Commitment to High Standards and Continued Use of Best Practices Results in Consecutive Win for the Port of Hueneme

Port Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 12th Consecutive Year

Download press release

[PORT HUENEME, CA – December 21, 2022] – For a 12^th consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada has awarded the Oxnard Harbor District with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Oxnard Harbor District, which owns the Port of Hueneme, received this award for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2021.

Left to right: Robin Campos, HR Management Specialist; Andrew Palomares, Deputy Executive Director, CFO/CAO; Jaimee Constantino, Fiscal Technician; Gabriella Sabo, Accounting Manager; Julie Johnson, Fiscal Technician; Austin Yang, Director of Finance & Accounting; and Paul Lydiate, Financial Analyst.

“Year after year, I continue to be impressed with our financial team who has consistently shown a commitment to fiscal responsibility,” said Mary Anne Rooney, President of the Oxnard Harbor District. “It remains our duty as a public agency to be transparent with stakeholders who have entrusted us with carrying out the fiduciary responsibilities of the Port with a high level of professionalism and unparalleled industry experience.”

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, according to GFOA, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

The Government Finance Officers Association established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles. The program also encourages the preparation of comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal.

“When I started working for the Port of Hueneme 15 years ago, one of my goals was for the team to receive recognition for their efforts,” said Andrew Palomares, the Port’s Deputy Executive Director & CFO/CAO. “I am extremely proud that the Port of Hueneme has received this award for a twelfth straight year. This achievement is testament to outstanding record keeping, reporting, and sound financial standards that Port staff along with commissioners, conduct on a consistent basis.”

The Port’s ACFR was thoroughly reviewed by a team of independent, industry auditors, professional financial statement preparers, academics, and other finance professionals. The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program encourages and assists state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles, to prepare annual comprehensive financial reports that demonstrate the spirit of full disclosure, and to succeed in achieving that goal.

The Government Finance Officers Association was founded in 1906 and represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada. The association’s more than 20,000 members are federal, state/provincial, and local finance officials deeply involved in planning, financing, and implementing thousands of governmental operations in each of their jurisdictions. GFOA’s mission is to advance excellence in public finance. To meet the many needs of its members, the organization provides best practice guidance, consulting, networking opportunities, publications including books, e-books, and periodicals, recognition programs, research, and training opportunities for those in the profession.