CHARTER FINAL CLEAN.DOCX

Maricopa County — Formal (2023-06-14)

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Maricopa County
Audit Advisory Committee Charter
The committee’s primary function is to assist the Board of Supervisors (Board) in fulfilling its 
oversight responsibilities.  The committee accomplishes this function by reviewing the county’s 
financial information, the established systems of internal controls, and the audit process.
In meeting its responsibilities, the committee shall perform the duties outlined below.
 1.
Provide an open avenue of communication between the Maricopa County Internal Audit 
Department (Internal Audit), the Auditor General’s Office (Auditor General), and the 
Board. 
 2.
Review the committee's charter annually and seek Board approval on any recommended 
changes.
 3.
Inquire of management, Internal Audit, and the Auditor General about significant risks or 
exposures and assess the steps management has taken to minimize such risks to the 
county.
 4.
Consider and review the annual audit plan for Internal Audit and receive regular updates 
on the county audit activities.
 5.
Review with Internal Audit and the Auditor General the coordination of audit efforts to 
assure completeness of coverage, reduction of redundant efforts, and the effective use 
of all audit resources including external auditors and consulting activities.
 6.
Consider and review with Internal Audit and the Auditor General:
a.
The adequacy of the county's internal controls including computerized information 
system controls and security.
b.
Any related significant findings and recommendations of Internal Audit and the 
Auditor General together with management's responses thereto.
 
 7.
At the completion of the Auditor General’s annual examination, the committee shall 
review the following:
a.
The county's annual financial statements and related footnotes.
b.
The Auditor General's audit of the financial statements and report thereon.
c.
Any serious difficulties or other matters related to the conduct of the audit that 
need to be communicated to the committee.

Charter--Page Two
  8.
Consider and review with county management and Internal Audit:
a.
Significant audit findings during the year and management's responses thereto.
b.
Any difficulties encountered during their audits, including any restrictions on the 
scope of their work or access to required information.
c.
Any changes required in the planned scope of their audit plan.
d.
Internal Audit’s budget and staffing.
e.
The Maricopa County Internal Audit Charter.
f.
Internal Audit’s overall performance and its compliance with the Global Internal 
Audit Standards™.
  9.
Communicate committee actions to the Board with such recommendations as the 
committee may deem appropriate.
10.
Prepare a letter for inclusion in the Maricopa County Annual Comprehensive Financial 
Report that describes the committee's composition and responsibilities, and how they 
were discharged.
11.
The committee shall meet at least four times per year or more frequently as 
circumstances require. The committee may ask members of management or others to 
attend the meetings and provide pertinent information as necessary. Committee 
meetings are subject to the Open Meeting Law (A.R.S. § 38-431). 
12.
The committee shall perform such other functions as assigned by the Board.
Committee Composition and Terms
The membership of the committee shall consist of five voting members and three non-voting 
members.  The voting members shall be Board appointees from the public and shall serve two-
year terms. The non-voting members shall be the County Manager, the County Attorney, the 
Auditor General, or their designees.  The chairperson of the Board shall appoint a committee 
chairperson from the voting members. The committee chairperson shall serve a one-year term.  
Member Qualifications
Preferred qualifications of committee members include an understanding of auditing, which may 
be demonstrated through a combination of relevant educational degrees, professional 
certifications, or experience. Committee members should be familiar with local government 
operations and have sufficient time to effectively perform the duties listed herein.
Adopted by the Board of Supervisors--3/26/97
Last Amended—MM/DD/YYY