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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20130449.tiffMcGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP Certified Public Accountants and Consultants January 10, 2013 Weld County, Colorado P.O. Box 758 Greeley, Colorado 80632 Attention: Monica Mika, Director of Finance and Administration The Objective and Scope of the Audit of the Financial Statements You have requested that we audit the financial statements of Weld County, Colorado (the "County"), which comprise governmental activities, business -type activities, aggregate discretely presented component units, each major fund and aggregate remaining fund information as of and for the year -ended December 31, 2012 which collectively comprise the basic financial statements. You acknowledge that we are the group auditor of the County's basic financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012. We will not audit the financial statements of Weld County Housing Authority. Those financial statements will be audited by component auditors. You have also requested that we report on whether the required supplementary information and supplementary information included with the financial statements is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole. We are pleased to confirm our acceptance and our understanding of this audit engagement by means of this letter. Our audit will be conducted with the objective of our expressing an opinion on the financial statements. We will also perform the audit of the County as of December 31, 2012, so as to satisfy the audit requirements imposed by the Single Audit Act and the U. S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133. The Responsibilities of the Auditor We will conduct our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS); "Government Auditing Standards" issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; the provisions of the Single Audit Act, OMB Circular A-133, and OMB's Compliance Supplement. Those standards circulars, supplements, or guides require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, together with the inherent limitations of internal control, an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements may not be detected exists, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with GAAS. Also, an audit is not designed to detect errors or fraud that are immaterial to the financial statements. The determination of abuse is subjective; therefore, Government Auditing Standards do not expect us to provide reasonable assurance of detecting abuse. 314 West 18th Street P.O. Box 1088 (Zip 82001-1088) Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001-4401 (307) 634-2151 Fax: (307) 634-4939 ✓II c) /tltbay� 'diglt(I k (tradrt , llr fI r r d I t, n ro t HP, ,.., ,E Lo- „➢• d rdrapenceiAir spoobb fnn the r oL,-rrnt(e[inntrror ments delitery.(se,vi, ennodrnaintchrt -Re ofclinnt.Lrryr,Ir L Fn kiocpendenlln Ovmon MemLer MCGLADREY ALLIANCE LdhQE'it,l -(3-de t3 2013-0449 F/ P17-57 MCGIEldret Weld County, Colorado January 10, 2013 Page 2 In making our risk assessments, we consider internal control relevant to the County's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. However, we will communicate to you in writing concerning any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal control relevant to the audit of the financial statements that we have identified during the audit. We will also communicate to the Board of County Commissioners (a) any fraud involving senior management and fraud (whether caused by senior management or other employees) that causes a material misstatement of the financial statements that becomes known to us during the audit, and (b) any instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations that we become aware of during the audit (unless they are clearly inconsequential). The funds that you have told us are maintained by the County and that are to be included as part of our audit are listed here. Governmental Funds: General Fund Public Works Fund Social Services Fund Human Services Fund Contingent Fund Capital Expenditures Fund Conservation Trust Fund Public Health Fund Solid Waste Fund Law Enforcement Authority Funds Proprietary Funds: Paramedic Enterprise Fund Motor Vehicle Fund (Internal Service) Health Insurance Fund (Internal Service) Insurance Fund (Internal Service) Phone Services Fund (Internal Service) Fiduciary Funds: Retirement Plan Other Post Employment Benefits Agency Funds The component units whose financial statements you have told us are to be included as part of the County's, basic financial statements are listed here. Weld County Housing Authority E-911 Emergency Telephone Service Authority Board The federal financial assistance programs and awards that you have told us that the County participates in and that are to be included as part of the single audit are listed in Attachment A — Federal Financial Assistance Programs. Our reports on internal control will include any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in controls of which we become aware as a result of obtaining an understanding of internal control and performing tests of internal control consistent with requirements of the standards and circulars identified above. Our reports on compliance matters will address material errors, fraud, abuse, violations of compliance obligations, and other responsibilities imposed by state and federal statutes and regulations or assumed by contracts, and any state or federal grant, entitlement, or loan program questioned costs of which we become aware, consistent with requirements of the standards and circulars identified above. Weld County, Colorado January 10, 2013 Page 3 The Responsibilities of Management and Identification of the Applicable Financial Reporting Framework Our audit will be conducted on the basis that management and those charged with governance, acknowledge and understand that they have responsibility: a. For the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; b. For the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; c. For establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for informing us of all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of such controls of which it has knowledge; d. For identifying and ensuring that the entity complies with the laws and regulations applicable to its activities, and for informing us about all known material violations of such laws or regulations. In addition, management is responsible for the design and implementation of programs and controls to prevent and detect fraud, and for informing us about all known or suspected fraud affecting the entity involving management, employees who have significant roles in internal control, and others where the fraud could have a material effect on the financial statements. Management is also responsible for informing us of its knowledge of any allegations of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the entity received in communications from employees, former employees, analysts, regulators, or others; e. For (a) making us aware of significant vendor relationships where the vendor is responsible for program compliance, (b) following up and taking corrective action on audit findings, including the preparation of a summary schedule of prior audit findings, and a corrective action plan, and (c) report distribution including submitting the reporting package(s);and f. To provide us with: (1) Access to all information of which management is aware that is relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements such as records, documentation, and other matters; (2) Additional information that we may request from management for the purpose of the audit; (3) Unrestricted access to persons within the entity from whom we determine it necessary to obtain audit evidence; (4) When applicable, a summary schedule of prior audit findings for inclusion in the single audit reporting package; and (5) If applicable, responses to any findings reported on the schedule of findings and questioned costs. As part of our audit process, we will request from management written confirmation concerning representations made to us in connection with the audit including among other items: a. That management has fulfilled its responsibilities as set out in the terms of this letter: and b. That it believes the effects of any uncorrected misstatements aggregated by us during the current engagement and pertaining to the latest period presented are immaterial, both individually and in the aggregate, to the financial statements taken as a whole. Weld County, Colorado January 10, 2013 Page 4 Management is responsible for identifying and ensuring that the County complies with the laws and regulations applicable to its activities, and for informing us about all known material violations of such laws or regulations. In addition, management is responsible for the design and implementation of programs and controls to prevent and detect fraud or abuse, and for informing us about all known or suspected fraud or abuse affecting the entity involving management, employees who have significant roles in internal control, and others where the fraud or abuse could have a material effect on the financial statements or compliance. Management is also responsible for informing us of its knowledge of any allegations of fraud or abuse or suspected fraud or abuse affecting the entity received in communications from employees, former employees, analysts, regulators, short sellers, or others. Management is responsible for the preparation of the required supplementary information and supplementary information presented in relation to the financial statements as a whole in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Management agrees to include the auditor's report on the required supplementary information and supplementary information in any document that contains the supplementary information and that indicates that the auditor has reported on such required supplementary information and supplementary information. Management also agrees to present the supplementary information with the audited financial statements or, if the supplementary information will not be presented with audited financial statements, to make the audited financial statements readily available to the intended users of the supplementary information no later than the date of issuance of the supplementary information and the auditor's report thereon. The Board of County Commissioners is responsible for informing us of its views about the risks of fraud or abuse within the entity, and its knowledge of any fraud or abuse or suspected fraud or abuse affecting the entity. The County agrees that it will not associate us with any public or private securities offering without first obtaining our consent. Therefore, the County agrees to contact us before it includes our reports or otherwise makes reference to us, in any public or private securities offering. Our association with an official statement is a matter for which separate arrangements will be necessary. The County agrees to provide us with printer's proofs or masters of such offering documents for our review and approval before printing and with a copy of the final reproduced material for our approval before it is distributed. In the event our auditor/client relationship has been terminated when the County seeks such consent, we will be under no obligation to grant such consent or approval. Because McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP will rely on the County and its management and Board of County Commissioners to discharge the foregoing responsibilities, the County holds harmless and releases McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP, its partners, and employees from all claims, liabilities, losses, and costs arising in circumstances where there has been a knowing misrepresentation by a member of the County's management which has caused, in any respect, McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP's breach of contract or negligence. This provision shall survive the termination of this arrangement for services. The County's Records and Assistance If circumstances arise relating to the condition of the County's records, the availability of appropriate audit evidence, or indications of a significant risk of material misstatement of the financial statements because of error, fraudulent financial reporting, or misappropriation of assets, which in our professional judgment, prevent us from completing the audit or forming an opinion, we retain the unilateral right to take any course of action permitted by professional standards, including declining to express an opinion, issue a report, or withdraw from the engagement. Weld County, Colorado January 10, 2013 Page 5 During the course of our engagement, we may accumulate records containing data that should be reflected in the County's books and records. The County will determine that all such data, if necessary, will be so reflected. Accordingly, the County will not expect us to maintain copies of such records in our possession. The assistance to be supplied by County personnel, including the preparation of schedules and analyses of accounts, has been discussed and coordinated with Barbara Connolly, Controller. The timely and accurate completion of this work is an essential condition to our completion of the audit and issuance of our audit report. In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, a copy of our most recent peer review report is enclosed, for your information. Fees, Costs, and Access to Workpapers Our fees for the audit and accounting services described above are based upon the value of the services performed and the time required by the individuals assigned to the engagement, plus direct expenses. Our fee for the services described in this letter will not exceed $75,000. Our fee estimate and completion of our work is based upon the following criteria: a. Anticipated cooperation from County personnel b. Timely responses to our inquiries c. Timely completion and delivery of client assistance requests d. Timely communication of all significant accounting and financial reporting matters e. The assumption that unexpected circumstances will not be encountered during the engagement If any of the aforementioned criteria are not met, then fees may increase. All other provisions of this letter will survive any fee adjustment. Interim billings will be submitted as work progresses and as expenses are incurred. Billings are due upon submission. Our professional standards require that we perform certain additional procedures, on current and previous years' engagements, whenever a partner or professional employee leaves the firm and is subsequently employed by or associated with a client in a key position. Accordingly, the County agrees it will compensate McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP for any additional costs incurred as a result of the County's employment of a partner or professional employee of McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP. In the event we are requested or authorized by the County or are required by government regulation, subpoena, or other legal process to produce our documents or our personnel as witnesses with respect to our engagement for the County, the County will, so long as we are not a party to the proceeding in which the information is sought, reimburse us for our professional time and expenses, as well as the fees and expenses of our counsel, incurred in responding to such requests. The documentation for this engagement is the property of McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP. However, you acknowledge and grant your assent that representatives of the cognizant or oversight agency or their designee, other government audit staffs, and the U.S. Government Accountability Office shall have access to the audit documentation upon their request and that we shall maintain the audit documentation for a period of at least three years after the date of the report, or for a longer period if we are requested to do so by the cognizant or oversight agency. Access to requested documentation will be provided under the supervision of McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP audit personnel and at a location designated by our Firm. Weld County, Colorado January 10, 2013 Page 6 You have informed us that you intend to prepare a comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) and submit it for evaluation by the Government Finance Officers Association's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Claim Resolution The County and McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP agree that no claim arising out of services rendered pursuant to this agreement shall be filed more than two years after the date of the audit report issued by McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP or the date of this arrangement letter if no report has been issued. The County waives any claim for punitive damages. McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP's liability for all claims, damages and costs of the County arising from this engagement is limited to the amount of fees paid by the County to McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP for the services rendered under this arrangement letter. Reporting We will issue a written report upon completion of our audit of the County's financial statements. Our report will be addressed to the Board of County Commissioners of the County. We cannot provide assurance that an unmodified opinion will be expressed. Circumstances may arise in which it is necessary for us to modify our opinion, add an emphasis -of -matter or other -matter paragraphs, or withdraw from the engagement. In addition to our report on the County's financial statements, we will also issue the following types of reports: • A report on the fairness of the presentation of the County's schedule of expenditures of federal awards for the year ending December 31, 2012. • Reports on internal control related to the financial statements, and major programs. These reports will describe the scope of testing of internal control and the results of our tests of internal controls. • Reports on compliance with laws, regulations, and the provisions of contracts or grant agreements. We will report on any noncompliance which could have a material effect on the financial statements and any noncompliance which could have a material effect, as defined by OMB Circular A-133, on each major program. • A schedule of findings and questioned costs. This letter constitutes the complete and exclusive statement of agreement between McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP and the County, superseding all proposals, oral or written, and all other communications, with respect to the terms of the engagement between the parties. Weld County, Colorado January 10, 2013 Page 7 Please sign and return the attached copy of this letter to indicate your acknowledgment of, and agreement with, the arrangements for our audit of the financial statements including our respective responsibilities. McGEE, HEARNE & PAIZ, LLP Robert W. 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N ro U U O U U < O < 7 < ? o w o • o0 m u ° o E qj m C-0 E v o 'N U U < N ro • </ U_ v yy 'O Preventive Health Services Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Grants Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the States cS V o":41 V co ci O C • N < CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUN TANTS AND CONSULTANTS SYSTEM REVIEW REPORT October 7, 2010 To the Partners of McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP and the Peer Review Committee of the Nevada Society of Certifed Public Accountants We have reviewed the system of quality control for the accounting and auditing practice of McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP (the firm) in effect for the year ended June 30, 2010. Our peer review was conducted in accordance with the Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews established by the Peer Review Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The firm is responsible for designing a system of quality control and complying with it to provide the firm with reasonable assurance of performing and reporting in conformity with applicable professional standards in all material respects. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the design of the system of quality control and the firm's compliance therewith based on our review. The nature, objectives, scope, limitations of and the procedures performed in a System Review are described in the standards at www. aicpa.orq/prsummary. As required by the standards, engagements selected for review included engagements performed under the Government Auditing Standards and audits of employee benefit plans. In our opinion, the system of quality control for the accounting and auditing practice of McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP in effect for the year ended June 30, 2010, has been suitably designed and complied with to provide the firm with reasonable assurance of performing and reporting in conformity with applicable professional standards in all material respects. Firms can receive a rating of pass, pass with deficiency(ies) or fail. McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP has received a peer review rating of pass. Brady Marti & Associates P.C. BRADY, MARTZ & ASSOCIATES, PC 401 Demers Avenue 5uhe 300 RO Box 14296 Gi and Folks, ND 58208-42% (701) 773-4683 Fax O01 1795-7 498 www.bi advmai Li corn RSM McGladrey Network a.,lndepe dertyc::,:a:zmh:, Hello