WeHa Reports Don't Feature Fiscal Mumbo Jumbo: GFOA

WEST HARTFORD, CT — In West Hartford, one needn't be an accountant to understand the town's annual report, a mandated document that highlights how tax dollars are spent each fiscal year.

And this week, the town learned its financial staff have proof of that, courtesy of a prestigious designation from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Based in Chicago, the GFOA regularly audits municipal reports, which in West Hartford go more than 160 pages, and determines if the town best serves the public's interest in how they're presented.

And in the case of West Hartford, the GFOA said "yes" as it has awarded the town a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

West Hartford received the honor "for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022."

While municipal annual reports don't exactly make for good recreational reading, they're an important document for the public because it is supposed to delineate where tax dollars are spent.

Essentially, West Hartford's finance officers did a good job in doing that.

"The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report," wrote the GFOA this week.

"West Hartford's award 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."

For more information on the Town of West Hartford Financial Services Department, including links to annual reports, click on this link