Financial Department Continues to Take Corrective Action After Negative Audit
Although improvements have been made since $500,000 was misappropriated in 2009, the auditor still expresses an adverse opinion on the township’s financial records
The Lacey Township Financial Department has issued a 2011 Corrective Action Plan as it seeks to continue improving the township’s financial records after $500,000 was misappropriated in 2009.
The 2011 audit was recently completed by an independent auditor, and once again states that the township did not keep financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
But Chief Financial Officer Adrian Fanning has been playing catch up since $500,000 was misappropriated in 2009, when former CFO John Adams retired and a township employee who lacked proper qualifications and certifications was hired.
“We’re still in the process of cleaning the whole thing up,” Fanning said.
In 2010 and 2009, certified public accountants and business and financial advisers Hutchins, Farrell, Meyer & Allison also expressed an adverse opinion on the township’s financial statements.
Although much of the material weaknesses from the 2009 audit were rectified, the 2011 audit noted two repeat findings: the general ledger was not, in all cases, in agreement with the subsidiary ledger and there were a number of interfunds on the balance sheets as of Dec. 31.
While the first finding is included in the Corrective Action Plan, the second has since been addressed, Fanning said.
“I’m happy that we’re making progress. And hopefully that’ll be the last time we’ll see those (findings),” he said.
There are more than 400 individual items that have to be examined and tied into the general ledger, Fanning said.
“Unfortunately we don’t have the time or the resources here to spend 100 percent of our time doing that,” he said. “We work that in when we can.”
Last year, temporary help was hired.
“It’s purely a staffing issue,” he said. “I’m pleased with the progress we’re making.”
Mayor David Most also said he was satisfied with the 2011 audit.
“It’s reflective of the CFO and he’s doing a good job,” Most said. “We made monumental improvements. This year we should be back to normal. By next year, we shouldn’t even have those issues. It just takes time to work through that.”
The Corrective Action Plan was accepted by the township committee on Thursday, Dec. 27 and sent to the Division of Local Government Services.
The audit and Corrective Action Plan are attached to this story as a PDF.
The following are findings from the 2010 audit and Fanning’s Corrective Action Plan:
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Corrective Action Plan |
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Finding |
Recommendation |
Corrective Action |
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The General Ledger was not properly maintained and the General Ledger was not, in all cases, in agreement with the subsidiary ledger. |
That the Township's General Ledgers be properly maintained. |
"A similar comment appeared in the previous year's audit. We will continue efforts to ensure that the General Ledgers and subsidiary records are in agreement in all cases." |
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There are a number of interfunds on the balance sheets as of Dec. 31. |
That an effort be made to liquidate all interfunds prior to Dec. 31. |
Resolved |
John W
8:00 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
They should be fired! Not given a raise from the TC
Where else except here in Nepotismville could this continue and no body gets fired
John Doe
2:00 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Where did the money go? I never heard that anyone was charged with this crime. I hope the Patch will print the entire story of this theft as well as why our former Police Chief is being investigated. Why are these things not reported to the taxpayers?
William J Moss
2:31 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
There was no theft. It was some type of double payment that caused a problem
proud
3:03 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
There was no crime. Ineptitude is a different story. Apparently, if you overpay the state they don't pay you back. It's like a penalty for being sloppy. As to why "things" are not always reported to the taxpayers, i wonder if you have ever heard of the blue wall of silence? Or, the TC wall of silence?
lacey voter
7:02 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
But the township idiots keep voting the same nitwits in
Educated girl
8:27 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Wow, the committee just keeps cutting corners and is still wasting taxpayer dollars in the long run. An adverse finding on an audited financial statement is a huge deal in the business community. It is a warning to investors that records are not properly kept which indicates an opportunity for fraud.
I hope the Committee sees the light with hiring a Police Chief who is qualified and trained in Attorney General guidelines for running a police department. How much money will be spent in lawsuits if this doesn't happen soon?
JOHNNY Done it
10:26 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Remember this was Parkers friend that was given that position not qualified & put us in a hole & the idiots on the council hired her too...Poor management all around
right wing nut
10:32 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Did you know
The OCUA has 13 Republican Commissioners each getting 5 K a year and FREE Medical Benefits for 1 meeting a month?
Call or E Mail the Freeloaders and Gov Christie and tell them to end the friends and family plan