In order to be eligible to participate in this program, you must be:
- A finance officer for a state, county, municipal or special purpose government, school district, institution of higher education, public authority, planning council or council of government
- A person who holds 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)
To qualify for certification, you must:
- Be a member of the GFOASC
- Hold a position as a government finance officer
- Meet minimum education and experience requirements
- Complete the five core courses of this training
- Pass five certification exams offered as a part of this program
You may register for all five courses for $1,500 or register for each course individually.
Financial Planning and Budgeting ($450/course and $60/ exam)
Capital Planning and Forecasting ($250/course and $60/exam)
Financial Management ($250/course and $60/exam)
Governmental Accounting ($575/course and $60/exam)
Financial Reporting and Auditing ($350/course and $60/exam)
No, students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks and classroom materials for each of the courses. Details are provided on each course webpage.
Course enrollment is limited to approximately 40 participants and must have a minimum of 15 participants.
Yes, in order to receive credit for completion of the course and a certificate of participation, participants must attend a minimum of 75% of the course. Attendance is closely monitored.
Classes will be held at the University of South Carolina on the USC Columbia campus. Parking information and directions will be sent with your registration confirmation approximately one week prior to the beginning of the course.
Check-in: 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Sessions: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Lunch (on your own): 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
The instructor has the right to adjust the starting and ending times after the first day of class.
The registration deadline is no later than seven calendar days prior to the first day of each course. Classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. First-time participants will be given priority over individuals wishing to audit the course.
The deadline to take advantage of the discounted rate and register for all courses
at one time is September 1, 2023, however, the program may reach maximum enrollment
before that date. Exams are not included in the $1,500 package.
The GFOASC will offer one certification assistance award to a member of the GFOASC who enrolls in one or more core courses. Please email scholarship@gfoasc.org for more information.
Participants who have previously attended the core courses and have unexpired test scores for any of the courses may audit those same courses on a space-available basis. The cost for auditing a course is $75. Please contact 803-777-9444 or email pep@mailbox.sc.edu for auditing registration.
Email cancellations received seven (7) or more days before a course begins will receive
the course fee less a 20% administrative fee. There will be no refunds issued for
cancellations made less than seven days before the course begins. There will be no
credits or refunds for class time or exams missed by a participant and refunds will
not be given for “no‐shows."
Participants may transfer once to a future course or exam within one year of the original
program if they notify our office in writing with seven (7) days notice. Transfers
are limited to one (1) occurrence per course or exam. If notice is not received 7
days prior to the start date of the course or exam, participants must re‐register
and pay for their selected course or exam.
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.
The examinations are graded “blindly” by the course instructors. In other words, the instructors do not know whose exam they are grading. Any examination that is within five points of a passing grade is automatically reviewed by the instructors grading that examination.
Exam Registration Deadline Participants must register for exams at least seven days (7) prior to the exam. First-time participants will be given priority over individuals wishing to audit the course.
Exam I: Financial Planning and Budgeting
Exam II: Capital Planning and Forecasting
Exam III: Financial Management
Exam IV: Governmental Accounting
Exam V: Financial Reporting and Auditing
Online Fall Exams
Option 1: Oct. 2 - 13, 2023 (1 Session)
Option 2: Nov. 6 - 17, 2023 (1 Session)
Online Spring Exams
Option 1: Jan. 29 - Feb. 9, 2024 (1 Session)
Option 2: March 25 - April 5, 2024 (1 Session)
A member of the professional education team will coordinate with students individually
to schedule an online exam time during the scheduled exam period.
Fee: $60