Knox County has once again been recognized on the national stage for its commitment to transparency and excellence in financial reporting.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) announced that Knox County has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. According to the official release, the report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the program’s high standards, including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate the county’s financial story and encourage users to read the report.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and earning it represents a significant accomplishment for any government and its management. A Certificate of Achievement is valid for one year, and Knox County has demonstrated exceptional consistency—having been recognized for thirty‑three consecutive years as of the submission of its 2024 annual comprehensive financial report.
The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (COA) in 1945 to encourage state and local governments to exceed minimum accounting requirements and produce reports that embody transparency and full disclosure. As part of the application process, all COA participants must also submit the calculation of their net investment in capital assets for both governmental and business‑type activities, further reinforcing accuracy and accountability.
According to Auditor Sarah Thorne, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the year ended December 31, 2024, submitted to GFOA for award consideration, represents “the culmination of many hours of dedicated work in the research, analysis, and preparation of the financial statements and the related notes and narratives by the Fiscal Department of the Office of the Knox County Auditor.”
Ohio’s performance further underscores the significance of Knox County’s achievement. As of 2023, Ohio entities had earned 280 COA awards, reflecting a strong culture of financial transparency. The breakdown includes 121 municipalities, 36 counties, 84 school districts, 14 enterprise funds, one council of governments, one state government, six public employee retirement systems (PERS), one college or university, and 16 classified as “other.” Together, these totals place Ohio among the nation’s most active participants in excellence in financial reporting.
