The Finance Department of the City of Columbia is led by Finance Director Patti Baltzer.

With a total staff of five, the Finance Department is responsible for the City’s payroll, purchasing, accounts payable and fixed asset management. Additionally, the Finance Director coordinates the annual audit and preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and serves a primary role in budget preparation.

Between 1996 and 2005, milestones in the Finance Department include the development and enhancement of the City website, implementation of a direct deposit program City employees, consolidation of City operating accounts via a banking services contract, preliminary development of a fixed asset management system and implementation of a document imaging program for Finance Department documents.

In 2003, the City transitioned to automated employee time-keeping and contracted with ADP for processing of employee payroll.

The City's budget document, Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report are available on the website for public viewing.

Assistant Finance Director Danny King serves as the City’s Purchasing Agent and has been instrumental in establishing a comprehensive fixed asset database and a citywide procurement card program. The City lists surplus assets available for purchase on-line at www.govdeals.com.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Columbia for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR) for the fiscal years ended June 30, 1999 through June 30, 2007. The Certificate of Achievement is a prestigious award recognizing conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local government financial reports.

Together with the City Recorder’s Office, the Finance Department strives to ensure proper management of City funds, as well as timely and accurate reporting of the City’s financial position.