Certified Governmental Accounting Technician (CGAT)
CGAT improves the professional, administrative and fiscal skills of candidates through a series of courses approved by GFOAA.
Overview
The purpose of the Certified Governmental Accounting Technician (CGAT) Program is to improve the professional, administrative, and fiscal skills of candidates through a series of courses approved by GFOAA in the areas of General Ledger, Budgeting, Fund Accounting, Purchasing/Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Billings/Accounts Receivable. The Certified Government Accounting Technician Program is a program sponsored by the Government Finance Officers Association of Alabama.
| Upcoming Classes | Purchasing: September 30, 2026 Billings/Accounts Receivable: November 18, 2026 |
| Location | Bryant Conference Center 240 Paul W. Bryant Drive Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 |
| Lodging | Hotel Capstone |
Requirements
Qualifying for the CGAT Program
Eligibility Requirements:
To participate in the CGAT program, a qualified candidate must meet the following conditions:
- Have an interest in governmental accounting
- Have a high school diploma or GED
Certification Requirements
To be certified, a qualified participant must complete 24 hours of study consisting of two core courses and two elective courses are taken within two (2) years of enrollment into the program. The offered courses are as follows:
- General Ledger (core course)
- Budgeting (elective course)
- Fund Accounting (core course)
- Purchasing/Accounts Payable (elective course)
- Payroll (elective course)
- Billings/Accounts Receivable (elective course)
The purpose of the Certified Governmental Accounting Technician (CGAT) Program is to improve candidates’ professional, administrative and fiscal skills through a series of courses approved by the Government Finance Officers Association of Alabama (GFOAA) in these areas.
Continuing Education Requirements
Effective April 1, 2020, GFOAA Certified Government Accounting Technician (CGAT) graduates are encouraged, but not required, to complete Continuing Professional Education (CPE) every two (2) years.
CPE hours may include a combination of attending trainings such as:
- GFOAA annual conference
- GFOAA summer conference
- CGAT conference
- Additional CGAT elective courses (not taken for original certificate)
- Job-related webinars or employer-sponsored training, including professional development, public speaking, accounting software, business writing
If you have any questions, please email GFOAAOutreachCoordinator@gmail.com.
*This training is not exclusive to GFOAA members and is open to individuals interested in governmental accounting.
Location and Lodging
All CGAT courses will be held at the Bryant Conference Center on the University of Alabama campus.
Directions
Parking Your Vehicle
Attendees can park at the Capstone Parking Deck, which is located across the street from the Bryant Conference Center. A limited number of handicap parking spaces are available in front of the Conference Center. Approximately one week prior to the conference start date, you will receive a parking permit. The parking permit will only be valid for the Capstone Parking Deck and the handicap spaces in front of the Bryant Conference Center.
Hotel Accommodations
Located on the historic University of Alabama campus, Hotel Capstone is the best choice for campus visits, business trips, reunions of all types, and weekend getaways. Our staff looks forward to serving you and treating you with the kind of hospitality for which the South is famous.
| Hotel | Hotel Capstone 320 Paul W Bryant Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 205-752-3200 |
| Cost | $134/night |
| Distance from courses | within walking distance from the Bryant Conference Center |
Please call for reservations!
We have a limited number of discounted rooms reserved for our CGAT attendees. Reservations can be made online or by phone at 205-752-3200.
Registration
Contact Registration Services by phone: 205-348-3000. Our registration department is open Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Request for Accommodations
The University of Alabama is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for accommodation of physical and/or dietary needs should be made at least 30 calendar days in advance of the program date. Please email these requests to Haley Carpenter at professionaldevelopment@ua.edu.
Need our STAARS Vendor Number? Use VC000118827 for UA Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation charge of 100% of the registration fee will be assessed on cancellations occurring within seven (7) days of the start of this session. Refunds will not be granted after the program has begun. The University of Alabama reserves the right to cancel, postpone or combine class sections, to limit registration, or to change instructors. Contact the Registration Services department at 205-348-3000 or registration_services@ua.edu to cancel your registration. View the OTIDE Cancellation Policy online.
Financial Assistance
John G. Burton Endowment
The endowment has a twofold purpose: to advance the content, quality, and effectiveness of municipal programs offered by The University of Alabama’s Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education, and to help perpetuate and improve the quality of services rendered by the League of Municipalities to its constituents. Those eligible to receive funds towards programming include officers and employees of municipalities in the State of Alabama. The endowment was established in honor of John G. Burton, who served as the first president of the Alabama League of Municipalities in 1936 and held an executive position on that board for eight years. Mr. Burton received state and national recognition for his progressive ideas and accomplishments.
Apply for the John G. Burton Endowment here.
Questions about the event?
Contact Haley Carpenter for more information.
