Government Advisory Insights
Who Has to File an Ohio Financial Disclosure Statement? A Quick Refresher for Local Governments
Every year, a number of Ohio local government officials and employees are required to file an annual Financial Disclosure Statement (FDS) with the Ohio Ethics Commission. It's an easy requirement to overlook, and the deadline has a way of sneaking up. Here's a short refresher on who files, when, and what happens if it's missed.
The basics (ORC 102.02)
The requirement comes from Ohio Revised Code 102.02. The statement reports certain personal financial interests and relationships from the prior calendar year, and it's designed to help officials identify potential conflicts of interest before they arise.
For local governments, the filers generally include:
- Elected city and county officials (and candidates for those offices)
- School district treasurers, superintendents, and business managers, for every district regardless of size
- School board members, but only in districts or ESCs with a total student count of 12,000 or more
One common point of confusion: not every manager or department head has to file. The requirement is based on the specific position named in the statute, not simply whether someone holds a leadership role. And most village and township officials are not required to file at all.
Deadline: The general filing deadline is May 15 each year, covering the prior calendar year.
When and where
The general deadline is May 15 each year, covering the prior calendar year. Statements can be filed online through the Ohio Ethics Commission's website, though a log-in is required, and a paper option may be available as well.
What happens if a deadline is missed
The most common consequence is an administrative late fee of $10 per day, up to a maximum of $250, which the Commission is required to assess once a statement is late. More serious outcomes are reserved for those who don't file at all, or who file a false statement, and can carry misdemeanor charges.
Not sure who on your team needs to file?
That's exactly the kind of question we help our local government clients work through. If you'd like a hand confirming which of your officials and employees are required to file, or you just want to make sure you're covered before the next deadline, reach out to Adam Lesch and our advisory team at alesch@jg.cpa. We're always glad to help.