For Immediate Release:
Contact: Carolyn Casey
Port of Bellingham
(360) 676-2500
Port Wins Excellence in Financial Reporting Award
13th Consecutive Year
[Bellingham, Wash.] The Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners presented its Accounting Department with a financial reporting award at its regular meeting today (March 3). The Port of Bellingham's Accounting Department has been honored with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report.
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. This is the 13th consecutive year the Port has won the award.
"The award recognizes the Port's commitment to creating financial reports that meet Government Finance Officers Association's stringent qualifications for completeness and readability," said Rob Fix, Port of Bellingham's Chief Financial Officer. "Our Accounting staff has set a high bar for excellence and this award is testimony that they continue to meet and exceed these expectations."
The comprehensive annual financial report is 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 report. The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 15,000 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL, and Washington D.C.
The Port of Bellingham operates Whatcom County's major transportation terminals including the Bellingham Airport, Fairhaven Transportation Station and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The Port also serves about 2,000 moorage customers in its Blaine and Squalicum Harbors.
In addition, more than 200 businesses operate on Port properties, which are managed by the Port Real Estate Division. The Port of Bellingham is a countywide independent special purpose government.
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