GSW earns award for excellence in accounting and reporting for second year in a row

AMERICUS, Ga. (May 16, 2025) — Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) Division of Business and Finance has once again been recognized for its outstanding financial stewardship, receiving the Certificate of Excellence in Accounting and Reporting from the University System of Georgia (USG) at the FY25 Year-End Workshop. This marks the second consecutive year GSW has received this prestigious honor, having earned the award each year since its inception.

Georgia Southwestern was one of only seven institutions across the entire University System to receive the award, placing GSW among the top-performing schools in the state for financial accuracy, accountability, and timeliness.

“This recognition is a reflection of the high standards and professionalism upheld by our business and finance team,” said Jeff Hall, vice president for GSW’s Division of Business and Finance. “We take great pride in our financial reporting practices and are committed to maintaining the integrity and transparency our stakeholders expect and deserve. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s dedication and attention to detail.”

The award acknowledges institutions that submit high-quality financial statements, meet additional reporting requirements, and provide all necessary supporting documentation in a timely and accurate manner. It encourages campuses to establish strong internal controls, improve operational processes, and proactively mitigate financial and reporting risks.

Institutions are evaluated based on three key criteria:

1. Timeliness – Meeting critical reporting deadlines set by the USG, as well as by state and federal agencies.
2. Quality – Ensuring financial submissions are accurate and require minimal adjustments.
3. Audit Results – Having no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses identified during annual audits or reviews, with no more than three control deficiencies noted.

This achievement highlights GSW’s ongoing commitment to financial excellence and operational integrity.