May 9, 2008

A measure of the success of a finance department can be found in how its work compares to that of its peers. The Catawba County Finance Department continues to achieve one of the nation's highest standards by this measure, as a winner of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The award was given for Catawba County’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report covering the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006 and ending on June 30, 2007.

Catawba County has now won the award for twenty-six consecutive years. Catawba County Finance Department staff officially received the award at the May 5 meeting of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners.

Fewer than 250 government entities in the GFOA have received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 26 or more consecutive years. This places Catawba County within the top 10% of governments that have submitted Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports for the GFOA awards. The program had more than 3000 submissions for fiscal year 2006-2007.

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is presented to governmental units that the GFOA says "prepare and publish an easily readable, understandable comprehensive annual financial report covering all funds and financial transactions during the fiscal year."

"This Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management," said Stephen J. Gauthier, Director of the Technical Services Center of the GFOA. “Catawba County's report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story.”

"We continue to receive this award because of the tremendous support of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, the dedication of our staff and their desire to achieve this recognition," said Catawba County’s Finance Director, Rodney Miller. "They are committed to producing a comprehensive annual financial report that is easy to understand by the average reader and paints a clear picture of the financial activities of the County. Their hard work also helps the County achieve and maintain an attractive bond rating, since an outstanding comprehensive annual financial report is well received by bond rating agencies.”

The Government Finance Officers Association is a non-profit professional association serving over 14,000 government finance professionals throughout North America.