Stephens Co. Receives Good Audit Report

Stephens County receives a clean opinion on its Fiscal Year 2014 audit.

Meredith Lipson with the county’s auditing firm of Mauldin and Jenkins appeared before county commissioners Tuesday to make her annual audit report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2014.

She said the county received the clean audit opinion, which is the opinion the county wants to receive.

Lipson also said that auditors did not have to make any audit adjustments for the county.

“That is not something we can say a lot and we audit quite a few governments,” said Lipson. “That means the monthly information you are getting as far as finances go is accurate.”

Lipson did say the county did have one finding for segregation of duties.

She said that is a finding that most local governments always receive.

Meanwhile, Lipson said Stephens County had a fund balance at June 30, 2014 of about $7.3 million.

She said that is a strong fund balance number to help the county get through each year until tax collections come in.

“At June 30, 2014, you probably had about 6 to 7 months fund balance, which is probably a good strong amount to have,” said Lipson

She also said that the county should be commended for not using as much fund balance last fiscal year as it thought it would have to in order to cover budget expenses.

Stephens County Commission Chairman Dennis Bell says he is very pleased with the audit results.

“I think our administrator does a wonderful job as far as that goes,” said Bell. “I am very proud of (the staff).”

Other commissioners also credited county staff for a job well done on the audit.