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- Becoming a CPFO: Start the Journey
Sessions that Inspire at #GFOA2025
We’re excited to announce over 70 concurrent sessions at GFOA's 119th Annual Conference, June 29-July 2. Dive into the trending topics impacting public finance and gain the tools to create thriving communities. Our sessions are designed to empower you with practical strategies, innovative insights, and guidance from a network of your peers working to make a difference.
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Rethinking Budgeting Reports: First Principles of Public Finance
First principles are the basis for any field, including public finance. They express a fundamental truth about public finance. They remain consistent despite technology and organizational characteristics of public finance that change over time. Understanding first principles is a necessary complement to knowing best practices.
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#BuiltByBonds: Share Your Story
The #BuiltByBonds campaign shares stories of how this tool available to local governments has allowed cities, counties, utilities, library districts, park districts, and other forms of government to build America's infrastructure. In 2023 alone— state, local, and tribal governments issued about $380 billion worth of bonds to finance critical infrastructure that we use each day.
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Nominate a Public Finance Leader
GFOA’s Recognition for Outstanding Public Service honors individual GFOA members for their dedication to the profession, their colleagues, their organizations, and their communities. Please help us tell their story as a way of recognizing their achievements and motivating others. Nominations are due by April 18.
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GFOA's Leadership Academy is Expanding
In addition to our established programs in Phoenix and Charleston, we’re excited to introduce a third academy in Chicago this July. This immersive, weeklong experience is designed to develop leadership skills tailored to public finance professionals, combining interactive sessions, case studies, and peer discussions. From self-assessments and leadership strategies to values-driven public service, participants will gain the insights and tools needed to lead effectively in state and local government. Apply by May 16.
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CPFO Spotlight
Luca Gonzales
For Luca Gonzalez, financial operations manager of City of El Cajon, California, the CPFO certification was a rewarding experience both professionally and personally. The CPFO journey provided him with a deeper understanding of the diverse and complex responsibilities that government finance professionals handle. The process broadened his knowledge of technical topics and gave him a greater appreciation for the skillset required for public financial management. Each exam brought forth self-reflection and analysis of his own agency’s practices. This has strengthened his ability to make meaningful contributions to the public sector.
Learn moreStart your own CPFO journeyMembership
Join GFOA
We are a resource, an educator, a facilitator, and an advocate for our members — more than 24,000 finance professionals across the United States and Canada.
Member Benefits
Being a member of our community has its perks! By joining, you'll get discounted pricing on awards and training, access to leadership and volunteer opportunities, inclusion in member forums, and much more.
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Celebrate Women's History Month with WPFN
The 2025 Women’s History Month theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations,” highlights the power of collaboration and mentorship. GFOA's Women's Public Finance Network (WPFN) is a group of women finance professionals, including elected and appointed officials, dedicated to advancing careers in public finance through education, networking, and mentoring. Open to all active and associate GFOA members, this Affinity Group is a free member benefit that offers access to exclusive webinars, networking events, and an online Community for idea-sharing and professional growth.
Join today and start connecting!View All GFOA Affinity GroupsAdditional Resources
Awards
Our award programs recognize excellence in government finance.
Best Practices
GFOA's best practices identify specific policies and procedures that contribute to improved government management.
Rethinking Initiatives
We're taking a deep dive into budgeting, revenue, and financial reporting.
Workforce Resources
Articles, research, and case studies to help governments now and in the future.
Publications & Subscriptions
2024 GAAFR
The 2024 edition of the GAAFR is your go-to resource for the latest accounting rules and how to implement them.
GAAFR Plus
Need more in-depth guidance in local government accounting, auditing, and financial reporting? GFOA’s GAAFR Plus offers important resources to help navigate the ever-changing world of public finance. Take advantage of this subscription today!