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Audit update: FY25 auditors finish fieldwork; forensic audit pace slowed, Munis training and staffing assessment planned
Summary
Finance staff told the committee that on-site FY25 audit work is complete with three outstanding items (including an OPEB actuarial report), forensic-audit document collection is progressing slowly, and the county plans Munis training and to use the Berkeley Group assessment to guide staffing decisions.
County finance staff told the Halifax County Finance Committee on June 15 that auditors have completed on-site FY25 fieldwork but several outstanding items remain and that the forensic audit's second phase is progressing slowly because staff time has been devoted to the annual audit.
Margaret Lindsey, interim finance director, said auditors from Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates completed fieldwork in early June and identified three remaining items: one item already addressed and submitted to auditors; a reconciliation matter concerning tax dollar accounting that staff awaited clarification on; and a pending Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) valuation that requires the actuarial report that staff have requested after submitting census data earlier in the year.
County Administrator Ron Brade said the forensic audit’s second phase was slower than hoped because finance staff were responding to annual-audit requests; he said staff would shift focus to forensic auditors once annual audit requirements were finished. When Vice Chair R. Smart asked about the time frame, Brade said auditors estimated roughly 60 days would be needed to complete the annual audit after all requested materials are provided.
The committee discussed finance department leadership amid the continued absence of a permanent finance director. Chair D. Witt said he was concerned about the department structure, and Brade and Lindsey said Lindsey continued to provide day-to-day direction and regular communication with staff in her interim role. Lindsey described plans to increase use of the Munis financial system to streamline workflows, document management and vendor portals; Brade said arrangements were being made for on-site Munis training for county staff and the Treasurer’s Office.
Members also noted an organizational assessment by the Berkeley Group and said they preferred to review the consultant’s recommendations on staffing and workflows before hiring for newly authorized positions; Brade said he intended to use Berkeley’s findings to guide staffing decisions.
No formal committee vote occurred on audit items; the committee moved to adjourn after the discussion.
