You are being asked to vote and appropriate monies for a contract with Berry-Talbot- Royer to provide accounting services for the Town of Acton. I am providing you information to assist you in making a knowledgeable decision about determining the health of Acton’s financial process. The external audit must be performed every year by state law. It is unclear how long it has been since Acton has had an internal control review preformed. Internal controls are how we process our cash receipts and disbursements and financial business to ensure appropriate procedures and controls are in place to safeguard Town funds. As far as I am aware no person in the town management other than the past Treasurer has any financial education, sans one. This is not questioning the competence by town officials that have performed their official responsibilities as intended and to the best of their ability. I think a reasonable person would want the Town to have an ability to routinely review our process and prepare interim financial statements throughout the year. As the auditor states he only audits the financial records supplied to them. Our Auditors have stated we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the Town of Acton controls. The town has had the same auditor since 2005. In their full audit report of 2007 it is stated that they have no opinion of the internal financial controls. The full auditors report 2021 the same statement appears. The town is responsible to supply the auditor with the basic financial records and the auditor will then examine the accounts, prepare the required financial statements, and issue their certified opinion stating that the statements are accurate. Acton does not have the ability to prepare its own financial statements throughout the year resulting in a limited ability between external audits to have a clear view of the Towns financial position. The proposed accounting firm would also support the preparation of the Town’s annual budget. As stated in recent Board of Selectmen meetings the town has been generating significant annual budget surplus resulting in our Town having cash reserves more than what we need. Having an independent view of our budget each year would help to ensure residents are being taxed at a level needed to operate the Town. This financial review was recommended by a selectman who has years 35 years of financial experience, having held the position of Vice President for Finance and Treasurer at Tufts University. He stated that his first review of Acton’s internal controls was proficient. Even so he thought it would be a good benefit for the taxpayers to have a review our financial controls and have an ability to prepare interim financial statements and access budget performance information throughout the year. The town has the money as the select-board stated they must reduce the town’s generous surplus funds. The attached samples (http://actonmainenews.com/ for support documentation) of other communities benefiting from an audit, I believe should demonstrate a need for passage of Article 2 of the special town meeting. Please come and VOTE become involved and consider the information provided, the recommendation of a financial professional (your selectman), before making your decision to pass this warrant article. Meeting shouldn’t last more than 1/2 hr. bring the kids, teach, and show them how government works.

[1] Auditors report 8/24/2007 page 1.

[2] Auditors Report 11/3/2021 page 1 & 95.

Former Finance Committee Member

Arnold Murray