Members of the San Jacinto College fiscal affairs department received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. Pictured are (standing, from left to right): Carla Fearnley, College Brusar; Denise Segelquist, Payroll Manager; Michael Moore, Director of Grants Accounting; Kelly Simons, Associate Vice President of Resource Development; Susan Arscott, Vice President of Resource Development; Anita Dewease, Comptroller; and Tomoko Olson, Assistant Director of Grants; (seated, from left to right): Ken Lynn, Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs; William Dickerson, Director of Accounting and Financial Services; and Brenda Hellyer, Executive Vice Chancellor.

Specifically, the San Jacinto College department of fiscal affairs received the award, as they are the department designated by the government for preparing the CAFR. “I think it’s important to note that the award was given to the department and not just an individual, which is a testament to true team efforts,” said Bill Dickerson, San Jacinto College’s director of accounting and financial services.

Vice Chancellor of Fiscal Affairs Kenneth Lynn commented, “Over the past several years the department of fiscal affairs has focused on improving its accounting and financial reporting processes. This award recognizes those improvement efforts and positions San Jacinto College to continue its efforts in establishing a world-class financial presence. ”

The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The GFOA awarded 61 universities and colleges across the nation for the 2006 annual financial reports, and of the 50 community colleges in the state of Texas, San Jacinto College is the eleventh community college to receive this award.

“This is the culmination of years of hard work,” added Lynn. “I am honored to present the award to the fiscal affairs staff and I want them to know this is not a cookie cutter award; it’s an award of quality.”

The CAFR consists of a complete set of year-end financial reports including the report of an independent auditor; management’s discussion and analysis of operations and factors affecting financial performance; basic financial statements concerning new assets, revenues, expenses, changes in equity, and cash flows; summary of significant accounting policies; pension related note disclosures; and a statistical section that presents relevant student, financial and demographic information in a 10 year comparative format

This was the first year the College has received this prestigious award, and the College is committed to meeting the GFOA requirements in hopes of earning this award for years to come.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150 or visit http://www.sanjac.edu/.