City of Duncan Finance Director Billie Strutton recently achieved the distinction of Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The program is designed to prepare individuals for leadership positions in state and local governments by enhancing fundamental skills and increasing knowledge of best practices and standards in public finance and prepares members to better serve their governments and communities.
The CPFO program consists of seven exams to verify knowledge in the major disciplines of government finance: Accounting and Financial Reporting; Compensation and Benefits; Debt Management; Planning and Budgeting; Treasury and Investment Management; Procurement; and Risk Assessment.
Since launching the program in 1997, over 800 people have earned the CPFO designation. The program is designed to be completed within two years. Strutton began the certification process in December of 2023 – completing well before the 24 month mark.
“We’re fortunate to have Billie as our finance director and congratulate her on this extraordinary achievement. Only a small percentage of finance directors hold this certification, and Billie’s dedication to pursuing municipal finance excellence and continued education indicate her level of leadership and commitment to our community,” says Duncan City Manager Chris Deal.
Strutton holds an accounting degree from Cameron University and was promoted to the Finance Director position in May 2025.