PITTSFIELD — A recent audit by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office found the town supervisor in the town of Pittsfield in Otsego County did not maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date accounting records and reports for the town’s finances. The initial audit spanned from Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2023, but was extended forward […]
PITTSFIELD — A recent audit by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office found the town supervisor in the town of Pittsfield in Otsego County did not maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date accounting records and reports for the town’s finances. The initial audit spanned from Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2023, but was extended forward to June 20, 2024, to determine whether annual audits were performed and other required financial documents were prepared, according to a report issued by DiNapoli’s office. The report noted the town supervisor did not properly record revenues in the accounting system, prepare bank reconciliations, or provide detailed monthly fund balances to the board. The supervisor also failed to file the town’s 2021 or 2023 annual financial reports (AFRs), as required by state law, and the 2022 AFR was inaccurate. Finally, the supervisor didn’t provide the board with records for the annual audit, also required by state law. According to DiNapoli’s report, the failure to do these things hindered the town board’s and town officials’ ability to monitor financial affairs, make sound financial decisions, and identify and correct errors. Pittsfield is governed by a five-member board, which includes the supervisor and four board members. The supervisor serves as the town’s CEO, fiscal officer, and budget officer. The former supervisor hired a bookkeeper to post transactions, reconcile the bank accounts, prepare monthly reports, and file the AFRs. In February 2022, a new supervisor assumed these duties and ended the bookkeeper’s employment with the town of Pittsfield. DiNapoli’s report included nine recommendations to improve the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of the town’s accounting records and reports. The recommendations include that the supervisor maintain complete, accurate and timely records and reports; provide the board with accurate and detailed monthly financial reports; ensure financial transactions are recorded correctly in accounting records; attend training sessions to better understand and perform financial duties; ensure the financial information presented in the AFR is complete, accurate, and filed in a timely manner; and provide an annual accounting of records to the board. Recommendations to the board include ensuring the supervisor provides monthly financial reports, review bank statements and reconciliations to identify and resolve any errors, and perform or obtain an annual audit of the supervisor’s records. In a Sept. 16 letter responding to DiNapoli’s office, Pittsfield Supervisor Shelby Wing wrote, “I was not surprised at the findings that the auditor reported. These were areas that I struggled with as I am not a CPA. He was able to teach me things that I was not aware and point me in the right direction of literature or people that could help me.” “The board and I take the nine recommendations seriously and have already gotten to work on improvements,” the letter concluded.