Providence wins finance honors from GFOA

CHICAGO – The City of Providence has been honored by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada with a 2008 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, considered one of the highest honors in government accounting.
It is the first time Providence has received this award, Mayor David N. Cicilline said.
The association cited Providence’s ability to meet the achievement program’s high standards, including demonstrating a “spirit of full disclosure, to clearly communicate its financial story.” The annual program “has been promoting the preparation of high-quality financial reports since 1945,” the GFOA says on its Web site.
“My administration has worked hard to create a more efficient, streamlined city government focused on the delivery of high-quality city services,” Cicilline said yesterday in announcing the certificate. “This award represents a significant accomplishment by our team of talented financial experts and validates our ongoing efforts to strengthen the city’s finances.”
Two members of that financial team – Bruce Miller, the city’s director of finance; and Joseph L. Chodo, the city’s controller – also were honored this year by the GFOA. They were awarded an individual financial reporting achievement awards for their role in the preparation of Providence’s financial report.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada is a nonprofit policy, research and professional development group with about 17,000 individual members. It focuses on identifying, developing and promoting recommended practices and policies for public financial management. Additional information about the GFOA and its awards is available at www.gfoa.org.