Talbot County, Maryland

12/01/2023

Category: Finance

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Staff from the Office of Finance celebrated receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting with the County Council in their November 28th meeting.

“The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting” – Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

Talbot County’s continued commitment to accurate, comprehensive, and transparent financial reporting has once again earned the County national recognition.

Talbot County’s Department of Finance announced Tuesday, November 28, that the County has earned its 22nd consecutive Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the County’s annual comprehensive financial report, commonly referred to as the annual audit, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management, according to the GFOA.

“I am pleased to continue Talbot County’s commitment to transparency, accuracy, and accountability in our financial reporting, as recognized by GFOA,” said Director of Finance Martha Darling Sparks. “This award could not be attained without the dedication and continued commitment to excellence from our finance team.  I am proud to serve as their finance director as we work together to serve Talbot County.”

The GFOA initiated the award program in 1945 to encourage and assist local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal.

The County’s Annual Financial Report was reviewed by selected members of the GFOA professional staff and a special review committee comprised of individuals with experience in public sector financial reporting.

Talbot County annual financial reports dating back to 2009 are available online at https://talbotcountymd.gov/financialreports

The Talbot County Finance Department bills and collects County revenues, oversees expenditure of funds in accordance with approved budgets, invests County funds, issues County debt, and provides financial services to County departments and offices. For more information, please contact Finance at 410-770-8020.

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