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.  You should soon receive a renewal invoice and the payment is due by March 31st.  If you do not receive an invoice by mid-March, please call AGA at 1.800.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 January 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 1/1/02-12/31/03). The award date is listed on your CGFM certificate. Your current CPE cycle is listed on your renewal invoice. VIsit AGA's website for a table of all CPE cycles.

Q: My two-year CPE cycle just ended on December 31, 2007, but I did not complete 80 CPEs in 2006-2007. Can I make up the deficiency?
A: Yes. CGFMs who have not completed the 80 CPE hours in 2006-2007 cycle have until March 31, 2008 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 here.

Q: I just retired. Do I need to do anything to adjust my CGFM status to “retired”?
A: Yes. Individuals who are retired from AND are no longer substantially working in the government financial management community 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 provide the date of retirement and confirm that you are no longer substantially working in the government financial management community). CGFMs in retired status are not required to remit the CGFM renewal fee or earn the 80 CPE hours.

If retired CGFMs return to work (substantial employment or contracting) in the government financial management community, they must contact AGA to change their status back to "active."

Find more information on CGFM renewal policies here.