Treasurer urges consistent reporting after apparent discrepancies in county financial numbers

Treasurer Wazen told the March 25 committee that some historical numbers provided to board members did not tie to the audited annual comprehensive financial report (ACFAR) and asked the accounting department to present consistent, reconciled figures.

"The number in one place should equal the number in the other place," Wazen said, citing 2019 figures he found reported as roughly $78 million in the audit but $90 million in a separate accounting report. Wazen urged that the numbers board members receive should tie out to the audited reports and recommended the board insist on consistent reporting.

Members asked whether auditors (Baker Tilly) were at fault. Wazen said Baker Tilly had performed audits and reported those numbers accurately. He told the committee the discrepancy arises when internal budgetary reports present transfers and budgetary subtotals differently than the audited financial statements. "It's not Baker Tilly," he said, adding that the county's accounting department needs to ensure the numbers provided to the board match the audited figures.

Finance Director Kathy Hopkinson explained the difference in formats: budgetary reports include transfers in and out as part of revenues and expenses, whereas annual financial statements separate transfers and present each fund on individual pages. Hopkinson and other staff told members they are working to improve monthly reporting and consider using software modules to produce reports that more closely resemble the ACFAR.

The committee did not change auditors but asked staff to provide reconciled figures and to work toward a monthly presentation that reduces confusion between budgetary reporting and audited statements. Wazen emphasized consistent public presentation and accuracy for trust in financial oversight.

The committee will continue to follow up on this issue in subsequent meetings.