The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Freeborn County by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report. According to a press release, the certificate 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.

The award was presented to T. Pat Paquin, finance manager, who is primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning comprehensive annual financial report.

According to a press release, the comprehensive annual financial report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program ,including a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the financial report.

The GFOA is a nonprofit, professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C.