Auditor Faber declares Bucyrus township “unauditable”

Columbus – Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office last week sent a letter to Bucyrus Township (Crawford County) declaring the township “unauditable” for the period January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020 due to inadequate records to complete an audit.

“Now more than ever, local governments need to be open and transparent about their finances and that requires them to file their financial records for audit,” Auditor Faber said. “Should the township need help preparing their records, our Local Government Services team is more than willing to assist.”

This declaration comes after the independent public accounting firm conducting the audit was unable to obtain their annual financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and found that in the Uniform Accounting Network, the financial year ending December 31, 2020 had not been closed out, the last bank reconciliation available for review was dated February of 2020, and December 2020 receipts and disbursements have not been posted.

Within 90 days from receiving the letter, the township must revise their financial records and provide the data necessary to complete the audit. Failure to bring the accounts, records and reports into an auditable condition within ninety days may result in legal action. This action may result in the Attorney General issuing a subpoena for Fiscal Officer Julie Miller and Board President Craig Miller to appear in the Auditor’s office to explain their failure to provide their financial records. Also, the Attorney General may file suit to compel the official to prepare and/or produce the necessary information to complete the audit.

Should officials need assistance in correcting any deficiencies, they may contact the Auditor of State’s Local Government Services (LGS) Department. LGS is a team of financial managers, dedicated to bringing expert financial services to Ohio’s local governments.  However, the Auditor’s office will not consider the Township’s failure to act in a timely manner or their inability to meet our schedule as a mitigating factor to extend the 90 day period.