Fed Financial
Who has any financial government certifications?/?
I'm currently trying to get a bachelor’s in Finance. I work in government now as a low-level accounting tech (GS-5). I know to get your Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) and Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) you have to have a bachelor's first. My question is, when is the best time to try to get one? After you receive your bachelor's? Should I take some graduate courses(MBA) first? When do people normally get theirs? I still have over two years before I even get my bachelor's, but I want to try to move up the ladder as soon as I get mine since I'm already 30 years old. I feel like I'm already behind. How much weight does these certifications hold vs. MBA/some graduate school experience. Thanks for any help. By the way, my goal is to try to get a GS 7/11 job. Financial Management Analysis.
Public Comments
- As you most likely know already, government acquisition system is completely different from other business operations. Knowledge of the system is not something you get with a MBA and so I would recommend some type of certification first if you plan on working in the federal government. I recommend that you look at the requirements for a GS-7/GS-9/GS-11 now. If you meet the mininal requirements for a GS-7, you should be working on meeting the requirement for a GS-9 which includes finding a GS-7. Many positions require entry in to the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L) workforce and certification whihc is offered via Defense Acquisition University classes. The people who I know that have been the most successful at getting promoted are those who managed their careers. They consider their current job a stepping stone to their next job. They made sure they were qualified for promotions as soon as possible. There is currently a shortage of qualified certificated people for the existing AT&L positions and as people retire the shortage will only get worse. There is a push to get certificated people into all AT&L positions and it is this certification that I would be seeking. Check out the ASMC Web site at http://www.asmconline.org or DAU at http://www.dau.mil for more information.
