Certification

CPFO - Debt Management Outline

When governments determine their capital needs, issuing debt is a vehicle used to fund these projects.  Governments have various standards that must be met to issue debt in the municipal bond market. Understanding how this market works as well as the debt issuance and management process are key to having a successful program.  The exam will cover best practices in capital planning, debt management policies and procedures, financing instruments, bond sale mechanics, disclosure responsibilities.  General market topics are also included in the exam. 

Debt Management Outline

SUB-TOPICS

DETAIL

PERCENTAGE WEIGHTING

Debt Program

Debt Management Policy

  • Policies and Procedures
  • Capital Markets
  • Bond Authorization
  • Debt Management Policy

Debt Capacity Analysis

  • Legal Debt Capacity
  • Debt Affordability

20%

Bond Sale

Financing Instruments and Techniques

  • GO Bonds
  • Revenue Bonds
  • Short-Term Financings
  • Bank Loans and Direct Placements
  • Taxable Debt
  • Method of Sale
  • Debt Structures

Financing Team/ External Professional Services

  • Legal Counsel
  • Municipal Advisor
  • Underwriter
  • Trustees
  • Rating Agencies
  • Credit Enhancement
  • Other

Bond Pricing

  • How Bonds are Priced
  • Cost of Issuance

Sale Execution

35%

Disclosure Responsibilities

  • Primary Market Disclosure
  • Continuing Disclosure
  • Investor Relations Program

25%

Debt Management

  • Post-Issuance Policies and Procedures
  • Use of Proceeds
  • Federal Tax Compliance
  • Investing Bond Proceeds
  • Refunding Opportunities
  • Debt Service Payments

20%

Resource Recommendations

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

GFOA Best Practices

Best Practices Logo

GFOA best practices are developed by GFOA's Committee on Debt Management and represent the organization's recommended practices in common areas related to debt.

Research Reports and Publications

Research Reports

Publications

Available Training

GFOA offers the following training seminars that will help prepare for the debt management exam:

  • Debt Management Best Practices – Overview Training
  • Overview of Bond Issuance
  • Debt Issuance for Small Governments
  • Disclosure Update
  • Market and Credit Rating Overview

View GFOA's Events Calendar

Please contact Eric Roach or email GFOA with questions.

Last updated January 18, 2022