Clerk's auditors give Collier County an unmodified opinion on 2024 financial reports

Auditors presented Collier County's annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, and issued unmodified (clean) opinions on the county's financial statements and on the single-audit of federal and state awards.

CLA partner Chris Kessler reported no audit findings, no material weaknesses and no significant deficiencies for the county's financial reporting or for federal and state-award compliance. The auditors also reported that prior-year findings had been remediated.

"The audit opinions are unmodified, which is the highest level of opinion," Kessler told commissioners. He said auditors had performed additional IT and cybersecurity-related procedures to address recently changed audit standards for technology environments.

The report highlighted that the county's governmental net position increased in 2024, and the general fund showed a year-over-year increase. The auditors tested more than $63 million in federal and state expenditures, including pandemic-related funds and transportation grants.

Commissioners accepted the ACFR and authorized filing of related state reports by unanimous vote.

Why it matters: An unmodified opinion signals standard financial controls and reporting practices, which supports fiscal transparency and aids the county's access to credit and grants. The auditors noted management's corrective actions on prior findings and praised cross-department cooperation.

Next steps: The county will file the state annual local government financial report as required and continue to maintain controls and monitoring over grants and IT procedures.