Popular Annual Financial Reports (PAFR)

As part of Acton’s commitment to keeping residents informed about how tax dollars are being invested, the Town has created the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR). The PAFR presents a summary of financial information from the annual budget and audit documents, Middlesex County Retirement System Actuarial Valuation, Acton OPEB Actuarial Valuation, Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Local Services. The intent is the information presented in this PAFR will allow the reader to better understand the Town’s financial health.

• FY 2021 Popular Annual Financial Report

Audit Reports

At the close of each fiscal year, Massachusetts General Law requires communities to publish a complete set of audited financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), of which those are audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a firm of licensed certified public accountants. Since the Fiscal Year ending 2014, the Town of Acton has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This honor recognizes governments that go "beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure."

• FY 2021 Report on Financial Statements
• FY 2020 Report on Financial Statements
• FY 2019 Report on Financial Statements
• FY 2018 Report on Financial Statements
• FY 2017 Report on Financial Statements
• FY 2016 Report on Financial Statements
• FY 2015 Report on Financial Statements
• Archived Audit Reports (Prior to FY2015)
• General Audit Information
• Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in Municipal Finance
• Municipal Core Service Descriptions
• Municipal Vision Statement

Bond Rating

In February 2021, the Town of Acton's AAA bond rating was affirmed by Standard & Poor's with a stable outlook. Standard & Poor's cited Acton's very strong economy, stable tax base, very low fixed costs, and strong management with forward-looking financial planning policies and practices which provide continued stability at the AAA rating, which is the highest rating that can be assigned. Learn more about how ratings are assigned here.

• Standard and Poor's February 2021 Rating Letter
• Standard and Poor's February 2021 Rating Report
• Standard and Poor’s August 2013 Rating Letter
• Standard and Poor’s August 2013 Rating Report