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Government Finance Officers Association - Strategic Plan

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Government Finance Officers Association is to enhance and promote the professional management of governments for the public benefit by identifying and developing financial policies and practices and promoting them through education, training and leadership.
Objectives

1.  Expert Knowledge.  Continue to be recognized as a leading source of expert knowledge in public financial management by exercising leadership in research, recommended practice and policy development and information dissemination.

 

2.  Education and Training.  Enhance the expertise and professionalism of financial managers and policy makers and provide recognition for their achievements. 

 

3.  Financial Leadership. Engage in efforts to assist finance officers to develop the skills and capabilities necessary to enable them to become organizational leaders as well as technical experts. 

 

4.  Raising Public Awareness of Sound Financial Policy and Practice. Take leadership in promoting public awareness of policies and practices that enhance sound financial management of public resources.

 

5.  Enhanced Cooperation. Cooperate with and complement the services provided by other organizations (U.S., Canadian and international) to increase the effectiveness of GFOA.

 

6.  Strategic Use of Technology. Provide information and analytical tools to help governments identify and apply appropriate, economical technologies to support efficient resource allocation, quality services and effective decision making and to promote citizen involvement. 

 

7.  Association Operations.  Maintain a high quality, fiscally stable association capable of achieving GFOA’s mission and maximizing member participation.
 
Objectives with Related Strategies

Objective 1: Expert Knowledge.  Continue to be recognized as a leading source of expert knowledge in public financial management by exercising leadership in research, recommended practice and policy development and information dissemination.

Strategies

  1. Serve as a recognized source of information on matters involving financial management, tax policy and the impact of state, provincial, and federal fiscal policy on local governments and the economy.        
  2. Serve as a clearinghouse for financial management issues and resources.       
  3. Provide forums for discussing policy issues and developing policies and recommended practices.   
  4. Engage in research and consulting projects that produce best practice information for application by governments.      

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Objective 2: Education and Training.  Enhance the expertise and professionalism of financial managers and policy makers and provide recognition for their achievements. 

Strategies

  1. Increase the accessibility of training, especially to governments that are not able to send employees to national training programs or the annual conference.  
  2. Identify and meet the information and training needs of finance managers and policy makers.   
  3. Promote ethical, legal and professional conduct by members in the fulfillment of their professional responsibilities.         

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Objective 3: Financial Leadership. Engage in efforts to assist finance officers to develop the skills and capabilities necessary to enable them to become organizational leaders as well as technical experts. 

Strategies

  1. Broaden and improve the leadership skills of finance officers by focusing on managerial, technology, and communication skills.   
  2. Ensure that leadership components are appropriately incorporated into GFOA training, publications, research and awards programs.   
  3. Put special emphasis on leadership training at pre-conference seminars, annual conference and advanced institute sessions.   
  4. Identify both internal and external training and development resources related to leadership skills and make them readily available to GFOA members.

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Objective 4:  Raising Public Awareness of Sound Financial Policy and Practice.  Take leadership in promoting public awareness of policies and practices that enhance sound financial management of public resources.

Strategies

  1. Take leadership role in identifying issues related to government finance and work with other government associations to articulate current GFOA policy and practice and, if necessary, to develop alternatives for federal legislation and regulation.     
  2. Promote GFOA’s policies and expert opinion to the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and to other standard-setting and regulatory bodies.   
  3. Promote public finance as a career and a profession.  Continue to promote the role of women and minorities within the public finance profession.  

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Objective 5: Enhanced Cooperation. Cooperate with and complement the services provided by other organizations (U.S., Canadian and international) to increase the effectiveness of GFOA.

Strategies

  1. Continue to maintain effective relations with state and provincial finance officer organizations and state and provincial representatives.       
  2. Engage in efforts to assist GFOA members and their governments to participate and compete in a global economy by identifying and sharing information on innovative financial management techniques internationally.

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Objective 6: Strategic Use of Technology.  Provide information and analytical tools to help governments identify and apply appropriate, economical technologies to support efficient resource allocation, quality services and effective decision making and to promote citizen involvement. 


Strategies

  1. Provide clear and comprehensible information on relevant technologies to governments through articles, books, annual conference sessions, satellite videoconferences and the GFOA website.   
  2. Develop and maintain a website that makes the best use of available technology to give users access to GFOA services and products online and provide links to other relevant resources. 
  3. Develop and disseminate information on reengineering, implementing, utilizing, and managing financial management systems.   
  4. Provide analytic tools for governments to use in selecting technologies best suited to their needs and to their available resources and for subsequently determining their return on their technology investments. 
  5. Expand opportunities for GFOA members to communicate with each other regarding technology issues.  
  6. Continue to promote technology through the Technology Resource Group.

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Objective 7: Association Operations.   Maintain a high quality, fiscally stable association capable of achieving GFOA’s mission and maximizing member participation.

Strategies

  1. Design and use feedback mechanisms such as surveys and focus groups to elicit information on member preferences related to GFOA programs and services.   
  2. Ensure staff capability to provide a high level of support to Standing Committees.  
  3. Attract and retain a high-quality and diverse staff.   
  4. Continue to maintain a diverse financial base.
  5. Promote broad participation by members in educational, publication, conference, committee, and award program activities.
  6. Increase member awareness of GFOA’s services and activities.   
  7. Ensure adequate technology resources to meet member and staff needs.
  8. Better serve the needs of finance officers in school districts and other special districts by informing them of GFOA services and activities. 

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