Citrus County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Post

Transcript

Hi, on today's episode of Clerks Corner, we are going to talk about the functions of the Internal Audit division. I'm Tracy Phillips, chief of staff with the Citrus County Clerk's Office. What is Internal Audit? The Florida Constitution and Florida Statutes established the auditing authority for the Clerk to audit the Board of County Commissioners. These audits are performed to evaluate the risk exposures related to safeguarding resources and taxpayer funds, the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and programs, the reliability and integrity of information, and compliance with laws and administrative regulations. The Clerk does not provide audit services. Few other constitutional officers unless under interlocal agreement. What are the different functions of internal audit? The Internal Audit Division functions include conducting an annual risk assessment of all county and clerk departments in order to develop an audit plan for each fiscal year. From that plan, they conduct a wide range of audits such as compliance, operational, financial and performance reviews. The department also works in cooperation with the Probate division of the Clerk to fulfill the clerk's statutory duty to audit guardianship plans and accounting reports filed with the judicial system. Enhanced guardianship audits and investigations may be required when indications of fraud waste abuse. And financial mismanagement are suspected. This oversight helps to protect the elderly, incapacitated adults and minor children within our community who are served by Florida Guardianship law. What is the general process of completing an audit start to finish? 1st in addition to the annual risk assessment, each individual audit also includes a risk assessment based on the objectives of the audit. The audit begins with an entrance conference where we discuss the objectives, scope and timeline of the audit. Then the field work and review is conducted, which can take several months or more depending on the scope of the audit. After all field work is concluded, the draft audit report is written, identifying any findings or observations and recommendations for improving the area of the audit. Next, an exit conference is held with the county administrator and his team to discuss the report. At the conclusion of the exit conference, the county has up to 10 days to respond to the findings and observations, and then those comments are added to the final audit report. Lastly, thought, it is then presented to the Board of County Commissioners at a public board meeting. How are internal controls used in Internal audit? Internal audit controls are the basis for preventing or reducing risk exposure in any business unit. Established policies and procedures are designed to provide the matrix for conducting business. Embedded controls within those policies and procedures help in mitigating specific risks within that business unit. Those established controls are part of what internal audit. Uses to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of each department. Additionally, auditors must maintain both independence of mind and independence in appearance. The clerk, an elected constitutional officer, functions independently from and has no authority over the Board of County Commissioners. Therefore, the audit function operates independently from those agencies. How does an individual get their questions about internal audit answered? If you have any further questions regarding the functions of the Internal Audit Division, please feel free to drop a comment below or visit our website.