By Andy Sevilla.
For the first time in Kyle’s history, the city issued a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and that narrative was recently awarded the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) presented Kyle with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, “a significant accomplishment by a government and its management,” according to city statement.
“Congratulation to (Kyle Finance Department Director) Mr. (Perwez) Moheet and his staff for their continued efforts in keeping our fiscal house in order,” City Manager Lanny Lambert said. “We have made great strides in improving how we handle our finances over the past three years and that effort has been lead by our Financial Services team.”
The city’s finance department, primarily responsible in preparing the award-winning CAFR for fiscal year 2012-13, which ended Sept. 30, also was recognized with an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement (AFRA).
Kyle Finance Department team:• Perwez Moheet, CPA, Director of Finance• Wendy Bates, Finance Officer• Vonda Ragsdale, Senior Accountant• Andy Alejandro, Staff Accountant• Kay Koster, Staff Accountant• Theresa Sanchez, Accounting Technician• Kent La Flair, Accounting Technician |
Moheet said in an email that sound accounting and financial management practices, adherence to rules and standards for accounting and financial reporting, reliable financial information, a trained accounting staff and a lot of planning or organization are needed to score well in the GFOA’s independent report card.
“This award should reassure our City Council and the citizens of Kyle that their City’s accounting and financial management practices meet or exceed governmental standards and regulatory requirements,” Moheet said. “Our team is fully committed to complete transparency in the City’s financial reporting.”
The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel of financial and management experts looking for governments that meet the “high standards” of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the document, according to city officials.
“Once again, this award validates (Kyle citizens’ and the city council’s) confidence in the capabilities of their financial management team,” Moheet said.
The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, Ill., and Washington, D.C.
“The purpose of the Government Finance Officers Association is to enhance and promote the professional management of governments for the public benefit by identifying and developing financial policies and best practices and promoting their use through education, training, facilitation of member networking, and leadership,” according to the group’s website.
