This training program is for professionals who are currently working as finance officers for a state, county, municipal or special purpose government, school district, institution of higher education, public authority, planning council or council of government. The training is comprised of five required courses with final examinations for each.
Note: The core courses are designed to challenge government finance professionals. The instructors assume all students have a basic educational background in finance and accounting.
You may register for all five course for $1,500 or register for each course and/or exam individually.
Full Training Program
To be eligible for this training, you must hold a supervisory or professional position in a state or local government, public authority, council of government, school district, college or university, with administrative responsibility for one or more financial functions (i.e., audit, cash management, investments, budget, accounting, or inventory control).
Review the answers to some of the common questions about this training and contact us if you would like to ask a question.
Individual Courses
You may choose to take the five required courses individually. Review the course objectives, required text, exam dates, instructor information and register for the five required courses:
- Financial Planning and Budgeting
- Capital Planning and Forecasting
- Financial Management
- Governmental Accounting
- Financial Reporting and Auditing
Exams
The examinations are challenging and designed to assess mastery of course material. All exams must be successfully completed within three years from the date you take the first exam. You may take an examination up to six times in an attempt to pass. Once you have achieved current passing scores for all five examinations, you may apply for certification.
Exams will be offered in the spring and fall.
System requirements for online GFOA exams: Windows: 10 (but not 10S), 8, 7, or Vista or Mac: OS X 10.5 or higher. Students must also have a web camera (internal or external), microphone and a broadband internet connection.
Students participating in online GFOA exams will be permitted to use a single-line, basic calculator, (3) dry-erase boards (12" X 9" recommended size), and a dry-erase marker during each GFOA exam. Students can use dry-erase boards to work through exam problems and will be required to show blank dry-erase boards at the end of the testing session.
Certification
Actual designation as a CGFO is awarded by the certification committee of the GFOASC. For complete information on the certification program, request a program packet by emailing certification@gfoasc.org. If you have specific questions about certification, please email certification@gfoasc.org. If you have general questions about GFOASC, please email info@gfoasc.org.
Registration for the Full GFOA Training Program
| Dates / Sessions | Times | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| GFOA Full Program 9/14/2023 – 3/22/2024 Varies 5 Sessions Registration Closed Notes: Full program includes all 5 courses: Financial Planning; Capital Planning and Forecasting; Financial Management; Governmental Accounting; and Financial Reporting & Auditing. The location and directions to each course will be emailed approximately one week before each course begins. | TBD – TBD | $1500.00 |
Registration and Payment Notes
If you plan to pay by check or purchase order, select "register by mail." Complete the form and return a printout with payment to: USC Continuing Education
and Conferences, Close/Hipp Building at 1705 College Street, Suite 591, Columbia,
SC 29208. Your seat is not guaranteed until payment is received.
We accept online payment via electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express through MarketPlace,
a secure electronic environment that simplifies business transactions with the university.
Follow the MarketPlace prompts to complete payment. Your transaction is only complete
when you receive an order number, which is your receipt of payment. Your seat is not
guaranteed until payment is received and you receive an order number.
Once you have paid and are enrolled, you'll be emailed location and parking information for face-to-face programs or online
instructions about one week before the program begins.