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CCFO Continuing Professional Education (CPE) - Good News!

News Date

The Comptroller of the Treasury - Division of Local Government Audit has confirmed that CTAS financial classes will count toward their continuing professional education (CPE) requirements for CCFOs and CMFOs. Acceptable CPE training for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) have additional requirements to be met.

We will evaluate each live, online virtual, and pre-recorded course to determine if it meets requirements for CCFO and CMFO CPE credit. The course description will state if the course meets requirements for CCFO, CMFO, or CPA CPE credit. Pre-recorded courses have additional requirements to be acceptable. Therefore, each pre-recorded course will contain knowledge check questions or a short exam at the end of the course to verify attendance. Please note that recordings of live or virtual courses do NOT qualify as CPE for CCFOs, CMFOs, or CPAs.

CTAS has requirements for virtual courses to count as CPE. Course participants are encouraged to use a computer (laptop or desktop). iPhones and iPads do not work as well and must have the Zoom installed prior to the webinar session. Participants MUST have a speaker, webcam, and microphone. The video must stay on the duration of the course. Virtual courses are actively monitored by CTAS staff to assist with engagement and operation of the session. Participants are expected to stay engaged by responding to facilitator questions and to chat inquiries. 

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) should carefully review course descriptions to determine if the course meets the requirements for CPE credit. Remember, the course description must state that it counts for CPE credit for each specific designation. 

Check the CTAS website for the most current class schedule - https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/training.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Requirements for 2019 and 2021 CCFO Graduates 

CCFO graduates are required to complete 16 hours of annual continuing professional education (CPE) to maintain an active CCFO Certificate.  The CPE requirements are effective for the first calendar year after your graduation.  For the 2022 CCFO graduates, you are not required to complete the CPE requirements until 2023 but you are highly encouraged to do so in 2022. Please carefully read the information found in the link below for the summary of the Comptroller’s CPE requirements:    

Summary of Comptroller’s CCFO CPE Requirements

Please print all completed course certificates for later submission to the Comptroller’s Office for your annual CCFO CPE reporting by December 31, 2022.

Comptroller’s Office to Provide 16 Hours of Free CPE in 2022

The Comptroller’s Office – Division of Local Government Audit will provide 16 hours of free CPE to CCFO graduates in the Fall of 2022. Each CCFO attendee, or their employer, will be responsible for the cost of meals, beverages, and other travel-related expenses.  Look for an enrollment email from the Comptroller’s Office this summer.

CCFO Graduates Must Follow the AGA Code of Ethics

Per the Comptroller’s CCFO written requirements, you must adhere to the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Code of Ethics that was last updated on February 23, 2021. 

AGA Ethics Handbook 2021

The Comptroller’s CCFO program written guidance can be found on their website: https://apps.cot.tn.gov/CCFO/ under the “Policies and Procedures for the Certified County Finance Officer Program” pages 10-12. Questions concerning your CPE should be directed to the Comptroller of the Treasury-Division of Local Government Audit, LGA.WEB@cot.tn.gov(subject: CCFO Program CPE Questions) or 615-741-2775.


If you have questions, please contact one of the CCFO team members or CTAS Support:

John Sutton
CCFO Program Manager
john.sutton@tennessee.edu 
865-963-5633

Kelley McNeal
CCFO Training Consultant
kelley.mcneal@tennessee.edu
931-260-2233

Rachel Ellington
CCFO Training Consultant
rachel.ellington@tennessee.edu
731-432-9007

CTAS Support
ctas.support@tennessee.edu
615-532-3555