For the fifth consecutive year, the City of Airdrie has received the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of Canada and the United States (GFOA).
The award, in recognition of the City of Airdrie’s 2011 Annual Financial Report, is given to an organization meeting high standards including demonstrating the ‘spirit of full disclosure’ and clearly communicating a municipality’s financial story.
“It’s very rewarding to once again be recognized by this organization,” said Lucy Wiwcharuk, Airdrie’s director of corporate services.
“Applying for this award year after year keeps the City on the leading edge of being transparent and helps us to ensure that we are keeping our citizens informed about our finances,” said Wiwcharuk. “The award also acts as a check point for the City to ensure we are compliant with all government and legal legislation and are adhering to the best practices set forward by the GFOA.”
To be awarded a Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, a government must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized annual financial report, whose contents conform to program standards. Such reports go beyond the minimum reporting requirements of generally accepted accounting principles.
“This assures us that our reporting is clear, compete and transparent,” said Wiwcharuk. “Airdrie continues to lead in relation to other communities in Alberta.”
Mayor Peter Brown commended staff on the report.
“I’m very proud of the financial services team,” said Brown. “The City of Airdrie is regarded throughout Alberta as a leader in financial reporting, transparency and fiscal responsibility. Earning this award year after year shows how truly committed City employees are to communicating with our taxpayers.”
The City of Airdrie 2011 Annual Financial Report is available online at www.airdrie.ca
The GFOA is a non-profit professional association whose purpose is to enhance and promote the professional management of governments for the public benefit of identifying and developing financial policies and best practices and promoting their use through education, training, facilitation of member networking and leadership.
