HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 Contractann Robson
Rehmann
Rehm North Highway ASA,
Suite 250
Vero Beach, FL 32963
Ph: 772.234.8484
Fx: 772.234.8488
rehmann.com
March 22, 2018
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of Sebastian, Florida
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, Florida 32958
We are pleased to confirm our understanding of the services we are to provide City of Sebastian, Florida
(the "City") for the year ended September 30, 2019.
We will audit the financial statements of the governmental activities, the business -type activities, the
aggregate discretely presented component units, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund
information, including the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the
basic financial statements of the City as of and for the year ended September 30, 2019. Accounting
standards generally accepted in the United States of America provide for certain required supplementary
information (RSI) such as management's discussion and analysis (MDS:A), to supplement the City's basic
financial statements. Such information, although not a part of the basic financial statements, is required
by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board who considers it to be an essential part of financial
reporting for placing the basic financial statements in an appropriate operational, economic, or historical
context. As part of our engagement, we will apply certain limited procedures to the City's RSI in
accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. These limited
procedures will consist of inquiries of management regarding the methods of preparing the information
and comparing the information for consistency with management's responses to our inquiries, the basic
financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during our audit of the basic financial
statements. We will not express an opinion or provide any assurance on the information because the
limited procedures do not provide us with sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any
assurance. The following RSI is required by generally accepted accounting principles and will be
subjected to certain limited procedures, but wilt not be audited:
1. Management's Discussion and Analysis
2. Schedules of Required by GASB 67 and 68 - Pension Plan
3. Schedules of Funding Progress and Employer Contributions - OPEB Plan
We have also been engaged to report on supplementary information other than RSI, such as combining
and individual fund financial statements, that accompanies the City's basic financial statements. We will
subject the supplementary information to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the basic
financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such
information directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial
statements or to the financial statements themselves, and other additional procedures in accordance
with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and will provide an opinion
on it in relation to the financial statements as a whole.
The following other information accompanying the basic financial statements will not be subjected to
the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the financial statements, and for which our auditor's
report will disclaim an opinion:
1. Introductory section of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
2. Statistical section of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
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The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of Sebastian, Florida
March 22, 2018
Page 2
Audit Objectives
The objective of our audit is the expression of opinions as to whether the City's basic financial statements
are fairly presented, in all material respects, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America and to report on the fairness of the supplementary information referred
to in the second paragraph when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a
whole. Our audit of the City's financial statements does not relieve management or those charged with
governance of their responsibilities. Our audit will be conducted in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards for financial audits contained in
Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, and will include
tests of the accounting records of the City and other procedures we consider necessary to enable us to
express such opinions. We will issue a written report upon completion of our audit of the City's financial
statements. Our report will be addressed to the City Council. We cannot provide assurance that
unmodified opinions will be expressed. Circumstances may arise in which it is necessary for us to modify
our opinions or add emphasis -of -matter or other -matter paragraphs to our report. If our opinions on the
financial statements are other than unmodified, we will discuss the reasons with management in
advance. If circumstances occur and come to our attention related to the condition of the City's records,
the availability of sufficient, appropriate audit evidence, or the existence of a significant risk of material
misstatement of the financial statements caused by error, fraudulent financial reporting, or
misappropriation of assets, or we become aware that information provided by the City is incorrect,
incomplete, or otherwise unsatisfactory which in our professional judgment prevent us from completing
the audit or forming an opinion on the financial statements, we retain the right to take any course of
action permitted by professional standards, including declining to express an opinion or issue a report,
or withdrawing from the engagement.
We will also provide a report (that does not include an opinion) on internal control related to the financial
statements and compliance with laws, regulations, and the provisions of contracts or grant agreements,
noncompliance with which could have a material effect on the financial statements as required by
Government Auditing Standards. The reports on internal control and compliance will each include a
paragraph that states that the purpose of the report is solely to describe the scope of testing of internal
control over financial reporting and compliance, and the result of that testing, and not to provide an
opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting or on compliance and that the
report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in
considering internal control over financial reporting and compliance. The paragraph will also state that
the report is not suitable for any other purpose. If during our audit we become aware that the City is
subject to an audit requirement that is not encompassed in the terms of this engagement, we will
communicate to management and those charged with governance that an audit in accordance with
auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards for financial
audits contained in Government Auditing Standards may not satisfy the relevant legal, regulatory, or
contractual requirements.
The concept of materiality is inherent in the work of an independent auditor. An independent auditor
places greater emphasis on those items that have, on a relative basis, more importance to the financial
statements and greater possibilities of material error than with those items of lesser importance or those
in which the possibility of material error is remote. For this purpose, materiality has been defined as
"the magnitude of an omission or misstatement of accounting and financial reporting information that,
in light of surrounding circumstances, makes it probable that the judgment of a reasonable person relying
on the information would have been changed or influenced by the omission or misstatement."
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of Sebastian, Florida
March 22, 2018
Page 3
Audit Procedures and Our Responsibilities —General
An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements; therefore, our audit will involve judgment about the number of transactions to be
examined and the areas to be tested. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting
policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We will plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable rather than absolute assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement, whether from (1) errors, (2) fraudulent financial reporting, (3) misappropriation
of assets, or (4) violations of laws or governmental regulations that are attributable to the City or to acts
by management or employees acting on behalf of the City. Because the determination of abuse is
subjective, Government Auditing Standards do not expect auditors to provide reasonable assurance of
detecting abuse.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, combined with the inherent limitations of internal
control, and because we will not perform a detailed examination of all transactions, there is a risk that
material misstatements may exist and not be detected by us, even though the audit is properly planned
and performed in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America
and Government Auditing Standards. In addition, an audit is not designed to detect immaterial
misstatements or violations of laws or governmental regulations that do not have a direct and material
effect on the financial statements. However, we will inform the appropriate level of management of any
material errors, any fraudulent financial reporting, or misappropriation of assets that come to our
attention. We will also inform the appropriate level of management of any violations of laws or
governmental regulations that come to our attention, unless clearly inconsequential. Our responsibility
as auditors is limited to the period covered by our audit and does not extend to later periods for which
we are not engaged as auditors.
Our procedures will include tests of documentary evidence supporting the transactions recorded in the
accounts, and direct confirmation of receivables and certain other assets and liabilities by
correspondence with selected individuals, creditors, and financial institutions. We may request written
representations from the City's attorneys as part of the engagement, and they may bill the City for
responding to this inquiry. At the conclusion of our audit, we will also require certain written
representations from management about the financial statements and related matters.
We have advised the City of the limitations of our audit regarding the detection of fraud and the possible
effect on the financial statements (including misappropriation of cash or other assets). We can, as a
separate engagement, perform extended procedures specifically designed to potentially detect
defalcations. Management acknowledges that the City has not engaged us to do so and does not wish to
do so at this time.
Management is responsible for the basic financial statements and all accompanying information as well
as all representations contained therein. As part of the audit, we will assist with the preparation of the
City's financial statements and related notes. Management will be required to acknowledge in the
management representation letter our assistance with preparation of the financial statements and that
management has reviewed and approved the financial statements and related notes prior to their
issuance and has accepted responsibility for them. Management agrees to assume all management
responsibilities for any nonaudit services we provide; oversee the services by designating an individual,
preferably from senior management, who possesses suitable skill, knowledge, and/or experience to
oversee any nonaudit services we provide; evaluate the adequacy and results of these or other nonattest
services provided by our Firm; and understand and accept responsibility for the results of such services.
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of Sebastian, Florida
March 22, 2018
Page 4
We, in our sole professional judgment, reserve the right to refuse to perform any procedure or take any
action that could be construed as assuming management responsibilities.
Audit Procedures - Internal Controls
Our audit will include obtaining an understanding of the City and its business environment, including
internal control over financial reporting, sufficient to assess the risks of material misstatement of the
financial statements and to design the nature, timing and extent of further audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances. Tests of controls may be performed to test the effectiveness of certain
controls that we consider relevant to preventing and detecting errors and fraud that are material to the
financial statements and to preventing and detecting misstatements resulting from illegal acts and other
noncompliance matters that have a direct and material effect on the financial statements. Our tests, if
performed, will be less in scope than would be necessary to render an opinion on internal control and,
accordingly, no opinion will be expressed in our report on internal control issued pursuant to Government
Auditing Standards.
An audit is not designed to provide assurance on internal control, or to identify significant deficiencies
or material weaknesses in internal control, or to express an opinion on the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting. However, during the audit, we will communicate to the appropriate
level of management and those charged with governance internal control related matters that are
required to be communicated under AICPA professional standards and Government Auditing Standards.
These matters refer to significant matters related to the financial statement audit that are, in our
professional judgment, relevant to the responsibilities of those charged with governance in overseeing
the City's financial reporting process. When applicable, we are responsible for communicating certain
matters required by laws or regulations, or by additional requirements that may be applicable to this
engagement. Auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America do not require the
independent auditor to design or perform procedures for the purpose of identifying other matters to
communicate with those charged with governance. Management is responsible for assessing the
implications of and correcting any internal control -related matters brought to the City's attention by us.
Audit Procedures - Compliance
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement, we will perform tests of the City's compliance with the provisions of applicable laws,
regulations, contracts, agreements, and grants. However, the objective of our audit will not be to provide
an opinion on overall compliance and we will not express such an opinion in our report on compliance
issued pursuant to Government Auditing Standards.
Management Responsibilities
Management is solely and completely responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining effective
internal control over financial reporting, including ongoing monitoring activities; to help ensure that
appropriate goals and objectives are met; for the selection and application of accounting principles; and
for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in conformity with an acceptable
financial reporting framework. Management is responsible for determining, and has determined, that the
applicable and appropriate financial reporting framework to be used in the preparation of the City's
financial statements is accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
Management is also solely and completely responsible for making all financial records and related
information available to us and for ensuring that financial information is reliable and properly recorded.
Management is also responsible for providing us with (1) access to all information of which management
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of Sebastian, Florida
March 22, 2018
Page 5
is aware that is relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements, (2)
additional information that we may request from management for the purpose of the audit, and (3)
unrestricted access to persons within the City from whom we determine it necessary to obtain audit
evidence.
Management's responsibilities include adjusting the financial statements to correct material
misstatements and for confirming to us in the written representation letter that the effects of any
uncorrected misstatements aggregated by us during the current engagement and pertaining to the latest
period presented are immaterial, both individually and in the aggregate, to the financial statements
taken as a whole.
We understand that management will provide us with such information required for our audit, including
a reasonably adjusted trial balance, and that management is responsible for the accuracy and
completeness of that information. Assistance provided by our Firm in the preparation of a reasonably
adjusted trial balance is considered an additional billable service.
We will advise management (and the City Council, as necessary) about appropriate accounting principles
and their application and may assist in the preparation of the City's financial statements, but the
responsibility for the financial statements remains with management with oversight by those charged
with governance. As part of our engagement, we may propose standard, adjusting, or correcting journal
entries to the City's financial statements. Management is responsible for reviewing the entries,
understanding the nature of any proposed entries and the impact they have on the financial statements,
and the implications of such entries on the City's internal control over financial reporting. Further, the
City is responsible for designating a qualified management -level individual to be responsible and
accountable for overseeing these services.
Management is responsible for the design and implementation of programs and controls to prevent and
detect fraud, and for informing us about all known or suspected fraud affecting the government involving
(1) management, (2) employees who have significant roles in internal control, and (3) others where the
fraud could have a material effect on the financial statements. Management's responsibilities include
informing us of its knowledge of any allegations of fraud, suspected fraud, or illegal acts affecting the
government received in communications from employees, former employees, grantors, regulators, or
others. In addition, management is responsible for identifying and ensuring that the City complies with
applicable laws, regulations, contracts, agreements and grants and for taking timely and appropriate
steps to remedy any fraud, violations of contracts or grant agreements, or abuse that we may report.
Management is responsible for the preparation of the supplementary information that is presented fairly
in relation to the basic financial statements. Management agrees to include our report on the
supplementary information in any document that contains and indicates that we have reported on the
supplementary information. Management also agrees to include the audited financial statements with
any presentation of the supplementary information that includes our report thereon. Management's
responsibilities include acknowledging to us in the representation letter that (1) management is
responsible for presentation of the supplementary information in accordance with GAAP; (2) that
management believes the supplementary information, including its form and content, is fairly presented
in accordance with GAAP; (3) that the methods of measurement or presentation have not changed from
those used in the prior period (or, if they have changed, the reasons for such changes); and (4)
management has disclosed to us any significant assumptions or interpretations underlying the
measurement or presentation of the supplementary information.
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of Sebastian, Florida
March 22, 2018
Page 6
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a process for tracking the status of audit
findings and recommendations. Management is also responsible for identifying for us previous financial
audits, attestation engagements, performance audits, or other studies related to the objectives discussed
in the Audit Objectives section of this letter. This responsibility includes relaying to us corrective actions
taken to address significant findings and recommendations resulting from those audits, attestation
engagements, performance audits, or studies. Management is also responsible for providing
management's views on our current findings, conclusions, and recommendations, as well as
management's planned corrective actions for the report, and for the timing and format for providing
that information.
During the course of our engagement, we will request information and explanations from management
regarding the City's operations, internal control over financial reporting, various matters concerning
fraud risk, future plans, specific transactions, and accounting systems and procedures. At the conclusion
of our engagement, we will require, as a precondition to the issuance of our report, that management
provide certain representations in a written management representation letter.
Fees
Our fee for the audit services for the year ended September 30, 2018 will be charged at rates
commensurate with the value of our professional services rendered and are not expected to exceed
$39,100. A separate fee of $4,500 will be added if a single audit is required.
Our invoices for these fees will be rendered each month as work progresses and are payable on
presentation.
This fee is based on the assumption that unexpected circumstances will not be encountered during the
audit. This fee is based on anticipated cooperation from the City's personnel, continued readiness and
proactive assistance on their part in providing us with complete and accurate information (whether
financial or nonfinancial in nature) considered necessary by us to form an appropriate opinion, and the
assumption that unexpected circumstances will not be encountered during the audit. Such circumstances
include, but are not necessarily limited to significant addition or deletion of funds, component units or
related entities and first-time application of significant new professional accounting or auditing
pronouncements. In addition, the fee above assumes management will analyze and maintain appropriate
support for significant valuation assertions embodied in the financial statements including the valuation
of investment securities, the actuarial methods and assumptions used to calculate the net pension and
other postemployment benefits liabilities, impairment of capital assets including those held for sale, the
valuation of inventories and land held for resale, allowances for uncollectible receivables, and the
estimate for incurred -but -not -reported self insurance claims. If significant additional time is necessary,
we will discuss the related circumstances with management and arrive at a new fee estimate, which may
or may not occur before we incur the additional time. In these circumstances, we may also issue a change
order form (an attached example is provided.)
Engagement Administration, and Other
Management shall discuss any independence matters with Rehmann that, in management's judgment,
could bear upon Rehmann's independence.
We will provide copies of our reports to the City; however, management is responsible for distribution
of the reports and the financial statements. Unless restricted by law or regulation, or containing
privileged and confidential information, copies of our reports are to be made available for public
inspection.
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of Sebastian, Florida
March 22, 2018
Page 7
The audit documentation for this engagement is the property of Rehmann and constitutes confidential
information. However, pursuant to authority given by law or regulation, we may be requested to make
certain audit documentation available to a cognizant or grantor agency for audit or its designee, a federal
agency providing direct or indirect funding, or the U.S. Government Accountability Office for purposes
of a quality review of the audit, to resolve audit findings, or to carry out oversight responsibilities. We
will notify management of any such request. If requested, access to such audit documentation will be
provided under the supervision of Rehmann personnel. Furthermore, upon request, we may provide
copies of selected audit documentation to the aforementioned parties. These parties may intend, or
decide, to distribute the copies or information contained therein to others, including other governmental
agencies.
The audit documentation for this engagement will be retained for a minimum of five years after the
report release date or for any additional period requested by the cognizant agency, oversight agency for
audit, or pass -through City. If we are aware that a federal awarding agency or auditee is contesting an
audit finding, we will contact the parties contesting the audit finding for guidance prior to destroying
the audit documentation.
Our audit engagement and responsibility as auditors ends on delivery of our audit report. Any follow-up
services that might be required will be part of a separate, new engagement. The terms and conditions
of that new engagement will be governed by a new, specific engagement letter for that service.
Government Auditing Standards require that we provide the City with a copy of our most recent external
peer review report and any subsequent peer review reports received during the period of the contract.
Our 2017 peer review report accompanies this letter.
This engagement letter and the attached Rehmann Audit Engagement Letter Terms and Conditions reflect
the entire understanding between us relating to the audit services covered by this agreement. This
agreement may not be amended or varied except by a written document signed by both parties. It
replaces and supersedes any previous proposals, correspondence, and understandings, whether written
or oral. The agreements of the City and Rehmann contained in this document shall survive the completion
or termination of this engagement. If any term hereof is found unenforceable or invalid, this shall not
affect the other terms hereof, all of which shall continue in effect as if the stricken tern had not been
included.
We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to the City and believe the arrangements outlined above
and in the attached Rehmann Audit Engagement Letter Terms and Conditions accurately summarize the
significant terms of our engagement. If you have any questions, please let us know. If you agree with the
terms of our engagement, please sign the enclosed copy of this document and return it to us.
Robert R. Harris, CPA, CFF P. Ross Cotherman, CPA
Principal Principal
Executive responsible for coordinating Executive responsible for supervising the
and administering client services engagement and signing our report
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
City of Sebastian, Florida
March 22, 2018
Page 8
ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED:
This letter correctly seta forth the understanding of City of Sebastian, Florida.
Officer
Printed N�e/
Title
/
Date
Rehmann Audit Engagement Letter and Conditions
ADDITIONAL SERVICES - The City may request that we perform
additional services not addressed in this engagement letter. If this
occurs, we will communicate with management regarding the scope of
the additional services and the estimated separate fees. We also may
issue a change order form (an attached example is provided), or a
separate engagement letter covering the additional services. In the
absence of any other written communication from us documenting such
additional services, our attest services will continue to be governed by
the terms of this engagement letter.
CODE OF CONDUCT - Management is responsible for identifying any
violations by employees of the City's code of conduct.
CHANGES IN STANDARDS, LAWS AND REGULATIONS - We Perform
services for the City based on present professional standards, laws and
regulations. While we may on occasion be able to communicate with
management with respect to changes in professional standards, laws
and regulations, as a general principle we cannot undertake with
clients to advise them of every change that may occur. The City can
always obtain reassurance in this regard by contacting us for an
updated review of the City's situation.
MANAGEMENT'S REPRESENTATIONS - The procedures we will perform
in our engagement and the conclusions we reach as a basis for our
report will be heavily influenced by the written and oral
representations that we receive from management. Accordingly, false,
misleading, incomplete or omitted representations could cause us to
expend unnecessary efforts or could cause material error or a fraud to
go undetected by our procedures. In view of the foregoing, the City
agrees that we shall not be responsible for any material misstatements
in the City's financial statements that we may fail to detect as a result
of false, inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading representations that
are made to us by management. In addition, the City further agrees to
indemnify and hold us harmless for any liability and all reasonable
costs, including legal fees, that we may incur as a result of the services
performed under this engagement in the event there are false or
misleading representations made to us by any member of the City's
management.
CLIENT ASSISTANCE - We understand that the City's employees will
prepare all cash, accounts receivable, and other confirmations we
request and will locate and refile any documents selected by us for
testing. In addition, management will provide us with copies of all
minutes and other documents that we believe may have a bearing on
our evaluation of the City's financial affairs.
WORK SPACE - The City shall provide reasonable work space for
Rehmann personnel at audit work sites, as well as occasional clerical
support services. The City understands that Rehmann's performance is
dependent on the City's timely and effective satisfaction of its own
activities and responsibilities in connection with this engagement, as
well as timely decisions and approvals by City personnel.
ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF INFORMATION - Management
agrees to ensure that all information provided to us is accurate and
complete in all material respects, contains no material omissions and
is updated on a prompt and continuous basis. In addition, management
will also be responsible for obtaining all third -party consents, if any,
required to enable Rebmann to access and use any third -party products
necessary to our performance.
EMAIL - The City acknowledges that (a) Rebmann, the City and others,
If any, participating in this engagement may correspond or convey
documentation via Internet e-mail unless the City expressly requests
otherwise, (b) no party has control over the performance, reliability,
availability, or security of Internet e-mail, and (c) Rehmann shall not
be liable for any loss, damage, expense, harm or inconvenience
resulting from the loss, delay, interception, corruption, or alteration
of any Internet e-mail due to any reason beyond Rehmann's reasonable
control.
OFFERS OF EMPLOYMENT - Professional standards require us to be
Independent with respect to the City in the performance of our
services. Any discussions that management has with personnel of our
Firm regarding employment could pose a threat to our independence.
Therefore, we request that management inform us prior to any such
discussions so that we can implement appropriate safeguards to
maintain our independence.
Neither party shalt, during the term of this engagement letter and for
one (1) year after its termination, solicit for hire as an employee,
consultant or otherwise any of the other parry's personnel without such
other parry's express written consent. If the City desires to offer
employment to a Rebmann associate and the associate is hired in any
capacity by the City, a market -driven compensation placement fee may
apply.
ADDITIONAL FEES AND BILLING POLICIES - It must be understood that
the nature of our engagement requires us to exercise our Independent
professional judgment with respect to various auditing, accounting and
related issues. In reaching our conclusions, we must retain the right to
judge the nature and scope of the work required in order to conform
to professional standards, as well as the work we deem necessary to
enable us to reach the conclusions and form the opinions required of
us. If our judgment as to the scope of the work required causes us to
reassess our estimate of fees for this engagement, we will so advise
the City. We reserve the right to refrain from performing additional
work (and thereby incurring additional time charges) unless and until
the City has confirmed its understanding of, and agreement to, any
additional estimated charges.
Our fee estimate is based upon our discussions with management, in
which management has disclosed no unusual problems or issues which
would require us to conduct an audit of unusual scope or otherwise
expend time and effort in excess of that normally anticipated in an
engagement of this type. The estimate also assumes that we will have
the full cooperation of City personnel, as required, and that there is a
reasonable continuity of City personnel familiar with the matters to
which our engagement relates. In addition, our fee is based on the
experience level of our personnel, at their respective standard hourly
rates, performing certain audit procedures at certain timeframes. If
we are caused to vary from that planning formula, additional fees will
need to be charged to allow for more experienced personnel
performing the work, reallocation of our client priority, overtime, etc.
Further, management will provide us with the schedules and records
that we request (which ordinarily are detailed in a request list in
advance of our fieldwork) and that all such schedules and records will
be provided to us timely in accordance with the scheduled fieldwork
dates, to be mutually agreed upon. If the requested schedules and
records are not provided to us in accordance with the scheduled dates
and we are unable to continue our work, we will resume our work as
soon as the schedules and records are provided to us and our
professionals assigned to the engagement again become available.
As a result of well -publicized events, global economic convergence,
and the continued evolution of the accounting profession, accounting
and auditing standard setters and regulators are continually evaluating
the need for changes that may affect the City. Such changes may result
in changes in financial reporting and expanding the nature, timing and
scope of activities we are required to perform to provide the services
discussed in this letter. Proposed changes and shortened deadlines
could result in a reduction of the level of assistance and preparedness
the City is able to provide. We expect that our clients may continue to
look to us to assist them with these changes. To the extent any changes
require us to increase the time required to provide the services
described in this letter or to complete new tasks required by such
changes, we reserve the right to adjust our fees appropriately. We will
endeavor to advise the City of anticipated changes to our fees on a
timely basis.
In accordance with our Firm policies, work may be suspended if the
City's account becomes 30 days or more overdue and will not be
resumed until the account is paid in full or we have a definitive
payment agreement approved by our Firm administrator in Saginaw,
Michigan. If we elect to terminate our services for nonpayment, our
engagement will be deemed to have been completed even if we have
not issued our report. The City will be obligated to compensate us for
all time expended and to reimburse us for all out-of-pocket
expenditures through the date of termination.
Our terms and conditions impose a late charge of 1.5% per month,
which is an annual percentage rate of 18%. Balances not paid within 30
Rehmann Audit Engagement Letter and Conditions
days of the receipt of invoice are past due and a late charge of 1.5%
will be applied to the entire past due amount.
CLAIMS - Because there are Inherent difficulties in recalling or
preserving information as the period after an engagement increases,
the City agrees that, notwithstanding the statute of limitations of any
particular State or U.S. Territory, any claim based on the audit
engagement must be filed within 12 months after performance of our
service, unless management has previously provided us with a written
notice of a specific defect in our services that forms the basis of the
claim.
TERMINATION OF SERVICES - We reserve the right to suspend or
terminate services for reasonable cause such as failure to pay our
invoices on a timely basis or failure to provide adequate information in
response to our inquiries necessary for successful performance of our
audit services. Our engagement will be deemed to be completed upon
written notification of termination, even if we have not completed the
audit and issued our signed auditors' report. The City is obligated to
compensate us for the time expended to that point and to reimburse
us for all out-of-pocket expenditures through the date of termination.
We acknowledge the City's right to terminate our services at any time,
and the City acknowledges our right to withdraw at any time, including,
but not limited to, for example, instances where, in our judgment,
(a) the conditions in the first paragraph of the Audit Objectives section
of this letter exist, (b) our independence has been impaired, (c) we
can no longer rely on the integrity of management, (d) management
(or the Audit Committee, if applicable) fails to reasonably support our
efforts to perform the engagement in accordance with what we believe
is necessary to comply with professional standards, or (e) a lack of
professionalism exhibited by management demonstrates a lack of
respect for our personnel such as that evidenced In inappropriate or
threatening language/emails, subject in either rase to our right to
payment for charges incurred to the date of termination or resignation.
In the event that we determine to resign, and the City seeks damages
allegedly resulting from such resignation, our maximum liability to the
City in the event we are held liable because of such resignation shall
be limited to the fees actually paid to us for current year audit work
performed up to the date of resignation.
REPRODUCTION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - If the City voluntarily
Intends to publish or otherwise reproduce its financial statements
concurrently with the original issuance thereon of our audit report
and/or make reference to our Firm name, such as for inclusion in an
annual report (such as, for example, in a CAFR), prospectus or similar
document, the City agrees to provide us with printer's proofs, drafts,
or masters for our review and approval before printing. The City also
agrees to provide us with a copy of the final reproduced material for
our approval before it is distributed. Fees, if any, for issuance or
Inclusion of our audit report and/or any other reference to our Firm in
such other document, will be based on our standard hourly rates.
If the City decides to include, publish or otherwise reproduce the
financial statements and our report thereon at a date subsequent to
their original issuance, such as for inclusion in a Preliminary or Official
Statement in connection with a sale of bonds or notes, or other
securities, or in a prospectus or similar offering or other document
(hereinafter referred to as the "document'), our Firm is presumed not
to be associated with such document, and we have no obligation to
perform any procedures with respect to such document. In these
circumstances, the City agrees to include to the document a statement
that we have not been engaged to perform and have not performed,
since the date of our report being reproduced, any procedures on the
financial statements contained in such document or on the unaudited
financial or other information contained in the document, or on the
document itself. If, however, management or the City's agent (such as
an underwriter, bond counsel, financial advisor, etc.) requests our
Involvement, such as engaging us to prepare a written
acknowledgement (sometimes referred to as a "consent" or "agree to
Include") letter prior to including our audit report in such a document,
or engaging us to assist in preparing or reviewing financial or other
information contained in such document, our Firm then becomes
associated with the document and in accordance with professional
standards, we will be required to perform certain limited procedures
with respect to this or other unaudited information contained in the
document. Fees for reissuance or inclusion of our audit report in such
a document will be based on our standard hourly rates. If the City
wishes to make reference in such a document to our Firm's rote in
connection with the purpose of the document, the caption
"Independent Auditors" may be used to title or label that section of
the document. In accordance with professional standards, the caption
"Experts" should not be used, nor should our Firm be referred to as
"experts" anywhere in the document.
With regard to electronic dissemination of audited financial
statements, including financial statements published electronically on
the City's Internet Web site, the City understands that electronic sites
are a means to distribute information and, therefore, we are not
required to read the information contained in these sites or to consider
the consistency of other information in the electronic site with the
original document.
INFORMAL ADVICE - As part of our engagement we may provide advice
on operating, internal control over financial reporting and other
matters that come to our attention. Informal advice 1s not considered
to be a consulting service unless we have entered into a separate
engagement.
THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS - As a result of our prior or future services
to the City, we might be requested or subpoenaed to provide
information or documents to management or a third party in a legal,
administrative, mediation, or arbitration or similar proceeding in which
we are not a party. If this occurs, our efforts in complying with such
requests will be billable to the City as a separate engagement. We shall
be entitled to compensation for our time at our standard hourly rates
and reasonable reimbursement for our expenses (including our legal
fees) in complying with this request. For all such requests, we will
observe the confidentiality requirements of our profession and will
notify management promptly of the request. This paragraph will
survive the termination of this agreement for any reason, and will be
binding upon successors to the City.
PEER REVIEW - Our Firm, as well as other major accounting firms,
participates in a "peer review" program covering our audit and
accounting practices. This program requires that once every three
years we subject our quality assurance practices to an examination by
another accounting firm. As part of the process, the other firm will
review a sample of our work. It is possible that the work we perform
for the City may be selected by the other firm for their review. If it is,
the other firm is bound by professional standards to keep all
Information confidential. If management objects to having the work we
perform for the City reviewed by our peer reviewer, please notify us in
writing.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS - The City consents to Rehmann's use of
your City name and a factual description of the services to be
performed by Rebmann under this agreement in Rehmann's advertising
and promotional materials and other proposal opportunities.
MEDIATION - If any dispute arises among the parties hereto, the parties
agree first to try in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation
administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Rules
for Professional Accounting and Related Services Disputes before
resorting to binding arbitration or litigation. Costs of any mediation
proceeding shall be shared equally by all parties.
GOVERNING LAW - This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
In accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard
to the principles of conflicts of taw thereof.
Rehmann
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EXAMPLE CHANGE ORDER
Client: City of Sebastian, Florida (the "City")
Date:
Project Description (and estimated completion date, if appropriate):
Estimated Additional Fees: $
We believe it is our responsibility to exceed the City's expectations. This Change Order is being prepared
because performance by us of the above project and/or additional service efforts was not anticipated in
our original Agreement dated March 22, 2018. The estimated fees for the above project have been
mutually agreed upon by the City and Rehmann. It is our goal to ensure that the City is never surprised
by the price for any Rehmann service and, therefore, we have adopted the Change Order Policy. The
estimated additional amount above is due and payable upon completion of the project described.
If management agrees with the above project description and the estimated fee amount, please
authorize and date the Change Order below. A copy is enclosed for the City's records. Thank you for
Letting us serve the City.
Agreed to and accepted:
Officer Signature
Printed Name
Title
Date
A, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
CLAconnectcom
CliftonLarsonAllen
REPORT ON THE FIRM'S SYSTEM OF QUALITY CONTROL
To the Principals of Rehmann Robson LLC
The National Peer Review Committee
We have reviewed the system of quality control for the accounting and auditing practice of Rehmann
Robson LLC, a member of Rehmann, LLC (the Firm) applicable to engagements not subject to PCAOB
permanent inspection in effect for the year ended March 31, 2017. Our peer review was conducted in
accordance with the Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews established by the Peer
Review Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Standards).
A summary of the nature, objectives, scope, limitations of, and the procedures performed in a System
Review as described in the standards may be found at www.aicoa.oro/orsummarv. The summary also
includes an explanation of how engagements identified as not performed or reported in conformity with
applicable professional standards, if any, are evaluated by a peer reviewer to determine a peer review
rating.
Firm's Responsibility
The Firm is responsible for designing a system of quality control and complying with it to provide the
Firm with reasonable assurance of performing and reporting in conformity with applicable professional
standards in all material respects. The Firm is also responsible for evaluating actions to promptly
remediate engagements deemed as not performed or reported in conformity with professional
standards, when appropriate, and for remediating weaknesses in its system of quality control, if any.
Peer Reviewer's Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the design of the system of quality control and the Firm's
compliance therewith based on our review.
Required Selections and Considerations
Engagements selected for review included engagements performed under Government Auditing
Standards (including compliance audits under the Single Audit Act), audits of employee benefit plans,
an audit performed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA) and
examinations of service organizations (SOC 1 and SOC 2 engagements).
As a part of our peer review, we considered reviews by regulatory entities as communicated by the
Firm in determining the nature and extent of our procedures.
A member of
Nexia
International
Rehmann Robson LLC
Page 2
Opinion
In our opinion, the system of quality control for the accounting and auditing practice of Rehmann
Robson LLC applicable to engagements not subject to PCAOB permanent inspection in effect for the
year ended March 31, 2017, has been suitably designed and complied with to provide the Firm with
reasonable assurance of performing and reporting in conformity with applicable professional standards
in all material respects. Firms can receive a rating of pass, pass with deficiencyfies), or fail. Rehmann
Robson LLC has received a peer review rating of pass.
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Clifton LarsonAllen LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
September 15, 2017