Financial Statement and Audit Review
Financial Statement and Audit Review for Baltimore County
Assignment 1: Financial Statement / Audit Report Review (PLEASE PICK ONE CTY OF MARYLAND OR COUNTY ) because that where I lived.
Due Week 4 and worth 240 points
Select one (1) local government in your state or area and review the financial statements and audit report for the county or municipality. The financial statements of the government you selected should have at least three (3) funds. Refer to the continuing problem homework for Weeks 1 through 3 for this assignment.
Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you:
1. Compare and contrast the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) of the selected local government entity with the city of Austin report from Week 1 homework. In your comparison, include:
- Publication method of the CAFR
- Audit and budget information in the CAFR
- The type of audit report issued
- Existence or non-existence of an internal audit function within the government entity
2. Prepare the analysis for the selected local government entity, including information on the introduction, financial section, and statistical section prepared in the city of Austin’s CAFR from chapter 2.
3. Analyze the methods used by the selected local government entity in comparing the budget-to-actual reports. Your analysis should include an evaluation of the basis of accounting used for the budget and financial statements.
4. Analyze the sources of revenue on the selected local government. Your analysis should include information on both governmental and business-type activities of the government. In your report, be sure to examine:
- Property taxes and how they are accounted for
- Other sources identified as primary revenue for the entity
- Deferred revenue
- Year to year variations in the tax levels of income
- Various management discussion and analysis items of note
- Information about the general fund
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
- Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
- Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
- Evaluate the financial reporting of state and local governments and assess the reporting requirements in accordance with governmental accounting standards board (GASB).
- Analyze governmental activities related to expenditures and expenses.
- Use technology and information resources to research issues in government and not-for-profit accounting.
- Write clearly and concisely about government and not-for-profit accounting using proper writing mechanics.
Click here to view grading rubric.
Financial Statement/Audit Report Review
PLEASE PICK ONE OF THE CITY OF STATE MARYLAND.
Introduction
Accounting and administration of finances regarding all revenues and expenditures incurred by a county remain an important aspect in all Maryland counties (Previts and Samson, 2000. p4). Accounting and finance offices are responsible for the compilation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report which presents each county’s financial position as of its June 30th fiscal year period end. The published financial statements then are submitted to both the internal and external auditors of the respective county for inspection. This paper analyses the financial statements of Baltimore County together with the audit report and compares the statement to that one provided by City of….Continue Reading….