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Newton audit returns unqualified opinion; auditors note staffing gaps delayed filing
Summary
Martin-Starnes & Associates presented the fiscal 2022 audit with an unqualified opinion, while noting an administrative oversight and temporary staff vacancies in the City Manager and Finance Director positions that contributed to a delayed filing.
At the Jan. 10 Newton City Council meeting, Martin-Starnes & Associates presented the city's fiscal-year 2022 audited financial statements and issued an unqualified opinion, indicating the statements "present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position," Auditor Elsa Watts told council.
Watts said an oversight in audit data came to staff's attention during final review and required additional time beyond the normal submission deadline to address. She noted the city experienced staffing vacancies during portions of the audit period: the City Manager position was vacant from December 2021 to May 2022, and the Finance Director position was vacant from June 2022 to July 2022. Watts said auditors and the current city manager plan to schedule final fieldwork earlier in the cycle to avoid reporting delays going forward. Mayor Haupt thanked auditors and Finance Director Kimberley Robinson for their work.
The unqualified opinion means the auditors found no material misstatements in the financial statements as presented. The city's finance staff and the current City Manager affirmed commitments to timely filing and process improvements.
