LOCAL BODY AUDITS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 69

LOCAL BODY AUDITS.

COMPLAINT REGARDING CHARGES. THAMES, March 7. The presentation of an account by the Audit Department against the Harbour Board for 13 days’ work at three guineas daily for auditing the annua] balance sheet was the subject of much unfavourable comment at last evening’s meeting. The Secretary said that previous audits had taken about nine days, and no explanation was given why extra time had been taken on this occasion. One member said that this extra time for the audit had been experienced by other local bodies in the district, which had thus to pay for the auditor’s inexperience in the various systems. Time was also lost by the ‘auditor searching for small errors. There -was a how] at the increase in administration expenses, but to this the Audit Department paid no attention. Another member said that three guineas daily was an exorbitant charge. The board finally resolved that the Harbour Boards’ Association be written to drawing its attention to the cost of auditing charges, and also to the time taken by the auditors; with a view to asking for a reduction in the future. °