Justin P. Wilson, Tennessee ComptrollerBradley County was one of eight Tennessee counties to receive national recognition from the Government Finance Officers Association for outstanding accounting practices, a release from State Comptroller Justin P. Wilson states.
"I want to congratulate officials in Bradley County for their excellent work in preparing their financial documents," Wilson says in the release. "In order to maintain credibility with the public, I think it is extremely important for governments to be open in their financial dealings. The citizens of Bradley County should be pleased that the people who represent their interests in county government have chosen to do far more than the minimum in making financial information available."
The association presents certificates of achievement to state and local governments that exceed the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles and prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that provide high levels of transparency and disclosure of their operations, according to the release.
"This award recognizes the counties that are doing an outstanding job in tracking their finances," state Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, said. "People who live in Bradley County have good reason to be proud."
State representatives Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, and Kevin Brooks, R-Cleveland, echoed Bell's comments.
"When it comes to handling the taxpayers' money, it's important for government officials to do more than meet minimum requirements," Watson said.
Brooks said the award "may not be familiar to many people in the general public, but it's very important to people who work as government accountants. Counties that earn this distinction can serve as role models for their peers across the country."