Blog - Page 2 of 3 - Certified Public Accountants. Governmental Accounting and Budgeting.

May 20, 2022

Reallocate Rate Cap Credits

Written by: Curtis L. Coonrod, CPA, and Benjamin W. Roeger, CPA [Written: 10/19/21, Revised: 5/20/22] Property tax draws for most cities, towns, townships, and counties are reduced by rate cap credits. Rate cap credits are usually allocated in proportion to the size of each fund that has a property tax levy, except for debt service funds. However, the city or other local unit can change that allocation. For example, suppose the Assistance Fund has $10,000 of rate cap credits and needs more money. The local government can reduce all or some of the Assistance Fund rate cap credits – up to the full $10,000 and increase the rate cap credits by a like amount in other funds. The result? Up […]

March 14, 2022

NUMBER ONE IN A SERIES: SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC ASSETS

Written by: Curtis Coonrod [Revised: 3/11/22] “How do I know I can trust all these people?” A newly-elected official once asked us that question. He inherited staff from his electoral opponent, the former officeholder. He wanted continuity of operations, so he did not want to fire everyone. He knew these people from his time on the fiscal body. Essentially, he trusted them, but he did not hire them. He did not want any of them to get him into trouble. Here was our advice: Even if you think you know people, you don’t. Besides, public office is a public trust. Your job is not simply to trust people you know but to put in place sound security systems to safeguard […]

February 22, 2022

GFOA Awards Recognize Finance Officers for Their Contributions

Written by: Curtis Coonrod [Revised: 1/27/22] In December 2021, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) announced the winners of its 2021 Awards for Excellence in Government Finance. Being one of GFOA’s most prestigious awards, this award recognizes the contributions and practices that illustrate excellence in financial management. This recognition is based on documented work that demonstrates leadership in the profession and improves public finance. The Awards for Excellence is just one of various awards that financial officers can receive from the GFOA. Since its inception in 1906, GFOA has represented and advocated for public finance officials in the US and Canada. A 20,000-member association, GFOA is comprised of federal, state, provincial, and local finance officials who plan, finance, and implement […]

October 19, 2021

Ten Ways to Raise Emergency Funds for Your Township

Written By: Curtis Coonrod [Revised: 10/19/2021] 1. Reallocate Local Income Tax (LIT) Townships generally receive a share of local income tax with the revenue being budgeted in one or more funds. However, the Township Trustee is not bound by that portion of the budget. In fact, the Trustee has the authority to make reallocations such as redirecting LIT revenue during the year. This is done ideally by obtaining a Board resolution, though it is not a requirement to do so. For example, suppose that one half of your township’s LIT revenue is budgeted in your Township Assistance Fund with the other half in the Fire Protection Fund. The Trustee can effectively redirect some of the LIT revenue so that only […]

January 5, 2017

NUMBER THREE IN A SERIES: HOW TO BE ASSURED THE MONEY IS GOING WHERE IT OUGHT TO GO

It seems every few months we read about a government clerk who has siphoned off thousands of dollars. We shake our heads and ask ourselves how could that be allowed to happen, but, be honest, how do you know it is not happening right now in your own unit of government? You may answer that you know and trust your people. But the people you read about were also trusted employees until they were caught. Sadly, trust is not an accounting control. Sometimes the auditors make these discoveries, but not often. A smart crook will always leave behind convincing documents for audit purposes. Usually, when a person is caught, it is a result of an anonymous tip, a mistake on […]