Ascension Parish finance department earns national recognition

The Ascension Parish Finance Department was presented with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by industry officials for the sixth straight year, said Parish President Kenny Matassa.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) announced the Finance Department was presented the award for the 2016 fiscal year.

“Once again, Chief Financial Officer Gwen LeBlanc and her staff are recognized by their industry peers for providing a budget that is professional and accurate,” said President Matassa. “We are proud of their efforts.”

According to the GFOA, the award is a significant achievement that reflects the commitment of Ascension Parish Government and the Finance Department staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

In order to receive the budget award, the Finance Department had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well the Finance Department’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and as a communications device.

The GFOA is a major professional association servicing the needs of approximately 18,700 appointed and elected local, state and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners.

Contributed Report