CPFO Spotlight: Margaret Wilson
Margaret Wilson, CPFO, is financial manager for the City of Franklin, Tennessee.
Why did you want to become a CPFO?
I wanted to become a CPFO after hearing more about the program and it’s overall benefits from members of GFOA, but especially my upper level management at the City of Franklin. Both the CFO and Comptroller had completed the program in the past, and they shared the knowledge that they gained going through the program.
What did you learn going through the process?
While going through the process, I learned not just about the exam topics, which will be very beneficial in my career in local government, but I also learned more about myself. I learned what I was passionate about, gained knowledge about items I was currently working on, and how much further I can go with the additional information.
How has becoming a CPFO made an impact on you in your profession or how do you hope it will make an impact?
Becoming a CPFO has provided me with more confidence in my profession. That confidence is not in how much more knowledge I now have, but confidence that I know where to go research when I have a question. It has also provided a network of professionals that I can call on when I have a question.
What would you say to others thinking about becoming a CPFO?
I would tell others thinking about becoming a CPFO to go for it and do their best. Set the goal to finish, meet it the best way you can, and don’t worry about how others achieve the certification. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, but none of us are the same. Lean on each other and cheer everyone on.