1. The Importance of Certification in Today’s Environment

2. Accounting Jokes
What is an accountant?

3. Accounting Jokes
Someone who solves a problem you didn't know you had in a way you don't understand!

4. What do you call an accountant without a spreadsheet?
Accounting Jokes
What do you call an accountant without a spreadsheet?

5. Accounting Jokes
LOST!

6. Accounting Jokes
What does CPA stand for?

7. Accounting Jokes
CAN’T PASS AGAIN

8. Government Civilian Joke
There was a bored government civilian who decided to pass some time by cleaning out his file cabinet, and he found an old brass lamp. He rubbed some dust off of it and a genie popped out who told him he had three wishes.

9. Government Civilian Joke
Not believing what he was seeing he started out small and wished for a soda, which “POOF!”, magically appeared in his hand.

10. Government Civilian Joke
Now believing the genie, he wished to be on a beautiful tropical island, and “POOF!”, he instantly was transported to the paradise of his dreams. As he sunned himself on his private island he thought, "Oh, man this is the life, I wish I never had to work again."

11. Government Civilian Joke
And “POOF!”; He was back at his desk in the government office!

12. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “CERTIFICATION”?

13. What do you mean by “certification”?
Accounting & Financial Certifications
At last count, there are over 30
Major professional designations include, but are not limited to the following:
CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner)
CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
CGAP (Certified Government Auditing Professional)
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager)
CDFM (Certified Defense Financial Manager)

14. CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
CPA designation established in 1896
Oldest and most popular designation for accountants
Approximately 450,000 active CPAs in the U.S.
Must have the four “E’s” – Education, Examination, Experience and Ethics
Only CPAs can perform the mandatory audits of all publicly traded U.S. companies
Are widely sought after by all industries – including the federal government
Each state has its own Board of Accountancy which grants licensure

15. CPA (Certified Public Accountant) REQUIRED EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree
Most states require 150 semester hours
Currently six jurisdictions do NOT have the 150 hour requirement in place: California, Colorado, Delaware, New Hampshire, Vermont and the Virgin Islands
Although Virginia requires 150 semester hours for licensure, the exam can be taken once 120 semester hours are obtained (average hours gained with a Bachelor’s degree)
Accounting concentration or equivalent

16. CPA (Certified Public Accountant) UNIFORM CPA EXAM
Computer-based format
Consists of 4 sections
Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
Regulation (REG)
Passing score is 75 on a 0-99 scale
Question types include multiple choice, simulation and written communication
Additional Ethics Exam required in Virginia before obtaining license

17. CPA (Certified Public Accountant) REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Many states require CPA candidates to have 1 – 2 years experience under a CPA, but Virginia does NOT require this.
Virginia’s requires only one year general experience in accounting or a related field gained through employment in government, industry, academia or public accounting or related services.

18. CPA (Certified Public Accountant) MAINTAINING THE LICENSE
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
Typically 40 hours per year
Types (e.g., computer-based vs. group/classroom learning) of CPE vary by jurisdiction
Includes Ethics training and compliance
Renewal required annually

19. CPA (Certified Public Accountant) ASSOCIATED COSTS
One-time, non-refundable application fee of $120.00
Cost Per Exam Section:
AUD – $193.45
FAR – $193.45
REG – $173.60
BEC – $173.30

20. CPA (Certified Public Accountant) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA)

21. CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager)
Established in 1994 by The Association of Government Accountants (AGA)
The first certification that covers the entire field of government financial management - federal, state and local
More than 15,000 individuals have received the CGFM designation
Measures a wide range of knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the federal, state, and local government financial environment

22. CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager) REQUIRED EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree; may take if within one year of graduation
Completion of at least 24 semester credit hours (or 36 quarter credit hours) of study composed of courses in one or more of the following areas:
Accounting
Auditing
Budgeting
Economics
Electronic Data Processing
Finance
Information Resources Management
Public Administration
Other Financial Management or Related Topics

23. CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager) EXAMINATIONS
Computer-based format
Consists of 3 exams
Governmental Environment
Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Budgeting (focuses on state and local)
Governmental Financial Management and Control
Passing score is 500 on a scale
All multiple choice

24. CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager) REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
2 years in a professional level financial management positions
Includes, but is not limited to 05XX coded civilians, CWOs (F&S), FIN10 coded officers, SKs, etc.

25. CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager) MAINTAINING THE LICENSE
Remain in compliance with AGA Code of Ethics
80 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits completed within a two-year cycle
Renewal required annually

26. CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager) ASSOCIATED COSTS
One-time, non-refundable application fee of $85.00
$ Per Exam (3 Exams Total)

27. CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Association of Government Accountants (AGA)

28. CDFM (Certified Defense Financial Manager)
Established in 2000 by The American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC)
Most popular financial certification for DoD financial management personnel
Over 5,000 individuals have received the CDFM designation
Measures familiarity with 12 competency areas which includes cost estimation, auditing, and fiscal law
Not to be confused with DoD FM Certification Program
( )

29. CDFM (Certified Defense Financial Manager) REQUIRED EDUCATION
High School Diploma (or equivalent)

30. CDFM (Certified Defense Financial Manager) EXAMINATIONS
Computer-based format
Consists of 4 modules (1 optional)
Resource Management Environment
Budget and Cost Analysis
Accounting and Finance
Acquisition Business Management
Optional, if passed, CDFM with Acquisition Specialty (CDFM-A) designation is issued
All multiple choice

31. CDFM (Certified Defense Financial Manager) REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE
Three years of defense-related financial management experience
- Only two years needed if candidate has an associates degree
- Four years of federal government financial management experience are needed if work experience is not defense-related

32. CDFM (Certified Defense Financial Manager) MAINTAINING THE LICENSE
Adhere to the ASMC Pledge of Professionalism
80 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits completed within a two-year cycle
Renewal required bi-annually

33. CDFM (Certified Defense Financial Manager) ASSOCIATED COSTS
One-time, non-refundable application fee of $70.00 ($35.00 for ASMC members)
$99.00 Per Exam (3 Exams Required, 4 Exams Total)

34. CDFM (Certified Defense Financial Manager) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please note, The CDFM is one of the DoD-approved Test-Based Certifications recommended for Certification Levels 2 and 3 of the DoD FM Certification Program.
For more information, please visit the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC)

35. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO ME?

36. The Importance of Certification
Proves your skill sets and knowledge

37. The Importance of Certification
Makes you more marketable and increases your chances for promotion

38. The Importance of Certification
Increases your earning potential

39. I WOULD LOVE TO, BUT I CAN’T BECAUSE . . .

40. “I don’t have the time to devote to studying.”
Battling Excuses
“I don’t have the time to devote to studying.”

41. “I don’t take tests well.”
Battling Excuses
“I don’t take tests well.”

42. “The fees are too expensive.”
Battling Excuses
“The fees are too expensive.”

43. CONCLUSION
Consider how important certifications are in today’s environment.
Determine which certification is the best fit for your current education and career experience.
Assess which certification would benefit your career more.
Do not underestimate yourself!