Certification

CPFO - Compensation and Benefits Outline

The Compensation and Benefits exam for the CPFO program covers all retirement, benefits, and payroll policies and processes recommended for local governments. The exam will cover best practices in plan design and fiduciary responsibilities.

Compensation and Benefits Outline

SUB-TOPIC

DETAIL

PERCENTAGE WEIGHTING

Salary and Compensation

  • Variables Used to Determine Compensation
  • Understanding Taxable/Not Taxable Salary and Benefits
  • Negotiating

20%

Personnel Procedures and Payroll

  • Developing employee compensation and benefits policies
  • Communicating Benefits to Employees
  • General Cost Allocation
  • Project and Grant Costing and Allocation
  • Budget Implications and Payroll

15%

Payroll

  • General Cost Allocation
  • Project and Grant Costing and Allocation
  • Budget Implications and Payroll

10%

Pension Plans

  • Actuarial Reporting
  • Plan Design
  • Plan Governance
  • Pension Investment

35%

Health Care

  • Plan Design
  • COBRA 101

15%

OPEB

  • Actuarial Reporting
  • Prefunding and Trusts

10%

Deferred Compensation

  • Plan Design
  • Governance/Fiduciary Responsibilities

5%

Resource Recommendations

GFOA recommends that CPFO candidate review the following materials to prepare for the exam.

GFOA Best Practices

Best Practices

GFOA best practices are developed by GFOA's Committee on Retirements and Benefits Administration Committee and represent the organization's recommended practices in common areas related to compensation and benefits.

Available Training

GFOA offers the following training seminars that will help prepare for the planning and budget exam:

  • Understanding Government Compensation and Payroll

View GFOA's Events Calendar

Please contact Eric Roach or email GFOA with questions.

Last updated: June 1, 2023