Luallen Releases Audit of
Hickman County Clerk’s Fee Account



See the audit report for Full Details

Crit Luallen
Auditor of Public Accounts
209 St. Clair St.
Frankfort, KY 40601

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ontact:
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(Frankfort - May 18, 2010) State Auditor Crit Luallen today released the audit of the 2009 financial statement of Hickman County Clerk, James Berry. State law requires the Auditor to conduct annual audits of county clerks and sheriffs.

The audit found that the Clerk’s financial statement presents fairly the revenues, expenditures, and excess fees of the Hickman County Clerk in conformity with the regulatory basis of accounting.

As part of the audit process, the Auditor must comment on non-compliance with laws, regulations, contracts and grants. The Auditor must also comment on material weaknesses involving the internal control over financial operations and reporting.

The audit contains the following comment: the Clerk’s office lacks adequate segregation of duties. This occurs when only one person has control over various elements of a single account, e.g., deposits and payments. The report recognizes that due to the diversity of operations, small size, and budget restrictions, the Clerk has limited options for establishing a segregation of duties. However, the audit provides the Clerk with specific recommendations for improvement of procedures.

The Hickman County Clerk, James Berry, responded, “I can’t do anymore than we are doing now. We are doing the best we can do.”

The County Clerk’s responsibilities include collecting certain taxes, issuing licenses, maintaining county records and providing other services. The Clerk’s office is funded through statutory fees collected in conjunction with these duties.

 

Crit Luallen
Auditor of Public Accounts
209 St. Clair St.
Frankfort, KY 40601
WEB:
www.auditor.ky.gov/