(CHILLICOTHE, Ohio) — Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber has officially awarded Ross County and the Ross County Auditor’s Office the Auditor of State Award with Distinction. The honor recognizes the county’s excellence in financial reporting regarding its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year 2024.
This award represents the highest level of recognition achievable for financial reporting in the state. It is granted annually to only about 3% of Ohio’s government entities, placing Ross County in an elite tier of fiscal management.
A Commitment to Transparency
Ross County Auditor Jeff Lehner credited the achievement to a collaborative culture within the county government.
“Ross County’s financial management and accounting is a team effort,” Lehner said. “I’m grateful for our tremendous staff’s commitment and professionalism to produce this outcome, and that of fellow elected County officials to serve the people of Ross County transparently and effectively.”
What Defines an “Award with Distinction”?
To receive this honor, a local government or school district must complete a financial audit that meets strict “clean audit” criteria. Requirements include:
- Timely Filing: Financial reports must be submitted by the statutory deadline without any extensions.
- No Material Weaknesses: The audit report must be free of findings for recovery, significant deficiencies, or questioned costs.
- Ethical Standards: The management letter must contain no comments regarding ethics referrals, public records issues, or bank reconciliation problems.
- Operational Integrity: The entity must demonstrate an absence of any other significant financial or administrative concerns.
Accessing the Reports
For citizens interested in reviewing the county’s financial health, full audit reports for all Ohio entities are maintained by the state and can be found at ohioauditor.gov.
