Clean Audit Three Years In A Row For Putnam County

No audit findings against Putnam County were found again this year, making a three year clean audit streak.

Putnam County Audit Committee Chairman Robert Duncan said this is the first time in the county’s history.

“It’s something that we’ve tried for,” Duncan said. “The cooperation that was achieved four years ago from an audit standpoint, when the new officials came in. They all wanted a clean audit with no findings. Working together, they’ve achieved that for the last three years.”

Part of the auditing process include reviewing compliance with federal regulations, and dividing duties between officials. Duncan said this involves not having one person control a transaction from initiation through approval.

Officials review the audit issued by the comptroller of the State of Tennessee’s office. Duncan said they audit the top six counties in Tennessee, making the audit comprehensive.

“We look at their report, and then we discuss with their audit manager and the senior auditor on the job,” Duncan said. “We review their findings, if there;s anything that’s coming up as far as future accounting pronouncements. That could have an effect on future county financial statements.”

Duncan said segregation of official duties depends upon the size of the county. He said it’s harder for smaller counties, but Putnam is a great size for duty distribution.