Brandi R. Sollosi earned Local Finance Officer Certification in the first quarter of 2015 through the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s financial-management training program.

Sollosi, who works with the Long County Board of Commissioners, was recognized with Level I certification for pursuing professional development in governmental finance, accounting, budgeting and more.

Level I certification requires finance officers to participate in 108 hours of instruction about the intricacies of government budgeting, purchasing, accounting and other public-finance topics. Level II Certified Financial Officers receive an additional 84 hours of instruction in intermediate governmental accounting and budgeting principles, internal controls and revenue administration as well as public-finance electives.

Nineteen local officials from around the state earned their Level I or Level II certification in the first quarter through the Institute of Government.

“These community leaders strengthened the skills they need to maintain sound accounting practices and build strong financial foundations for their governments,” said Tracy Arner, the Institute’s financial-management training program manager.

Since the program’s inception in 1972, more than 1,400 local finance officers and others have graduated with certificates and more than 3,400 have received training.