By: Ernie Reyna, 2024 CSMFO President

Let’s be honest, most agencies have their own version of a special week or month for every department under the sun. Here in the City of Perris, May is already packed with Building and Safety Month (cue the hard hats!) and Public Works Week, where we celebrate the folks who keep the roads smooth and the water flowing. But admit it, you’ve been sitting at your calculator, quietly pondering, “When is it Finance’s turn to shine? Where’s our parade—preferably with spreadsheets as confetti?” Well, grab your green shades and dust off those ledger jokes, because the wait is over! CSMFO is officially launching Government Finance Professionals Week! Yes, finally—a week when pivot tables are celebrated, balance sheets get a round of applause, and your favorite calculator might even get a day off!

 

What started as a casual “Hey, when do we get our own week?” at CSMFO has now become a full-blown reality. That’s right—starting in 2026, CSMFO will roll out the green carpet for Government Finance Professional’s Week during the last week of March (March 23–27, so mark your calendars and set your reminders—maybe even color-code them, just for fun). To make sure your team’s debut is Oscar-worthy, CSMFO isn’t leaving you with just a calculator and good intentions. No, no—we’re arming you with a full-on toolkit! You’ll get snappy talking points perfect for dazzling elected officials, ready-to-use social media posts to show off your finance squad, and even an official appreciation message from your City Manager or General Manager (guaranteed to make at least one accountant blush). Plus, for those who love paperwork almost as much as a balanced budget, we’ve got proclamation and staff/board report templates to make this first celebration an absolute winner. Let’s make those spreadsheets sparkle!

 

Let’s face it, recognizing finance professionals is like finally awarding that “Best Supporting Calculator” Oscar—it’s not just well-deserved, it’s essential! By officially celebrating Government Finance Professionals Week, we’re not only shining a spotlight on those who keep the numbers straight but also boosting transparency and public trust (because who doesn’t love an honest spreadsheet?). The result? Happier teams, stronger staff retention, and workplace morale that’s as high as your best budget surplus. Plus, let’s be real: this recognition is long overdue. If anyone deserves applause—and maybe a parade with Excel spreadsheets for streamers, it’s our finance squad.

 

So, without further ado, let’s make 2026 the year finance professionals finally get our moment in the spotlight! Here’s to being celebrated like the true rockstars of spreadsheets, the headliners of hard budgets, and the unsung heroes who know how to party—responsibly, of course, with balanced ledgers and maybe a conga line of calculators!