An essential function in every school system is keeping track of the money, a job with a direct impact on future funding sources and educational quality. Employees in the McDuffie County School System’s Business Department take this responsibility seriously and are repeatedly recognized for their exemplary work.

The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts once again named the system’s business department as a recipient of the Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting during the 2021 fiscal year. The system is receiving this honor for the fourth year in a row and the seventh time in the eight years since its 2014 creation.

The award commends the business department for going beyond the minimum requirements of accounting principles. Recognition for the department’s attention to detail is something McDuffie County School System Comptroller Charisa Carter doesn’t talk about much, but its importance is demonstrated by the multitude of framed certificates hanging in the hall outside her office.

“It is an honor to be recognized for the hard work that our department does each year.” Carter said. “I can't say enough how much I appreciate the bookkeepers and business department staff for all of their hard work. Without them, this would not be possible.”

Criteria for the award include meeting deadlines for all required financial statements, quality of all submitted reports and documentation, ability of staff to answer questions, and having no significant deficiencies noted during the audit. Carter pointed out that the strong financial health of the system has positive impacts on the quality of education schools are able to provide.

“We have several checks and balances and internal controls that help us ensure accuracy. Each person's role is important to the end result, which is producing materially correct financial statements each year,” she said. “Our financial statements are the driving force behind great bond ratings and other financial opportunities that ensure an environment in which our teachers can provide excellent instruction.”

Each year, roughly 20 percent of Georgia’s 181 school districts receive this recognition. McDuffie County is one of only three CSRA districts to be recognized since 2017.