External auditors flag URS payroll process as material weakness; county accepts audit

Tooele County accepted its 2024 external audit after Larson & Company presented an unmodified opinion on the county’s financial statements while identifying a material weakness tied to payroll reporting to the Utah Retirement Systems (URS). The council voted unanimously to accept the audit as presented. John Larson of Larson & Company, the lead auditor, told the council the financial statements received an unmodified opinion, meaning the auditors did not have to change their report because of unknown balances or untestable items. He said the audit also included a single‑auditor review of federal programs and a state compliance review that produced one state compliance finding and the material weakness on URS payroll. “So my expectation is this is taken care of next year. My hope by the end of 2025, this material weakness is gone,” John Larson said, referring to the county’s work to correct URS contribution reporting.