CPFO Spotlight: Blaze Riggins

Why did you want to become a CPFO?

I pursued the CPFO designation truly to learn and to develop my skillset as a comprehensive public finance professional. The CPFO credential really highlights my dedication and my commitment to public service. I knew that the program was the best way to effectively and efficiently deepen my knowledge base, and in turn that increased knowledge would directly translate into my ability to add measurable value to the public organizations that I provide my services to. I knew that a certification earned through the GFOA organization would be the gold standard for the industry. I am thrilled and honored to call myself a Certified Public Finance Officer.

What did you learn going through the process?

While going through the 7 part Certified Public Finance Officer examination process, I learned how incredibly complex and challenging public finance really is. It was extremely interesting to learn how interconnected the 7 different areas of the program really are. This has taught me, in many ways, how to be a better partner and have more meaningful discussions with those individuals that work throughout the public organizations that I provide my services to. From Treasury, to Procurement, to Risk Management, I now have a much better and more comprehensive understanding of these functional areas and how they all come together. Through this increased understanding, I can now build better partnerships in order to help drive the organization forward towards achieving its 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?

Becoming a CPFO has already had a tremendous impact on my career. It has led to new, challenging opportunities and it provides me the credibility as an established government finance professional. I believe that the greatest impact that the CPFO certification has, is in its ability to allow me to build trust. I can confidently and quickly build trust with the network of government professionals that I routinely connect with. My network sees the designation as an advocate of my skillset and capabilities as a Certified Public Finance Officer.

What would you say to others thinking about becoming a CPFO?

I would say without hesitation that it is well worth the effort to become a CPFO. I would also say that having a strong support group is incredibly helpful while pursuing the CPFO designation. For me personally, having a supportive spouse and family really allowed me to persevere when the process was at its most challenging and I was needing to really push myself to keep my consistent study habits. I would say once the decision is made by an individual to enter the program, then commit 100% and don’t look back.