The City’s Finance Department has continued its record-setting streak of recognitions by its North American peers with not one but two prestigious awards.

The Government Finance Officers Association has honored the City’s Finance Department with its 38th annual Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and its 36th consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

“I can attest firsthand to the dedication and professionalism of the men and women in our Finance Department, but it’s always good to hear validation from tough, independent judges,” Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “We believe in openness and public responsiveness, and these awards demonstrate that commitment.”

The Excellence in Financial Reporting certificate is considered “the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting,” according to GFOA. 

An impartial panel of peer professionals scrutinized the City’s efforts to clearly communicate the City’s financial state and goals, and to encourage engagement with City residents and business owners. The Finance Department was judged to have demonstrated transparency and a “constructive spirit of full disclosure.”

Meanwhile, the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award recognizes that the City effectively and openly presents its budget, designing it as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a means of communication.

Chief Financial Officer Boyce Evans said he appreciates the consistency of excellence and the culture it builds.

“The criteria for these awards is rigorous and demanding,” he said. “It says a lot about our Finance Department professionals that they make these year-after-year awards look easy. They’re certainly not. 

“Bottom line: Our staff places a high value on making it as easy as possible for every Knoxville stakeholder to understand how his or her tax dollars are being invested.”