The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada recently awarded its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of New Albany. This certificate is the highest form of recognition a city can receive in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. New Albany received it because its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) was judged by an impartial panel to demonstrate a spirit of transparency and full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story. Roughly 5% of all communities in the U.S. receive this certificate.