The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada recently named the Town of Wake Forest as the recipient of its award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for its Citizens’ Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.
The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting is a prestigious national award recognizing conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local popular reports. To receive the honor, a government unit must publish a Citizens Financial Report, also known as a Popular Annual Financial Report, whose contents conform to program standards of creativity, presentation, understandability and reader appeal.
The Citizens Financial Report is prepared to inform Wake Forest residents about the town’s finances in a format that is easy to understand by those without a background in public finance or accounting. The document is designed for readers who would like to review financial and operational information in a summarized format. It also provides non-financial information to give users a better understanding of the community. To view the Town’s 2018 PAFR, visit http://bit.ly/WF_PAFR.
Chief Financial Officer Aileen Staples acknowledged the important role the Citizens Financial Report designer played in securing the award.
“Reader appeal is one of the areas in which the popular annual financial report is rated, and that’s where our document truly stands out,” said Staples.
“(Graphics Coordinator) Bess Martinson’s effective use of color and imagery allowed us to present the town’s financial and operational information in a manner that is both visually appealing and interesting for the reader. Her creativity was key to us winning the award.”
The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting is valid for a period of one year.
The GFOA is a major professional association servicing the needs of over 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.
