The city of

Fayetteville's Finance Department is doing an excellent job, according

to the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and

Canada.

The nonprofit

professional organization has awarded the city its Certificate of Achievement

for the fourth year in a row.

"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," says GFOA in

a press release.

Lynn Raven,

director of finance for the city, received the award during City Council's

regular twice-monthly meeting Monday. According to GFOA, the award recognizes

excellence in the city's comprehensive annual financial report.

The report

was "judged by an impartial panel to meet the standards of the program,

including demonstrating a constructive 'spirit of full disclosure' to

clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and

user groups to read the CAFR," says the organization's release.

GFOA is a nonprofit

professional association serving approximately 14,000 government finance

professionals. Its offices are in Chicago, Ill. and Washington, D.C.

Mayor Kenneth

Steele presented the certificate and thanked Raven for a job well done .