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Item M6COUNTY OF MONROE, FLORIDA AUDIT CONTRACT This CONTRACT is made and entered into this day of , 2006, by and between the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County (hereinafter "COUNTY"), Florida, and CHERRY, BEKAERT & HOLLAND, L.L.P. (hereinafter "AUDITOR"), a Certified Public Accountant limited partnership licensed to do business in the StateAKMULda. WHEREAS the Monroe County Florida Audit Selection Commi accordance with Section 218.391, Florida Statutes, has followed the statutory procedures, din lic notice, and ranked the AUDITOR as the top firm and deemed it most quali ed provi fessional auditing services; and WHEREAS, terms satisfactory to both parties have neg ted pursuant to s tatute; now therefore In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants bel6AW parties agree: 1. SCOPE OF SERVICES. AUDITOR shall provide a financial audit o e C caecords and a financial audit report as required by Florida s 218.39 au 1 be subject to the limitations and responsibilities identified ' nt A t is contr In addition, such audit shall be conducted in accordanc th U.S. era lly ac ted auditing standards as promulgated by the American Institute of 'feed Publi ccountants PA) Industry Audit Guide, Audits for State and Local Governm t tandards d procedures, the Florida Single Audit Act, OMB Circular A-133, and, nomy and efficiency of operations and program results, stand d proce set forth in Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroll he Un States. The AUDITOR will also conduct the audit in accord with any o plicab ral, state and local regulations or professional guidance not ically listed pre sly as 11 as any additional requirements that may be adopted by the o ations in the fu . This audit includes the financial records concerning the operations of the CO Y as a whole, ch Constitutional Officer, and any dependent district reported as part of the prima vernmen lended component unit). Audits of financial statements of discrete component unit , er ently in existence or established subsequently to the beginning date of this Agreement ar ded from this Agreement. It is possible that additional "funds" or blended component units w' e established by the COUNTY during the term of this Agreement. The compensation stated in this Agreement will include the audit procedures related to such additional funds or component units unless it is agreed by the COUNTY and AUDITOR that they significantly and materially impact the audit. 1.1. AUDITOR shall provide the work plan and services as described in detail in the Request for Qualifications, attached hereto and incorporated herein. The AUDITOR, prior to commencing any fiscal year audit, will provide a detailed audit plan, related fee (to equal the total amount of the Agreement as noted in Section 4), and proposed time line for each of the COUNTY entities to be audited. The time -related Page 1 of 14 obligations shall be conditioned upon AUDITOR'S receipt of necessary COUNTY and Constitutional Officer data (including confirmation requests and consultant's reports) in useable form, access to knowledgeable COUNTY and Constitutional Officer personnel, and other timely cooperation by COUNTY and the Constitutional Officers. Financial statement drafts submitted to the Constitutional Officers and dependent district executive officers by the AUDITOR will have been subjected to all partner reviews. AUDITOR shall conduct an exit interview with each of the Constitutional Officers and dependent district executive off ers prior to the issuance of final reports. 1.2 The audit fieldwork, including any analytical revie be completed on -site in the offices of the County, each Constitutional Off rad endent district. 1.3 The financial audit reports applicable to eac ities desc in paragraph 1, as required by F.S. 218.391 and Section . 50 of the Rules of th General, shall include the following: Ahl 1.3.1. Auditor's Report on Examination is atements. This report shall include but not be limited to: (a) A statement of ope of the audit; (b) Explanatory co any) concer eptions by AUDITOR as to application of er erally a ted auditing standards, U.S. generally accepted ou r the consistency of application of s ciples. FIR Mr. the i with L a resentations shall include government wide ts, including accompanying footnotes and nting records presented in conformity with classifications as required for compliance 10.550 of the Auditor General and U.S. generally accepted 0ipl s for governments. Financial statements will be prepared whole, and for each constitutional officer and dependent -etter of Comments and Recommendations. A letter shall be :) COUNTY containing various comments and recommendations UDITOR based upon review of the COUNTY's system of internal controls and other findings and requirements by the editor General. Similar letters shall be submitted to each of the County Constitutional Officers and dependent district. 1.3.4. Other Reports. Reports shall include reports required by Government Auditing Standards; and the State of Florida. If applicable, reports issued pursuant to the Federal and State of Florida Single Audit Acts shall be included. 1.4 The Auditor will: Page 2 of 14 1.4.1. Prepare the fund -level and entity -wide elimination entries based on information provided by the County. 1.4.2. Combine the BOCC, each Constitutional Officer and applicable component units for purposes of the CAFR. 1.4.3. Prepare the reconciliation items from the fund -level financial statements to the entity -wide financial statements. 1.4.4. Draft the Monroe County, Florida Comprehe Annual Financial Report (CAFR), prepare the BOCC Financial Statement footnote epare the Constitutional Officer and Dependent District Financial Statements, udin Statements of Cash Flows. 1.4.5. Print the Monroe County, Florid R for reproduction OUNTY. The Constitutional Officer and Dependent Di t repo ill be printed an roduced by the AUDITOR. 1.5 It is recognized that one of the primary purp f the audit is to be able to provide assurances to state and federal fun ences. If an ose agencies require an opinion in a style or format different than OR's standa or format, the AUDITOR shall reissue the opinion in a style or rm ble to th riding agency. 1.6 AUDITOR sha re and su o the of County Commissioners a letter regarding the CO pliance 'th the to s of its various bond issues. The AUDITOR will prepare parate A ITOR's report on the examination of the basic financial stat suitable r inclusion n official statement. The COUNTY may prepare official en ectio ith the issuance of debt securities that will contain the basic fin sta e AUDITOR's report thereon. The AUDITOR i d by TY in advance of any such securities offering and will, if scal a r d/or the underwriter, issue a "consent and citation of rtise" as th ITO any necessary "comfort letters." The provision of such ces will not ge to ad ' onal compensation. 1. he AUDIT agrees to provide tuition free access to seminars provided for either staff aff andlent use in an effort to assist the County in maintaining staff professio meeting the County staff s continuing professional education requiremen 1.8 Should irregularities or other unforeseeable conditions be encountered which might necessitate the extension of the auditing work beyond the scope of normal auditing procedures, the AUDITOR agrees to advise the COUNTY in writing of the circumstances and to request an increase in the total fees be made before significant additional costs are incurred. Any request for additional time or additional fees shall be in writing and shall contain a detailed explanation of the unforeseen conditions or irregularities, and why the additional fees are necessary. Either a time extension or additional fees granted to AUDITOR is at the sole discretion of COUNTY. Page 3 of 14 1.9 AUDITOR shall take reasonable steps to bring errors to the attention of an appropriate level of COUNTY management so that management can take corrective action. Any adjustments to the books and records will be made only after review and only on direction of responsible authority. 1.10 The COUNTY will send its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) to the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for review in its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting rogram. Therefore the COUNTY shall also provide additional financial and non-financ' ation not subject to examination by the AUDITOR, but necessary for the rting standards of such Certificate of Achievement. It is expected that the AUD will provide any special assistance reasonably necessary to assist the CO in tinuing to meet the requirements of that program as part of the fixed fee cnp ation o Agreement. 2. ASSISTANCE TO BE FURNISHED BY THE It is understood and agreed that COUNTY and Co audit will be limited to activities within the norma audit by COUNTY personnel shall be limited to matters work responsibility. The COUNTY will prepare and furnish the financial information under audit, but The COUNTY will: a. Download the trial COUNTY' S accountitu b. Update account mappi c d. DdKthe Statements e. Assist preparation to Fl actual ers' staff pa tion in the s, and any as tance with the al scope of the employees' R certa apers required to support ie format gned by the COUNTY. s and original and final budgets, from the changes to the BOCC chart of accounts. except for the footnotes. -level and entity wide elimination entries. f. Produce the uc and statistical sections and the Management's Discussion and Analysis sections of the C g. Produce the Schedules of Federal Awards and State Financial Assistance. h. Review the final CAFR and BOCC Financial Statements and maintain responsibility for the contents. i. Provide electronic copies of the final GoFund file and Excel templates that have been rolled over to the current fiscal year from the prior fiscal year for the CAFR and the BOCC. 3. TERM OF ENGAGEMENT. Page 4 of 14 This Agreement provides for professional auditing services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. This agreement shall come into effect on the date first written above and remain in effect until the completion of the 2006 financial audit unless earlier terminated in accordance with paragraphs 12 and 13, below. 4. COMPENSATION AND TERMS OF PAYMENT. The COUNTY shall pay to the AUDITOR a fixed fee for the annual audit of the COUNTY's financial statements according to the following fee schedule. This fe sall-inclusive, and no charge for travel, telephone bills, copying or any other related fees o es shall be billed. Payment under this agreement is contingent upon annual appropriatio FISCAL YEAR ENDED September 30, 2006 The following hourly fees shall apply to extra AUDITOR, whether under this Agreement or for extra Commissioners: Partner in Charge Senior Manager Manager Senior Accou Staff Acco t Clerical Termination prior to the cannot be co a the terms m. erm of this contract by by the Board of County a all occur whenever funds cannot be obtained or ent to allow for the continuation of this agreement pursuant to Voti cannot be continued at a level sufficient to allow the the terms specified herein, this agreement may then be e of termination delivered in person or by mail to An invoice e porti of the total amount of the Agreement in proportion to the work completed to daIf bmitted to the COUNTY on a monthly basis. The invoice will include a description of pleted for each of the COUNTY entities to be audited, the total amount of the agreement, billito date and payments to date. The invoices shall be in a form approved by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The maximum amount to be paid prior to fulfillment of the terms of the Agreement shall be ninety (90) percent of the total annual compensation. The retainage will be payable upon completion of each year's audits. 5. RECORDS. All working papers and reports will be retained by the AUDITOR, at the AUDITOR's expense, for a minimum of five years from the date the reports are issued, or such longer period as may be Page 5 of 14 required to satisfy legal and administrative requirements. The Auditor will be required to make the working papers available, upon request, to the following parties or their designees: A. COUNTY B. Auditor General of the State of Florida C. U.S. General Accounting Office D. Parties designated by the federal government, the State of Florida, or by the COUNTY as part of an audit quality review program E. Auditors of entities of which the COUNTY is a sub ipie of grant funds F. Successor auditors G. Other parties as deemed necessary by the C Y, ct to AUDITOR agreement H. Other parties entitled by law to access s 6. MODIFICATIONS AMENDMENTS A:agree ENT SUBCONT TING. Any and all modifications of the terms of this ha ly amended in writing and approved by the Board of County Commissioneor Mo ounty. The Contractor shall not assign or subcontract or transfer any intere in tContract ign any claims for money due or to become due under this Contract wit obtaining d executed consent from COUNTY. 7. INDEPENDENT CON M R. At all times and for all pu es he der, the ITOR is an independent contractor and not an employee of the Board County C missioner f onroe County. No statement contained in this agreement shall strued o find the A TOR or any of its employees, contractors, servants or agents to be t of County Commissioners of Monroe County, and they shall not be entitle ny o s, privileges or benefits of employees of Monroe County. 8. PLIANCE W LAW In car ut its obligati under this agreement, the AUDITOR shall abide by all statutes, ordinances, s and regu �ons pertaining to or regulating the provisions of this agreement, including tho w in of and hereafter adopted. Any violation of said statutes, ordinances, rules or regulati a nstitute a material breach of this agreement, which would entitle the COUNTY to termi is agreement immediately upon delivery of written notice of termination to the AUDITOR. 9. HOLD HARMLESS/INDEMNIFICATION. Each party ("Indemnifying Party") shall indemnify and hold harmless the other ("Indemnified Party") from any and all claims, suits, actions, liabilities and reasonable defense costs, in each case solely for bodily injury to individuals and physical damage to tangible property to the extent directly and proximately caused by the acts or omissions of the Indemnifying Party while AUDITOR is engaged in the performance of services under this Agreement; provided, however, that if there is also fault on the part of the Indemnified Party, the foregoing indemnity shall be on a Page 6 of 14 comparative fault basis, and provided that COUNTY's liability is limited to the statutory limitation in Florida Statutes 768.28. 10. ANTI -DISCRIMINATION. The AUDITOR agrees that they will not discriminate against any of their employees or applicants for employment or against persons for any benefit or service because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or physical or mental handicap where the handicap does not affect the ability of an individual to perform in a position of employment, and to abide �P* ral and state laws regarding non-discrimination. 11. ANTI -KICKBACK The AUDITOR warrants that no person has been employe o tained licit or secure this agreement upon an agreement or understanding for a n, perc e, brokerage or contingent fee, and that no employee or officer of the T has any inte fi ncially or otherwise, in the said funded project. For breach or tion his warranty, the TY shall have the right to annul this agreement without 1' or, in discretion, to duct from the agreement price or consideration, the full amount of s o percentage, brokerage or contingent fee. 12. TERMINATION WITHOUT CA This Agreement may be terminated, witho a ther of the ies. For each fiscal year to be audited, written notice to the other party n later 1 e fiscal year to be audited will constitute appropriate cancellat the Agre 13. TERMINATION F REA If the AUDITOR br es any pr sion of t reement, the COUNTY shall notify the AUDITOR in writin ourt 4 days or e other time period deemed acceptable to the COUNTY to cure this bre failure to provide notice to the AUDITOR or accepting work r this Ag nt does not waive or limit its authority to find the AUDITOR in breach oft ' or sub nt breaches. After notification of breach and the Agreement has bee minated, t UNT Pay the AUDITOR fair and equitable compensation for wor pleted prior to natio the agreement, less any amount of damages caused by the A breach. If t amages are more than compensation due to the AUDITOR, the AUDITO 11 remain li after termination and the COUNTY can affirmatively collect damages. The AUDITOR githe inate the Agreement for failure of the COUNTY to fulfill its duties and obligations upon COUNTY sixty (60) days prior written notice. 14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The COUNTY Audit Committee Request for Qualifications for Professional Auditing Services dated May 17, 2006, and AUDITOR Proposal to Provide Professional Independent Auditing Services , and this Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes any and all prior agreements with respect to such subject matter between the AUDITOR and COUNTY. It is understood and agreed that in the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the above stated documents, the terms of the Agreement shall control. Page 7 of 14 15. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. This agreement, its performance, and all disputes arising hereunder, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, and both parties agree that the proper venue for any actions shall be in Monroe County. 16. ETHICS CLAUSE. AUDITOR warrants that AUDITOR has not employed, retained AUDITOR's behalf any former County officer or employee in vi No. 10-1990 or any County officer or employee in violation 1990. For breach or violation of the provision the COUNTY agreement without liability and may also, at its discretion, recover, the full amount of any fee, commission, perc ge former or present County officer or employee. at its® in the MM"wise had act on Section 2 or Ordinance of Ordinance No. 10- etion terminate this ent or otherwise or consi n baid to the 17. PUBLIC ENTITY CRIME STATEMENT. IV A person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicte or list following a conviction for public entity crime may not submit a bi agreement to ide any goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a bid on a t with a pu ity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, no . bids o ses of real property to public entity, may not be awarded or perform work a ra lier, sub -contractor, or consultant under a agreement with nanytity, an not tran business with any public entity in excess of the threshold a in Sect 287.17 or CATEGORY TWO for a period of 36 months from the dad on the victed vendor list. AUDITOR represents that AUDITOR has not onvicted v list. "11141 ll 111111 nil 111111111 Vp ze by law to engage in the performance of the activities 11� ME !21111 ®nil V. I®NA• Eac oNtand ries for AUDITOR below certifies and warrants that the AUDITOR's name in thisis the f name as designated in its organizing documents; that they are empowco t for the AUDITOR, and this agreement has been approved by the legal gof ITOR. 19. LICENSES. AUDITOR warrants that it shall have, prior to commencement of work under this agreement and at all times during said work, all required licenses whether federal, state, COUNTY or City. 20. INSURANCE. AUDITOR agrees that it maintains in force at its own expense a liability insurance policy which will insure and indemnify the AUDITOR and the COUNTY from any suits, claims or actions brought by any person or persons and from all costs and expenses of litigation brought against the Page 8 of 14 AUDITOR for such injuries to persons or damage to property occurring during the agreement or thereafter that results from performance by AUDITOR of the obligations set forth in this agreement. At all times during the term of this agreement and for one year after acceptance of the project, AUDITOR shall maintain on file with the COUNTY a certificate of the insurance of the carriers showing that the aforesaid insurance policy is in effect. The following coverage shall be provided: 1. Workers Compensation insurance as required by Florida Statutes. 2. Commercial General Liability Insurance with minimum lijrage"% 000 per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property . 3.Comprehensive Auto Liability Insurance with mini lira $300,000 combined single limit per occurrence. 4. Professional Liability Insurance which will r nd to damages result* any claim arising out of the performance of profes ' 1 serv' or any error or ssion of the AUDITOR arising out of work govern agre t. Such insu nce shall have the following minimum amounts of liabili per Occurrence/$ 5 00, 000 Aggregate. The policies shall provide no less than 30 s coverage. At all times during 2*n lin reement AUDITOR shall mathe CO aforesaid insurance cct. 21. FORCE The AUD s beyon reasonable cas natural dis, agency or 22. NOTICE. Any written notic addressed and deli at non -renewal or reduction of for on year after acceptance of the project, V' a certificate of insurance showing that the e liab an failure or delays resulting from circumstances or causes inclu without limitation, acts or omissions due to fire or other ar or her violence, or any law, order or requirement of any t ty. ie given to either party under this agreement or related hereto shall be as follows: For AUDITOR: Ron Conrad, Partner Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. 800 N. Magnolia Avenue, Ste. 1300 Orlando, Fl. 32803 Page 9 of 14 For COUNTY: Danny L. Kolhage, Clerk County Attorney 500 Whitehead Street, Ste. 101 and P.O. Box 1026 Key West, Florida 33040 Key West, FL 33041-1026 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this agreement to be executed the day and year first above written. (SEAL) ATTEST: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK 1ieputy clerk WITNESSES: BOARD OF OF MONROE Page 10 of 14 COMMISSIONERS FLORIDA BEKAERT & ATTACHMENT A LIMITATIONS OF THE AUDITING PROCESS As part of our engagement, we will prepare the financial statements and note disclosures from individual fund trial balances that the COUNTY will provide. However, management is responsible for the financial statements and note disclosures. In the COUNTY' S representation to us, the COUNTY will be asked to acknowledge our role in this regard, and e COUNTY' S review, approval and responsibility for the financial statements and note disclosu her, the COUNTY is responsible for designating a qualified management -level indiv' al to be responsible and accountable for overseeing these services. The objective of an audit is the expression of our opinion c c ng wh the basic financial statements are fairly presented, in all material respects, i ity with a nting principles generally accepted in the United States of Americ The COUNTY' S a 1 include procedures designed to obtain reasonable assuranc detec misstatements o errors or fraud that are material to the financial statements. e ass e is not attai le because of the nature of audit evidence and the characteristics of or ample audits performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (` S") are based on the concept of selective testing of the data being examin are therefore ct to the limitation that material misstatements due to errors or fraud, if may not b ed. Also, an audit is not designed to detect matters that are immat ' al ancial s ments. In addition, an audit conducted in accordance with GAAS does inc s specifically designed to detect illegal acts having an indirect e.g., viol ' of frau abuse statutes that result in fines or penalties being imposed e TY) on e financia tatements. As applicable, in ac ce with uirements Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996, OMB Circular A-13 an to ' Audi ct, the COUNTY'S audits will include tests of transactions related to majo a a d programs for compliance with applicable laws and regulatio provisi f contracts and grant agreements. Because an audit is designed to provid ona not ab e surance and because the AUDITOR will not perform a detaile amination o ansacti ere is a risk that material errors, fraud, other illegal acts, or n pliance may ex nd n e detected by the AUDITOR. In addition, an audit is not desi ne etect immater errors, fraud, or other illegal acts or illegal acts that do not have a direct effe the basic fin ial statements or to major programs. It should be recognized that the audits genera rovide assurance that illegal acts will be detected, and only reasonable assurance that i a aving a direct and material effect on the determination of financial statement amounts e detected. However, the AUDITOR will inform appropriate COUNTY representatives wi respect to material errors and fraud, or illegal acts that come to the AUDITOR'S attention during the course of the audits. The AUDITOR will include such matters in the reports as required for a Single Audit. If, for any reason, the AUDITOR is unable to complete the audits, or is unable to form or has not formed an opinion on the basic financial statements, the AUDITOR may decline to express an opinion or decline to issue a report as a result of the engagement. RESPONSIBILITIES AS TO INTERNAL CONTROLS Page 11 of 14 As a part of the audits, the AUDITOR will consider the COUNTY' S internal control structure, as required by auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and Government Auditing Standards, sufficient to plan the audit and to determine the nature, timing, and extent of auditing procedures necessary for expressing our opinion concerning the basic financial statements. The COUNTY recognizes that the basic financial statements and the establishment and maintenance of an effective internal control over financial reporting are the responsibility of management. The COUNTY also recognizes that management is responsible for identifying and ensuring that the COUNTY complies with the laws and regulations applicable to it activities. Appropriate supervisory review procedures are necessary to provide reasonable assu t adopted policies and prescribed procedures are adhered to and to identify errors, fraud legal acts. An audit is not designed to provide assurance on internal control. As part of the ' S consideration of the COUNTY' S internal control structure however, the AUDITOR in propriate COUNTY representatives of reportable conditions and other matters th c e to the ITOR' S attention that represent significant deficiencies in the design or ope e interna trol structure, if any, as required by OMB Circular A-133. As required by OMB Circular A-133, the AUDIT effectiveness of the design and operation of controls preventing or detecting material noncompliance with comp major federal award program. However will be less render an opinion on those controls a ingly, r AUDITOR'S report on internal control issu ur Old The COUNTY is also resl prevent and detect fraud, affecting the COUNTY internal control, and statements. COUNT in of any allegations of fraud from employS9jMJgWr en Ks of control to evaluate the TOR considers relevant to requirements, applicable to each e than would be necessary to ill be expressed in the War A-133. impMaffbout ation of programs and controls to all known or suspected fraud (b) employees who have significant roles in have a material effect on the financial e for informing the AUDITOR of knowledge i�4 the COUNTY received in communications The CON udits wi e conducted in accordance with the standards referred to in the Contract. f obta' g reasonable assurance about whether the basic financial statements are free of is ment, the AUDITOR will perform tests of the COUNTY' S compliance with applicregulations and theprovisions of contracts and agreements, including grant agreements. wever, the objective of those procedures will not be to provide an opinion on overall compliance and the AUDITOR will not express such an opinion in the AUDITOR'S report on compliance issued pursuant to Government Auditing Standards. OMB Circular A-133 requires that the AUDITOR also plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the COUNTY has complied with applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of contracts and grant agreements applicable to major programs. The AUDITOR'S procedures will consist of the applicable procedures described in the OMB Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement for the types of compliance requirements that could have a direct and material effect of each of the COUNTY' S major programs. The purpose of those procedures Page 12 of 14 will be to express an opinion on the COUNTY' S compliance with requirements applicable to major programs in the AUDITOR'S report on compliance issued pursuant to OMB Circular A-133. REPRESENTATION FROM MANAGEMENT Management is responsible for the fair presentation of the basic financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, for making all financial records and related information available to the AUDITOR, nd for identifying and ensuring that the COUNTY complies with the laws and regulations e to its activities. Management is also responsible for adjusting the financial st ents to correct material misstatements. Additionally, as required by OMB Circular A-133, ' agement's responsibility to follow up and take corrective action on prior audit findings an prep summary schedule of prior audit findings and a corrective action plan. The summa s dule o audit findings and the corrective action plan should be made available to OR duri e course of the engagement. Management, at the conclusion of the e ement, will provide to ITOR a representation letter that, among other things, a sses t matters and c rms certain representations made during the audit, including, est o it knowledge and belief, the absence of fraud involving management or those emp o ve significant roles in the COUNTY' S internal control, or others where it could have terial effect on the basic financial statements. The representation letter will affirm to the A OR that management believes that the effects of any uncorrected misstat regated pert the current year financial statements are immaterial, both individuall d 6110regate e financial statements taken as a whole The AUDITOR will rely the planning and perfo charge to perform the ACCESS TO WORKIN The v consti AUDd -ment oviding these representations, both in considering the fees that the AUDITOR will the property of Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. and t as discussed below, any requests for access to the sed with COUNTY Management prior to making them The AUDIT well as other major accounting firms, participates in a "peer review" program, coveri dit accounting practices. This program requires that once every three years the AUDIT ect its quality assurance practices to an examination by another accounting firm. As part of th ocess, the other firm will review a sample of the AUDITOR'S work. It is possible that the work the AUDITOR performs for the COUNTY may be selected by the other firm for their review. If it is, they are bound by professional standards to keep all information confidential. If the COUNTY objects to having the work done by the AUDITOR subjected to peer review, the COUNTY is to notify the AUDITOR in writing. USE OF THIRD PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS The firm may from time to time, and depending on the circumstances, use third -party service providers in serving your account. We may share confidential information about you with these Page 13 of 14 service providers, but remain committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of our information. Accordingly, we maintain internal policies, procedures and safeguards to protect the confidentiality of your personal information. In addition, we will secure confidentiality agreements with all service providers to maintain the confidentiality of your information and we will take reasonable precautions to determine that they have appropriate procedures in place to prevent the unauthorized release of your confidential information to others. In the event that we are unable to secure an appropriate confidentiality agreement, you will be asked to provide your consent prior to the sharing of your confidential information with the third -part service pro ' der. Furthermore, the firr Page 14 of 14 rs.