Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Internal Audit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jackson audit committee pauses internal-auditor hire, seeks to reshape role after FY24 audit issues
Summary
Jackson City's audit committee paused posting a replacement internal auditor after the incumbent resigned, directing staff to revise the job description to emphasize compliance and process reviews as the city addresses FY24 audit findings and a software error affecting year-end entries.
Christy, the committee's staff presenter, told members the committee would delay posting a replacement after the internal auditor's recent resignation "Her last day was last week. So, she now is no longer with the state," and asked the committee to define the role before advertising it.
The committee said the revised job description should support an expanded audit and compliance function and prioritize departments with current or recurring findings. Christy said the group plans to compile a list of department audit findings for the internal auditor to review on a rolling basis and to report progress and recommendations back to the committee.
The change follows work on a plan of correction for FY24 audit issues discussed earlier by Mr. Reed and staff. Committee members were told the group aims to develop a calendar and recommendations for the council and noted a June report deadline for providing recommendations to the council.
Staff also told the committee they discovered a software error that has delayed posting certain period-13 accounting entries. "We discovered a software error," a staff speaker said; staff said they were installing the correct patch and working to ensure the FY24 trial balance posts correctly before closing the year.
Committee members asked for clarity on outstanding variances. A staff speaker referenced an approximate $132,000 variance in the general fund tied to timing and adjusting entries and said the amount should narrow once period adjustments post.
Members discussed how to scope the internal auditor's work. An audit expert (speaking to the committee) described typical internal-auditor duties as process evaluation and internal investigations aimed at identifying how systems failed rather than adjudicating guilt. The committee listed potential audit priorities including repeated finance findings in specific departments, OSHA-related issues at facilities, and whether joint-service agency investments are equitable for taxpayers.
Committee leaders said they would not post the position until the committee reviews and agrees the job description, and they may contract for outside services in the interim. Staff committed to circulate the draft job description and related notes to the committee for review.
The committee took no formal personnel action at the meeting; the decision recorded was to delay posting and to return to the item after committee input.
