City of Clermont Earns National Recognition for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The City of Clermont continues to raise the bar for transparency, accountability, and service, earning the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

This recognition represents the highest honor in governmental accounting and financial reporting and reflects the City’s strong commitment to keeping its champions informed and engaged.

An independent panel reviewed Clermont’s report and confirmed it meets the program’s rigorous standards, including demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure and clearly communicating the City’s financial story in a way that encourages residents and stakeholders to engage with the information.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor for our city and a reflection of the outstanding work of our Finance Department,” said City Manager Rick Van Wagner. “We are grateful to our City Council for providing the leadership, tools, and funding needed to achieve this prestigious goal. Their continued support allows our team to deliver the high level of transparency and accountability our champions expect and deserve.”

The achievement highlights the strength of collaboration across the entire organization, with teams working together to ensure accuracy, clarity, and completeness in every detail of the report.

“This accomplishment truly reflects a team effort across our entire organization,” said Deputy City Manager Dan Matthys. “Our Finance Department works hand in hand with every department to gather, verify, and present the information that tells Clermont’s financial story. That level of collaboration and commitment to excellence is what makes achievements like this possible, and it speaks volumes about the professionalism and teamwork across our city.”

In addition to the City receiving this national honor, Clermont’s Finance Department was also recognized with the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement for its instrumental role in preparing the report.

To earn this distinction, governments must produce financial reports that are easy to read, efficiently organized, and in full compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal requirements. The review process is thorough and requires unanimous approval from expert reviewers, making this recognition a significant accomplishment for any government.

This achievement reflects a strong partnership between City Council, City Manager, and staff, all working together to ensure Clermont continues to operate with excellence and transparency. Through this collaborative approach, the City provides clear, accessible financial information that builds trust and supports informed decision making.

The Certificate of Achievement is valid for one year. Clermont remains committed to maintaining these high standards and will submit its next Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for continued consideration, reinforcing its dedication to continuous improvement and accountability.

For Clermont champions, this recognition is more than an award. It is a reflection of a city that values openness, teamwork, and responsible stewardship, all working together to support a thriving and connected community.

This is what it means to be the Choice of Champions®.