The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Finance Department for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. 

The CAFR is the annual audit completed at the end of each fiscal year. The financial statements included in the CAFR have been reviewed and audited by external, independent certified public accountants to ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The awarded CAFR is for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) that audits the ACCGOV financial operations from July 30, 2016 through June 30, 2017. This marks the 32nd consecutive year that the Finance Department has received the award for its 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. It was created to recognize state and local governments that have gone above and beyond the minimum requirements of general accounting principles to prepare CAFRs that indicate a spirit of transparency and full disclosure. 

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

The Athens-Clarke County Finance Department produces two major financial documents each fiscal year: the Annual Operating and Capital Budget and the CAFR. The Annual Operating and Capital Budget is the financial plan for raising revenues and expending funds for all Athens-Clarke County departments and offices of appointed and elected officials.