ashe

You know, most accounting software, such as quickbooks, have moved to cloud based systems. It shouldn't be that tough for all accounting for all FD's in the county to be converted to a cloud service, and automatically generate monthly statements for commissioners or others in oversight positions to review. Also, if using a bank that cooperates, checks can be issued straight from the cloud service. This takes a few more days for payment to arrive than handing someone a paper check, but it prevents someone from writing a check for cash or some other illegitimate payment, and documenting it in a ledger as a payment to an invoice for new hoses.

Answer the question Basking posed hose jockey. Why are you so afraid of an audit?

I am really amazed at the fact that there are actually people who do not feel that people handling other people's money aren't held accountable for the way it is spent. Not just the VFDs, but any organization needs to have over site of the money. As I said before, I would not perform the duties of a treasurer of any organization that didn't require at least an annual audit review even if only performed by randomly elected members of the organization. And as I said before. I would have anything to do with any organization that didn't do it on their own. Ideally it would be written right into their operating procedures. I am not picking on the VFDs. And as much as I appreciate the offer, I gave up doing anything for no pay long ago. And currently I employee several book keeping people and two licensed CPAs to look after all of my business affairs. If somebody is stealing from me or my company, I know about within 30 days because that is the cycle we use. So neck on the line, find someone else to audit the books for no charge.

Wilkes County has required a detailed financial statement for years. Plus the non profit is required by law to file an IRS 990 with a detailed statement. Was looking through several today and most use a CPA to file the return.

Wow, this hose jockey is a complete dumb***. Who here has ever stated they are a CPA? While I'm easily as capable of more so than the average cpa to audit something like a VFD, that doesn't mean I have the legal credentials to do so. You really are a moron

Heels I would have to make an educated guess and say the vfd board or the commissioners can ask or require an audit. They are receiving tax payer money not donations.

This may be a dumb question,. But are the commissioners the only ones that have the authority to call for and audit?

The kindergarten class must be in session. Apparently neither of the three addressed to openly go out into the county and perform audits - can read. No one here is afraid of an audit. How is the statement that encourages you to do these audits yourself interpret that I am afraid of a county audit? I support it morons and frankly encourage it. But now the ball is in your court and you still sit behind a computer and live the "big- little" forum life.

Anybody ever find a 990 for any of the VFDs?

Hose jockey, why are you afraid of an audit?

I would think the audits would be more than $300 since just a simple financial statement runs a little higher than that for a business.

Neck, is that the line the hose jockeys have been using on the commissioners and the public to avoid audits?

Your neck may be on the line but I do believe that your head is somewhere else and it isn't in the sand.

Hey hey, here's a chance for Dog, Agent, Basket Case, and three others to go around and perform such audits that they want to see done. Here's your opportunity to get what you want, save the tax payers money and volunteer your time. Lets get it done.

And not just for the FDs either. Any organization that receives public tax money should be required to do that. Or, no money.

I dont care if it costs 200 or 2000 bucks. An audit should be demanded of each department or cut the funds off until one is done. Its as simple as that.

I would think that s a bare minimum each FD would at least once a year have 6 randomly selected member sit and conduct a balance check of the books and checking accounts with the treasurer present to answer questions but not otherwise participating. It should also be a written policy that no checks are ever made out to CASH ever for any reason. But, since the County kicks them money, the Mouth Breathers should DEMAND it and not accept the results until all 6 auditors have signed off that things are proper. It is just good business sense but then again there is that word sense again.

There is a marked difference in an opinion and a full blown audit. Large difference in cost also. Most smaller non-profits opt for an accountant's opinion

About $300 would audit a fire department.

They should have less than 250 checks written a year and less than 15 deposits. The county deposits would be direct deposits.

Every county around us that has a fire tax the departments are required to do yearly audits and it cost much less than 10K.

My understanding of how these fire departments work is each department presents a budget to the county and it is approved or sent back for cuts to be made but once approved you had better be spending the money for how it was budgeted. This may be one reason they dont want an audit.