Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Audit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County officials praise FY24 audit; auditors decline to issue management letter
Summary
Barnstable County officials told the finance committee June 30 that the FY24 annual comprehensive financial report showed improvements in financial practice; the external auditors did not issue a management letter this year, prompting committee members to request a direct briefing from the auditors.
Barnstable County officials told the Assembly of Delegates standing committee on finance on June 30 that the fiscal year 2024 audit reflects improved finance practices but included no separate management letter.
The County Administrator said the audit "was successful" and "highlighted some of the dramatic improvements" in county finance practice. Carol (finance staff) told the committee the audit work began in spring 2024, included on‑site testing in August, and is presented as part of the annual comprehensive financial report that covers all county funds.
Committee members asked why the accounting firm did not produce a management letter this year. Carol said the firm informed management there would be no management letter for this audit cycle. "So they the accounting firm decided on their own to say that there's no management letter necessary this year," a delegate summarized during discussion.
Several delegates requested a direct briefing with the auditors. The committee chair and other members said a meeting between the finance committee and the auditors would be useful to ask specific questions, including clarification of a sentence in the auditors' cover letter that identified "management override of internal controls" as a planning risk.
Committee members and staff agreed to pursue a direct auditor presentation to the finance committee, and county staff said they will ask the auditors to present to the committee and provide any supplemental materials the committee requests.
