40A:9-28.2. Annual examinations; certificates; fees

2. a. The director shall hold examinations annually, and at such times as he may determine appropriate for certification of county finance officers. An applicant for examination shall present to the director written application on forms provided by the Division of Local Government Services, showing that the applicant holds a certified municipal finance officer certificate issued by the Division of Local Government Services pursuant to P.L.1971, c.413 (C.40A:9-140.1 et seq.), or:

(1) is not less than 21 years of age;

(2) is a citizen of the United States;

(3) is of good moral character;

(4) has obtained a certificate or diploma issued after at least four years of study in an approved secondary school or has received an academic education considered and accepted by the Commissioner of Education of this State as fully equivalent;

(5) has graduated from a four-year course at a college of recognized standing with a major course of study in business administration, accounting or equivalent subject; and

(6) has two years of experience as a county finance officer.

b. An applicant who does not possess the college degree required under subsection a. of this section may qualify to take the examination by furnishing proof of four years of full-time experience in a position in a county government as a county finance officer. An applicant who does not possess four years of full-time experience in such a position may substitute one year of college education for one year of experience, up to a maximum of two years of college education. For the purpose of this section, one full year of college education is equal to 30 college credits.

c. Every applicant shall furnish proof that he has received certificates indicating satisfactory completion of complete training in the following courses:

(1) municipal finance administration;

(2) municipal current fund accounting I;

(3) municipal current fund accounting II;

(4) municipal capital and trust fund accounting;

(5) municipal budget preparation and control;

(6) county fiscal operations;

(7) principles of financial management; and

(8) preparation of annual financial statements;

all as provided by the Division of Local Government Services or Rutgers, The State University, with the approval of the Division of Local Government Services.

d. Each completed application form shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount of $50, payable to the State Treasurer and shall be filed with the director at least 30 days prior to the date of examination. Examinations shall be written, or both written and oral, and shall be of such character as fairly to test and determine the ability of the person tested to perform the duties of chief financial officer.

e. Upon finding by the director that the applicant has successfully completed the examination, a county finance officer certificate shall be issued to the applicant, upon the payment of a fee of $50 to the order of the Treasurer of the State of New Jersey.

f. Notwithstanding the qualifications established in this section, a county finance officer certificate shall be issued to any person who shall make application as required in this section, pay a fee of $50 to the order of the Treasurer of the State of New Jersey, and:

(1) is licensed as a registered municipal accountant in the State of New Jersey and who shall furnish proof that he has received a certificate indicating satisfactory completion or instruction of training courses in principles of financial management, and county fiscal operations, as described herein; or

(2) is a certified municipal finance officer in the State of New Jersey and within one year of the date of enactment of P.L.1993, c.87 (C.40A:9-28.1 et al.) furnishes proof that he has five years of experience as a county finance officer; or

(3) is a certified municipal finance officer in the State of New Jersey and furnishes evidence that he successfully took and passed the examination for such certification as provided under section 2 of P.L.1971, c.413 (C.40A:9-140.2) and that he has received a certificate indicating satisfactory completion of training courses in preparation of annual financial statements, and county fiscal operations as described herein; or

(4) who has been serving as a county finance officer for five years, and who shall make application as required in this section within six months of the effective date of this act, and who shall furnish proof of service as described herein; however, the certificate shall be marked as restricted to the county employing the county finance officer. A county finance officer holding a restricted certificate shall then be subject to all provisions affecting other certificate holders under this act, including, but not limited to renewal and continuing education.

L.1993,c.87,s.2.