Make it 31 straight in ‘excellence’ with Town’s CAEFR nod

Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen received good news, for the 31st time, about the Town’s financial reporting during its meeting Thursday, Jan. 11.  

“The Town, this week, received notification that we received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting,” Town administrator David Smoak said.  

The certificate is the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by government and its management,” stated Michele Mark Levine, director of technical services with Government Finance Officers Association, in a letter to the Town.  

“This is the premier association for public sector finance professionals in the United States and Canada,” Smoak said. “It’s the 31st time we’ve received this award, and I’d like to recognize Allison Myers, our Town recorder at Town Hall, and Pam Hall, clerk, for their excellent work in maintaining our financial records making sure the Town complies with state and local financial practices.”  

He encouraged the Board to look at the comprehensive annual financial report on the Town’s website.  

“If you do, you’ll see the tremendous amount of work that goes into our financial reporting,” Smoak said. “We do this in an effort to be transparent in our finances because we know how important it is to our community.” 

He noted Farragut is one of 31 municipalities out of 345 in the state to receive the certificate.  

“It’s indicative of the high standard that our entire Town of Farragut staff holds when it comes to our financial statements,” Smoak said.  

“When a Certificate of Achievement is awarded to a government, an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement is also presented to the individual(s) or department designated by the government as responsible for its having earned the certificate,” Levine stated.

“We hope that your example will encourage other government officials in their efforts to achieve and maintain an appropriate standard of excellence in financial reporting,” he added.