, the
better - for example: what screen are you on? What buttons or keys did
you hit? Exactly what happened as you progressed? Can you repeat the
problem? Although you will not be allowed to take the documentation with
you when you leave the exam, you will be able to use it to assist the
Testing Coordinator with submitting the problem report. You can ask to
see it and verify that the information is correct.
Finally, please send an email to
NetCertification and
AGA notifying them of the issues that you encountered.
NetCertification and Prometric will research the situation and determine
a resolution.
If circumstances arise causing a delay of more than
30 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, or a restart delay
lasts longer than 30 minutes, you will be given the choice of continuing
to wait or rescheduling your appointment without an additional fee. If
you choose to wait, you may later change your mind at any time prior to
being checked in to test. If you choose to proceed and not reschedule
after a delay, you will have no further recourse and your testing
results will be considered valid.
If the problem prohibited you from completing the exam, NetCertification
will contact you to resume your exam after the problem has been
resolved.
Q: I did not pass. How do I retake the examination?
A: If you do not pass the
exam the first time, you must wait 30 days before repurchasing the
examination on the website. Please follow the same steps as with the
original purchase. The cost is the same ($109). If you don't pass a
second time, there is a 90-day waiting period between retakes. You may
retake an exam as often as you like before the end of your eligibility
period.
Q: Can I get the numerical
score for taking the CGFM examination?
A: No, AGA does not provide numerical scores for CGFM
Examinations. After you complete a CGFM Examination at a testing center,
you will immediately receive a pass/fail score on your computer.
Maintaining your CGFM:
Q: What are the requirements for maintaining my
CGFM?
A: To retain the designation, a CGFM holder
must:
1. Pay the CGFM renewal fee at the beginning of
every year.
2. Adhere to the AGA Code of Ethics.
3. Complete at least 80 hours of continuing
professional education (CPE) every two years in government financial
management topics or related technical subjects (with at least 20 in
the first year). See CPE
Requirements and Calendar of CPE
cycles for more information.
4. Maintain and, if requested by AGA, provide
detailed information on CPE hours completed.
Q: I did not renew last year. What do I do?
A: Contact the Office of
Professional Certification at 1.800.AGA.7211 (703.684.6931), ext. 306 or
agacgfm@agacgfm.org
Q: How can I calculate my two-year CPE cycle?
A: Your first CPE cycle starts on January 1st
of the year following the one when your CGFM is earned. The date of
receiving your designation is listed on your CGFM certificate and the
CGFM card sent with renewal invoices. See
Calendar of CPE
cycles for more information.
Q: How many CPEs do I need to renew?
A: CGFM holders must earn at least 80 hours of continuing
professional education (CPE) every two years (with at least 20 in the
first year). If CGFM holders do not have 80 hours completed by the end
their two-year cycle, they can use the three months immediately
following their cycle (January 1 - March 31) to make up any deficiency.
Any CPE hours completed toward a deficiency in one cycle should be
documented in their CPE records and may not be counted toward the
requirements for the next two-year cycle. See
CPE
Requirements for more information.
Q:
Where and how do I send in my CPEs?
A: You do not need to send any evidence of CPEs
to AGA at the time of renewing your certification. By submitting the
renewal payment for your CGFM certification, you affirm your agreement
and compliance with CPE requirements. Following receipt of renewals, a
select committee of the Professional Certification Board will be
conducting a random audit of renewed CGFMs. At that time you may be
asked to submit further documentation. In the meantime, we require that
you maintain your own documentation for three years following renewal.
Q: Will AGA send me my CGFM renewal information?
A: Yes. At the beginning of each year
(January-February) an AGA/CGFM renewal invoice will be sent. Call the
Customer Satisfaction Center at 800.AGA.7211 ext. 303 if you have an
address change or if you have not received an annual invoice by March 31st.
Q: I have been a CGFM for two years and I have not
received any benefits from AGA such as the publications or membership
information.
A: Becoming a CGFM is separate from AGA
membership. If you are a CGFM, it does not automatically mean that you
are a member of AGA. Call our
Customer Satisfaction Center at 800.AGA.7211 ext. 303 to get
membership information, or fill out an
online application.
Q: I just retired. What do I
have to do to retain the CGFM?
A: Individuals who are retired from and are no
longer substantially working in the government financial management
community can continue to use their CGFM designation, but are not
required to remit the CGFM renewal fee or earn the 80 CPE hours. Newly
retired individuals need to contact the Office of Professional
Certification to notify AGA of their new status – please email
agacgfm@agacgfm.org
If a retired individual returns to work (full-time
employment or contracting) in the government financial management
community, he or she must contact AGA to change the status back to
"active".
Q:
I have not earned the 80 CPEs in my last two-year cycle. What must I do
to retain my designation?
A:
Contact the Office of Professional Certification at
1.800.AGA.7211 (703.684.6931), ext. 306 or
agacgfm@agacgfm.org