Hays County Auditor’s Office Awarded Certificate Of Excellence In Financial Reporting

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting…

The Hays County Commissioners Court on October 3 congratulated the County Auditor’s Office and County Auditor Marisol Villarreal-Alonzo for being awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United State and Canada.

The award recognizes excellence in clearly presenting a government’s financial picture in its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

In turn, Villarreal-Alonzo thanked her staff, and noted several who were instrumental in preparing the annual financial report. The GFAO established the CAFR program in 1945 to assist local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles. The program promotes excellence in governmental accounting at the local, state and federal level, Villarreal-Alonzo told the Court.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management, according to a statement issued by the GFOA.

Steve Thomas, District Court Administrator for Hays, Caldwell and Comal counties, brought congratulations from the District Judges, telling the audience that the judges appreciate the Auditor’s staff and the hard work they do. By law, the County Auditor is selected by and reports to the District Judges, keeping the financial auditing aspect of county government separate from the administration.

“We always want to recognize our departments that do such a great job, and the Auditor’s Office does an outstanding job – we appreciate you,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe said.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley noted that the Auditor’s Office is one of many that work behind the scenes during emergency situations, with staff putting in long hours and working weekends to assist the response and recovery effort.

Photo: Left to right, Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, Auditor’s Office Fixed Asset Specialist Andrea Soto, First Assistant County Auditor Vickie Dorsett, County Auditor Marisol Villarreal-Alonzo, Accounts Payable Manager Kimberli Andrews, Internal Auditor Carmen Alvarez, Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant with the Certificate of Excellence awarded to the Auditor’s Office from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United State and  Canada.