10,000 financial managers to receive new training

A new certification program for Defense Department financial managers will provide standardized training for nearly 10,000 officer, enlisted and civilian financial managers in the Air Force, the service said Thursday.

The Department of Defense Financial Manager Certification Program will help build a training plan and ensure service members and civilian employees have the proper knowledge and skills for their jobs.

The Air Force said major commands will work with base comptrollers and personnel to assign positions to the appropriate certification levels, based on position and rank.

“The certification is competency based, meaning that its requirements are built on the various skills needed to do a job,” said Shar Kaina, who is director of workforce development and executive services for the assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller, Jamie Morin. “It helps [financial managers] focus education and training opportunities on the development of those specific skills, both functional and leadership.”

The program will include a website, called FM Online, that will have a library of financial management training courses. The Air Force said financial managers will be able to tailor their training to focus on the skills that they need.

“Our next step is to ensure continuous learning is anchored in the Air Force financial management culture by continuing to refine our processes to support the goals of the certification,” Kaina said. “By 2017, all Air Force [financial managers] should hold the certification designated by their position and our goal is to help them get there.”

The Air Force hopes a standardized certification that is recognized throughout Defense will give airmen and civilians credibility throughout their career, and show their commitment and expertise. Kaina said this will become increasingly important as financial management becomes more complex.