Elevate your Learning with GFOA’s Certified Public Finance Officer Program

Elevate your Learning with GFOA’s Certified Public Finance Officer Program

Through the generosity of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and CSMFO, CSMFO is offering four scholarships for GFOA’s Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) Certification program (each scholarship valued at $1200).

The scholarship is available to active CSMFO and national GFOA members who are not currently enrolled in the CPFO program. The scholarship will cover the $1,200 fee for two years of participation in the CPFO program. It includes ten exam attempts, e-learning course credits, and access to a CPFO Exam Prep product with over twenty recorded seminars. A CPFO scholarship recipient who does not finish the program within two years will need to pay $600 per year until they pass all of the exams. A candidate is allowed a maximum of five years to complete the program. Any ongoing costs of the program are to be borne by the recipient. CSMFO and GFOA are not responsible for continued costs to participate.

The CPFO Program for GFOA members is a broad educational program designed to verify knowledge in government finance disciplines. To earn the CPFO designation, candidates must pass a series of seven examinations covering the major public finance disciplines. A candidate has five years in which to complete the program.

Examination Areas:

• Accounting and Financial Reporting
• Treasury and Investment Management
• Debt Management
• Planning and Budgeting
• Compensation and Benefits
• Procurement
• Risk Assessment

Once earned, the CPFO designation is maintained by paying an annual membership fee and participating in fifteen hours of continuing professional education and three GFOA Engagement Credits each year. More information about the CPFO Program can be found at Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) (gfoa.org).

Testimonial

CSMFO would like to congratulate recent recipients of the CPFO designation. This is an incredible journey to enhance and extend your technical knowledge.

“The CPFO program is much more than a certification. It provides invaluable skills such as specialized financial knowledge, problem-solving, time management, adaptability, and networking opportunities with other professionals in the field. The resources and insights gained through the program have been instrumental in both my career and personal development.

For those looking to elevate their expertise in public finance, I strongly encourage you to consider pursuing the CPFO certification. Not only will it strengthen your technical and leadership abilities, but it will also open doors to greater opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve."

- Jennifer Ustation, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency

Scholarship Process

To be considered for the scholarship, the applicant must be able to satisfy all of the requirements listed below: 

1. CSMFO Member 
2. GFOA Member 
3. Local Government Experience – minimum of 2 years
4. Submit Resume 
5. Completion of Personal Statement of Interest Deadline to submit your application is April 6, 2026. 

Award of scholarship is based on one’s ability to meet the requirements. All confirmed applicants will then be entered into a random drawing for final selection.

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must be an active member of both CSMFO and GFOA with two years local government experience and submit an application at the following link: CPFO Scholarship Application

For the four recipients of the scholarship, CSMFO would gain value from your experience if you would share your experience with the CPFO program through a co-written article for CSMFO News.

Should you have any questions on the program, please direct your questions to Margaret Moggia at margaret.moggia@staff.csmfo.org.

After a successful 28-year career, Margaret retired as the Executive Manager of Finance for West Basin Municipal Water District. An opportunity to support the Town of Discovery Bay CSD as their Finance Manager provides her the opportunity to help guide them through transformative. Margaret began her professional career at Coopers & Lybrand focusing primarily on governments and nonprofits. Margaret earned her B.A in Economics from U.C. Santa Barbara. She maintains her license as a certified public accountant (CPA).

Margaret was appointed by the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) Board to serve as Executive Director where she has overall strategic and operational responsibility for CSMFO programs and execution of its mission. Margaret served as the 2018 President for CSMFO and also served in a variety of volunteer capacities. Margaret has also been active with CMTA and GFOA. In June 2022, Margaret joined California Class, a joint powers agency, as a Board of Trustee to serve a four-year term for this local government investment pool. In April 2024, Margaret joined the NIGP Certification Commission as a public stakeholder member.