Audit Guides

Regardless of the type or size of your government, there are many advantages to having a quality audit of your government’s financial statements. The timely issuance of audited financial statements enhances credibility of accounting and financial reporting functions, and helps to foster public confidence in the fiscal operations of the municipality. Additionally, findings and recommendations resulting from the audit often highlight weaknesses in internal controls and areas of risk that may require immediate attention from management and those charged with governance. This page provides links to resources and information to help in procuring audit services, as well as understanding and managing the audit process.

Audit Resources - Recommended practices and publications
Government Finance Officers Association, Recommended Practice: Audit Procurement (PDF)
Government Finance Officers Association, Recommended Practice: Audit Committees (PDF)
Mid-America Intergovernmental Audit Forum, Selecting an External Auditor (PDF)
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Audit Toolkit for Government Organizations
The GFOA Web site offers additional publications for purchase through its online e-store.

Audit Regulations - Federal regulations
U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Circular A-133
U.S. Government Accountability Office, Government Auditing Standards, (The Yellow Book)(PDF)
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Statement on Auditing Standards 112 (SAS 112)

Sample Documents
Municipal Audit Committee Resolution, Town of Newmarket (Word format)
Audit RFP, Town of Peterborough (Word format)
Audit RFP, City of Laconia (Word format)
Audit RFP Template (Word format)

Related Articles
Public Sector Audit Committees, New Hampshire Town and City, October 2006
Procuring Quality Audit Services Through the RFP Process, New Hampshire Town and City, April 2008