Certification

CPFO - Accounting and Financial Reporting Outline

The Accounting and Financial Reporting exam for the CPFO program covers policies and processes recommended for states and local governments for both governmental and non-governmental funds. Tests will cover best practices in the topics below.

Accounting and Financial Reporting Outline

SUB-TOPICS

DETAIL

PERCENTAGE WEIGHTING

Accounting

  • Grant Accounting
  • GASB Standards
  • Governmental and Business-type activities
  • Measurement focus and basis of accounting
  • Cost Accounting

30%

Auditing

  • Procurement
  • Audit Standards
  • Management and Auditor responsibilities
  • Single audit

25%

Financial Reporting

  • Government-wide financial statements
  • Fund financial statements
  • Budgetary reporting
  • Transmittal and MD&A
  • Sections of an annual comprehensive financial report
  • PAFR
  • Communicating Financial Information

25%

Interpretations and Analysis of Financial Statements

  • Assessing near-term financial position
  • Assessing net position
  • Assessing economic condition
  • Fund Balance Classification

10%

Internal Controls

  • Comprehensive Framework
  • Audit Committee
  • Internal Audit

10%

Resource Recommendations

GFOA recommends that CPFO candidate review the following materials to prepare for the exam.

GFOA Best Practices

Best Practice Logo

GFOA best practices are developed by GFOA's Committee on Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting and represent the organization's recommended practices in common areas related to accounting.

Additional Topics to Review

Publications

Publications available for purchase from GFOA to help prepare for the accounting and financial reporting exam include:

Available Training

GFOA offers the following training seminars that will help prepare for the accounting and financial reporting exam:

  • Government Accounting Intensive Series
  • Evaluating Internal Controls
  • Fundamentals of Preparing an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
  • Government-wide Financial Statements

View GFOA's Events Calendar

Additional Web Resources

Please contact Eric Roach or email GFOA with questions.

Last updated January 18, 2022