Oscar Valdez Receives Multiple Awards for Financial Reporting

San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector Oscar Valdez was presented with three Financial Reporting awards by the Board of Supervisors. The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting were presented on behalf of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and the State Controller’s Award for Counties Financial Transactions Reporting was presented on behalf of California State Controller Betty T. Yee.  Mr. Valdez stated, “I am honored to receive these awards on behalf of my office.  As Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector, it is my priority to ensure that the County’s financial records are presented in an easily-accessible and comprehensible manner in order to promote transparency in County government.  The annual compilation of extensive financial information is truly a team effort, and I want to extend my sincere appreciation to my staff for their hard work and dedication in the service of San Bernardino County residents.” GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program in 1945, and has gained widespread recognition as the premier indicator of excellence in governmental accounting and financial reporting.  This marks the 29th consecutive year that the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector’s Office (ATC) has received this program’s award.  In part, this award is presented to state and local governments that prepare annual financial reporting exceeding the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), while also preparing accurate comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.  Reports are reviewed by members of GFOA staff and GFOA’s Special Review Committee comprised of individuals with expert knowledge of public-sector financial reporting. The Popular Annual Financial Reporting Awards Program was established in 1991 by GFOA.  This is the 11th consecutive year that ATC has received this program’s award, recognizing ATC’s efforts to develop a high-quality popular annual report that is designed to be readily accessible and easily understandable to the general public. California State Controller Betty T. Yee awarded ATC with the State Controller’s Award for Counties Financial Transactions Reporting for achieving the highest quality in California governmental accounting and financial reporting.  This is the 11th consecutive year ATC has won this award, and the 12th year overall. These major awards reflect the professionalism and commitment by ATC staff.  This recognition supports the Countywide Vision and helps carry out the Board of Supervisors’ commitment to sound and conservative administration of the County’s finances.