CGFM TOPICS Newsletter

AGA asked its national leaders why maintaining the CGFM credential was so important to them. The responses reflected a variety of reasons, including improved service to citizens, a competitive advantage in the industry, a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, and more. Read on . . .
 

“Government financial management is a diverse and complex function at all levels of federal, state, and local governments. I started my career at the federal level in the Department of Defense and now work mainly with state and some local special government operations. Obtaining the AGA CGFM certification and maintaining the required continuing professional development while I was at the federal level helped me successfully transition to the state and local operations. The CGFM and its network of professionals helped to give me the competence and the confidence to transcend boundaries and barriers in governmental financial management at the different levels for my career. It helped me realize that much of our work is understanding the processes and managing resources at the federal government level, to/through the state and local level and even to the private contractors that are also more and more involved in accomplishing the outcomes for our citizens. The CGFM helps build the individual professionals at all levels of government and the private sector that are needed to be members of successful ‘teams’ that are necessitated in this day and age to provide valued services to our citizens. In my current agency that means natural resource conservation services.”

Milt Barr, CGFM
Fiscal & Administrative Manager
Water & Soil Conservation Division, Department of Natural Resources, State of Missouri,

“The CGFM credential is held by people who value good financial management in government and who are interested in improving their knowledge and achievement.”

David M. Bell, CGFM
Senior Auditor
Office of Audit Services, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

"As a government financial manager, I believe it is absolutely critical in today's environment to maintain one's CGFM credential for a number of reasons. One reason is that we live and work in a highly competitive world. To lose a possible competitive advantage because of a failure to maintain my CGFM credential would be totally inexcusable. Another reason is that by working to maintain my credential, I am staying on top of my game. I am staying current with issues, technologies, and best business practices. This helps me function better as a manager, and to maintain my competitiveness. A third reason is that it is my duty to set an example for my employees and colleagues. I feel that I have a responsibility to provide an example as a mentor, and how can I do that if I don't stay current myself? A final reason is because I love to learn . . .to know more . . . to increase my level of knowledge. It is fun to learn."

Bobby A. Derrick, CGFM
Director for Administrative Services and Corporate Resources Support Services Customer Advocate, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Indianapolis
Immediate Past AGA National President

“My CGFM is important to me because it demonstrates in no uncertain terms that I have both the depth and breadth of knowledge in government financial management to be a leader in our profession at any level of government--federal, state or local. It also demonstrates that I am personally committed to my continuing professional education and remaining current in the standards, issues, and techniques that are important in our profession.”

Jeffrey S. Hart, CGFM, CFE
Manager, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National President-Elect, AGA

“Maintaining your CGFM credential shows that you are serious about your profession as a government financial manager. You do not rest on your achievements, but strive to improve yourself through continuing professional education. By maintaining your CGFM designation one demonstrates a desire to remain abreast of our ever-changing professional environment so we can remain accountable to our employers, customers and the public.”

Joseph A. Kapelewski, CGFM
Director of Finance
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service

“I am a CGFM by experience and a CPA by testing and experience. I consider the CGFM much more relevant because it better reflects what I do in my job—government financial management. On my business card and my correspondence I list CGFM first, both because I am proud to be a CGFM and of the two credentials the CGFM better reflects who I am as a professional.”

Tom Sadowski, CGFM, CPA
Director, Division of Accounting, Office of Administration, State of Missouri
Past National President, Past National Treasurer, AGA

“The CGFM shows two important attributes: an individual's commitment to a career in public service financial management, this counts for a lot even if they have other professional certifications; and secondly, professional certification is a commitment to lifelong professional learning, college degrees are ‘point in time’ events, continuing professional education for a certification is always up to date.

Capt. Larry R. White, CGFM, CMA, CFM, CPA
Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Finance Center