Public Finance Leadership Academy
Public Finance Leadership Academy
The Public Finance Leadership Academy (PFLA) is our signature financial leadership program. Offered in partnership between the UGA Institute of Government and Georgia Government Finance Officers Association (GGFOA), PFLA equips new and emerging public sector financial management leaders with the knowledge they need to successfully manage the fiscal affairs and activities of a local government. Participants in this six-month cohort program learn from peers, industry professionals and leadership experts to take their skills to the next level.
KEY CONCEPTS
The PFLA focuses on leadership and financial skills for government leaders, discussing such concepts as personal and organizational integrity, self-awareness, change leadership, local, state and federal laws, strategic planning, internal control and the cycle of financial management, government accounting principles, preparing for the audit, and more.
Government Structure and
Operations
This advanced program is designed to designed to prepare participants with the distinguished skills to lead financial operations and effectively communicate at all levels of government and with the public.
Advanced Financial Management Concepts
PFLA participants will encounter next-level training in financial management, studying intergovernmental agreements, contractual debt obligations, long-term fiscal sustainability measures, property taxes, pensions and OPEB as well as the Capital Improvement Process, financing options, referendums, underlying credit and bond ratings and more.
Leadership and Effective Communication
Our leadership focus sets the PFLA apart from other programs that focus only on finance skills. To be the leaders of tomorrow, finance professionals need skills to build and inspire teams. PFLA offers the latest training in government leadership.
CERTIFICATION
The Public Finance Leadership Academy application process is competitive, with approximately 15 participants selected for each session. Students take courses as a cohort and graduate together. Applications include contact information, employment information, previous experience, educational background, professional information, and an applicant essay.
Applicants must have successfully completed the Level II Finance Officer Certification or completed Level I with progress towards Level II to be considered. Alternatively, candidates who hold certain financial professional designations, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), and Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), will be eligible for consideration without meeting the Level I and Level II requirement.
All candidate applications will be reviewed by an Advisory Board of finance professionals from across the State of Georgia.
>>View additional details about the 2024-2025 program
Requirements for acceptance into the program include:
- Completed application
- Current resume
- Letter of support/approval for participation from current manager/supervisor or city/county leader
Questions? Contact Us.
John Hulsey
Faculty
jhulsey@uga.edu
678.622.3756
“I've been working in finance in various departments for the school district for eight years. I want to be a manager, and I knew that I needed to increase my leadership skills. I signed up for PFLA because I wanted to get the experience and the necessary training that I need to be a leader.”
Felecia Heath - Budget Analyst III, DeKalb County Schools
“The learning is great, but what is so valuable about PFLA is the networking with the other people. It's a small intimate setting, and you get to know everybody. We built relationships. Now I have people to bounce ideas off, and I've called several of them already. “
Kevin Bush - Finance Director, City of Carrollton
“At the heart of everything in local government is service delivery, so I definitely want to take part in anything that can help me be stronger in my delivery of the services that I provide to citizens. I saw PFLA as an educational opportunity to advance in my skill and ability as a finance professional in the government sector. I also saw it as an opportunity to engage with other people in my profession.”
ChaQuias Thornton - City Manager, City of Pine Lake
“Participating in PFLA has given me a better working knowledge of how I can be more involved in my own community personally, not just professionally. It’s expanded my horizons about what everybody else brings to the table when we work together collaboratively.”
Cindi Dean - Director of Business Operations and Human Resources, Rabun County Schools
“This training has given me the opportunity to see my role as Assistant CFO in a new light. I am now able to see the impact of my position and gained a better understanding of the role and responsibilities. I will become a better steward to my community because of PFLA.”
Recent Public Finance Leadership Academy Participant