By John Dunn –
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office audit of Lake County government for the fiscal year 2022 shows that much work needs to be done to improve the county’s financial management.
The audit report contains 12 findings, which is equal to the most findings of any county audit released to date. All seven of the findings presented in the fiscal year 2021 audit were also repeated in the 2022 report. Additionally, since 2018, Lake County has reported from seven to 12 findings in their audit reports. Each of these audits reported material audit adjustments, accounting deficiencies, budget deficiencies, and a lack of segregation of duties. These are serious internal control issues that have not been addressed. Repeated findings demonstrate county leaders’ inability or unwillingness to correct a deficiency, weakness, or area of noncompliance.
Lake County’s FY 2022 audit findings additionally include purchasing deficiencies and several violations of state and local policies. A small cash shortage was also noted in the Sheriff’s Office resulting from poor receipting, depositing, and reporting practices.
“One of our audit findings notes the county’s audit committee has not met since October 2020,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “The audit committee, along with the county’s new administration, must take action. Our auditors are writing the same findings year after year. We want Lake County government to improve, and we hope that county leaders are ready to make corrections.”
It should be noted that some offices within Lake County government did not have any findings in this year’s audit report. These offices include the County Clerk, Trustee, Clerk and Master, Register of Deeds, Assessor of Property, and the Circuit, General Sessions, and Juvenile Courts Clerk.
To view all Tennessee audit reports, click here.
If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud.
About the Author: John Dunn is the Director of Communications for the office of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
