Membership in GFOA connects you to the tools, knowledge, and network you need to excel in public finance. Explore the valuable benefits below and see how joining our community can help you advance your skills, strengthen your organization, and make a greater impact in your community.
Member Benefits | Active Government Member | Associate Member |
|---|---|---|
Discounted pricing for GFOA's Annual Conference | Yes | Yes |
Discounted pricing on GFOA training courses (webinars, On-Demand Learning, in-person) | Yes | Yes |
Discounted pricing on award submissions | Yes | No |
Complimentary webinars | Yes | Yes |
Subscription to Government Finance Review (six issues per year) | Yes | Yes |
Access to CPFO Certification | Yes | Yes |
Access to join GFOA's Affinity Groups (Black Caucus, LGBTQIA+ Caucus, Small Government Forum, Urban Forum, Utility Finance Forum, Women's Public Finance Network Eligibility Information | Yes | Yes |
GFOA's weekly newsletter | Yes | Yes |
Member alert and training emails | Yes | Yes |
Access to GFOA's Online Member Community | Yes | No |
Access to GFOA's members-only Facebook group | Yes | No |
Opportunity to serve on a GFOA Standing Committee | Can serve as committee members | Can serve as committee advisors |
Opportunity to serve on GFOA's Executive Board | Yes | No |
Opportunity to attend GFOA's Leadership Academy | Yes | No |
Access to member-only content in GFOA's Materials Library | Yes | Yes |
Discounts on job ad postings on GFOA's website | Yes | Yes |
Discounts on GFOA Publications | Yes | Yes |
Opportunity to be featured on GFOA podcasts | Yes | Yes |
Each year, GFOA's annual conference brings together thousands of public finance professionals to address current issues facing government finance professionals, inspiring keynote sessions, interactive discussions, leadership workshops, and networking opportunities.
Developed and taught by public finance experts, GFOA offers professional education through webinars, eLearning events, and live-courses throughout the year, covering a wide-range of public finance topics.
GFOA offers a number of award programs that recognize excellence in government finance, including the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program, the Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program, the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Awards Program, Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program, and GFOA's Awards for Excellence in Government Finance.
Government Finance Review(GFR) is GFOA’s bimonthly membership magazine. With each issue, the magazine explores best practices in the realm of government finance, suggests solutions to questions facing public finance officers, reports the latest news in governmental accounting, examines intergovernmental affairs, and provides the latest information in the field.
The Certified Public Finance Officers Program for GFOA is a broad educational program designed to verify knowledge in government finance disciplines. To earn the designation of Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), candidates must pass a series of seven examinations covering the major public finance disciplines. A candidate has five years in which to complete the program.
GFOA facilitates nine affinity groups that meet periodically throughout the year. Groups include the Alliance for Smarter School Spending, Black Caucus of the GFOA, Community for Canadian Issues, LGBTQIA+ Caucus, Small Government Forum, Urban Forum, Utility Finance Forum, Women's Public Finance Network, and Young Professionals Network. Meetings are open to all GFOA members.
Active throughout the year, GFOA's standing committees are key links between the changes happening in the finance offices of members and the services the association provides to help finance officers successfully manage those changes. The committees give direction for GFOA's services by formulating new policies and raising professional standards via best practices.
Enhance your leadership skills and advance your career trajectory with participation in the immersive GFOA Leadership Academy at the College of Charleston. This week-long training, provides ambitious public and government finance professionals an opportunity to bolster their leadership and management skills to better serve their communities.
GFOA's Member Community offers a place for members to ask questions, provide input, share resources with each other, and network. Members can log in to the community using their GFOA username and password.
GFOA's Materials Library features best practices, research reports, articles, publications, and more. GFOA members also have access to member-only content within the library.
Whether you're representing a government organization or an individual looking to connect, the options below will help you get started. Unsure if your organization is a member? Search for them here first before completing the forms below.
If your organization is already a GFOA member, you may be eligible for free membership! Simply create a new account to connect to your organization and start your member benefits. If you already have an account, you can login here and click the activation button on your profile instead
Cities, counties, towns, school districts, and other local governments can join GFOA under our organization-based model. Most memberships now include unlimited free individual memberships for your staff—making it easier than ever to support your team’s development.
If you work for a state or federal agency, retirement system, for-profit entity, or other organization not covered by the unlimited model, you can still join GFOA as an individual member.