ALCOAST 141/19 - APR 2019 SOLICITATION FOR THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM

R 300857 APR 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-8//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01524//
ALCOAST 141/19
COMDTNOTE 1524
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM
A. Performance, Training and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10 (series)
B. Officer Accessions, Evaluations, and Promotions, COMDTINST M1000.3 (series)
C. COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA 081002 APR 19/ALCOAST 114/19
D. COMCOGARD PSC ARLINGTON VA 19/ALCGPSC 039/19
1. This ALCOAST provides further information regarding REFs (A) through (D), and provides
specific information for the Financial Management Postgraduate Program. This vital Coast Guard
community of financial management professionals comprise a challenging and rewarding specialty
that substantially contributes to our ability to safely, effectively and efficiently conduct
CG missions. Officers with an initial commissioning year after October 2008 are urged to apply
for this highly competitive and incredibly valuable advanced education program. Officers who
were commissioned before 2008 may also be competitive and should contact the Program Manager to
discuss how their transition to a FIN-10 position would work. Eligible Chief Warrant Officers
expecting promotion to Lieutenant are also encouraged to apply. Due to the variety of missions
Financial Managers support, applicants with all types of undergraduate degrees are eligible
for selection. The Financial Management postgraduate education program leads to either the
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), or Master of
Science in Finance (MSF). Applicants may also be able to apply to dual degree programs in
Accounting, Finance, or Information Systems, depending on the specific school, overall cost
and program proposed.
2. Many in the Financial Management specialty are able to build a dual career path that allows
parallel career progression with their chosen operational specialty. Financial managers serve in
geographically diverse billets across the Coast Guard, with opportunities to maintain geographic
stability as they rotate back into operational positions. By alternating between financial
management and operational billets, members are exposed to a diversity of assignments, provided
a first person view of the operational commander’s needs, and given professional opportunities
to assist senior leaders in best utilizing Coast Guard resources.
3. Very few organizations in government or industry offer a sponsored advanced education training
program in Financial Management and the opportunity to earn graduate degrees in Business
Administration, Finance, or Accounting. These degrees are highly coveted educational achievements
and allow the recipient to pursue professional certification such as a Certified Public
Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), and/or Certified Defense
Financial Manager (CDFM). They also provide officers the means to earn the FIN-10 Officer
Specialty Code and many assignment opportunities at the O-3 through O-6 level. Graduates from this
program will receive follow-on assignments where they will be responsible for all aspects of
Coast Guard Financial Management including funds management and control, budgeting, strategic
planning, accounting, inventory management, financial systems, internal controls, program
assessment, and most importantly filling key positions to directly advise senior leaders. For more
information on a FIN-10 career, please see the FIN-10 Career Guide on the Coast Guard Common Core:
http://cglink.uscg.mil/44ec045c.
4. IAW REF (C), the Financial Management program will select 7 primary candidates to attend
graduate school, beginning in AY20. Candidates selected for the Financial Management program will
have a range of schools and programs to select from that last between 16 and 22 months. In order
to ensure the competency needs of the Coast Guard are being addressed, the Financial Management
Program Manager, COMDT (CG-81), will serve as final approval for program selection.
5. To apply for the Financial Management postgraduate program, follow the guidance set forth in
REF (D). The application deadline is 14 Jun 2019. Specific program availability and application
instructions are available from OPM-1 at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/psc-opm/1/SitePages/Home.aspx. The GRE and GMAT are both now
accepted for consideration to this USCG program. However, some schools still accept only the GMAT
for application purposes, so students should plan accordingly. A recent GRE or GMAT score (taken
since 1 Jan 2015) is required for this program.
6. While there is not a minimum GMAT/GRE score for applying, interested candidates should look
to score a minimum of 550 on the GMAT and/or a minimum of 153 Quantitative and 158 Verbal on the
GRE in order to remain competitive for selection to accredited programs. While not precluding
their selection to the program, those who do not meet these suggested minimum scores are
encouraged to retake applicable exam(s) to both assist them in getting accepted to the program
and to facilitate selection to their subsequent schools of choice.
7. Potential applicants in their first or second assignment must schedule a counseling appointment
with an Officer Career Counselor in OPM-4 prior to applying per REF (D). This counseling is
essential to ensure junior officers remain competitive for assignments in their primary officer
specialty rating.
8. For further information please contact the Financial Management Program Manager, CDR Patricia
Ferrell, COMDT (CG-81) or LCDR Kalen Kenny, COMDT (CG-81).
9. RDML T. G. Allan, Assistant Commandant for Resources and Chief Financial Officer, sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.