Finance: Everett, San Diego
State Auditor Reports 20th Consecutive Clean Financial Audit of the Port of Everett
The Washington State Auditor’s Office has given the Port of Everett another clean audit report. That marks two decades of consecutive clean audits with no findings for the Puget Sound port.
Representatives from the Washington State Auditor’s Office visited the Port in April 2017 to review financial documents pertaining to calendar year 2016. The audit focused on financial statements and accountability in five primary areas: financial condition, self-insurance, Open Public Meetings Act compliance, payroll system review and accounts payable process. The objective is to ensure that the port is being fiscally accountable, transparent, and complying with laws and regulations.
"I’m proud of our port team," said Port CEO Les Reardanz. "Clean audits 20 years in a row is a remarkable milestone that wouldn’t have been possible but for the strong leadership of our former CEO John Mohr, our financial team led by former Chief Financial Officer Karen Clements and current CFO John Carter, and the commitment to fiscal responsibility by all port staff."
Port of San Diego Honored for Excellence in Financial Reporting
For the third consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association for the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Port of San Diego with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
A GFOA representative presented the award to the Board of Port Commissioners on July 11.
This award is considered one of the most highly regarded recognitions in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and commends reports for their "spirit of transparency" and full disclosure.
"The fact that we have received this award for three consecutive years shows the port’s dedication to having an open and honest relationship with the public," said Port Chairman Robert "Dukie" Valderrama. "We as an organization embody the ‘spirit of transparency’ that the Government Finance Officers Association strives to promote."
"The port strives to find ways of facilitating communication and maintaining an open and honest relationship with the people and organizations it serves," said Chief Executive Officer Randa Coniglio. "This award recognizes those efforts and is a key indicator that we are taking the right steps."
The CAFR was reviewed by a nonpartisan panel comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector financial reporting that included financial statement preparers, independent auditors, academics and other finance professionals.
GFOA also presented an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement (AFRA) to the port’s Financial Services Department for its role in compiling the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Financial Services Director Jeanette Sales accepted the award on behalf of the department.
"The Financial Services Department is very deserving of this award," said Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert DeAngelis. "I’m so proud of all the time and effort the department staff put into creating such a thorough and effective report, and that they did so completely in-house."