Lansdale Borough Finance Director Brian Shapiro was honored recently for financial excellence by the Government Finance Officers' Association.

Marita Kelly, of the DCED Center for Local Government Services, is a high-ranking officer in the Government Finance Officers' Association, both at the state and national level.

She was on hand at a recent borough council meeting to present Shapiro with his Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program.

“This is the award for financial excellence for the comprehensive annual financial report. This is an indication that this municipality meets the highest standards of financial management, accountancy and auditing standards,” Kelly said. “Brian and (borough manager) Timi (Kirchner) and the board have done a terrific job in getting this municipality to this status. Our next goal would be to get to the Distinguished Budget Award.”

According to the Government Finance Officers Association, the CAFR Program was established in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual reports.

Shapiro’s reports “evidenced the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.” As part of the report, individual governments are recognized for achieving that goal.