Etowah Water and Sewer Authority has claimed an award in financial excellence for the second time since 2007.

The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report award honors accuracy and integrity in finances.

In order to be eligible for this award, companies must keep detailed finance records which meet challenging standards, stay current with new accounting procedures and legal requirements and produce accurate reports that can be easily read and understood by others.

“This award is very hard to get. There is a long list# of requirements to be met to get this award,” said Rosalind Chambers, finance manager for the authority.

Chambers will accept the award on behalf of the authority at the annual October meeting.

A representative from the Governmental Financial Officers’ Association will present the award.

The authority first applied for the award during the fiscal year of 2006 and received the award in 2007. They applied for a second time during the fiscal year of 2007, and won again.

Etowah officials noted how remarkable the wins are and the honor they bring to the authority. 

“It’s unusual to apply for this award the first year and win it,” said Doris Cook, resource manager at the authority. “Now to win the award a second time is just amazing. We are so# proud of Rosalind for making this happen.”

For the authority staff, the award is more than a plaque to display on the wall.

“I hope this award allows the community to look at us and be confident that we are doing a good job,” said Chambers. “People can feel safe in knowing Etowah Water and Sewer is taking care of our customers’ money like we should be.

“I feel extremely proud of this company and this staff.”

The authority plans to apply for the award every year as a gesture of accountability to the public.