Our firm specializes in the following services for governmental entities:
- providing internal audit services
- financial analyses
- closing of the accounting records and preparation for the annual audit
- interim financial management (such as interim financial officer/accounting officer/budget manager/controller/etc.)
- creation of programs and processes to improve internal audit procedures
- implementation of new accounting pronouncements and regulations
- finance department reorganizations
- improving internal controls
- fraud investigation
- grants management and monitoring subrecipients (in accordance with the Uniform Guidance) (→ you can read our series of grants management blog posts here); and
- audits of cash receipts and disbursements; procurement processes, internal control procedures for cash receipts, payroll process and internal controls, budgeting tools, debt management, treasury accounting, record retention, capital assets management, and cost allocation
To read about recent projects we’ve completed in California governments, please click here:
More details about our services:
Internal Audits - Most local governments do not have an internal audit function. Governments that do have one, often have difficulty providing their auditors with proper supervision, mentorship, or career development. Many do not have a large enough audit staff to have in-house experience for certain specialized audits. Our firm can perform internal audits or help audit staff plan and supervise internal audits. We also offer mentorship to audit staff, can help with outsourcing the internal audit function, or develop internal audit policies and procedures. On top of that, we can perform a peer review of your internal audit function. For an example of one of our recently issued audit reports, click here.
Policies and Procedures Development/Documentation - Accounting manuals help with consistency in the application of accounting principles, training of new staff and for compliance with internal controls. Many governments don’t have their accounting policies and procedures properly documented. Many others don’t have up-to-date policies and procedures. The writing or updating of accounting policies and procedures usually identifies areas where controls can be made stronger and/or procedures more efficient.
Grants Management - Governments sometimes struggle to manage their decentralized grants management processes, or to implement the Office of Management & Budget's Uniform Guidance. Our firm can help by creating effective and efficient procedures, developing management reports, writing policies and procedures, training staff, performing historical research into budget or billing problems, and more.
Year-End Accounting Close Assistance/Improvement - Sometimes, governments need help with the year-end closing process because of understaffed accounting departments, or other priorities. Our firm can provide staff or management to help close the books and prepare for the annual audit. We can also analyze and recommend ways to reduce the closing timeframe and effort.
Interim Financial Management - When a key finance employee departs, governments frequently take several months to fill the position. During that time, critical tasks may not be performed even though there are sufficient budgetary resources. Also, when governments have special projects or priorities that require significant staff time, they have a need to backfill accounting and finance positions. Our firm can provide experienced interim local government finance management and staff at the level of finance director, accounting manager, accountant, budget manager or financial analyst.
Internal Control Assessment/Improvement - Because of their need to efficiently manage public resources, local governments need a formal process for identifying risk and assessing the adequacy of related controls. This includes looking at how senior management, department management, auditor teams, and employees affect the internal control structure. It also includes consideration of the technology and processes that should be used to help manage any risks and controls. Our firm can help governments create governance structures and strategies, as well as perform internal control assessments of particular areas of concern.
Fraud Investigation – When you suspect fraud in any of your departments, our professionals can create and carry out an investigation that is thorough and provides adequate documentation and justification to pursue legal remedies. We can work with attorneys to quantify losses and can testify as expert witnesses. We can also create internal controls that minimize exposure to future fraud.
Process Improvement - When you or your employees find a particular business process to be functioning inefficiently or ineffectively, we can help to improve the process and the financial discipline of the employees involved. This is done through reviewing your business processes, policies and procedures, and comparing them to other governments' best practices. We can help with any of your business processes, including cash receipts, cash disbursements, investing, payroll, billing and collection, general accounting, and budgeting.
Policies and Procedures Development/Documentation - Accounting manuals help with consistency in the application of accounting principles, training of new staff and for compliance with internal controls. Many governments don’t have their accounting policies and procedures properly documented. Many others don’t have up-to-date policies and procedures. The writing or updating of accounting policies and procedures usually identifies areas where controls can be made stronger and/or procedures more efficient.
Grants Management - Governments sometimes struggle to manage their decentralized grants management processes, or to implement the Office of Management & Budget's Uniform Guidance. Our firm can help by creating effective and efficient procedures, developing management reports, writing policies and procedures, training staff, performing historical research into budget or billing problems, and more.
Year-End Accounting Close Assistance/Improvement - Sometimes, governments need help with the year-end closing process because of understaffed accounting departments, or other priorities. Our firm can provide staff or management to help close the books and prepare for the annual audit. We can also analyze and recommend ways to reduce the closing timeframe and effort.
Interim Financial Management - When a key finance employee departs, governments frequently take several months to fill the position. During that time, critical tasks may not be performed even though there are sufficient budgetary resources. Also, when governments have special projects or priorities that require significant staff time, they have a need to backfill accounting and finance positions. Our firm can provide experienced interim local government finance management and staff at the level of finance director, accounting manager, accountant, budget manager or financial analyst.
Internal Control Assessment/Improvement - Because of their need to efficiently manage public resources, local governments need a formal process for identifying risk and assessing the adequacy of related controls. This includes looking at how senior management, department management, auditor teams, and employees affect the internal control structure. It also includes consideration of the technology and processes that should be used to help manage any risks and controls. Our firm can help governments create governance structures and strategies, as well as perform internal control assessments of particular areas of concern.
Fraud Investigation – When you suspect fraud in any of your departments, our professionals can create and carry out an investigation that is thorough and provides adequate documentation and justification to pursue legal remedies. We can work with attorneys to quantify losses and can testify as expert witnesses. We can also create internal controls that minimize exposure to future fraud.
Process Improvement - When you or your employees find a particular business process to be functioning inefficiently or ineffectively, we can help to improve the process and the financial discipline of the employees involved. This is done through reviewing your business processes, policies and procedures, and comparing them to other governments' best practices. We can help with any of your business processes, including cash receipts, cash disbursements, investing, payroll, billing and collection, general accounting, and budgeting.
If you have any questions about services for your government, please reach out to us here:
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20885 Redwood Road, #202
Castro Valley, CA 94546 (510) 593-5037 KHarper@kevinharpercpa.com |