Frequently Asked Questions About CGFM
Choosing the CGFM designation:
What are the benefits of having the
CGFM certification?
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?
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 Pearson Professional
Center?
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?
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
CGFM 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
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: Please
check with your HR department if your agency or company has
professional certification reimbursement policy. 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 any of 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 one or more of the following areas: accounting, auditing,
budgeting, economics, electronic data processing, finance, information
resources management, public administration or other financial
management or related 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. 341 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
24 semester credit hours (36
quarter credit hours) of study composed of courses in financial
management or related 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
Professional Experience Requirement.
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
study references
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?
A: Yes,
sample CGFM examinations questions are available in the
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 online or over
the phone.
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 five days a week all year round. Some
centers 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: Follow the
instructions on your eligibility letter (or on How do I Purchase the
Exams? page) to register with Pearson VUE, pay for exam fees and
schedule your testing appointments.
Q: How can I find the nearest Pearson
Professional Center?
A: On the
AGA’s page
on the Pearson VUE website, click on the button called “Locate a
Test Center”. Select United
States or Canada for country and then city or zipcode you are looking
for – a list of closest Pearson Test Centers will come up.
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 115 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:
If you wish to cancel or reschedule your testing appointment, you
must contact Pearson VUE at 1.888.846.6948 or by logging into your
account and changing your appointment at least one business day prior to
your originally scheduled exam appointment. Failure to cancel or
reschedule within the appropriate time frame will be considered a “no
show,” and you will be charged the full exam fee.
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
you can retake this examination at a testing center.
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:
Upon completing each
CGFM Examination, test takers receive an immediate pass/fail result that
is printed and provided to the test taker at a testing center.
Individuals who passed an exam
will receive a report that states "you have passed"; individuals who did
not pass will receive a scaled score and performance by content area. A
scaled score
reports examinations scores on a scale that is linked to
the raw scores. CGFM examinations are using a scale of 200-700, with 500
as the passing score.
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 by the due date 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 (within the designated
two-year cycle). 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.
See
How Do I Maintain a CGFM? for more information.
Q: I did not renew last year. What do I do?
A:
Your CGFM is now inactive. Please visit the
How Do I Maintain a CGFM? page to find out how you can reactivate
your certification.
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. 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. CGFMs are required to maintain supporting documentation on
CPE hours earned for a minimum of three years and provide it to AGA upon
request.
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.
Please note: it is the responsibility of
each CGFM to pay the annual CGFM renewal fee, even if that individual
did not receive an invoice from AGA.
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 have permanently retired from
AND are not working in the field of financial management can request an
adjustment of their status to “retired” by contacting AGA’s Office of
Professional Certification (by mail or e-mail at
agacgfm@agacgfm.org).
Please visit the
How Do I Maintain a CGFM? page for more information on CGFM retired
status.
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. 316 or
agacgfm@agacgfm.org