Association of Government Accountants (AGA)

Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

Credential: Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)  In-Demand resource  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: Association of Government Accountants (AGA)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Government Accountants (AGA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) is an entry-level to mid-level professional certification recommended for government financial managers. The CGFM certifies an individual's knowledge of governmental accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal controls and budgeting at the federal, state and local levels. CGFM candidates must have at least two years of professional-level experience in government financial management. Candidates must meet education and experience requirements. Candidates must pass three comprehensive CGFM exams.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    high

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 2 years
  • Education: Bachelors
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 2 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Association of Government Accountants (AGA)

2208 Mount Vernon Ave
Alexandria, VA  22301-1314

Phone: (800) AGA-7211

Fax: (703) 548-9367
Email: ksilver@agacgfm.org

Show All / Hide All

Candidate must have a bachelor's degree in any subject area from an accredited U.S. college or university.

A CGFM candidate must have at least two years of professional-level experience in government financial management. The experience requirement is not a prerequisite to sit for the examinations; however, it is a requirement to become a CGFM.

The Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) credential has the following other requirements:

Show Written Exam Requirements / Hide Written Exam Requirements

  • Organization, Structure and Authority of Government (15%)
  • Legally-Based Implications of the Government Financial Environment (15%)
  • Demonstrate an Understanding of the Government Management System (16%)
  • Governmental Financing Process (24%)
  • Identify the Concepts, Definitions and Notions of Public Accountability (12%)
  • Demonstrate an Understanding of Ethics as Applied to the Government Environment (10%)
  • Demonstrate an Understanding of Electronic Services in Government (8%)

  • Governmental Financial Accounting, Reporting and Budgeting (40%)
  • Demonstrate an Understanding of State and Local Financial Accounting and Reporting (30%)
  • Demonstrate an Understanding of Federal Financial Accounting and Reporting (30%)

  • Financial Management Functions (25%)
  • Demonstrate an Understanding of Financial and Managerial Analysis Techniques (15%)
  • Internal Control (25%)
  • Demonstrate an Understanding of Performance Measurement/Metrics/Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA) (15%)
  • Auditing (20%)

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) credential has the following recertification information:

  • Pay the CGFM renewal fee by the due date every year.
  • To maintain the CGFM certification, all CGFMs must adhere to the AGA’s Code of Ethics. In addition, to continue using the CGFM designation after their name, CGFMs must be in an active status.
  • Complete at least 80 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) every two years in government financial management topics or related technical subjects (within the designated two-year cycle).
  • Maintain and, if requested by AGA, provide detailed information on CPE hours completed.
  • Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click to go to the external link for GI Bill licensing and certification information.

ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

Click to go to the external ANAB web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

Click to go to the external ICAC web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

Click to go to the external ABSNC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

Click to go to the external NCCA web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

Click to go to the external IAS web site.

Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

Click here for more information.

NKO e-learning

$$ELEARN_NKO_DESC$$

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Accountants and Auditors
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Accountants and Auditors

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Accountants and Auditors

Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Budget Analysts
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Budget Analysts

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Budget Analysts

This is an official U.S. Marine Corps website
Updated: February 26, 2021
Top