For the 11th consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting to the Moore County Finance Office.

The award recognizes the report prepared for the 1997-98 fiscal year.

Jack Vogt of the North Carolina Institute of Government made the presentation at the Sept. 7 meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners.

John G. Frye, assistant finance officer, also received an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement. Also accepting the County award were board Chair Michael R. Holden and Deputy County Manager for Finance Michael C. Griffin.

Vogt told the board that Moore County was the 13th county in North Carolina to win the prestigious award when it was received the first time 11 years ago. Altogether, 44 counties have been recipients of the honor.

The Certificate of Achievement "is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management," according to a report from the GFOA.

Vogt said the award presented to Frye goes to the individual designated by the government as the person primarily responsible for preparation of the award-winning certificate.

Judging is handled by an impartial panel that must determine if the financial reporting represents "a constructive `spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups."

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 13,500 government finance professionals. The association maintains offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C.