The Dare County Finance Department has been awarded the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting—the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting—by the Government Finance Officers Association for the 31st consecutive year. 

The Finance Department received the award in recognition of its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2021. Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard presented the award to Dare County Finance Director David Clawson and Assistant Finance Director Sally DeFosse at the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard presents the award to Finance Director David Clawson and Assistant Finance Director Sally DeFosse.

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting program was established by the Government Finance Officers Association in 1945 in an effort to encourage state and local governments to go above and beyond the minimum requirements by preparing an annual comprehensive financial report that is fully transparent and also embodies the spirit of full disclosure to the community it serves.

In order to be eligible for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the Dare County Finance Department is tasked with taking an assortment of complicated financial information and transforming it into a single, comprehensive document that is easy for citizens to not only access but also to navigate and understand, regardless of their level of familiarity with financial concepts.

Producing an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report that meets the lofty requirements to be considered for the award is no small feat, and it therefore represents a significant accomplishment by a local government and its management—particularly when it is achieved every single year for more than three decades.

“It should come as no surprise to anyone here today that Dare County has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting every year since David Clawson started serving as our finance director,” Woodard commented during the award presentation. “I cannot say enough great things about David and the incredibly talented team of skilled individuals that he has put together to form our Finance Department. His own in-depth knowledge of the intricacies of Dare County’s finances is unparalleled, and his experience and dedication to ensuring the financial health of our county are also unmatched. 

He is also an extraordinarily effective leader, which is reflected in the success of his team and this prestigious honor they have achieved for Dare County.”

Woodard also praised DeFosse for the integral role she plays in the production of the award-winning report each year.

“In her role as assistant finance director, Sally is responsible for performing many of the duties that directly pertain to development of Dare County’s budget each fiscal year, as well as the creation of the county’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,” said Woodard. “Her contributions to the finance department—and to Dare County as a whole—are tremendous, and her efforts are absolutely essential.”

Dare County Finance Department employees, listed from left to right. Standing: Janet Midgette, Carol Saunders, David Clawson, Matt Dobrosky, Dustin Peele, Cathie Porter and Ernie Dabiero. Seated: Sally DeFosse, Anna Gallop and Amy Daniels.

In addition to Clawson and DeFosse, Woodard also expressed his sincere appreciation for the ongoing commitment and dedication of the Dare County Finance Department in its entirety.

“Thank you to your entire team of truly talented individuals in the Finance Department for all of their hard work and their tireless efforts that keep Dare County’s operations running, day after day,” he said. “The financial health of our community is of the utmost importance to this board, and it’s something we constantly strive for the county to achieve each year. Nowhere is it more evident that all of our combined efforts and commitment have been truly successful than being recognized with this prestigious honor for the 31st year in a row. Congratulations on this incredible achievement, and thank you again for all that you do!”    

For more information about the Dare County Finance Department, please visit www.DareNC.com/Finance. To view Dare County’s award-winning Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2021, please click here.

Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard stands with Finance Director David Clawson and Assistant Finance Director Sally DeFosse, each holding their awards.