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Finance

County of Vernon Finance Department Role & Responsibilities
Adopted by Vernon County Board of Supervisors in March 2023

Role & Responsibilities

The County Finance Department will perform the duties of County Auditor as prescribed by WI Stats 59.47 and work under the general direction of the Administrative Coordinator/Administrator and/or Finance Committee or County Board of Supervisors.

The Vernon County Finance Department is responsible for all aspects of a governmental accounting and financial reporting systems that provide timely, accurate, consistent, complete, useful, and transparent financial information to the general public, elected officials, and county management.

The Department has been given a multitude of financial duties which include, but are not limited to:
    • Establish County-wide uniform policies in financial procedures, financial reporting, accounting methods, payroll procedures and budget preparation.
    • Provide debt administration, cash management and investment policies.
    • Develop data information required for bond agencies and debt reduction.
    • Responsible for all County, State, and Federal financial reports, budgets, financial analysis and studies of revenues, expenditures, assets, liabilities and equities.
    • Coordinate, maintain and review all existing & new financial accounting systems; recommend changes in accounting methods and systems; supervise installation of new accounting systems and procedures.
    • Establish fiscal policies of the County to ensure uniform operation; review, develop and recommend long-range fiscal, financial and informational systems.
    • Supervise the central accounting, payroll and cash management services for all departments.
    • Plan, organize and supervise all annual budget preparation activities.
    • Create, establish, and audit internal controls are properly followed by all departments and staff of the County.
    • Conduct internal audits upon request of the Administrative Coordinator/Administrator, Finance Committee and/or County Board of Supervisors.
    • Ensure that all county departments are abiding by General Accepted Account Principals (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) regulations.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Finance Department is to deliver timely and accurate financial reporting and provide proper oversight of all expenditures and revenue collections to successfully support the operations of the County. The Finance Department principally assists the County’s various departments, Board of Supervisors, and committees by planning, organizing, and directing the County’s financial activities in conformance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws as well as the standards set forth by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). 

Vision Statement

To be the most knowledgeable and transformative Finance Department within the State of Wisconsin. Our culture of continuous improvement will enable our trusted professionals to set the standard for employee excellence and customer service.

Core Values

    1. Right Results, Right Way – We uphold the highest standards of accountability and integrity by honoring our commitments and taking pride in our work.
    2. Powered by Professionalism – We use our knowledge, technical skills and communication for the benefit of the County of Vernon. By valuing all backgrounds, we respect diverse ideas through active listening and showing compassion.
    3. Culture of Learning – We value the development of our employees and are committed to providing opportunities to learn and grow.
    4. Go the Extra Mile – We commit to collaborating with customers and peers. We never settle in anything we do, and we challenge our ideas of what is possible to better serve our customers.
    5. Challenge the Status Quo – We embrace change as a catalyst for continuous improvement by seeking innovative opportunities to become more effective and efficient in all that we do.