Financial Services

Ricky D. Hernández
Chief Financial Officer

1010 E. 10th St.,
Tucson, AZ, 85719

Phone: 520-225-6130
Fax: 520-225-6179

Our Services

Welcome to the TUSD Financial Services Website. Our goal is to help you in your efforts to provide quality service to our students, staff and community.

Financial Services oversees Accounting, Accounts Payable, Asset Management, Budget, Food Services, Grants and Federal Programs, Payroll, Purchasing and Student Finance. See Organizational Chart 2020-221 (PDF)

The Financial Services offices are located on the second floor of the Summers Financial Center (Building B) at the Morrow Education Center, on the corner of 10th St. and Fremont.

How does the budget work?

Finance Awards

2019 – Outstanding Financial Reporting

Tucson Unified School District Awarded for Outstanding Financial Reporting

September 20, 2019

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is pleased to award Tucson Unified School District No. 1 with the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE). ASBO International's COE recognizes districts that have met the program's high standards for financial reporting and accountability. The school district earned the Certificate of Excellence for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended 2018.

"The COE's mission is to promote and recognize excellence in financial reporting, specifically through a district's CAFR," ASBO International Executive Director David Lewis says. "The CAFR informs stakeholders about the financial and economic state of the district, making it an important communications tool for building trust and engaging with the school community."

By participating in the COE program, school districts demonstrate their commitment to financial transparency. Applicants submit their CAFR for review by a team of professional auditors, who provide feedback to improve future documents. If the CAFR meets the requirements of the program, the document may receive the Certificate of Excellence. A district's participation in the COE program can facilitate bond rating and continuing bond disclosure processes.

For more information about TUSD's budget and financial reports, see the District Budget webpage.

2016 – Excellence in Financial Reporting

Tucson Unified awarded Certificate of Excellence

Government Finance Officers Association has awarded Tucson Unified with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and attaining this represents a significant accomplishment. For more information, read the press release (in PDF).

2013 – Awards for Financial Reporting

TUSD Receives Awards for Financial Reporting

TUSD has been awarded two awards for excellence in Financial Reporting. The Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award (COE) (in PDF), given by The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (COA) (in PDF) from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). These awards are given to school districts that have met or exceeded the Association’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability.

These awards confirm the district's Financial Services' commitment to financial accountability and transparency. Recognition through these programs can help strengthen a district's presentation for bond issuance statements and promotes a high level of financial reporting.

TUSD practices transparency through publishing financial reports and statements and holding community presentations and forums. See the Finance Department's website for the district's financial reports. Transparency in the district's business and financial activities is one of several goals that TUSD has set to continue to improve and achieve even higher standards.

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), founded in 1910, is a professional association of more than 5,000 members that provides programs and services to promote the highest standards of school business management practices, professional growth, and the effective use of educational resources.

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), founded in 1906, represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada. The association's nearly 18,000 members are federal, state/provincial, and local finance officials deeply involved in planning, financing, and implementing of thousands of governmental operations in each of their jurisdictions.

For more information on these awards, visit ASBO's and GFOA's websites: www.asbointl.org/COE and www.gfoa.org/coa

2012 – Excellence in Financial Reporting

TUSD Receives Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award

Posted on: June 11, 2012

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) recently awarded TUSD with the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award. This award is given to school districts who have have met or exceeded the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability.

The district was recognized for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending 2011.

"This award testifies to the hard work of our finance team," says Yousef Awwad, TUSD's Chief Financial Officer. "The work that is done by our finance team is outstanding and is well recognized by the associations of business officials community in the United States and Canada. Getting this award means that our district exceeded expectations in our financial reporting and met higher standards than other school districts."

The Certificate of Excellence (COE) award confirms the district's Financial Services' commitment to financial accountability and transparency. Recognition through the COE program can help strengthen a district's presentation for bond issuance statements and promotes a high level of financial reporting.

TUSD practices transparency through publishing financial reports and statements and holding community presentations and forums. "The district has been working diligently to ensure transparency," says Mr. Awwad, "and has demonstrated this in many ways including publishing our financial statements, budget, and financial reports on our website and by holding community forums along with participating and presenting in other community organizations such as Voice for Education and SCPC." See the Finance Department's website for the district's financial reports.

Mr. Awwad points out that "this award is testimony to the good work that is happening at TUSD." Transparency in the district's business and financial activities is one of several goals that TUSD has set to continue to improve and achieve even higher standards.

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), founded in 1910, is a professional association of more than 5,000 members that provides programs and services to promote the highest standards of school business management practices, professional growth, and the effective use of educational resources.

For more information on the COE award, visit ASBO’s website.