Miami-Dade County departments recognized for excellence in financial reporting

Miami-Dade County has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the highest form of recognition for excellence in state and local government financial reporting, for its FY2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) as prepared by our Finance Department. Miami Dade County has received this prestigious award over 40 times since its participation in the GFOA certificate program. Also recognized for this achievement were the following enterprise departments: Miami-Dade Aviation, Seaport, Solid Waste Management, Transportation and Public Works, and the Water and Sewer Department. Each department has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement, the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management for fiscal year 2020-21.

“Congratulations to our Chief Financial Officer, Edward Marquez, and to these six exemplary departments for this well-deserved recognition,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “They have demonstrated that not only do they deliver excellence every day to our residents, but also demonstrate excellence in their financial reporting and internal processes. We are so proud of them and of all our county departments and services.”

The GFOA encourages and recognizes the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting in the United States of America and Canada.  By way of this award of excellence, the GFOA recognizes only those annual financial reports that go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare annual comprehensive financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.

To achieve the recognition of excellence, applicants must demonstrate competence in reporting in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles, compliance with finance-related legal and contractual provisions, and thoroughness in disclosure and detail sufficiency. Criteria examined when considering an application for the award include: local significance and value, technical significance, transferability, documentation, the cost/benefit analysis, efficiency, originality, and durability. Submissions for this award are carefully reviewed by a Special Review Committee, which includes professionals from the public sector experienced in financial reporting, independent auditors, and other professionals.

GFOA's Awards for Excellence in Government Finance recognize innovative programs and contributions to the practice of government finance that exemplify outstanding financial management. The awards stress practical, documented work that offers leadership to the profession and promotes improved public finance. Founded in 1906, the GFOA represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada.