Santa Barbara City Honored for Achievements in Financial Reporting

Source: City of Santa Barbara

The City was awarded the Certificate of Achievement of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. Financial accountability is the cornerstone of a responsible and effective organization. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

City Finance Director Keith DeMartini said this is the 33rd year that the City has received the honor and called it a huge accomplishment.

“Dozens of City staff who are committed to following accounting rules, complying with internal controls and internal policies and recording transactions in a timely manner, are to thank for this award. I’d also like to acknowledge the work of the Accounting Division, led by Doug Smith, who work tirelessly to get the ACFR out the door, year after year,” DeMartini said.

The certificate is awarded by an impartial panel, which determined the City’s report met the program’s standards, which include demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

DeMartini also took the opportunity to thank all City staff for making the achievement possible.

“It really is the responsibility of all of us to ensure we have adequate controls in place and take our finances and processes seriously,” DeMartini said.

GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.