Finalists explain independence safeguards and when they'd decline audits that would compromise objectivity
Summary
Firms told commissioners they document safeguards when they assist with financial‑statement preparation and will decline or seek another firm to preserve independence if their role would require auditing their own work.
Commissioners asked whether bidders would retain independence if they assisted the county with preparing financial statements or with close-out entries. All firms said independence is a central professional requirement. They described common safeguards: use of an independent reviewer within the firm, clear documentation of non‑attest services, exit conferences, and, when appropriate, recommending a different firm to prepare statements so the auditor can remain independent.
Clark Schaefer Hackett and other bidders said the most common threat is assisting clients with preparing statements or making material audit adjustments; in those cases the firm would document safeguards or, if necessary, recuse itself from the audit and refer the client to another preparer. Commissioners indicated they understood the tradeoff between helpful preparation assistance and maintaining the objectivity required for audit opinions.
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