AGA TOPICS Newsletter

CGFM is Rewarded with Raise at Missouri State Auditor’s Office

The Missouri State Auditor’s Office has begun offering salary increases to employees who earn the CGFM certification.

“We recognize it as being a standard that shows excellence in the profession,” said John Blattel, a member of AGA’s Mid-Missouri Chapter and the Director of Audits over performance audits at the Missouri State Auditor's office.

Blattel said the continuing professional education is a “big deal” at the State Auditor’s office, one of the biggest state employers of auditing and accounting professionals. Employees are required to earn at least 40 CPE hours every year, but they are encouraged to do more and become certified. Employees can make an additional $150 every month if they earn one of these credentials: the CGFM, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). These credentials are in addition to the support the State Auditor's office provides for those employees who become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).

“We support these professional certifications because they require employees to do additional professional study, and they keep you up to date on your profession,” Blattel said.

This recent development is yet another advancement for the CGFM in Missouri state government. AGA’s Mid-Missouri chapter has an active CGFM Program and has been working diligently for years to gain recognition for the credential.

Vandee DeVore, CGFM, a chapter member, member of the Professional Certification Board and the national CGFM coordinator, worked with the state Division of Personnel over several years so that the CGFM would be recognized as equal to a bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience for auditors and accountants covered by the state’s Uniform Classification System.

Because the Missouri state auditor is an elected official, employee pay and classifications are not covered under the same system but are determined internally. In this case, Auditor’s Office officials took up the cause on their own, to the delight of Mid-Missouri Chapter members.

“It’s a very nice surprise for us,” said Connie Qutami, a past president of the chapter. “We’re hoping that it continues. It’s a positive thing that shows the growth of the program—the certification is starting to speak for itself.”

The chapter also received another boost recently when members got the news that a testing center became available in Jefferson City. Previously, taking the CGFM Exams meant traveling more than two hours to St. Louis, Kansas City or Springfield.

Shawn McCauley, CGFM, the chapter’s CGFM chair, said the distance has been a big obstacle. But now, “people have no excuses at all,” he said because not only are the exams offered in town, but the chapter reimburses all exam fees for those who pass, AND pay increases are available for those who work in the State Auditor’s Office.

Immediate Past National Treasurer Tom Sadowski, CGFM, the director of accounting with the state Office of Administration said, “As a CGFM myself and former SAO employee I am pleased the office recognizes the value of the CGFM in a tangible way. The CGFM designation acknowledges the broad-based knowledge essential to being a proficient accountability professional in today's fast-paced and constantly evolving government.”

Blattel echoed Sadowski’s comments. “The profession is changing so much every day that you need to be apprised of the latest changes to do the best job.”