Skip to main content

Audit of Countywide Deferred Revenue

Posted on October 9, 2023.

Entity: Countywide

The Salt Lake County Auditor’s Audit Services Division recently completed an audit of Salt Lake County Deferred Revenue.

The purpose of the audit was to determine the adequacy and effectiveness of Deferred Revenue(s) and Pre-paid goods and services. The objectives were to:

  1. Evaluate the design, implementation and effectiveness of internal controls related to deferred revenue transactions
  2. Determine if adequate segregation of duties are in place and
  3. Determine if financial records are accurate and complete.
A person holding a box. A person holding a box.

Auditor's Letter

October 9, 2023

We conducted an audit of Salt Lake County’s of deferred revenue. The purpose of the audit was to determine the adequacy and effectiveness of Deferred Revenue(s) and Pre-paid goods and services.

Overall we found the County lacks internal controls, documented policy guidance, and practices to ensure adequate and effective treatment of deferred revenue(s) and prepaid goods and service — including clear policies, procedures, and documentation, forms, and internal controls.

By implementing recommendations for policy and procedures, stronger retention guidance, processes to improve internal control, the County will be better able to ensure it consistency accounts for deferred revenue.

We are pleased with those agreements to implement our recommendations.

We recognize that this process in the Surveyor’s Office was new and there were not many permits issued during the scope of our audit. Therefore, this audit should be viewed as a preventive help while improving processes and procedures as the program grows.

This audit was authorized pursuant to Utah Code Title 17, Chapter 19a, “County Auditor”, Part 2, “Powers and Duties.” We conducted this performance audit in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusion based on our audit objectives.  We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives.

We appreciate the cooperation and assistance provided by all county stakeholders during this audit. Please review the enclosed audit report for detailed findings and recommendations, and feel free to contact me at 385-468-7200 with any questions.

 

 

Chris Harding, CPA, CFE, CIA

Auditor