HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Audit Committee 12-14-2017
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 14, 2017
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the AUDIT COMMITTEE of the Town of
Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Municipal
Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 14th day of December 2017.
Committee: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustee Holcomb,
Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek, Finance Director Hudson, Accounting Manager
Garcia, Accountant Johnson
Attending: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustee Holcomb,
Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek, Finance Director Hudson, Accounting Manager
Garcia, Accountant Johnson, and Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Chair Jirsa called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
REVIEW SWANHORST & COMPANY LLC REFERENCE CHECKS
Director Hudson reviewed the reference checks for Swanhorst & Company. References
from the Centennial, Superior and Fountain were completed and no negative comments
were received. With the lack of confidence members of the Town Board have
demonstrated with the selection of Swanhorst & Company, he suggested the Audit
Committee reconsider one of the other audit firms interviewed. An audit firm with the
full confidence of the Town Board would serve the Town well.
Discussion followed on the credentials of the other audit firms that responded to the
Town’s RFP for audit services. Mayor Jirsa requested the Committee consider Anton
Collins Mitchell as they were highly recommended by current members and former CPA
Board members. Mayor Pro Tem Koenig stated concern with software compatibility and
the staff time needed to provide the other audit firms with the information needed to
complete the audit and the associated costs. Mayor Pro Tem Koenig questioned the
possibility of utilizing Swanhorst for 2018 due to the number of new staff, the need to
become familiar with HTE, and the time to convert data for the other audit firms. Mayor
Jirsa stated the auditors work for the Board to provide the citizen’s with an assurance of
the Town’s finances and practices. The entire Board should have a comfort level with
the audit services being provided.
Director Hudson commented the Anton Collins Mitchell sent a new employee that was
not able to answer questions related to the audit services during the interview, which
provided the interview committee with a low level of confidence in the firm. He further
stated large audit firms have standard tests which would require manipulation of Town
data in order to test the data. Swanhorst was the only company able to use the Town’s
data without manipulation to complete the audit. He would not recommend utilizing a
firm for one or two years because of the time needed to educate the firm on Town
processes. Swanhorst agreed to appoint an auditor who was not familiar with Town
processes to oversee the audit.
After further discussion, it was agreed staff would contact Anton Collins Mitchell to
ensure there would be no major hurdles in selecting the firm, and bring forward the
reconsideration of audit services for years ending in December 31, 2017 through
December 31, 2021 at the January 9, 2018 Town Board meeting. The Committee also
discussion the need to address the implementation of a new financial software program.
Staff would add the item to the 2019 Capital Improvement Plan for the Board’s
Audit Committee – December 14, 2017 – Page 2
consideration.
There being no further business, Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 8:40 a.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk