CARROLTON, TX — The Tax and Accounting business of Thomson Reuters announced today that it has selected Maria Walls, Treasurer in Beaufort County, South Carolina for its annual Office Holder of the Year award.

The award, which is part of Thomson Reuters Public Sector Champion Awards, was presented to Ms. Walls on September 30^th.  Public Sector Champion Awards recognize government jurisdictions and officials that have achieved excellence in planning, leadership, and service.

Ms. Walls was selected to receive this prestigious award from nomination entries received from among more than 1,000 Thomson Reuters government customers worldwide due to her agency’s successful implementation of several technology initiatives designed to improve efficiency and accuracy of the tax processes. Under Ms. Walls’ leadership, the Beaufort County Treasurer’s office has moved to a completely digital and paperless process, using the Thomson Reuters Aumentum software to streamline the tax collection, delinquent tax collection, and customer search processes. She also spearheaded the development of a new website (beaufortcountytreasurer.com) that makes the county’s processes more accessible and easier to understand for its taxpayers.

“During her time at the treasurer’s office, Ms. Walls has completely changed the culture of her office, and it has resulted in faster and more effective tax services for the citizens of Beaufort County,” said Joe Jackson, managing director of the Tax and Accounting business of Thomson Reuters. “Her achievements have been outstanding, and I congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.”

The Public Sector Champion Awards were presented to government programs and officials in the following categories: Excellence in Business Process Transformation, Excellence in Office Leadership, and Excellence in Constituent Service.

“Our team has become a truly collaborative unit, and we’re very proud that our efforts to make the taxpaying process an easier experience have been met with praise from our community,” said Walls. “I’m honored to receive this award, and look forward to providing new and innovative ways to provide excellent service to the taxpayers of Beaufort County.”

Other notable winners at the Public Section Champion Awards included:

• Jurisdiction of the Year: Okanogan, Washington
• Excellence in Business Transformation: Tajel Shah, City and County of San Francisco, California Treasurer & Tax Collector Deputy Director; Robin Ward, Hamilton County, Indiana Assessor
• Excellence in Office Leadership: Jill Amery, Wasco County, Oregon Assessor/Tax Collector; Brent Shelton, Sedgwick County, Kansas Division of Finance Tax System Director
• Excellence in Constituent Service: Casey Kaul, Pierce County, Washington Auditor's Office Recording/Licensing Supervisor; Robert Maki, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources CIO and Jess Richards, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Director of Lands and Minerals Division

To learn more information about Public Sector Champion Awards, visit tax.thomsonreuters.com/publicsectorchamps 

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