The Citizen Potawatomi Nation has earned a national award for financial excellence for the 23rd consecutive year.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has recognized Citizen Potawatomi Nation for creating a transparent and comprehensive annual report. The award was for fiscal year 2011, which ended Sept. 30, 2011 and is in recognition of the tribe’s adherence to financial transparency and full accountability for the CPN’s financial resources.
“Tribal citizens can be confident that we are accountable for your money and that we’re following established accounting guidelines,” said John Barrett, Chairman, Citizen Potawatomi Nation. “This award confirms that Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s financial integrity meets the highest financial reporting standards.”
The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting, and represents a significant accomplishment by Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
The award recognizes CPN’s efforts to provide financial statements and accurately present the financial condition of all tribe funds for the previous fiscal year. CPN’s accounting standards exceed the minimum requirements of the accepted accounting principles demonstrated through comprehensive annual reports.
“It is an honor to be recognized by an agency with such high standards for our accounting standards and transparency,” said Susan Blair, chief financial officer, Citizen Potawatomi Nation. “This award is additional assurance to our tribal citizens that we are being responsible with and protecting Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s assets.”
Submissions are judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate financial story for CPN.
The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program in 1945 to recognize individual governments for their achievements in financial reporting.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation is a federally-recognized government and has inherent sovereign status recognized by treaty and law. CPN owns and operates a variety of tribal enterprises including First National Bank, Grand Casino Resort, FireLake Discount Foods and the Community Development Corporation. To learn more, please visit www.potawatomi.org.