For the 20th year in a row, the Town of Parker was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The award was given to the town on Jan. 19 by the Government Finance Officers Association of the Unites States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report, CAFR.

Thomas Bryan, the town’s accounting manager, said it is a mile marker for the town to receive the award 20 years in a row.

“We expect to get it every year, but you never know,” he said. “But being chosen means our report is following all federal regulations and that the town has made it accessible and easy for town residents to access the reports and to understand the reports.”

The certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Elise Penington, community affairs director for Parker, said the CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high 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.

Bryan said it was a group effort by every town employee to reach the accomplishment.

“The financial department puts the report together but we depend on all the other town departments,” he said. “They have to make sure they are using their funds properly and are accounting for the funds properly.”

All financial reports can be found on the town’s Web site, www.parkeronline.org, under the financial department tab.