Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) Certification

The American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) offers the Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) educational program and certification designation to those persons desiring to demonstrate proficiency in the core aspects of Defense financial management.
 

The DoD Authorization Act FY2012 signed by former President Obama empowers the Secretary of Defense to "… prescribe professional certification and credential standards" for the defense financial management community. The CDFM is one of the DoD-approved Test-Based Certifications recommended for Certification Levels 2 and 3 of the DoD FM Certification Program.

 

Why Become a CDFM?

The Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) certification, a test-based certification, is a very relevant and prestigious credential, even for those DoD financial managers (FMers) who have obtained the course-based DoD FM Certification required by the Department. 

 

The CDFM is one of 20 DoD-approved test-based certifications which the DoD Financial Management Certification (DFMC) Program recommends FMers at Certification Levels 2 and 3 complete. The CDFM directly relates to the work done by DoD FMers and the knowledge and skills the Department would like all FMers to have.

 

Thirteen percent of DoD FMers hold the CDFM, as it represents a valuable credential that impresses selecting officials with the individual¹s drive and initiative. Additionally, individuals possessing the CDFM demonstrate a greater breadth of knowledge across all the FM competencies. 

 

Eligibility

While most candidates in the CDFM program are civilian or military/reserve members of the Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, or employees of Defense contractors or suppliers, the CDFM program is open to all candidates who meet one of the following qualifications:

  • An Associate’s degree or higher and 2 years of Defense-related (or 4 years of Federal Government-related) FM experience
  • A high school diploma (or equivalent) and 3 years of Defense-related FM experience

 

All individuals earning the CDFM designation must adhere to the ASMC Pledge of Professionalism to retain their credential. Additionally, they must recertify their CDFM every 24 months.

 

For additional details on the CDFM certification, please click on the links in the menu on the left.