Released: March 22, 2024
Controller Joanne Phillips and staff awarded prestigious recognition for governmental accounting
The Delaware County Controller’s Office, under the leadership of County Controller Joanne Phillips, has been awarded the prestigious “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for their Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is considered the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and attainment of the award represents a significant accomplishment for the Delaware County Controller’s Office. Delaware County was 1 of just 14 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties to achieve this honor.
Phillips and her staff have earned the GFOA Certificate of Achievement each year since she took office in 2018. The report is filed annually with securities regulators and assists users of the report, such as investors and rating agencies, to have information needed to make their assessments.
“Receiving the GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for the 29th consecutive year is a testament to our team's hard work and expertise in accounting principles," said County Controller Joanne Phillips. "Each year, the bar is set higher as new governmental accounting standards are added to make sure the financial reporting reflects the evolving complexities of modern government. It's our commitment to the taxpayers and residents of the County that push us to meet these high standards and present a comprehensive view of our County’s financial health.”
The GFOA commended the Delaware County Controller’s Office, noting their hope that Delaware County’s example would encourage other government officials in their efforts to achieve and maintain an appropriate standard of excellence in financial reporting.
A copy of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report: State of the Controller's Office - Statistics for 2022, along with other financial reports and audits, are available on the Controller’s Office website at DelcoPA.GOV/Controller.
The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement to encourage local governments to go beyond minimum accounting requirements to prepare comprehensive and transparent financial reports each year. These reports are filed with official agencies overseeing municipal finance and are used by many stakeholders—creditors, grantors, developers, rating agencies and business owners—to assess the county’s financial position.