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SOFO Officer Training

SOFO Authorized

It is required that treasurers and presidents be SOFO-authorized in order to begin transacting with SOFO.  

To become authorized, please follow the procedures below.

1. View our Pre-Training Presentations below.
2. Print and fill out the SOFO Quiz (PDF). All questions can be answered by reviewing the Pre-training presentations and our SOFO Policies and Procedures handbook (PDF).
3. Select three training dates, in order of preference, and write the dates on your completed quiz. The training dates are posted below. Note: You only need to attend one session.
4. Bring your quiz to SOFO and have it graded by a SOFO Financial Assistant.  
5. You will be given your live presentation date after your quiz is graded. Training dates are filled on a first come, first serve basis.  You will not be added to a training session roster without having had the quiz graded.  Rosters are locked the business day before a scheduled session.  That is, do not expect to submit a quiz for grading and be able to attend a training session scheduled that same day.

Pre-Training Presentations

Make sure to review all three of the pre-training presentations before taking the SOFO Quiz. Officers and advisors should also use these presentations as resources throughout their tenure. 

1. SOFO Info: People, Places, and Resources (PDF)
2. SOFO Account Maintenance (PDF)
3. SOFO Transactions (PDF)
4. Cashier’s Office Training

Transaction & Account Action Checklist

The Transaction & Account Action Checklist (PDF) is a quick guide for officers and group members to use when completing and submitting transactions and account actions. This checklist should serve as officers' primary resource for SOFO policy and procedure. Officers should familiarize themselves with this checklist during their training process and refer to it throughout their tenure.

Financial Literacy Resources

The SOFO training resources provided above focus on process and best financial practices.  They assume some familiarity with personal financial management concepts.  If you are completely new to the topic, you may wish to delve deeper into this area for your own personal development.   A number of Financial Wellness webinars are available to Northwestern students at no cost by First Northern Credit Union (see https://www.fncu.org/Resources/Benefits/Events-Calendar/City-of-Evanston).  "Checking 101" and "Identity Theft Solutions" may be directly applicable to managing your group's ledger and debit card.

Officer Training Registration

Please note that SOFO training no longer includes debit card training from the Cashier's Office.  If your student organization has a debit card or is interested in applying for one, you will need to schedule a separate training session with the Cashier's Office.  They can be reached at (847) 491-8655, or by email at norris-cashier@northwestern.edu:

All SOFO training sessions offered during the academic year are held in person.  Officers looking to transition into their position will need to complete the pre-training and quiz prior to contacting SOFO at sofo@northwestern.edu to register for an in-person training session.   A training roster is locked the business day prior to the scheduled session.  Students cannot turn in the SOFO quiz and expect to join the session the same day. Training sessions will run 2.0 hours.  Officers must be present for the full session to get credit for attending.  An online foundational quiz link will be available shortly before the session.  This quiz must also be submitted to receive credit for the training.  The door will be closed before the presentation begins.   Persons arriving after the session begins may not be asked to leave so as not to interrupt the discussion, but they will not receive credit as having attended.

Winter 2024 SOFO Officer Training Schedule

Note: If you are not able to make one of the training dates listed, please email the SOFO office (SOFO@northwestern.edu).  You will need to let us know why your schedule conflicts with the training dates/times, and your availability. We are not able to do one-on-one trainings but we are trying to accommodate with scheduling alternate trainings.