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Cordele City approves hiring of audit‑readiness adviser to speed audits and train staff
Summary
The commission voted to move forward with an audit‑readiness advisory service that will provide monthly reports, staff training and liaison work with auditors; commissioners discussed software migration to Tyler/EnCode and a monthly fee described around $5,500.
The Cordele City Commission voted Jan. 20 to engage an outside audit‑readiness advisor who will prepare monthly reports for the commission, provide staff training and act as a liaison with the city's auditors.
William Bennett, identified at the meeting as a financial tax advisor with Bennett Financial, told the commission his firm specializes in governmental audit readiness and can reduce the time auditors need for fieldwork. "We would be a liaison between your staff here and the commission," Bennett said during his presentation, describing monthly oversight, staff training and hands‑on support to keep the books audit‑ready.
Bennett recommended modernizing the city's accounting software, saying he has helped other municipalities migrate from older systems (QS1) to Tyler/EnCode to streamline processes and improve auditability. Commissioners asked about online tax payment modules and Bennett confirmed Tyler offers modules for such features.
A commissioner moved that the city adopt a resolution to retain the adviser; speakers described a start date of Feb. 1 and a monthly fee around $5,500. The commission approved the resolution by voice vote and directed staff to place a finalized resolution on the Feb. 3 agenda for formalization.
The commission's approval authorizes staff to proceed with contract finalization and to report back; the commission asked for monthly reports on work completed and progress toward audit readiness. The motion carried by voice vote; a formal vote tally was not recorded in the meeting transcript.
