The Long, Chilton, LLP auditing firm recently presented the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District’s Board of Trustees with the 2013-2014 fiscal year financial audit. The audit contained a clean opinion in all material respects and conveyed a fair and accurate picture of the district’s financial statements.
Consequently, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded HCISD’s business services department its highest honor for comprehensive financial reporting for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. This is the fifth consecutive year the district has been presented with this recognition.
The GFOA awarded HCISD its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the group announced earlier this month. The award is the highest form of recognition in the area, and represents a substantial accomplishment by a government and its management.
“Our district prides itself in remaining fiscally responsible while also promoting the best interests of our students and staff, said Superintendent Dr. Art Cavazos. “This prestigious award validates our continued efforts for financial stability and transparency. I commend our business services department for obtaining national recognition for our world-class district.”
An impartial panel judges the CAFR contests on how well the entity demonstrates transparency and clarity in reporting its financial records. The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 18,000 government finance professionals.
“This award is an indicator of the caliber of our entire financial team,” said Chief Financial Officer Julio Cavazos. “Throughout this department, we work as one unit to provide the best for our students, staff and the community we serve. With our fifth recognition, we have reached yet another success in financial consistency and transparency.”
In October 2014, HCISD also earned the Platinum Leadership Circle Award from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for meeting high financial transparency online by providing citizens with a clear, consistent picture of spending as well as sharing information through the district website.
The Comptroller’s Office designates different levels of transparency awards to government entities based on a score criteria sheet ranging from Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The Platinum designee helps highlight organizations that go above and beyond providing financial transparency in local government.
Additionally, HCISD continues also to present debt information on its long-term obligations and pledges to keep the public informed on any future bond issuances.
