Bismarck Mayor Steve Bakken is pleased to announce that the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the City of Bismarck for the fiscal year ended 2017 by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
“Sheila Hillman, Bismarck Finance Director is acknowledged for her thorough approach and fiscal responsibility for the city. Her department prepares the award-winning CAFR each year, said Mayor Bakken. “We remain committed to achieving strong financial management and being recognized by the GFOA. This is an exceptional accomplishment for our Finance Team and the City of Bismarck.”
“We strive to be fully transparent and comprehensive in our financial reporting,” said Keith Hunke, City Administrator. “This recognition confirms our efforts to maintain these high standards. It’s great to see our Finance Department team members recognized for their good works and effort.”
The City of Bismarck has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for a total of 29 years. “The city has received an unqualified or "clean" opinion on the financial statements from our independent auditors over that same period,” said Sheila Hillman, Bismarck Finance Director. The certificate is presented to governments whose Comprehensive Annual Financial Report achieves the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting.
The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes 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 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.