Dupage Policy Journal

The Village of Bartlett Board of Trustees discussed the future of its auditor contract during its Feb. 21 meeting.

Trustee and Finance & Golf Committee Chair Raymond Deyne reminded the board that Bartlett had used Naperville-based accounting and finance firm Lauterbach and Amen to perform its audits since 2015 and that it also performs the auditing for several municipalities in the area. The board mulled over the idea of looking into other potential audit firms since its contract with Lauterbach and Amen ended toward the end of 2022. While they sought proposed contracts for auditing, they only received two responses by the January deadline.

One contract was from Lauterbach and Amen with a reduced price quote, and the second was from Sikich LLP, which had audited Bartlett for approximately eight years prior to its contract with the former firm. While Lauterbach and Amen advertised a lower quote and said that it was all-inclusive regarding expected costs, the board considered switching auditing firms and contracting Sikich LLP to get new eyes and to prevent complacency on the part of the prior firm.

"Both audit firms have extensive government auditing experience, including the GFOA Certificate of Achievement of Excellence in Financial reporting," Deyne said. "Both firms are more qualified to be the auditor of the Village Department. Despite the higher price, staff recommended that they award the contract, that the contract be awarded to Sikich LLP at a three-year price of $133,440 plus additional costs relating to implementing the new GASP accounting pronouncements. This recommendation is based on the premise that it is a good practice to rotate auditing firms to ensure objectivity and have a fresh set of eyes look at the village financials."

However, many trustees were concerned about the possible change in firms. They were satisfied with Lauterbach and Amen's work quality and relationship with Bartlett, and they saw no reason to leave them, also noting that switching firms would cost up to $8,000 more. Some trustees also argued that staying with the current firm would cause less trouble. Following some discussion, the board ultimately didn't agree to work with Sikich LLP and instead decided to revisit Lauterbach and Amen's contract at a later date.