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Columbus - Incomplete reconciliations prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost to place Austintown Township (Mahoning County) on the “unauditable” list.

“Poorly maintained records create a lack of accountability,” Auditor Yost said. “Austintown Township must bring its records back to an auditable condition to complete the audit.” 

As part of the regular audit of Austintown Township for the period January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014, auditors determined that the condition of the township’s financial records is not adequate to finish the audit. In a letter to the township, the Auditor of State’s office notified officials the reconciliations were required to complete the audit. 

Within 90 days of the date of the letter, the township must revise its financial records and provide the necessary data. Failure to bring accounts, records, and reports to an auditable condition may result in legal action, including the possibility of the attorney general issuing a subpoena to township officials to explain the condition of records. The attorney general may also file suit to compel the officials to prepare and/or produce the required information. 

The Auditor of State’s Local Government Section (LGS) is available to township officials to assist in bringing records to an auditable condition. LGS provides a wide variety of services to local governments, including reconstructing financial records and aid in the reconciliation of books. 

An entity is removed from the “unauditable” list once the audit is completed and released to the public.

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,800 state and local government agencies.  Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.