Selectmen receive audit update; town pursuing QuickBooks/MRI conversions and tighter budget controls

The Greenland Board of Selectmen heard an audit update June 30 that auditors have begun fieldwork on the 2024 audit and are likely to return in late July or August to continue testing. The town’s accounting conversion to MRI/financial software is underway, with staff expecting practical access and improved reporting by August.

The update matters because the audit and software conversion affect the town’s ability to report fiscal position, manage hiring and set budget priorities; selectmen asked for clearer spending-versus-plan reporting before approving new hires.

Auditors (identified in packet as Brian and Emily Pierce) performed initial work and flagged issues carried from the 2023 audit, including building-department revenue items and other reclassifications. Staff said the audit team had a “big head start” and will bring back findings as testing continues. Selectmen asked whether the 2024 audit might be complete by fall; staff said the pace depends on how quickly records are pulled and the QuickBooks-to-MRI changeover progresses. Town staff said MRI conversion work is expected to make near-real-time accounting available around August and that the audit should be in a better position thereafter. Separately, selectmen discussed a proposed internal hiring freeze or tighter hiring approvals until the board and budget committee can confirm available allocations in the current-year budget; staff agreed to meet with the budget committee and report back.

No formal motions were made to change hiring rules at the meeting; selectmen asked staff to return with budget-versus-actual reports once the MRI system rollout provides accessible figures.