Certification
CERTIFICATION: A Step Toward The Future!
The concept of certification was introduced in 1979 when the IMTA board of directors was studying the increasingly complex Illinois municipal government scene and the level of administrative expertise needed for adept administration. Population changes, increased municipal responsibilities, and extensive social and legislative change had increased the difficulty and importance of the treasurers function. The board of directors believed that continuing professional education was needed to help treasurers acquire necessary new skills and knowledge.
Thus the idea of certification surfaced which would give Illinois municipal treasurers distinction who had completed a specified minimum amount of educational requirements and had experience as a municipal treasurer. Attendance at IMTA provided seminars and membership in IMTA as well as on a national level also count toward certification.
Certification means that a treasurer, is capable of developing and maintaining a high level of administrative and functional expertise in his or her Office.
CertificationRoundTable
ROUNDTABLE MEETING- for certification purposes
"Roundtable" meetings are similar to regional meetings, only on a smaller scale, without an outside speaker. For instance, a roundtable host would pull together a meeting to discuss the Annual Treasurer's Report.
On September 18, 1999 the IMTA Board approved the Certification Committee's recommendations concerning roundtable certification points and criteria.
CRITERIA:
- A pre-determined agenda must be prepared and distributed to communities within their area.
- The meeting will last a minimum of two hours, including mealtime.
- There must be a designated host who will lead the discussion.
- The minimum number of participants (including the host) must be six.
- The host will provide a record of attendance to the IMTA Secretary and Certification Chair
Certification Regional Meetings
GUIDELINES FOR HOSTING:
- Any active or associate member may host a regional meeting. (Regional Map)
- All meetings must be approved by the Regional Chairperson
INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOSTING:
- Select a date for the meeting, check with your regional chairperson for any other activity which may conflict with or affect your date.
- Consider a co-host, it will make your work easier
- Select the topic(s) to be covered. Your regional chairperson can assist you with speakers, also other treasurers, bankers, consultants, auditors, etc. are always good sources for speakers.
- Location: Restaurants and/or hotels with conference rooms, City Hall, local community clubs and churches are good locations. Many of them are offered at no cost if you purchase the lunch from them. Use your city's tax exempt number.
- Budget: Prepare an estimate of the costs for food and gratuities, printing, postage, speaker lunch, and other expenses.
- Sponsors: Generally, local banks and auditors, are willing to sponsor such meetings. If sponsorship is not sufficient, a registration fee may have to be charged, discuss it with the Chairperson.
- Agenda: Consider a starting time of 9am/10am and ending by 2pm/3pm. Allow approximately half-hour for registration and also a business meeting at the end.
- Allow six to eight weeks for printing and mailing of agenda, plus response time.
- Confirm speakers, room, lunch, etc. about two weeks prior to the seminar.
- Supply list: Name tags, extra agendas, an American flag and any devices needed by speakers during their presentation (podium, microphones, overhead projectors, etc.)
- Submit to Regional Director
- a) Retain copy of attendance sheet, mail copy to Certification Chairman
- b) Mail CPE evaluations to appropriate Director or designated person.
- c) Mail any IMTA applications to Membership Chairman
- If your monies come up short, contact the Regional Chairperson for reimbursement.
- Have Fun!!!
Zoila Gomez, IMTA Regional Chair
Certification Curriculum
YEAR | Curriculum Area/ Course | Hours |
---|---|---|
PUBLIC FINANCE ADMIN. |
||
1 | Principles of Public Finance | 6 |
1 | Investing Public Funds | 8 |
2 | Cash Management & Banking Relations | 12 |
3 | Public Budgeting | 6 |
3 | Debt Management | 6 |
2 | Governmental Accounting | 4 |
1 | State Tax Laws & Regulations | 4 |
3 | Goals & Strategies for the Treas. Dept. | 4 |
TOTAL |
50 | |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT |
||
1 | Ethics and the Treasurer | 6 |
2 | Written Communications | 6 |
1 | Oral Communications | 6 |
3 | Problem Solving | 4 |
2 | Personal Growth | 4 |
3 | Personnel Management | 4 |
1 | Public Relations | 4 |
2 | Office Procedures | 4 |
3 | Organizational Development | 4 |
2 | Policital Science | 2 |
3 | Employee Motivation | 2 |
TOTAL |
50 |