The History of CFMA

 

The Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) is "The Source & Resource for Construction Financial Excellence" and the only nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the educational needs of today's construction financial professionals.

Established in 1981, CFMA's General Members represent all types of contractors—including general contractors and specialty trades—as well as developers, construction managers, architects, engineers, principals, and material and equipment suppliers. Associate Members include professionals in the accounting, insurance, surety, software, legal, and banking industries, as well as any other specialist who serves in the construction industry.

CFMA chapters in major cities from Maine to Hawaii offer local workshops, seminars, and programs that complement member services provided by CFMA Headquarters in Princeton, NJ. CFMA currently has more than 10,000 members in 99 chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada.

2022
  • On April 1, CFMA launched a new strategic plan
  • The annual conference “Coming Together” was held in Atlanta
  • Launched Heavy Equipment Comparator Survey in Oct.
2021
  • Executive Committee votes to create CFMA Diversity & Inclusion Committee
  • CFMA launches first ever Hybrid Conference
  • Briq becomes CFMA's Leadership Partner
  • CFMA launches new website on March 29
  • CFMA & ICCIFP Merged on April 1
2020
  • CFMA reaches more than 9,000 members
  • CFMA launched its YouTube series, Chat with the Chairman
  • CFMA launched its first podcast, Voices of CFMA
  • The Eastern Iowa Corridor Chapter was formed
  • CFMA launches first ever Virtual Conference as the Annual Conference & Exhibition was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was virtual due to COVID-19 concerns
2019
  • The Blue Ridge Chapter was formed
  • The annual conference “Success Encompassed” was held in Las Vegas, NV
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2018
  • The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, which was originally a CFMA Task Force, became a separate 501(c)(3) organization
  • The annual conference “Reach Out Branch Out Top Out ” was held in Miami, FL
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2017
  • 3 chapters were formed:
    • El Paso - TX
    • New Hampshire - NH
    • *Greater Fresno, CA
  • The annual conference “Foundation for Success” was held in Phoenix, AZ
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2016
  • 3 chapters were formed:
    • Ozarks
    • Oklahoma
    • Mid-South (Bluff City)
  • The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention Task Force was formed
  • The annual conference “Building It Forward” was held in San Antonio, TX
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2015
  • 4 chapters were formed:
    • Edmonton
    • Miami-Dade
    • Ocean State*
    • Inland Empire
  • The first edition of CFMA’s State Tax Law Guides was published
  • The annual conference “The Power of One” was held in Chicago, IL
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2014
  • The Heart of Texas Chapter was formed
  • CFMA reaches 7,000-member milestone
  • CFMA partners with its media partner, Naylor, LLC
  • The annual conference “Strengthen Your Bottom Line” was held in Las Vegas, NV
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2013
  • The Annual Financial Survey became CFMA’s Construction Financial Benchmarker and moved to all electronic
  • CFMA selects Viewpoint as its first Principal Partner
  • The annual conference “Build Something Epic with CFMA” was held in San Diego, CA
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2012
  • Two chapters were formed:
    • Idaho
    • Dakota
  • The annual conference “Making Connections, Your Key to a Better Bottom Line” was held in Orlando, FL
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2011
  • The South Jersey Chapter was formed
  • The annual conference “Reconnect + Share Bigger Ideas, Experiences, Possibilities” was held in Dallas, TX
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2010
  • The annual conference “It’s All About Making Connections” was held in Kona, HI
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2009
  • The Southern Ontario Chapter was formed
  • The annual conference “Time to Stay Focused on Your Bottom Line” was held in Las Vegas, NV
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2008
  • Two chapters were formed:
    • Pikes Peak
    • Northwest Washington*
  • The annual conference “Squeeze Bigger Profits in 2008” was held in Orlando, FL
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2007
  • CFMA BP Online, the digital replica of CFMA Building Profits, was launched
  • The annual conference “How to Keep Bigger Profits Flowing....without Drying up” was held in Phoenix, AZ
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2006
  • The South Sound Chapter was formed
  • The annual conference “CFMA at 25: Still Beating the Odds” was held in Las Vegas, NV
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2005
  • The annual conference “Freedom Trail to Success ” was held in Boston, MA
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2004
  • ICCIFP held its inaugural exam at CFMA’s annual conference
  • 2 chapters were formed:
    • Siouxland
    • Last Frontier
  • The annual conference “Financial Bricks & Mortar in the French Quarter” was held in New Orleans, LA
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2003
  • The New York Capital Region Chapter was formed
  • The annual conference “Set Your Sails for Success” was held in San Diego, CA
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2002
  • 4 chapters were formed:
    • Tri-State Indiana
    • Big Sky
    • South Plains*
    • Tennessee Valley
  • The annual conference “Beat the Odds in Any Economy” was held in Las Vegas, NV
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2001
  • The Coastal Blend Chapter was formed*
  • The annual conference “Your Source for Success: CFMA in the Sunshine State” was held in Orlando, FL
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
2000
  • A new chapter is formed:
    • Delaware - Wilmington, DE
    • Rio Grande Valley*
  • The annual conference “Managing the Millennium in the Music City“ was held in Nashville, TN
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
1999
  • Five chapters were formed:
    • Central Florida
    • Greater Oregon
    • Northeast Florida
    • Inland Northwest
    • Greater Memphis*
  • The annual conference “Building Profits on Peach Street“ was held in Atlanta, GA
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
1998
  • 2 chapters were formed:
    • Greater Berks-Lehigh Valley - Allentown, PA
    • Saginaw Valley*
  • The annual conference “Hitting the Construction Jackpot” was held in Las Vegas, NV
  • Construction Financial Management Conference was held at Caesar's in Las Vegas, NV
1997
    5 chapters were formed:
    • South Central Louisiana
    • Nebraska
    • Knoxville
    • South Mississippi*
    • Central Arkansas*
  • The annual conference “Weathering the Winds of Change” was held in Chicago, IL
  • CFMA and Associated General Contractors of America (AGCofA) came together to form the Construction Financial Management Conference (CFMC), the first conference was held at The Mirage in Las Vegas, NV
1996
  • The first Information Technology (IT) Survey was printed
  • CFMA launched its website
  • 5 chapters were formed:
    • Central New York
    • Central Texas
    • Miami Valley
    • Sonoran*
    • Quad Cities
  • The annual conference “La Fiesta De Los Contadores De Los Frijoles” was held in Phoenix, AZ
1995
  • Schools of learning were introduced at the annual conference
  • The Lansing Chapter was formed
  • The annual conference “‘Cook’ YourBooks" was held in New Orleans, LA
1994
  • The first CFMA at Spring Creek leadership retreat was held in Jackson Hole, WY
  • 3 chapters were formed:
    • Birmingham
    • Bluegrass
    • Mississippi
  • The annual conference “The Gateway to Financial Excellence” was held in New York, NY
1993
  • 3 chapters were formed:
    • Northern Indiana
    • Southwestern Michigan
    • Central Pennsylvania
  • The annual conference “Parlay Your Knowledge for Profit” was held in Las Vegas, NV
1992
  • 8 chapters were formed:
    • Central Indiana
    • Madison
    • Greater Wichita
    • Niagara Frontier
    • Iowa
    • Northwest Ohio
    • Central Valley*
    • Southwest Florida*
  • The annual conference “Charting Your Course for Success” was held in San Diego, CA
  • The fall conference “The Tools to Manage for Profit" was held in Washington, D.C.
1991
  • The Long Island Chapter was Formed
  • The annual conference “How to Manage Successfully in a Market of Challenge” was held in San Francisco, CA
  • The fall conference “Nashville: A Sound Investment" was held in Nashville, TN
1990
  • Seven additional chapters were formed:
    • Las Vegas, NV
    • Triangle - Raleigh, NC
    • Southeast Louisiana - New Orleans, LA
    • Maryland - Baltimore, MD
    • San Antonio, TX
    • Western Michigan - Grand Rapids, MI
    • Fox River Valley - Green Bay, WI
  • CFMA Building Profits became a bi-monthly publication
  • The annual conference “New Vistas for the 90's" was held in Newport Beach, CA
  • The fall conference “Building Beyond the Numbers” was held at Walt Disney's Contemporary Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL
1989
  • The first education course, “Basics of Construction Accounting,” was held at the conference in Boston, MA
  • The first Annual Financial Survey was released, to date, it is the only one of its kind
  • 10 chapters were formed:
    • Albuquerque
    • Greater Pittsburgh
    • Central Virginia
    • Portland
    • Colorado
    • Orlando
    • South Florida
    • Connecticut Valley
    • Kentuckiana
    • Fairfield/Westchester
  • The annual conference “Construction Financial Management Focus on the Future” was held in Boston, MA
  • The fall conference “Increased Profitability through Improved Construction Financial Management” was held in Kansas City, MO
1988
  • The first issue of Financial Management and Accounting for the Construction Industry “The Book” was released
  • The CFMA Newsletter transitioned into CFMA Building Profits magazine
  • 11 chapters were formed:
    • Central Ohio
    • Silicon Valley
    • Greater Washington, D.C.
    • Metro Detroit
    • Massachusetts
    • Northern Nevada
    • Sacramento
    • Utah
    • Idaho
    • Vermont/New hampshire*
    • Los Angeles
  • The annual conference “Navigating the Changing Currents in Construction Financial Management” was held in Seattle, WA
  • The fall conference “Scaling the Pinnacles of Construction Financial Management” was held in Tempe, AZ
1987
  • Six new chapters were formed:
    • Greater Cincinnati - Cincinnati, OH
    • Twin Cities - Minneapolis, MN
    • NYC - New York City, NY
    • Kansas City, MO
    • Maine - Fairfield, ME
    • Western NY - Rochester, NY
  • The annual conference “Leadership in Construction Financial Management” was held in San Diego, CA
  • The Mid-Year Meeting and Conference was held in Atlanta, GA
1986
  • Seven new chapters were formed:
    • Charlotte
    • Georgia
    • St. Louis
    • Honolulu
    • Tampa Bay
    • Milwaukee
    • Valley of the Sun
  • The annual conference was held in Washington, D.C.
  • The Mid-Year Meeting and Conference was held in Houston, TX
1985
  • 10 new chapters were formed:
    • Houston
    • Middle Tennessee
    • Northeast Ohio
    • Orange County
    • South Carolina
    • Piedmont
    • Puget Sound
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
    • Tulsa*
  • The annual conference “The Expanding Role of Financial Management in the Construction Industry” was held in New Orleans, LA
  • The Mid-Year Meeting and Conference was held in San Francisco, CA
1984
  • 2 chapters were formed:
    • Dallas Fort Worth, TX
    • Chicago, IL
  • The annual conference was held in Chicago, IL
  • The Mid-Year Meeting and Conference was held in Atlantic City, NJ at Caesars Palace
1983
  • 2 chapters were formed:
    • New Jersey
    • Philadelphia
  • The annual conference was held in Atlantic City, NJ at Caesars Palace
  • A one day event in Oct.called "Microcomputers in the Construction Industry"was held in San Francisco, CA
  • A second conference was held in Nov. in Dallas, TX
1982
  • CFMA held its first conference in Clark, NJ with 150 attendees from 25 states in attendance
  • In April the leadership for CFMA was formed:
    • President: David Casey, CPA
    • Vice President: Thomas Kilduff
    • Treasurer: Albert Blattel
    • Secretary: Robert Chirumbolo, CPA
    • Director: Philip Fisher, CPA
    • Director: Ezio Scerbo, CPA
    • Director: Bennett(Ben) Klausner, CPA
    • Director: Joseph Hannan, CPA
  • CFMA’s first newsletter was published
  • 111 members joined CFMA
  • The Articles of Association were signed
1981
  • David Casey, CPA and seven other individuals met in the spring in Kenilworth, NJ to discuss the needs of the construction industry, from that meeting, the vision to build a national association was born

*This chapter is no longer an active CFMA chapter

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