Finance Department receives state and national awards

For the fifth year in a row, the SBISD Finance Department has been awarded the designation Leadership Circle Gold Member by the state Comptroller’s Office for setting the bar for financial transparency and making the district’s financial books open to the public. The district’s Finance Dept. has earned other recognitions, too.

“The Texas Comptroller’s Leadership Circle program recognizes local governments across Texas that are meeting a high level of financial transparency online. By providing citizens with a clear, consistent picture of spending and sharing information in a user-friendly format, you are setting a strong example for other governmental entities to follow,” Comptroller Susan Combs states in a Gold Member Award declaration form awarded to the district on May 14.

During the year ahead, the department’s Leadership Circle Gold Member insignia will be posted prominently on the district’s website, and on the Board of Trustees’ and Finance Dept. web pages.
The Gold designation is one of the higher rankings that a public school district can earn. SBISD earned a score of 17 out of 22 based on the state comptroller’s ratings criteria under the FAST (Financial Allocation Study for Texas) 2013 program.

Also for a fifth year SBISD’s Finance Department has earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. This award is presented by the Government Finance Officer’s Association (GFOA). It is given to represent significant achievement and commitment to the highest principles of governmental budgeting. SBISD’s Finance Department earned highest marks, or proficient ratings, based on how well the district’s budget document serves as a policy document, financial plan, policy guide, and communications device.

In separate but related awards, SBISD’s June 30, 2013, comprehensive annual financial report qualified for the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. SBISD received the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) 2013-2014 Purchasing Award of Merit recognizing excellence in adhering to professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services. SBISD has been a multiyear recipient of these two awards.

SBISD’s Financial Department is led by Associate Superintendent Karen Wilson.