Local Officials Learn Sound Financial Management through Certificate Program
Fifty-one local government officials hailing from Georgia communities both large and small attained their Certified Financial Officer status over the first half of the 2011 calendar year. Thirty-nine earned their Level I certificate, while 12 achieved Level II status.
Level I certification requires individuals to participate in 108 hours of instruction about the intricacies of government budgeting, purchasing, accounting, and other public finance topics. Level II Certified Financial Officers receive an additional 84 hours of instruction in intermediate governmental accounting and budgeting principles, internal controls, and revenue administration as well as public finance electives.
The Institute's local financial management training program distinguishes itself by providing professional development about financial management issues specific to the governmental context. Its goal is to provide city and county officials with the information and tools they need to establish sound accounting practices and strong financial foundations in their governments. Since the program's inception in 1972, more than 1,200 local finance officers and others have graduated with their certificates and almost 3,000 have received training.
The Institute also works with state financial officers through the state financial management program.
Graduates for the first half of 2011
Level I Certified Finance Officer
Barbara Paul, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Alicia Vaughn, City of Dalton
Denise Clarke-Dumas, Doughtery County Board of Commissioners
LaThaydra Sands, Jasper County Board of Commissioners
Kizzie Sibert, Hancock County Board of Commissioners
Lyneil Charity, Carroll County Health Department
Randy Failyer, Banks County Commissioners
Phillip Walker, City of Dahlonega
Donna Anthony, Jackson County Water Sewerage Authority
Sandra Cespedes, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Phyllis Cooper, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Ruth Duden, Sara Hightower Regional Library
Barbara Lester, Jackson County Water Sewerage Authority
Susan Pickel, White County Board of Commissioners
Andria Williams, DeKalb County
Danthea Hill, Columbus Water Works
Barbara Johnson, Jefferson County Commissioners
Karen Johnson, Jackson County
Kimberly Joiner, Worth County Board of Commissioners
Brenda Josey, City of Milledgeville
Geneva Landers, Pike County Board of Commissioners
Kailey McMillan, City of Port Wentworth
Lynette Ferguson, DeKalb County
Kaye Molden, Dawson County Board of Commissioners
Sharon Hamilton, Oconee County Board of Commissioners
Tarsha Patterson, City of Union City
Stephanie Gibson, City of Fairburn
Lisa Ballouk, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Scott Callan, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Alicia Carmon, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Michael Lanfreschi, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Ann Porter, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Dustin Williams, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Traci Williams, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Buffy Alexzulian, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Juli Deiters, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Tamara Ellison, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Joseph Johnson, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Connie Powell, Chatham County Board of Commissioners
Level II Certified Finance Officer
Muriel Dulaney, Polk County
Tammy Johnston, Gwinnett County
Janice Jones, Heart of Georgia
Bonnie Kline, City of McDonough
Kristy White, City of Fayetteville
Natalie Williams, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Lisa Andrzejewski, Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services
Silviu Gavriliuc, Gwinnett County
Heather Kittrell, Lee County Board of Commissioners
Carleetha Talmadge, City of Fayetteville
Debra Walker, Stephens County Board of Commissioners
Kimberly Watts, Crisp County Board of Commissioners
