Treasurer’s Office Awarded Certificate of Excellence in Citizen-Centric Reporting

The Washington Office of the State Treasurer is proud to announce that it is the recipient of the 2020 Association of Government Accountants’ (AGA) Certificate of Excellence in Citizen-Centric Reporting (CCR). The AGA, a member organization for government financial management professionals, launched their CCR initiative to simplify communication between governments and their citizens.

Intended to help citizens better understand the services provided by their governments, CCRs are a visually appealing four-page documents that include community information such as population figures, regional characteristics and government goals for the community. Additionally, these reports feature detailed cost and revenue information, performance information for key service areas, and a look at “what’s next” in the year ahead.

“In today’s era of tight budgets, choices must be made and governments must be transparent to citizens about their decisions. CCRs are a useful tool in helping Americans become more active and better-informed voters,” said AGA CEO Ann Ebberts. “AGA applauds the Washington Treasurer’s commitment to good government and responsible fiscal transparency reflected in the CCR the office produced. CCRs help citizens better understand the services provided by their government – and at what cost.”

This is the fourth year that the State Treasurer’s Office published a CCR in effort to improve taxpayers’ understanding of state and treasury operations. Before his election to state office, Treasurer Duane Davidson led efforts to produce annual CCR reports since 2008 when he was Benton County Treasurer.

“Citizen-Centric Reporting goes beyond giving a simple overview of the office’s operations. It expands upon the revenue sources taxpayers ask about most often,” said Davidson. “I have always been an advocate for government transparency. This report is another way we can deliver that to our taxpayers.”

Since 2007, over 400 CCRs have been created by government agencies, professionals and students. CCRs give government entities an opportunity to demonstrate how tax dollars are spent in a non-technical, visually appealing and succinct format to be easily understood by every citizen.

Past CCRs from the State Treasurer’s Office are archived online. AGA is currently accepting new CCRs. Completed CCRs can be sent to AGA at ccr@agacgfm.org.