State auditor slates exit report

The state auditor's department has been in Colfax conducting its annual audit of the county, and a representative with the department has slated an exit report for next week.

“Eunice (Coker) is drafting the county response,” said Commissioner Michael Largent.

The state auditor's office performs audits and prepares reports of the results each year for more than 2,000 entities statewide. The purpose of the audits is to hold state and local governments accountable for the use of public resources. The time period audited this time around was 2015.

Financial woes and inconsistencies have plagued the county for more than a decade now. Last year, the auditor's office reported that the county had only been able to produce accurate financial statements in five of the last 10 years, but it also noted the county has made improvements in its financial statement preparation controls, including working with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and the state auditor's office for assistance with needed improvements.

Last December, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a mission, vision and goals plan to help the county move toward financial stability. They formed a five-year plan in response to the recommendations made by the GFOA.

“If we do not address internal and external issues, we are going to be in a financial crisis in approximately three years,” Largent said at that time. “Now is the time – not while we are in a crisis – to address these issues.”

Audit reports in recent years have noted there has been no misuse of funds discovered, just funds in the wrong accounts and inaccurate reporting.

Recommendations made in previous reports have included the county ensuring bank reconciliations for all bank accounts are completed accurately; collaboration among departments responsible for financial statement preparation; establishing proper internal controls over journal vouchers; recording financial transactions in proper accounts and in the proper reporting period; improving the annual report preparation process; providing appropriate resources to review the financial statements, and continuing to work with the GFOA and state auditor's office.

The exit interview Monday is slated for 11:30 a.m. in the commissioner's chambers at the Whitman County Courthouse.