Richland County’s Finance Department has earned the highest honor in governmental accounting and financial reporting for the 36th consecutive year.

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded the department its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. An impartial panel recognized the County’s 2018 comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for meeting a high level of standards.

“Richland County is striving for excellence in all aspects, and to be able to continue to have excellence in reporting in financials is important,” said Stacey Hamm, Finance director. “It’s important that we keep up the standards that we set.”

Criteria for the award include demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate the department’s financial story and motivate potential users to read the CAFR.

The Finance Department is responsible for maintaining the fiscal integrity of financial records for the County.

The Chicago-based GFOA represents the public finance industry and has more than 20,000 members.