County to use same firm as past years

COLUMBUS — The Polk County Board of Commissioners elected to go with the same auditors, Gould Killian, for the fiscal year 2017-2018 audit report.

Commissioners met last week and approved a $53,000 bid for the audit report.

The county has contracted with Gould Killian CPA Group P.A. the past two years to perform the annual audit report.

County finance officer Sandra Hughes said this will be the county’s third year with Gould Killian, and their increase over last year is 3 percent. Other auditors’ increases were between 12-40 percent, because of new, required testing from the state, she said.

Gould Killian has agreed to charge separately if state or federal testing is required this year.

If a federal/state program test is required, Gould Killian will charge the county an additional $2,950 and, if a state-only test is required, Gould Killian will charge the county an additional $2,250, according to the bid.

Hughes recommended staying with Gould Killian because by keeping the same auditor, they can look deeper into the county’s processes.

Commissioner Ray Gasperson said another positive about staying with the same firm is they will focus on one aspect of the county’s finances in depth.