Town auditor outlines scope, schedule and fraud-screening for annual audit

CliftonLarsonAllen principal auditor David Flint told the Town of Simsbury Board of Finance on July 21 that the firm performs three primary municipal engagements: state single audits, federal single audits, and financial statement audits. "We are primarily ensuring that those financial statements are free from any material misstatements," Flint said, distinguishing financial-statement audits from forensic work designed to detect fraud.

Flint explained auditors use sampling and risk-based procedures. He identified management override of controls and unresolved prior-year findings as standard significant risks and said confidential fraud interviews — typically including a Board member and the Finance Director — are part of the process. "Final audit fieldwork is scheduled for November, with the audit due by December 31," he said. Chair Lisa Heavner asked that the auditors’ annual management letter be redistributed to Board members and requested prompt notification if the audit timeline changes. The auditor also said the firm can propose performance-audit work through its business risk services group.