Thurston County honored for excellence in financial reporting 

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Marking nearly two decades of recognition, Thurston County has received its 18th consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), as stated in a press release on Monday, Jan. 27. 

Regarded as the highest honor in government accounting, the award recognizes the county’s consistent efforts of strong financial governance, compliance and full accountability to its residents. 

“The Thurston County Auditor’s Office places the highest priority on fiscal integrity, achieved through strict compliance, robust controls, and the dedication of an outstanding accounting team across the county,” Auditor Mary Hall said.

Hall oversees the Auditor’s Financial Services Division and serves as the county’s Chief Financial Officer. 

This distinction acknowledges the county’s 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), a comprehensive document detailing financial health and compliance with national accounting standards. 

Thurston County is one of a select few in the state of Washington to go beyond the State Auditor’s minimum reporting requirements by voluntarily producing an ACFR. 

Each ACFR covers a fiscal year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.  

The statement said the Auditor’s Financial Services Team is already preparing the 2024 report.

The report is expected to provide an overview of financial performance in compliance with various national accounting guidelines for the fiscal year. 

Beyond prestige, the award holds practical advantages for Thurston County. 

The award translates into enhancing grant opportunities, strengthening its bond rating, as well as assuring taxpayers that their funds are handled with accountability and integrity, the Auditor’s Office said. 

Meanwhile, the county has long maintained a reputation for financial accountability. 

Alongside its long-standing recognition of GFOA awards, including for fiscal year 2023, Thurston County also received a clean audit from the Washington State Auditor’s Office in December 2024.

The audit, covering the period from Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2023, foundthe county also complied with state laws and regulations, safeguarded public resources and adhered to its policies. 

For a full archive of past reports, visit ThurstonAuditor.gov. 

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  • mJ_Jolt24

    Apparently the County has perfected its ability to hide their mismanagement of our tax dollars, including the latest fiasco that Commissioner Clouse caused in hiring her boyfriend as her aid which cost the County hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars. This is above and beyond the mismanagement that we are still paying for concerning the new County Offices. Apparently it doesn't matter how you mismanage our tax dollars just so long as you can report it neatly!

    - Sad longtime Thurston County resident...

    Saturday, February 1 Report this