CMFO GRADUATE-City of Celina recorder and CMFO graduate Kevin Donaldson (center) is shown with UT Institute for Public Service Assistant Vice President Chuck Shoopman (left) and state Director of Local Government Audit Jim Arnette. The awards ceremony for the Certified Municipal Finance Officer program was held earlier this year at the War Memorial Building in Nashville. (photo submitted)

NASHVILLE-City of Celina recorder Kevin Donaldson was among the 175 municipal finance officers who were awarded the Certified Municipal Finance Officers (CMFO) certificate here earlier this year.

The program requirements were completed by 216 finance officers, city recorders, city managers and mayors. This class brings the overall total of certified municipal finance officers to 313 across the state. These individuals completed a two-year program that consisted of 11 courses covering eight different topics, passing an exam for each course.

Speakers at the ceremony included Justin P. Wilson, Comptroller of the Treasury; Director of Local Government Audit Jim Arnette; UT Institute for Public Service Assistant Vice President Chuck Shoopman and UT Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) Executive Director Jim Thomas. The CMFO certificates were awarded to each individual by Arnette and Shoopman with Thomas announcing each of the 216 names.

The CMFO program was developed after the state legislature passed a law that required some municipal finance officers to be certified.  MTAS worked with assistance from and review by the State of Tennessee Comptroller’s Office to develop the program objectives and content. This certification program is at the forefront of programs nationwide that focuses on the role of the municipal finance officer.

“MTAS would like to express our sincere congratulations to this class of Certified Municipal Finance Officers,” said MTAS Executive Director Jim Thomas. “We applaud each individual’s commitment to the program and are very proud of their achievements. The purpose of this program is to advance the knowledge and skills required of municipal finance officers in today’s complex financial environment.”