County honored for financial reporting

Flathead County has earned a top award for excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

The Certificate of Achievement for the county’s comprehensive annual financial report is the highest form of recognition for government accounting and financial reporting.

County Administrator Mike Pence said the county has applied for the award in the past but “barely missed” meeting the criteria.

Flathead County has earned another annual award, the Distinguished Budget Award, from the same association for five consecutive years.

Commissioner Pam Holmquist presented the award plaque Thursday to County Finance Director Sandy Carlson and her staff accountants, Tamara Helmstetler and Amy Dexter.

Carlson said the award not only represents an achievement of the Finance Department but also the leadership of the county, including elected officials and department heads.

“This award encourages and assists Flathead County to go beyond the minimum requirement of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare a comprehensive annual financial report that provides our citizens with transparency and disclosure within our government,” Carlson said.

Financial reports for Flathead County can be found online at http://flathead.mt.gov, under the Finance Department financial documents tab.