CPFO Spotlight: Michael O'Brien
Michael O'Brien, CPFO, is administrative services director for the City of San Dimas, California.
Why did you want to become a CPFO?
I wanted to become a CPFO to gain a deeper understanding of best practices and enhance our transparency and financial services for our residents.
What did you learn going through the process?
I learned a great deal about the reporting standards and best practices implemented across various organizations highlighted in the program. I have used those examples to improve our reporting and to utilize public engagement in creating a spending plan that aligns with the community's needs and the city's strategic goals.
How has becoming a CPFO made an impact on you in your profession or how do you hope it will make an impact?
The program has helped fill gaps in areas where I lacked direct experience, especially when it comes to debt issuance and reporting. The training videos and handouts provided for all the subject matters has helped me realize how we can strengthen our organizations documentation through the creation of additional written policies and procedures.
What would you say to others thinking about becoming a CPFO?
If you are like I was, you might think that being a manager or director means you already have a solid grasp of your field, and certification might not add much value. However, having completed the program, I can say with great certainty that there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from the presenters and materials provided. Gaining different perspectives on how others operate across the various testing subjects has opened my eyes to improvements we can make in our organization. I believe it will help us deliver better services to our community and has helped make me—and hopefully you—a greater public servant.