AGA TOPICS Newsletter

Annual CGFM Renewal Time

It is time to renew your CGFM designation and/or AGA membership. Below you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about CGFM renewal:

Q: How often do I have to renew my CGFM designation?
A: CGFM certification is renewed on an annual basis. The payment is due by March 31.  If you do not receive an invoice by the end of February, please call AGA at 800.AGA.7211. You can also renew your CGFM now in the "Members only" section of AGA website.

If your address has recently changed, please be sure to update your contact information with AGA and pay your dues in the "Members only" section of AGA website.

Q: What are the requirements for maintaining the CGFM certification in an active status?
A: To maintain the CGFM certification in an active status, CGFMs are required to:

·        Pay the CGFM renewal fee by the due date every year.

·        Complete at least 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every two years in government financial management topics or related technical subjects.

·        Maintain and, if requested by AGA, provide detailed information on CPE hours completed.

To retain the CGFM certification, all CGFMs must adhere to the AGA’s Code of Ethics. By submitting their annual renewal payment, CGFMs affirm that they have and will continue to abide by AGA’s Code of Ethics and that they have fulfilled the minimum CPE Requirements. 

Q: How do I determine my CPE cycle?
A: Your first two-year CPE cycle starts on Jan. 1 of the year following the one when your CGFM was awarded (for example, if your CGFM was awarded in 2001, your first CPE cycle was Jan. 1, 2002 – Dec. 31, 2003. The award date is listed on your CGFM certificate. Your current CPE cycle is listed on your renewal invoice. For a table of all CPE cycles visit www.agacgfm.org/cgfm/maintain/cgfm_calendar.aspx.

Q: My two-year CPE cycle just ended on Dec. 31, 2009, but I did not complete 80 CPEs in 2008-2009. Can I make up the deficiency?
A: Yes. CGFMs who have not completed the 80 CPE hours in 2008-2009 cycle have until March 31, 2010 to make up the deficiency. Any CPE hours completed toward a deficiency in one period must be documented in the CPE records and may not be counted toward the requirements for the next two-year period.  More information on CGFM CPE requirements can be found on www.agacgfm.org/cgfm/maintain/cpe_requirements.aspx.

Q: I just retired. Do I need to do anything to adjust my CGFM status to “retired”?
A: Yes. Individuals who have permanently retired 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 (agacgfm@agacgfm.org). Please provide the date of retirement and confirm that since retiring you have not worked in the field of financial management. CGFMs in retired status are not required to remit the CGFM renewal fee or earn the 80 CPE hours, but must clearly indicate their retired status by using “CGFM-Retired” after their name and using “Retired” or “Retired status” on a resume, bio or other statements of qualification.

If retired CGFMs return to work in the field of financial management, they must contact AGA to change their status back to "active."

Read more about CGFM renewal policies.