The City of Newark was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This is the eighth consecutive year the award was presented to the City, which was evaluated based on its 2016 comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

"Being strong fiscal stewards while remaining open and transparent to the public are necessary traits to build trust and ensure accountability among the constituents we serve," said acting City Manager Tom Coleman. "We are honored our finance team continues to be recognized for their hard work and steadfast commitment to high standards."

The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Newark's CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, including the demonstration of a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial profile and audited financial statements to all interested parties.

"Recognition from our peers confirms to our Council and the residents we serve that the City is meeting or exceeding its financial reporting requirements, and can be confident in our financial reports and the information contained within them," said Newark's finance director David Del Grande. "Receiving this award affirms our continued focus on service excellence and the tremendous effort by our finance team, including deputy finance director Jill Hollander; accountants Jim Smith and Debi Keeley, and finance assistants Deb Kupper and Travis Burke."

The GFOA is a major professional association servicing the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. It provides top-quality publications, training programs, services and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. The association headquarter is located in Chicago, Illinois, with offices in Washington, D.C.