Government Finance Officers Association
203 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2700
Chicago, Illinois  60601-1210
312.977.9700   fax:  312.977.4806



 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
05/24/2017

For more information, contact

Todd Buikema, Acting Director/TSC
Phone:  (312) 977-9700
Fax:  (312) 977-4806
E-mail:  tbuikema@gfoa.org


(Chicago, Illinois) -- The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to  County of Prince George, Virginia by Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).  The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement has been awarded to the individual(s) or department designated by the government as primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR.

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards for the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

Click here for a copy of the original press release.

Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners.  It provides top quality publications, training programs, services and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management.  The association is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices in Washington, D.C.

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GFOA Award Cover Letter (For a copy of the orignal, click here.)

Government Finance Officers Association
203 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2700
Chicago, Illinois  60601-1210
312.977.9700   fax:  312.977.4806


May 24, 2017

Betsy Drewry
Director of Finance
County of Prince George
PO Box 68
Prince George, VA  23875-0068

Dear Mrs. Drewry:

We are pleased to notify you that your 2016 fiscal year end comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) qualifies for GFOA's Certificate for Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment.  Congratulations for having satisfied the high standards of the program.  We hope that your example will encourage others in their efforts to achieve and maintain an appropriate standard of excellence in financial reporting.

A "Summary of Grading" form and a confidential list of comments and suggestions for possible improvements are enclosed.  It is strongly encouraged the recommended improvements be implemented into the next report and the report be submitted to the program within six months of your next fiscal year end.  Certificate of Achievement Program policy requires that written responses to the comments and suggestions for improvement accompany the next fiscal year's submission.  The written responses should provide details about how each item is addressed within this report.  These responses will be provided to thos Special Review Committee members participating in the review.  If a comment is unclear or there appears to be a discrepancy, please contact the Technical Services Center at (312) 977-9700 and ask to speak with a Certificate of Achievement Program in-house reviewer.

When a Certificate of Achievement is awarded to a government, an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement (AFRA) is also presented to the individual(s) or department designated by the government as primarily responsible for its having earned the Certificate.  An AFRA is enclosed for the preparer as designated on he application.

Continuing participants will find a Certificate and brass medallion enclosed with these results.  First-time recipients will find a Certificate enclosed with these results and will receive a plaque in about 10 weeks.  You may arrange for a formal presentation of the Certificate and Award of Financial Reporting Achievement, and we hope that appropriate publicity will be given to this notable achievement.  A sample news release has been enclosed.

As current holder of a Certificate of Achievement may include a reproduction of the Certificate in its immediately subsequent CAFR.  A camera-ready copy of your Certificate is enclosed for that purpose.  If you reproduce your Certificate in your next report, please refer to the enclosed instructions.  A Certificate of Achievement is valid for a period of one year.

A Certificate of Achievement Program application is posted on GFOA's website.  This application must be completed and accompany your next submission.  See sections III and IV of the application for instructions.  The entity's GFOA membership number appears on the attached comments and must be listed on the application.  Your continued interest in and support of the Certificate of Achievement Program is most appreciated.  If we may be of any further assistance, please contact the Technical Services Center at (312) 977-9700.

Sincerely,

Todd Buikema
Acting Director, Technical Services Center