GFOA of Missouri
Certified Public Finance Officer, CPFO
Invest in Your Future
Daniel Smith, CPA CPFO
Director of Finance, City of Creve Coeur
Sandy Stephens, CPFO
Assistant Director of Finance, City of Kirkwood
Treasurer, City of Rock Hill
Agenda
Why Should You Pursue CPFO Designation Requirements for CPFO
Certification Exams
Five Exam Disciplines Resource Materials Exam Times and Locations
Study Suggestions
Group Discussion
Why Pursue CPFO Designation?
• Receive practical training (Self-study)
• Enhance fundamental skills
• Increase knowledge of best practices
• Build relationships and network with
other CPFOs
Active Missouri CPFOs
Christine A. Cates, Assistant City Administrator-Finance & Administrative
Services, City of Blue Springs
Joan L. Jadali, Director of Finance and Administration
City of Webster Groves
Denise O. Keller, Finance Officer
City of Ballwin
Susan W. Lauren-Dawson, Director of Accounting
Wentzville R-IV School District
Pamela J. Reitz, Director of Administration
St. Louis County
Active Missouri CPFOs-
Continued Donna K. Resz, Finance Director
City of Riverside
Daniel N. Smith, Finance Director
City of Creve Coeur
Sandra F. Stephens,
Assistant Finance Director, City of Kirkwood
Treasurer, City of Rock Hill
Mark A. Stockwell, Chief Financial Officer
Parkway School District
Denise J. Town, Finance Director
City of Maryville
Requirements for CPFO
Designation
Eligibility requirements:
1. Baccalaureate degree from accredited institution.
2. Accept and observe the GFOA Code of Professional
Ethics.
Requirements for CPFO
Designation-Continued
Additional criteria to receive CPFO:
1. Current employment: Government as primary employer.
2. Employment history: At least three years of experience
with a government.
3. GFOA Membership: Application can be downloaded from
www.gfoa.org
Certification Exams
Five exams in seven years:
Governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting
Operating and capital budgeting
Debt management
Treasury and investment management
Retirement and benefits, risk management, and procurement
Certification Exams-Continued
Exams:
Testing is offered three times each year
Fall, early Spring and at the GFOA annual conference
Exams consist of 175 multiple-choice questions
Exams must be completed in 3-1/2 hours
Pass with 75% or better
Exam Resources
2014 Candidates Guide to Becoming a Certified Public
Finance Officer
Program Information
Page 1 - 5
Examination Specifications
Page 6 - 10
Recommended Readings
Pages 11 – 16
GFOA offers a 50% discount on publications for CPFO candidates
Exam Resources-Continued http://www.gfoa.org/downloads/GFOACPFOOrderForms.pdf
Exam Resources-Continued
Sample Examinations on web site Provides 35 sample questions
GFOA web site www.gfoa.org Jim Phillips
312 977-9700
Radford University Dr. Bruce Chase
312 977-9700
Peers/Other CPFOs
Study Suggestions
Determine your time-line Candidates have seven-years to complete the five exams
Three times a year testing is provided with up to 2 exams each period
Plan the order of exams
Outline study program
Study Suggestions-Continued
Use Technology to your advantage Apple and Android app –Flashcards Deluxe
By OrangeOrApple.com
PDF readers – iAnnotate PDF
Advantage of using technology such as the above examples is the
portability.
Group Discussion
• What obstacles do you have?
– Money?
– Time?
• How can the Missouri GFOA assist members pursuing
CPFO certification?
• Other discussion points
Contact Information
• Dan Smith
– 314 872-2519
• Sandy Stephens
– [email protected] (First 6 letters of last name, followed by
the first name initial and middle initial)
– 314 822-5834
