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Auditor‑Controller reports progress catching up on audits, flags major upcoming GASB and accounting work
Summary
Interim Auditor‑Controller Michael Levinson reported progress on overdue audits, noted three new GASB standards requiring substantial reclassification work, and outlined plans for execuTime rollout and internal guides to reduce audit findings.
Interim Auditor‑Controller Michael Levinson told supervisors his office has made progress catching up on past audits and is preparing for new Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements that will change how assets and disclosures are presented.
Audit status: Levinson said the office completed the 2022–23 audit, was working on 2023–24, and had recently achieved a period of full legal compliance for reporting. He credited staff and departments for cooperation that allowed the office to reduce long‑standing audit backlog items and close multiple small dollar funds that were creating administrative work.
GASB and accounting work ahead: Levinson outlined three GASB pronouncements coming into effect that will require extensive work: - GASB 102 (compensated absences): recalculation of leave liabilities under revised guidance. - GASB 103 (management discussion and analysis): MD&A text must be localized rather than boilerplate, requiring narrative and contextual explanations for the county’s financial statements. - GASB 104 (asset classification): county assets must be reclassified from broad infrastructure categories into more granular asset types (roads, curbs, buildings, etc.). Levinson said Humboldt has roughly 30,000 capital assets that will need review and reclassification.
Operations and technology: the Auditor‑Controller’s office is working to implement countywide electronic time entry (execuTime) to replace paper timecards, improving accountability and compliance. Levinson also said the office is exploring internal audit services (voluntary, department‑requested audits) to reduce grant risk and prevent costly compliance findings, and is evaluating AI and automation tools for opportunities to streamline fiscal processes.
Staffing: Levinson said compensation and recruitment remain a challenge for accounting roles and noted two recent offers were accepted and then rescinded when applicants received higher private‑sector offers.
Ending: Levinson emphasized the need for ongoing training, internal guides, and interdepartmental coordination; the board thanked his office for progress and work to improve auditability.
