Auditor’s Office Receives Award

Kootenai County’s financial house is in award-winning order.

The Government Finance Officers Association, the most noted professional organization for bureaucratic number-crunchers, Tuesday awarded the county auditor’s office for excellence in financial reporting.

Only four other Idaho counties have ever received the award from the 92-year-old association.

It was given to county Finance Director Stephen Thornton.

“We’re pretty proud,” he said. “It took a lot of hard work from everybody.”

The Chicago-based association requires a financial bill of health from an independent auditor before even considering county books. Then county records are reviewed by three other accountants and in-house experts at the association.

The county changed many accounting practices to meet standards set by the association.

“It’s a good indication of the soundness of our accounting system,” said County Administrator Tom Taggart. “When the public hears us talk about our financial health, they’ll know it’s accurate.”

, DataTimes