The day-to-day financial realities of running a local government often come as a shock to newly elected officials.
Newly elected officials may find themselves dealing with an antiquated computerized financial reporting system. They may be unfamiliar with the reporting requirements for a local government. They must decide whether to keep their old auditor, or hire a new one. They may suddenly have to deal with legal issues regarding the local government’s budget, public records, or adherence to the public bid law.
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) has many resources available to assist newly elected officials. For a complete list of the assistance LLA offers, please see Legislative Auditor Assistance to Local Auditees.
One outreach effort LLA implemented in 2015 that newly elected officials have found to be especially helpful is the Center for Local Government Excellence (CLGE)(opens in new tab), a multi-level training and certification program that discusses the internal control, accounting, financial reporting, legal and other issues regarding the operations of local government. The classes are presented periodically throughout the state, and the class materials are available on LLA’s website. Challenges faced by newly elected officials face are specifically discussed in CLGE training, including the Checklist for Newly Elected Officials.
Newly Elected Officials
The Louisiana Governmental Audit Guide (LAGAG) is authorized by Louisiana Revised Statute 24:513 A. (5) (a) (i) to set forth the standards by which the engagements of local governments and quasi-public organizations (local auditees) are to be performed. The LAGAG is jointly produced by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.
Although the LAGAG is intended to assist CPAs in performing their audits and other engagements for local auditees, it does not include a detailed analysis of the professional auditing and accounting standards a CPA must consider during his or her audit, review/attestation or compilation engagements; nor is it a substitute for professional judgment. CPAs must reach their own conclusions through research of all applicable auditing and accounting standards, in addition to the LAGAG, in the performance of their local auditee engagements.
In addition, although the LAGAG is intended to assist local auditees, it does not include all the legal and accounting information an agency needs to perform its operations; nor is it a substitute for professional, legal or accounting advice; or professional or personal judgment. Local auditees should use the information in the LAGAG, in conjunction with the guidance of the professionals most familiar with the particular facts and circumstances regarding their agency, in the performance of their operations.
For questions and comments about the LAGAG, please contact LLA at (225) 339-3800.