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Our Office complies with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) in completing a variety of audit assignments including: performance audits, annual financial audits, contracting audit services, reviewing requests for proposals, and our annual Service Efforts and Accomplishments Report. Our completed audit reports are posted here.
Performance Audits
Virtually all the work conducted by our office consists of performance audits. Performance audits assess the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of specific programs and activities. This may include determining whether a program is operating in the most economical and efficient manner possible; assessing whether the program is meeting its stated goals and objectives; and testing for compliance with laws and regulations. Performance audits vary dramatically in both size and scope.
Annual Audit of the Financial Statements and Single Audit
The City Auditor contracts with an independent certified public accounting firm to conduct the annual audit of the City’s financial statements. We recommend selection of the outside accounting firm to the City Council and coordinate the work of the independent accounting firm under the contract. The external auditor’s report on the financial statements provides their opinion on whether the financial statements fairly present the financial position in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The City Council’s Public Safety, Finance, and Strategic Support Committee accepts the audit together with the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and forwards them to the City Council for approval.
Other Contracted Audit Services
The Office also contracts from time to time with an independent certified public accounting firm to conduct other financial and compliance audits, such as annual audits of certain voter-approved bond measures and semi-annual compliance audits of the City’s investment program. In addition, the Office contracts with an independent certified public accounting firm to conduct a quarterly review of compliance with an agreement between the City and management of Sutter’s Place, Inc., the operators of a local cardroom.
Reviews of significant requests for proposals
As part of the 2004 City Manager’s reforms, the City Manager suggested and the City Council approved a directive that our office review high-profile, complex Requests for Proposals. The City’s Procurement Manual requires our office to review any contract initiative over $100,000 that meets at least two of the following four criteria: contract value over $10 million, contract term more than 5 years, high degree of complexity, and/or high level of interest in the initiative.
Annual Service Efforts and Accomplishments Report
Beginning in 2008, our office will prepare an Annual Service Efforts and Accomplishments Report. The report is intended to be informational. It will provide data about the costs, quality, quantity, and timeliness of City services. It will include a variety of comparisons to other cities, and resident survey results. Our goal is to provide the City Council, staff, and the public with an independent, impartial assessment of past performance to strengthen public accountability, improve government efficiency and effectiveness, and support future decision making.
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