Etowah Water & Sewer Authority recently received its fifth consecutive Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.

The award, which was given for fiscal year 2010, is given to the reporting business or organization that shows exceptional accuracy in its financial reporting during the year.

"Receiving this award brings a great deal of pride for and appreciation of my staff," Financial Manager Rosalind Chambers said. "The financial department of EWSA works daily on obtaining this award through the efforts of always reaching for excellence in every task we do."

The award stresses practical, documented work that offers leadership to the profession and promotes improved public finance, according to the association's Web site.

The authority has won the award each year since first applying in 2007.

"I am very proud of the financial department and their commitment to excellence," General Manager Brooke Anderson said. "The level of effort they have made to win this award for the fifth year is remarkable."

The association assesses eight criteria when considering the award: Local significance and value, technical significance, transferability, documentation, the cost/benefit analysis, efficiency, originality and durability.

By winning the award, the authority has excelled in each of the above categories.

Chambers said that the department's winning of the award should be a reassurance to the authority's customers.

"The community can be assured that the authority and the staff are performing their duties in their best interest at all times," Chambers said.