INDIANAPOLIS - For the fifth consecutive year, the Office of Indiana Auditor of State Connie Nass has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the publication of the State's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).

GFOA officials again bestowed this honor on Nass and her staff - the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting for meeting the rigorous standards of their program, including "demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate" the state's financial story. Nass stated that attainment of the Certificate of Achievement represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

In addition to the annual publication of the CAFR, Nass twice a year produces a shorter, less-extensive description of the state's financial picture titled A Report to Indiana Citizens on the State's Finances.

"The dedicated employees in my office strive everyday to remain accountable to Hoosier taxpayers by helping them clearly and accurately comprehend something as complicated as the state's finances," said Nass. "It is especially important for our office to responsibly provide Indiana residents with a full and complete statement of how their tax dollars are being spent. Being awarded this notable success is indicative of how we diligently work to not only maintain relevant financial data, but also to present it in a manner which helps keep the citizens we serve as well-informed as possible."

Recognition from the GFOA, a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 14,000 government finance professionals, was presented for the CAFR for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002.

Copies of the CAFR and the Report to Indiana Citizens on the State's Finances are available on the Auditor of State's website at www.in.gov/auditor, or by calling 317-232-3300.