Government Entity Audit Services

Gardiner Thomsen specializes as a leading
Iowa CPA firm offering government entity audit services.

A city or county is a complex business. Layers of constituents, a non-traditional workforce and the scrutiny of the general public are blended together with rigid rules and regulations.

We understand that working with a CPA firm that is familiar with the complexities of government is of critical importance. Our decades of specialization in this area allow us to provide the guidance and resources you need to meet the expectations and requirements of your audience.

To ensure that you meet those requirements, Gardiner Thomsen has key employees who concentrate entirely on municipal, government and non-profit entities. Plus, we understand the pressure and detailed regulations you face. In addition to having more than 20 years of experience as a leading CPA firm offering government entity audit services, we have worked with various sizes of city and county government agencies, many of which we’ve established long-term relationships with. Over that time, we’ve learned that no matter how an agency is structured, they all pursue the same goals – to maintain and enhance their effectiveness to better serve their communities.

The GT Advantage

When engaging Gardiner Thomsen to perform an audit, our clients not only obtain professionals from a CPA firm that specializes in government entity audit services, but also the peace of mind of knowing that we are already familiar with producing a report that meets all governmental rules and compliance regulations.

Individual partners and members of our staff have impressive accomplishments in the governmental area and have devoted a substantial amount of their careers to serving Iowa municipalities by conducting audits and assessing their internal controls, policies and procedures. Their knowledge and experience, along with continued education, ensures that your audit will be conducted according to the many requirements imposed by various associations and governmental legislation.

Municipality and Government Entity Audit Services

If you engage Gardiner Thomsen, P.C. to perform the audit assignment, you will obtain the professional services of a group of people who are dedicated achievers and who have the expertise to perform the audits in accordance with:

• Chapter 11 of the Code of Iowa
• Generally Accepted Auditing Standards
• Single Audit Act Amendment of 1996
• Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Circular A-133,
• Audits of States, Local Governments, and
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller
• General of the United States.

We consider the audit as being comprised of several phases, each of which would include specific procedures. There are two initial phases – planning and systems evaluation – which normally take place prior to the end of the fiscal year. The testing phase includes verification of procedures and data and is accomplished both prior to and subsequent to the end of the year. Finally, there is a report phase, which includes preparation of the reports and review of their meaning with the government officials and Board of Supervisors.

To ensure the audit is adequately performed, it is subject to independent review. This guarantees that the report adheres to the highest of technical standards. Our firm uses a state approved audit program to ensure the objectives of the audit are met. Providing the highest possible level of professional service to our clients is accomplished through continuous education and close supervision of all staff.

Specialized Services

In addition to following the standard requirements, Gardiner Thomsen incorporates a unique approach to serving government agencies. While we’ll perform the necessary audit work to confirm that your financial statements meet the generally accepted accounting principles, we’ll also seek to deliver valuable insight and recommendations in the areas of budget planning and compliance regulations so you can more efficiently carry out your responsibilities. After all, it’s part of our mission to provide an environment where we can learn, grow and succeed. By taking an active interest in supporting the success of municipalities, we achieve that mission by helping to enhance your impact on the communities you serve. Following are some of the specialized government services we offer:

• Internal controls, segregation of duties
• Policies and procedures compliance
• Accounting policies
• Audits of federal awards under OMBA-133
• GFOA certificate of achievement program
• Assistance with IRS and state authorities
• Sales tax evaluation
• GASB No. 34
• Budget monitoring and long-range financial planning
• Cash and liquidity management
• Disaster recovery planning