Building the Next Finance Director
• Diane Reichard, City of Temple Terrace
• Mark Fostier, Orange County Comptroller’s
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Office
Binh Nguyen, Lake County BCC
Jamie Roberson, Osceola County –
Property Appraiser
Mary-Lou Pickles, St. Johns River
Management District
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City Manager Qualifications in a
Finance Director
• Technically qualified and accurate
• Objective
• Provide clear and concise
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communication
Be flexible and compromisable
Globally focused
Honest and up front
Sense of humor
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CFO Skill Set
• Strategist
• Translator
• Leader
• Technical Generalist
• Facilitator
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Strategist
• Understand problems and their
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implications
View organization at the 10,000 foot
level
Consider other alternatives
Take on new projects, be a go-to
person
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Translator
• Use performance measures to
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provide information to CEO
Be a good listener
Enhance critical thinking that leads
to consensus
Align solution with CEO’s strategy
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Leader
• Motivate people
• Improve interpersonal
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communications
“Motivation is the art of getting people to do
what you want them to do because they want
to do it.“ – Dwight Eisenhower
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Technical Generalist
• Expand knowledge to know a little
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bit about a lot
Know when and how to ask
questions
“Knowledge is of two kinds; we know a
subject ourselves, or we know where we can
find information upon it.” – Samuel Johnson
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Facilitator
• Good ideas come to die in
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accounting
Be a proactive problem solver
Respect others and their ideas
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FGFOA Mentoring Program
• A Case Study
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FGFOA Mentoring Work Plan
• Strategic Goal
• Objectives
• Actions
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Strategic Goal
• To be a Finance Director for a city or
county government
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Objectives
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Increase governmental accounting and
finance knowledge through job
shadowing opportunities and
additional education and certification
Expand professional contacts and
networking opportunities to broaden
information sharing possibilities
Increase participation in FGFOA and
the Central Florida Chapter
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Actions
Participate in job shadowing opportunities
with the Comptroller’s Office in the following
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functional areas:
• Accounting (general ledger/budgetary
accounting; CAFR preparation; grants
accounting; MSTU accounting)
• Treasury (investments; cash
management; debt issuance and
administration)
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Actions (Continued)
Participate in job shadowing opportunities
with the Comptroller’s Office in the following
functional areas:
• Accounts Payable
(preaudit function;
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quality control; contracts administration)
• Payroll (preaudit function; union contract
administration; benefits administration)
• Information Systems – Advantage
Financial System and Oracle/PeopleSoft
HRIS (functional responsibilities; system
upgrades and support; system www.fgfoa.org
implementation)
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Actions (Continued)
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Complete a college level governmental
accounting course
Obtain GFOA’s CPFO
certification
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Pursue becoming the 2012 FGFOA
Conference Host Committee Chair
Serve on an FGFOA committee each year
with the intent of serving two years and
becoming the Chair in the third year
Serve as a Director of the Central Florida
Chapter
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Serve as a Director of the FGFOA
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Preparation
• Prepared well for all job shadowing
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opportunities
Preparation in relation to CFO Skill
as a Technical Generalist
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Get Involved
• Networking in relation to CFO Skill
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as a Facilitator
Volunteer with professional
organizations
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Motivation
• Planning and organization are
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important management skills
Self motivation is a crucial skill for
success
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Strategist
• Special Projects
• Learn other aspects of your
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organization
• Don’t limit yourself to the financial
function
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Translator
• Special Projects
• Translation of strategy into a
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measurable and accountable plan
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Leader
• Motivation of the stakeholders
• Understanding the stakeholders
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in the organization both external
and internal and having the ability
to motivate them
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Technical Generalist
• Specialization vs. experience in
various functions of the
organization
• Do not limit yourself solely to the
numbers. All functions within an
organization impact the numbers.
If you understand various aspects
of the organization, it will allow
you to become a better CFO or
Finance Director
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Facilitator
• Finance Office deemed as ‘gloom &
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doom’
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CFO Skill Set
• Strategist
• Translator
• Leader
• Technical Generalist
• Facilitator
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Closing Thoughts
• Curiosity and Opportunity have No
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Limits!
Edison said – Good things happen
when opportunity meets a prepared
mind.
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…And also Opening Thoughts
• Edison said – Good things happen
when opportunity meets a prepared
mind.
• Can’t be satisfied with the status
quo
• The CGFO program provides
career-building value
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CGFO Background Information
• The original examination was
purchased from the Government
Finance Officers Association of
Texas in 1990
The first CGFO examination was
given in the early 1990s
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CGFO Certification Committee
• Evaluates and administers the semi•
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annual certification examinations
Monitors requirements for reporting
continuing professional education
Future projects include exploring
on-line feasibility for review courses
and exams
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CGFO Program Purpose
• Encourage a level of knowledge and
professionalism in the field of
government finance
Encourage development and
maintenance of professional
competence for practicing
governmental finance officers
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Minimum Qualifications
• Active FGFOA member
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting,
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public or business administration
or a closely related field
Three years government work
experience
Two letters of recommendation
Accept the FGFOA Code of Ethics
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Achieving Your CGFO Designation
• Pass* an open book Ethics Exam
• Pass* all five sections of the
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CGFO examination in five years
* Achieve a minimum score of 75
percent
.
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CGFO Exam Preparation
• Review Sessions - Offered at the
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School of Governmental Finance
Strategies
Reference Materials
•
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CGFO Examinations
• Are offered twice a year in
November at the School of
Governmental Finance and in the
spring (usually in March) at various
locations throughout the state
depending on demand
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CGFO Examination Contents –
Accounting & Financial Reporting
Description
Accounting / Internal Control /
Capital Assets
Financial Reporting (Internal & External)
Auditing
State of Florida Policies & Regulations
CAFR Award
Percent
.
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30%
30%
15%
15%
10%
100%
CGFO Examination Contents –
Debt Administration
Description
Issuance / Refunding
Players and Roles
Debt Structuring & Financing Methods
Rating Process
Policies and Regulations
Derivative Related
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Percent
35%
10%
20%
10%
20%
5%
100%
CGFO Examination Contents –
Financial Administration
Description
Pension Benefits
Risk Management
Management Principles
Purchasing / Procurement
Information Systems
Grant Administration & Audit
Selection
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Percent
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25%
15%
15%
15%
15%
5%
100%
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CGFO Examination Contents –
Municipal Budgeting
Description
Budget Process / Budget Types
Fiscal Policies & Best Practices
Performance Measurement
Revenue Management & Forecasting
CIP & Financial Planning
Budget Presentation Award
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Percent
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20%
20%
15%
20%
15%
10%
100%
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CGFO Examination Contents –
Treasury Management
Description
Investment Policy & Regulations
Investment Types
Ratings & Duration
Collections / Receipts / Cash Flow
Managing Banking Services
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Percent
40%
15%
10%
15%
20%
100%
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How does the CGFO Designation
Benefit YOU?
• You will distinguish yourself as a
business professional who is
committed to a strict code of ethics
You will demonstrate your
commitment to personal
professional development and
lifelong learning
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How does the CGFO Designation
Benefit YOU?
• You will confirm substantial
knowledge of accounting, finance,
and important related fields specific
to local governments
Opportunity to assess and
demonstrate your capabilities and
expand your knowledge base
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How does the CGFO Designation
Benefit YOU?
• Recognition of achievement
• Expanded career opportunities
• Personal Satisfaction
• Enhance your self-confidence,
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your sense of accomplishment,
and your resume
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What are you waiting for?
Take the Challenge!
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“Every mountain top is within reach
if you just keep climbing” – Barry
Finlay
“All of life is a constant education”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
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CGFO Program
• Questions?
• Additional Information
• www.fgfoa.org
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•
mpickles@sjrwmd.com
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