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Finance committee to invite town auditor to discuss report after questions about oversight surfaced
Summary
Committee members debated long-time auditor Steven's tenure and recommended inviting him to explain his audit work and the questions he raises; staff said he is detail-oriented, was the only respondent to the recent RFP, and his presence could increase public confidence.
Several committee members raised public questions about whether the town's long-time auditor has become too familiar with municipal staff and whether that familiarity affects independence. Committee members and staff pushed back, saying the auditor has a record of raising control deficiencies and that he was the only respondent to the last RFP.
"He is very detail-oriented," one member said, and others added that the auditor regularly submits extensive lists of questions to the town and school finance offices. The committee agreed it would be helpful to invite the auditor to a future meeting — after the auditor issues the annual financial statements and management discussion — to let him describe his work, answer questions about his process and show where he focuses oversight.
Members noted that finding municipal auditing firms that will serve small towns is difficult and that switching to a larger firm could raise costs substantially. The committee tasked staff with preparing a short list of questions for the auditor and timing the meeting to follow issuance of the audit report.
