Narrabri Shire Council has marked a quick turnaround in the audit of its financial statements in the space of two years.
Council has gone from receiving a disclaimer of opinion through to an unqualified opinion within that time period.
At the December ordinary meeting, council’s 2023/24 audited financial statements were presented for councillors to adopt.
Representing Forsyths, council’s appointed external auditor, Jacob Sauer described the change as a massive achievement.
“I don’t say that lightly … to go from a disclaimer of opinion through to an unqualified opinion within a two-year period,” Mr Sauer told the meeting.
“Disclaimers are a quite serious situation from an audit perspective.
“That means we were unable to form an opinion on the financial statements.
“To put in the amount of work that was needed, particularly around asset valuations and the impairment calculations, to go back to an unqualified opinion is a testament to council.
“I really want to make sure that is emphasised.”
An unqualified opinion means that, as per audit procedures, no misstatements were identified. That is what every council aims for, Mr Sauer told the meeting.
Cr Tiemens praised council staff, including former general manager Rob Williams, interim general manager Eloise Chaplain and director of financial and commercial services Ted Harrington, for the turnaround.
Ms Chaplain thanked the current and past council for their patience and trust in staff to do the work and have the matter turned around so quickly.
The audited statements show a deficit, before capital income, of $1.3 million, an improvement on the budgeted $4.7 million deficit, the council business paper states.
Total cash and investments by council increased from $62.9 million in the previous financial year to $68.2 million.
The adoption of the audited statements was moved by Cr Brett Dickinson and seconded by Cr Brett Nolan.
Moving the motion, Cr Dickinson praised council staff on their efforts.
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