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ASBO | Exam Information
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Exam Information
In addition to meeting the education and eligibility requirements (/learning-careerdevelopment/certification/sfo-application-process), Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations®
(SFO®) candidates must pass two exams: Exam Part 1: Accounting and Exam Part 2: School Business
Management.
To prepare for the SFO exams, read the Candidate Handbook (/asbo/media/documents/learning/SFO%
20Certification/Candidate-Handbook.pdf) and review all of the information in this section.
Visit the SFO Credential Management System (https://i7lp.integral7.com/asbo) to begin the SFO application
process, request authorization to take the exams, renew, and pay any fees.
Preparing for the SFO Exams
Although preparing for the SFO exams is primarily through self-study, a number of study options and
resources are available.
Ask your local ASBO affiliate (/asbo-affiliates/find-affiliates) about SFO study groups. Many affiliates develop
study sessions, often lead by SFO certificants, to prepare applicants. ASBO affiliate executive directors have
received the SFO Certification Exam Prep Manual and a PowerPoint presentation to use as guidance for
creating study groups.
Please note: ASBO affiliate study group participants are eligible to have the SFO application fee
waived (a $225 value if you are not an ASBO International member). At the conclusion of the study
group, leaders give participants an application fee waiver coupon.
Register for the “Skills Refresher for ASBO’s SFO Certification Exam” seminar at ASBO International’s
Annual Meeting & Expo (/meetings/annual-meeting-expo). This full-day seminar is held on Friday of the
meeting and is free of charge.
Review additional resources (/learning-career-development/certification/resources) to test your school
business management knowledge, practice for the exam, and walk into the testing center with confidence.
Taking the SFO Exams
The SFO exam is comprised of two parts: Exam Part 1: Accounting (70 multiple-choice questions) and Exam
Part 2: School Business Management (100 multiple-choice questions).
Authorization to Test
After your application has been approved, you will be eligible to take the exams within a five-month
authorization-to-test window. There are no restrictions on which the exam you take first. You can take them
on the same day or on separate days, whichever is more convenient for you.
To request authorization to take the exams, log in to the SFO Credential Management System
(https://i7lp.integral7.com/asbo) and
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ASBO | Exam Information
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Request authorization to take Exam Part 1: Accounting or Exam Part 2: School Business Management,
whichever you choose to take first.
Watch your email inbox for an approval email that will authorize you to schedule the exam. Please note your
SFO candidate ID number.
Schedule your exam at an SFO testing center (http://www.pearsonvue.com/asbo/).
Follow the same process to take the other part of the SFO exam.
Testing Centers
Once you have received authorization, you may schedule your test within your five-month authorization-totest window at a Pearson VUE computer-based testing center (http://www.pearsonvue.com/asbo/).
When creating your account and scheduling your exam, you will need your SFO candidate ID number from
the authorization-to-test email. Exam appointments may be made up to one business day in advance.
Both Exam Part 1: Accounting and Exam Part 2: School Business Management are timed; the total computerbased testing time is 120 minutes for Exam Part 1 and 150 minutes for Exam Part 2.
You are encouraged to arrive at the testing center 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time.
Exam Content
Exam Part 1: Accounting
This exam focuses on accounting and the information that is necessary at the time of job entry. There are 70
multiple-choice questions.
Manage Accounting Systems (Percentage of questions on this topic: 28% to 33%)
Maintain Accounting Software
Maintain Chart of Accounts
Reconcile General Ledger Accounts
Track Fixed Assets
Manage Accounting Functions (67% to 72%)
Manage Payroll Functions
Manage Accounts Receivable
Manage Accounts Payable Process
Manage Purchasing Procedures
Manage Annual Budgets
Prepare Financial Reports
Manage Cash Flow
Exam Part 2: School Business Management
This exam covers competencies that school business professionals learn on the job. There are 100 multiplechoice questions.
Conduct Financial Planning and Analysis (Percentage of questions on this topic: 27% to 32%)
Serve as a School Leader
Review Financial Impact of Strategic Planning Goals
Develop Financial Goals
Evaluate Funding Options for Debt Management
Develop Outside Funding Sources
Analyze Economic Data
Analyze Demographic Data
Develop Multi-Year Forecast
Estimate Real Estate Property Tax Revenues
Conduct Budgeting and Reporting Activities (15% to 20%)
Project Student Enrollment
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Evaluate Instructional Program(s) Costs
Develop Annual Budgets
Manage Grant Activities
Prepare for Annual Audit
Conduct Risk Management Activities (10% to 15%)
Evaluate Existing Risks
Address Results of Risk Audit
Conduct Annual Evaluation of Insurance Plans
Manage Insurance Plans
Manage School Facilities (7% to 12%)
Update Facility Master Plan
Oversee the Operation and Maintenance of School Campuses
Oversee New Construction and Renovations
Manage Information Systems (4% to 6%)
Assist in Developing a Technology Plan
Maintain Technology Systems/Oversee Telecommunication Systems
Manage Human Resource Functions (15% to 20%)
Manage Hiring of New Employees
Develop Compensation Structure
Manage Staff Development and Training Programs
Manage Evaluation Process
Manage Personnel Administration
Manage Employee Benefit Programs
Manage Ancillary Services (7% to 12%)
Manage Transportation Services
Manage Food Service Programs
Manage Purchasing Process
Manage Other Service Program
How the Test Is Scored
Candidates who pass the exam, receive a grade of “Pass” only. No numeric score is provided.
Candidates who did not pass, receive a grade of “Fail” and a scaled numeric score. Candidates receiving a
grade of “Fail” receive scaled scores that range from 250 to 599 (scaled scores of 600 or more are passing
scores).
(C) ASBO International. All Rights Reserved.
11401 North Shore Drive, Reston, VA 20190
Phone: 1+866.682.2729
Fax: 1+703.708.7060
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