West Jefferson selects Quest CPAs for annual financial audit at $12,000 first-year fee

The West Jefferson District board approved the review committee's recommendation to engage Quest CPAs PLLC to perform the district's annual financial audit.

Administrators said Quest was quoted at $12,000 for the first year with $600 increases for the two following years. The superintendent explained a potential additional $2,500 fee would apply only if the district's federal funding exceeded a threshold that triggers a "single audit" requirement; current federal program funding (title I, special education and child nutrition) was described as well below that threshold.

Board members said they had checked with business managers from other districts and that Quest is used by many smaller districts across the state; the vendor is based in Meridian and typically conducts much of the work remotely with a local team.

Board action: The chair called for a motion to approve Quest CPAs; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The transcript records discussion of fees and background checks but does not provide a roll-call vote tally.

Next steps: The district will finalize the vendor contract and schedule audit work for the fiscal year.