CPFO Spotlight: Maria Bassett

1. Why did you want to become a CPFO? 

Because of what I believe to be the high level of prestige of the Government Finance Officers Association, completing its CPFO program and attaining this designation was important to me. Years ago I gravitated toward governmental accounting to concentrate my professional accounting career because of the emphasis on ethics, standards, and professionalism by the GFOA. These are tenets that I try to incorporate in my daily life. Attaining the CPFO designation validated the professional goals I established for myself at the beginning of my career and the qualities that I believe in.

2. What did you learn going through the process? 

Through participation in the CPFO training and examination process, I appreciated that the process was not easy. The examinations accurately identified areas of governmental accounting that I already knew I had weaknesses, and I didn't readily pass those tests.  By concentrating on the weak areas through the resources available through the GFOA and other organizations, my abilities and knowledge significantly improved and made me more confident in related decision-making at my work.  If the process and tests had been easy, I may have doubted the credibility of the CPFO program.  Overcoming the challenges and pushing to learn and understand made the achievement even greater.

3. How has becoming a CPFO made an impact on you in your profession?  

In the past year, I changed local government finance jobs and I relocated to a different state. I needed to pass one exam to complete the program and managed to do so at my new job where my quality of life had already improved significantly. Earning the designation within a year of starting my new position, affirmed that I was a good hire and gave me added confidence as I learn new things on the new job. I hope that by becoming a CPFO more toward the end of my career, I'll be able to assist in succession planning including younger staff and that they will be encouraged to participate in the program as they see the benefits and what it has done for me.  

4. What would you say to others thinking about becoming a CPFO? 

This is a challenging experience and some days you may feel a bit demoralized and frustrated with yourself. Ultimately, however, completing the program and earning the CPFO designation affirms that the ethics and standards of this profession are of utmost importance and that serving in a governmental finance officer capacity is an honorable legacy.