City honored for clean audits

VANDALIA – Employees from the City of Vandalia’s Finance Dept. and Tri-Cities North Regional Wastewater Authority (TCA) were honored by the Auditor of State’s office on Thursday, Nov. 17.

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Joe Braden, a representative of the Auditor, was there to present these honors.

Every year, only 300 or so entities qualify for the award, out of the 6,000 around the state.

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The Auditor of State Award with Distinction is presented to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a financial audit. Entities that receive the award meet the following criteria of a “clean” audit report.

The entity must file timely financial reports with the Auditor of State’s office in the form of a CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report). The financial report does not contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, Single Audit findings, or questions costs.

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An entity’s management letter cannot contain any comments regarding:

• Ethics referrals

• Questioned costs less than $10,000

• Lack of timely report submission

• Reconciliation

• Failure to obtain a timely Single Audit

• Findings for recovery less than $100

• Public meetings or public records

• No other financial or other concerns exist that involve eligible entity

“Taxpayers expect accurate financial records from their local governments,” Auditor Yost said. “The City of Vandalia’s and Tri-Cities’ dedication to accountability is evident.”

CASEY LAUGHTER

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