The Gordon County Government was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), for the seventh consecutive year, according to a press release from the GFOA.

“Gordon County’s CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of disclosure’ to clearly communicate the county’s financial story and motivate potential users to read the CAFR; the highest level of achievement in financial reporting,” according to a press release from the GFOA.

Gordon County Director of Finance Al Leonard was designated, by Gordon County, responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR, but ultimately, the reporting award goes to the government, according to Jim Phillips, Senior Manager at GFOA.

“Receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the past seven years reflects the commitment by the Gordon County Board of Commissioners and administration as well as the outstanding staff I have in the finance department,” said Leonard.

The GFOA is a non-profit organization that has provided entities, such as county and/or city governments, among others, guidance within guidelines of financial reporting in an attempt to provide the most accurate information to its constituents for the past 100 years.

GFOA is hired by governments and/or entities to provide assistance with meeting proper accounting reporting guidelines established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).

According to Phillips, GFOA’s award certification, does not determine the state of finances for the county, only that the reports are accurate and accounted for.