HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1996-077RESOLUTION NO. 77-96
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DANIA, FLORIDA,
ACCEPTING ENGAGEMENT LETTER SUBMITTED BY
GRANT THORNTON PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE
CITY OF DANIA 96/97 FISCAL YEAR AUDIT; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CIry COMMISSION OF THE GITY OF DANIA,
FLORIDA;
Section 1. That the certain engagement letter dated August 22, 1996, submitted
by Grant Thornton LLP, Accountants and Management Consultants, providing services
for the City of Dania 96/97 fiscal year audit, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit "A", be and the same is hereby accepted and the appropriate city officials are
hereby authorized to execute same.
Section 2. That this resolution _shall be in force and take effect immediately upon
its passage and adoption
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 27th DAY O b
oR-SSION
ATTEST:
CITY CLER UDITOR
APP DASTO RM AND CORRECTNESS:
ctw A ORNE
RESOLUTION NO. 77-96
GRANTTHORNTON LLP
Accountants and Management Consultanb
Suite 2O(N
200 East Broward Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301-1915
954 768-9900
SHAUN M. DAVIS, CPA
Certified Pu blic Accou ntanl
2131 Hollywood Blvd.
Suite 2O1
Hollywood, FL 33020
305 927-5900
August 22, '1996
Honorable Mayor, Members of
Commission and City Manager
City of Dania
P.O. Box 1708
Dania, Florida 33004
Gentlemen
We are delighted to present this engagement letter to provide services to the City. The
following paragraphs outline the scope of our proposed services for the ensuing years.
Grant Thomton LLP and Shaun M. Davis, CPA, will audit the general purpose financial
statements of the city of Dania for the years ending september 30, 1996 and 1997. Our
audits will be made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and Govemment
Auditing Sfandards, aS issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, and the
provisions of the Office of Management and Budget ('OMB) Circular A-128, Audits of State
and Locat Govemments, and will include our examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. Our objective will be the completion of the foregoing audits
and, upon their completion and subject to their findings, the rendering of our reports.
As you know, the financial statements are the responsibility of the management of your City
who are primarily responsible for the data and information set forth therein, as well as for the
evaluation of the capability and integrity of the City's personnel and the maintenance of an
appropriate intemal control structure, which includes adequate accounting records and
procedures to safeguard the City's assets. Accordingly, our completion of the audits will
require managemenfs cooperation. ln addition, as required by generally accepted auditing
standards, our procedures will include obtaining written representation from management
conceming such matters which we will rely upon, and the City will indemnify and hold us
harmless from any liability, damiges and legal or other costs we might sustain in the event
such representations are false.
ln providing for an audit to be performed on a test basis, generally accepted auditing standards
promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Govemment
Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States require the auditor
to obtain reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the financial statements are free of
_!:)r-i-.,t :.1 l'T .t 7t",rt ,-l
City of Dania, Florida
August 22, 1996
Page2
material misstatement. Accordingly, an audit is not a special examination designed to detect
defalcations or fraud or a guarantee of the accuracy of the financial statements. lt is subject to
the inherent risk that enors, inegularities, illegal acts, or noncompliance with the provisions of
laws, regulations, contracts or grants, if they exist, might not be detected. Generally accepted
auditing standards and Govemment Auditing Sfanda/ds require that we obtain a sufficient
understanding of the City's intemal control structure to plan the audit. However, such
understanding and any tests performed with respect to such intemal controls, or as to
compliance with laws, regulations, contracts and grants, will be for the purpose of expressing
our opinion on the City's financial statements and not to opine or provide any assurance
conceming such intemal control structure or compliance. We could, however, as a separate
engagement, be engaged to perform agreed-upon procedures or examine and report on
management's written assertion about the intemal control structure or that management
complied with specified laws and regulations. Such engagements would be conducted in
accordance with AICPA standards for attestation engagements.
As required by OMB Circular A-128 pertaining to the City of Dania, we will perform additional
testing of intemal controls over federal financial assistance programs and compliance to
supplement our financial statement audit procedures. The additional testing includes test of
controls which must cover the controls used to administer at least 50% of the expenditures
under all federal financial assistance programs, and compliance testing for general and
specific requirements of certain selected federal financial assistance programs. Although such
tests supplement our financial statement audit procedures, they will be performed solely to
meet the specified requirements of OMB Circular A-128 and do not constitute an examination
directed toward the expression of an opinion with respect to the intemal control structure or
compliance with such laws, regulations, contracts or grants. Accordingly, no such opinion will
be expressed.
ln addition, the combining, individual fund and individual account group financial statements
and schedules of the City, although not considered necessary for a fair presentation of
financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, will be subjected to the audit procedures
applied in the audit of the general purpose financial statements.
Our fee for the services set forth in this letter will be $35,000 for the year ending September
30, 1996, and will be negotiated for the year ending September 30, 1 997. lnvoices will be
rendered at the beginning of each month and are payable upon receipt. lt is understood that
our responsibility for such services will encompass only periods covered by our audits and will
not extend to any subsequent periods for which we are not engaged as auditors.
This engagement includes only those services specifically described in this letter and time
spent in responding to or appearing before judicial proceedings, govemment organizations, or
regulatory bodies arising out of this engagement wilt be billed to you separately.
As a supplement to this letter, we are enclosing an explanation of certain of our Firm's Client
Service Concepts. We have found that such explanation helps to clarify our services and
enhances our ability to work more closely with our clients.
ln the unlikely event that differences conceming our services or fees should arise that are not
resolved by mutual agreement, we both recognize that the mafter will probably involve complex
business or accounting issues that would be decided most equitably to us both by a judge
hearing the evidence without a jury. Accordingly, you and we agree to waive any right to a trial
by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or relating to our services and
fees for this engagement.
lf any portion of this letter is held invalid, it is agreed that such invalidity shall not affect any of
the remaining portions.
lf you are in agreement with the terms of this letter, please sign one copy and retum it for our
files. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to work with you.
Very truly yours,
OfllALcf ^\ A^^
Grant Thomton LLP
BEmmer/ph
Enclosures
Shaun M. Davis, CPA
The foregoing letter fully describes our understanding a is accepted by us.
ctry
(ll t n aca71Dateq. ?1.1C IT
a
City of Dania, Florida
August22, 1996
Page 3
Suite 2000
200 East Broward Eoulevard
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301-19I5
954 76&9900
Frd( 954 76&9908
GRANT THORNTON CLIENT SER!'ICE CONCEPTS
Grant Thornton fi
Accountants and
Management Consuhants
The [J.S. Member Fl.m of
Grant Thomton lnternatonal
The following is a discussion of cenain of our Firm's Client Service Concepts. We have found that
explanation of these concepts helps to clari$ our services and enhances our ability to rvork more closely
with you. Moreover, although cenain concepts may involve services you have not engaged us to perform,
this discussion may enhance future engagements.
Accounting and Auditing
Responsibilities
We rvill use our skills as accountants and auditors on your behalf and are responsible for performing such
work rvith due professional care rvithin the framel,ork of our professional standards. However, as
management of the entity, you are necessarily more familiar rvith its operations, its personnel and the reality
underlying its books and records. Accordingly, your management and board of directors witl remain
primarily responsible for the data and information contained in the financial statements, as well as for the
evaluation of the capability and integritv of the company's personnel and the maintenance of adequate
accounting records and internal control procedures for safeguarding the company's assets. As we near
completion of our audit rvork, rve will ask you lo carefull], revierv the financial statements and confirm to us
in writing the imponant representations they contain. rvhich \e rvill relv upron. Therefore, if there is
an!'thing in those statements that is not completely clear to vou. pleasc be sure to question us until you are
satisfied.
Issuonce of Reports
When rve repon upon vour linancial statements or other hnancial data. our exercise of professional due care
includes important processes rvherein $e revierv our orvn rvork. When such processes have been completed
our lindings will be presented to )'ou in a formal repon. Accordingly. although rve mav sometimes make a
pencil or drafl copy of our repon available to you as a counes.v. those findings are not to be relied upon or
disseminaled until our completed formal report is issued.
Aher Inlormution In Docunenls Contoining Finoncial Statements
The inclusion ofour reports in doguments containing information in addition to the financial slatements and
our repons thereon (e.9., annual rcpons lo shareholders. regulatol' filings. offering circulars, etc.) may
require us to perform additional procedures to fulfill our professional or legal responsibilities. Accordingly,
our reports should not be used for anv such purposes rvithout our consent. In addition. to avoid unnecessary
delay or misunderstanding, it is important that you give us timely notice of your intention to issue any such
document. Also, our reports should not be included in any electronic filing system (e.g., the SEC's EDGAR
system) until you have received a manually signed report from us.
4-803 (6/e3)
AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR CLIENTS:
As your accountants, we would be pleased to provide you rvith a rvide variet_v of professional ta)i planning,
preparation and advisory sewices, based upon your panicular ne€ds and the specific services you engage gs
to perform. we particularly urge you to engage us to perform special tax planning on your bel.tr,lf (i.e., help
plan your affairs to take maximum advantage of those provisions of the tax code and rcgulations that migit
work to lnur benefil). Sttch an engagement entails intensive t&\ planning, rvhereas arr engagement which
provides solely for the preparation ofta\ retums does not.
Nevertheless, when engaged to prepare tax retums for yoq our tax professionals will attempt to help you
minimize your tax obligations. As you knog rve relv on your timely submission to us of the information
needed for the proper preparation of your r€turns. In tum, we will make every effort to furnish you with the
completed returns sufficiently in advance oftheir due dates to give you time to reyiew them. Your signature
on a la\ retum evidences a serious responsibility and lye want you to understand the document before you
sign. We believe 1ou are better served by an extension of the filing date. if necessary, than by an oversight
caused by a hasty Iiling.
When rve present tax altematives to you $€ knolv ),ou will understand that not all provisions of the ta\ code
are absolutely clear and that some alternatives may not be free from doubt. or may be changed by subsequent
interprelations. We rvill do our best to make you arvare of any such doubts so that you may consider lhem in
deciding on the tax position you choose to elect.
Managcmcnt Consulting
Our management consu-ltants are ready to help you deal rvith manv ofyour business opportunities, problems
and decisions. Because of their great variety of skitls and experience, rve hope )ou tvill soon get to know the
consultants assiSned to your service leam. Any engagements they perform for you should atways be subject
to a clear understanding as to the scope ofthe rvork, the results to be achieved, the time the project will take,
and the fees for our services.
We will seek. rvhenever possible. to involve your people in the implementation of our suggestions, as ]ve are
convinced that only then lvill you get the maximum benefit from our rvork. Also, in our consulting, as in all
our othel services, rve do not permit our personnel to make management decisions or to othenvise usurp
management's functions. Instead. our efforts are directed to business and financial advice, the analysis of
problems, the r@ommendation ofsolutions, and to monitoring the implementation of such solutions.
Sen'iccs In Conncction With Business Acquisitions Or Dispositions
We rvould be pleased to provide you with accounting and tax advice or consulting assistance in connectionwith proposed business acquisitions or dispositions, including assistance rvith locating potential buyers or
sellers. In anv event, the accounting and tax ramifications are such that it is essential you notify us as soon
as possible of your intention to enter into any such transaction -- and certainly in advance of entering into
any contract \vhich refers to us or to our reports(s).
When you make an acquisition and a standard audit opinion is needed, rve find it is usually to your
advantage to have the financial statements of the company to b€ acquired audited by the seller's accountants
and for us to review their work. (Holvever, we urge you to have us advise you and work with you to dwelop
a special engagement providing for us to perform specified procedures on your behalf.) This is usually the
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most cost<ffective means of proceeding and minimizes delay in the issuance of the s€ller's financiat
statements. Conversely, if you are the seller, we would expect the purchaser's accountants to review our
lYork prior to the issuance ofour final report. Among other matters. this protects you against the buyer later
claiming misunderstanding (or disagreement) rvith respect to your accounring policies and methods.
Concepts That Pcrtain To All Sen'ices
Timeliness
We not only aim to perform our services in keeping with the highest professional standards, but we also
expect our work to be conducted efficiently and completed on time. We plan oul engagemens to do this,
but because of circumstances beyond our contol, and often beyond yours as well, this is not a.lways possible.
When situations arise vhen it app€ars there will be delays or we must do additional \york, our professionals
are instructed to inform you promptly. We believe )ou should be made aware of any matter that may
impact our sewice or fees and given the opportunity to help resolve any problems which arise.
Supemisio n of Yo u r Perso n n e I
When called for by our engagement. rve rvould be pleased to provide your personnel with appropriate
guidance and assistance. For example, rve might provide cenain record keeping or financial reporting
instructions to your accounting staff. furnish personnel you designate with a "calendar" of tax due dates and
with instmctions conceming their responsibilities for the filing of such tax retums, making ta-\ deposits. etc.
How'ever, Ive are sure you understand that rve cannot be responsible for the day-today supervision of 1'our
Personnel or for ensuring that such personnel fulfill thcir assigned responsibilities. You, or someone on
your staff, must exercise this responsibility.
Investnenl Advice
As professional accounl"ants. auditors and management consultants. we provide our clients rvith accounting,
tax, financial and business services and advice -- not investment advice. We do not recommend tre
purchase or sale of stocks, bonds or any other investment(s) and suggest you consult lour investment advisor
with respect to any such nratters. For example, rvhen clients request that \c "find" them a "tax sheltcr," rve
may fumish them vith the materials for several such investments which appear to meet their requiremenls,
and advise them solely with rcspect to the ta)i aspects. We do not recommend. r,ouch for the bona hde of, or
act as "purchaser representative" with respect to these or any other investments. and *e ask that !'ou inform
us if any ofour personnel appear to exceed these limitations.
Independence
One la$ point: to provide 1'ou rvith proper. unbiased and objectiye sen,ice. our professionals should be
independent ofyour organization. This not only means that our people should not have any investment or
other business deatings rvith your organization or personnel, but also. that they should avoid inappropriate
relationships rvith 1'our personnel and cannot accept gifts or other personal payments from you in
appreciation for their s€rvices. Naturally, they are not to accepl any comnrissions or other payments from
any suppliers or other parties rvith. rvhom you do business for having referred them to you. These rules are
very important and lve not only ask your cooperation in applying them. but request you to advise us if you
obsen e an,'thing that might indicaie that these policies are not being folloNed.
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**.a,rrl
Wo intend thc nanc'Gralt Thomton' to stand for outst nding client service. We want you to be so
plcased by our work that you will recommeud us to your friends and business associatcs. If, however, ,ny
of our personnel do not adhere to the foregoitrg scrvicc concepts, or if our servics does not plesse you for
rlry other rc{son, plcasc let us know. Feel frce to call your client service parEer, the mansgirg psrtner of.
the office servi.ng you, or any othcr partner.
We would be pleased to snswer 8ny questions you might have about these, or atry other aspects of our
clicnt serviccs.
Vcry truly yours,
fl;ll^r,^a LL?
The Parhers of
Grant Thomton LLP
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