Columbus – Irreconcilable and unsupported bank reconciliations prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost to place Jackson Township (Ashland County) on the “unauditable” list for the fourth year in a row.

“Four straight years of unauditable records is inexcusable,” Auditor Yost said. “Jackson Township is keeping its taxpayers in the dark by failing to provide auditable records.”

Jackson Township was first placed on the “unauditable” list on November 18, 2014 for the audit period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. The Auditor’s Local Government Services (LGS) section performed consultation work for the township and identified financial transactions that needed to be accounted for on its financial records. 

However, the township has not updated the financial records and continues to have irreconcilable and unsupported bank reconciliations through 2015. As a result, the Auditor of State’s office determined that the condition of the township’s financial records was not adequate to complete the audit for 2014 and 2015. In a letter to the township, the Auditor of State’s office notified officials that corrected and complete bank reconciliations are 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.

Contact:
Ben Marrison
Director of Communications
614-644-1111