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 14,000 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.
The
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of
accountants and auditors is expected to grow 18 percent between 2006 and
2016, which is faster than the average of all occupations. Accountants
and auditors that hold a college degree or any other certification will
have the best job prospects.
Give Yourself an Edge Over Your Competitors
Recent research has shown
that employers attribute their recruiting difficulties to a shortage of
qualified professionals. Give yourself a competitive advantage by
showing your commitment to lifelong learning. You need a credential that
shows you 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 measures 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
Value and Recognition of the CGFM Credential
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. 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. It is often listed as a
preferred hiring qualification on federal RFPs.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 regulations and new methods of implementation require
staying abreast of the latest developments.
AGA presents a dynamic
program of educational events every year that will expand your knowledge
and sharpen your skills.
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.
“In the
aftermath of the accounting scandals, professional certification is even
more important to ensure that accountants’ credentials and knowledge of
ethics are sound. Regardless of specialty, accountants and auditors who
have earned professional recognition through certification or licensure
should have the best job prospects.” —Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition