Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of this mixed research study was to investigate the effectiveness of the FM (Financial Management) Certification Program on its DoD FM Employees. The FM Certification Program was designed and implemented to increase the expertise and effectiveness of the FM workforce through the completion of course and competencies, primarily focused in the areas of audit readiness and decision support. In addition, the study will examine the validity of the FM Certification Program and its level (s) of appropriateness for the FM DoD Workforce. This study was limited to the DoD FM employees attending the National Professional Development Institute (PDI) for American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC). This study will be significant because it will provide insight and information regarding the effectiveness of the DoD FM Certification Program; indicating how successful the FM certification program has been to the DoD employees mandated to complete the certification program as a condition of employment. The information obtained by the DoD Financial Management Employees will provide a valuable resource regarding changes or revisions that may need to be made to the certification program in order to achieve and maintain a more productive and viable financial management workforce.

Findings and Conclusions: Consistent with the purpose of this study, the findings show the FM Certification Program is supported by the majority of the FM workforce. Many agreed with the importance of the mandated DoD FM Certification Program and that the training is valuable to the FM Professionals. Positive comments were provided with suggestions for improvement. In the area of Leadership Training/Development additional thought and work will need to be accomplished. If the mandated program can inspire the FM workforce, they will succeed in accomplishing the goals set before them.