Finance Dept. Wins Nation's Highest Award

Clayton's highly regarded Finance Department has done it again, winning the profession's highest award for the 10th year in a row.

The Department's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for last year has been awarded a "Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting" by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. It's the organization's top honor. The previous nine Reports won the high honor, too.

"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," the Association said in a statement announcing the honor.

The last two awards have been won by Finance Director Robert McKie, who took the place of former Director Nancy Medlin when she moved up to Deputy Town Manager. The first eight awards were Medlin's.

"We've got a nice little streak going," McKie said. "It's an honor, certainly. I'm very happy to be a part of it."

Mayor Jody McLeod said he and other town officials "are extremely proud."
"The Finance Department has helped Clayton build a reputation for high standards, something we're very happy about," the Mayor said.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL, and Washington, D.C.