Local officials from throughout Georgia achieved Local Finance Officer Certification in the first quarter of 2018 for strengthening their management knowledge through the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s financial management training program.

Twenty-six finance officers attained certification by taking courses in payroll administration, governmental accounting principles, internal controls, and more. Twelve earned Level II certificates, and 14 attained Level I status.

Level I certification requires finance officers to participate in 108 hours of instruction about the intricacies of government budgeting, purchasing, accounting, and other public finance topics. All Level I courses are conveniently available online so finance professionals can complete them at their own pace. Level II Certified Financial Officers receive an additional 84 hours of instruction in intermediate governmental accounting and budgeting principles, internal controls, and revenue administration as well as public finance electives.

The Institute’s financial management training program provides city and county officials with the information and tools they need to establish sound accounting practices and strong financial foundations in their governments. Since the program’s inception in 1972, more than 1,600 local finance officers and others have graduated with certificates and more than 3,800 have received training.

The Institute also works with state financial officers through the state financial management program.

Graduates, January–March 2018

Level I

Jenema Goodman, City of Atlanta
Candyse Kelly, City of Atlanta
Christin Kooti, Athens-Clarke County Government
Marie Kosmakos, Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services
Brian Lavoie, Albany Police Department
DeAna Peek, Bates, Carter & Company
Amanda Pope, City of Douglasville
Takeashi Price, City of Albany
Sherita Sims-Jones, Macon-Bibb County Government
Lisa Thurmond, Athens-Clarke County Government
Gairy Toorie, City of Atlanta
Connie Turcotte, Pickens County Government
Brian Wolfe, Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services
Glenda Worsham, City of Climax

Level II

Sherrell Davis, McIntosh County Board of Commissioners
Vita Dotson, Gwinnett County Government
Jenifer Espeut, Gwinnett County Department of Transportation
Vickie Graham, City of Perry
Stormie Hanners, City of Millen
Sonya Isaac, City of Norcross
Eileen Kee, City of Byron
Lisa Lawhorn, City of Winder
Jodi Ligon, White County Commissioners
Courtney Smith, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Trey Wood, Jackson County Board of Commissioners
Brian Yen, Gwinnett County Government