Finance
Frequently Asked Questions
Winner of the Government Finance Officers
Association
"Achievement for Excellence in
Financial Reporting"
award for the past 17 years!
The Finance Group oversees all business functions for the
district.It includes the budget office, business office, purchasing, accounts payable, payroll, and insurance. These departments
process the daily payroll, accounts payable, and insurance
transactions required for efficient district operations. Finance
also works hard to provide accurate information to staff,
the public, and regulatory agencies in a timely manner and
in a useful format. The Finance Group has been recognized
for its outstanding financial reporting by the Association
of School Business Officials (Certificate of Excellence) and
the Government Finance Officers Association (Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting).
Contact:
Glendale Union High School District #205
7650 North 43rd Avenue
Glendale, Arizona 85301
623-435-6692
E-mail
the Finance Group
Annual Financial Audit is Exemplary
February 2007 - The district has received final audit reports for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. These reports represent a comprehensive and lengthy review of GUHSD's financial operations by independent auditors. The objective of this annual process, which starts in April and concludes the following December, is to provide verified financial information to various users including oversight agencies such as the Arizona Auditor General and the Arizona Department of Education, bond holders, bond rating agencies, lenders, and interested district patrons.
Glendale Union High School District received the following:
Comprehensive Annual Financial report or CAFR. This report is divided into three main sections including an introduction to the district, the financial statements including the auditor's report, and statistical information on financial trends and other economic data. The most important item to note is the Independent Auditor's Report which expresses an "unqualified opinion" on the financial statements indicating the district is in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and fairly present Glendale Union High School District's financial position. This opinion is the highest and most desirable possible.
The Single Audit reporting package represents testing of the district's federal grants and the related internal control systems to ensure legal compliance. The report summary has an unqualified opinion, identifies the programs selected for testing (Title 1, Voc Ed and the PE Curriculum Grant) and most importantly reports there are not any findings.
The USFR Compliance Questionnaire provides information to the Auditor General relative to the compliance with the Uniform System of Financial Records. The USFR is a compilation of recommended accounting practices and laws that GUHSD must follow as a school district. The questionnaire consists of 26 pages and over 230 questions and tests that the auditor must address in 22 areas including budgeting, cash, inventory, capital assets, revenues, expenditures, payroll, travel, financial reporting, attendance reporting, transportation, food service, student activities, and long term debt. Appendix A includes 10 comments that the auditor made after their examination. The district provided additional information to the auditors documenting how they have addressed these comments.
Taken as a whole, these reports demonstrate that Glendale Union High School District operates a highly efficient, legally compliant and accurate financial operation. The financial information the district provides is accurate and can be relied upon to demonstrate compliance with laws, budgets, and other funding restrictions.
The Glendale Union High School District receives revenue
from various sources (see Chart A).
CHART A
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CHART B
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Our Maintenance and Operation (M & O) Budget is the budget where much of the day-to-day operations of the school district take place. Approximately 82% of the M & O budget is used to pay salaries and related benefit costs of the district's 1,600 employees. More than 70% of the M & O budget is spent on classroom instruction, student support and teacher support services (see Chart B).
Chart C reflects how the district's approximately $91 million budget breaks down:
CHART C
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
How do I obtain a copy of the district's budget or financial
statements?
A:
The district prepares an annual expenditure budget in July
each year. Copies may be obtained by calling the Finance Office
at 623-435-6009 or by e-mail.
Two financial statements are prepared annually by the Finance
Department. The unaudited Annual Financial Report (AFR) is
filed with the Department of Education in October. This report
summarizes the district revenues, expenditures and fund balances
as of June 30. The district also prepares a Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report (CAFR) which is audited by independent
Certified Public Accountants and is generally available in
December. The CAFR is much more detailed than the AFR, providing
information for regulatory agencies, bond rating services,
and the Arizona Department of Education. Copies of either
report may be obtained by calling the Director of Business
at (623) 435-6692 or by e-mail.
Q: How
are my property taxes calculated?
A:
Property taxes are set annually by the County Board of Supervisors.
School districts receive only a portion of the funds raised
through property taxes. Community colleges and other special
taxing districts also receive a portion of these funds.
Property taxes (along with State Equalization Assistance)
provide the necessary funds to finance the school district's
daily operations and pay off bond debt. Several factors, including
property values (assessed value), student enrollment growth,
district debt levels and state funding can impact the property
tax calculation.
The Glendale Union High School District has historically
had a low and relatively level tax rate. Rising property values
and decreased tax liabilities paid by businesses in the State
have primarily impacted fluctuations in property taxes paid
by homeowners.
Q:
What is the district's enrollment?
A:
The district's enrollment referred to as Average Daily Membership
(ADM) is officially measured at the 100th school day each
year. The district's current enrollment is approximately 14,900.
ADM for the last five years has been:
- 2006-2007 14,875
- 2005-2006 14,786
- 2004-2005 14,398
- 2003-2004 14,298
- 2002-2003 13,985
- 2001-2002 13,786
- 2000-2001 13,580
- 1999-2000 13,402
Q: How
do I get paid for an invoice?
A:
Services or products should only be provided based on an official
District Purchase Order. All invoices should note the purchase
order number, be itemized in triplicate and be sent directly
to the District Accounts Payable Office at 7650 N. 43rd Avenue,
Glendale, AZ. 85301. The accounts payable staff will process
the payment upon authorization by the ordering staff member.
Please allow 3 weeks for processing.
If you have questions regarding a specific invoice, please
contact Accounts Payable at 623-435-6041, 6042, or 6043.
Other sites of interest:
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