CPFO Spotlight: Nikki Speight
CPFO Spotlight: Nikki Speight
Nikki Speight, CPFO, is the assistant director, capital budget and long-range planning, for the County of Loudon, Virginia - Office of Management and Budget.
Why did you want to become a CPFO?
I wanted to become a CPFO to have a well-rounded perspective and understanding of the major aspects of finance and budget that impact a local government’s operations. I wanted to broaden my knowledge beyond the areas that I had the most experience with, which were operating and capital budgeting and debt management. I’m a strong proponent of continuous learning and professional development, and this program fits well with my professional development goals.
What did you learn going through the process?
There is so much nuance in government finance. What basic knowledge I had of accounting and financial reporting didn’t scratch the surface of how extensive the subject really is. That reinforced for me how important it is for government finance professionals to really have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the major subject areas and to be able to apply that knowledge to their day-to-day work.
How has becoming a CPFO made an impact on you in your profession or how do you hope it will make an impact?
Going through the process of earning the CPFO designation has really helped me think about organizational impacts more intently because I was able to make connections between the various subject areas that I had not fully understood before. I hope to apply what I have learned to improve internal processes, work collaboratively with others in meaningful ways, and to make even more informed decisions and recommendations. I also hope to help others in their journey through the program while also continuing to learn and grow myself.
What would you say to others thinking about becoming a CPFO?
Regardless of your career aspirations in government, you are more likely to be glad you got started than to regret it. While it does require a lot of time commitment to study, especially for the subject areas in which you are not as familiar, it is worth it to gain that extra knowledge. And the feeling of accomplishment after completing the last exam is pretty great.