If you are interested in taking a closer look at the county’s finances, and particularly how it will address issues found in its annual financial audits, consider applying to serve on the first-ever Humboldt County Audit Committee. There are currently three seats open – one for a representative from local special districts or schools, and two for qualified members of the public.
The county’s external auditors will start looking at the county’s books in April, so the application period will end on Wednesday, March 31, with appointments to be considered by the Board on April 6. The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for mid-April. Committee member appointees will serve for 2 years.
Audit committees are common in government agencies and they are a practical way to provide much-needed review and oversight to financial reporting processes, internal controls (or safeguards), and independent auditors. It also provides a forum separate from county management (including the Treasurer-Tax Collector, Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office) where auditors and other interested parties, such as government watchdogs and agencies that deposit funds in the county treasury, can candidly discuss concerns.
By carrying out its functions and responsibilities, the Audit Committee will help ensure that county management properly develops and adheres to a sound system of internal controls, that procedures are in place to objectively assess management’s practices, and that the independent auditors objectively assess the county’s financial reporting process.
The committee is comprised of five total members, two of whom are the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors. Due to the nature of this committee, anyone looking to be appointed to one of the final three positions must have an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements, and how those principles are applied with the accounting of estimates, accruals and reserves, among other qualifications. You can read all committee member qualifications and the committee's charter on the county website.
If you are interested in serving on the Humboldt County Audit Committee, fill out the application, along with a resume and email it to COB@co.humboldt.ca.us or send it to:
Clerk of the Board
County of Humboldt
Re: Humboldt County Audit Committee
825 5th Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Applications should be received by the county no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 31.