TPCG earns certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting

For the 11th straight year, Terrebonne Parish government has been recognized by the Chicago-based Government Finance Officers Association, the country’s main professional organization representing government financial officers at the state and local levels.

The parish’s Finance Department received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2006. The award recognizes the yearly audit, or comprehensive annual financial report, which the department produces in addition to the parish’s annual budget.

The certificate represents the highest professional recognition in government auditing.

“We work very hard on it,” said Terrebonne Parish Chief Financial Officer Jamie Elfert.

The department has to submit the annual financial report to the association by June 30 following the end of the fiscal year.

The association then sends all submitted reports to volunteer judges.

Part of the reason the certificate is awarded almost a full year after the fiscal year ends is that the judging is thorough.

“It takes a lot of time,” Elfert said. “Believe me, they go through every page.”

The department has also received a similar certificate from the association for the past five years for its annual budget. The most recent was for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2007.

The parish’s annual audit demonstrates a “spirit of full disclosure” and invites citizens to read the document, according to the association.