Our readers have been requesting more 'Man On The Street Interviews'. Apparently these interviews
have become very popular!
I thought a good topic for this 'Man On The Street Interview' would be the controversial audits of county government which have been conducted by the Missouri State Auditor during the past several months. The elected officials who have been most vociferous are: Sheriff Randy Esphorst, Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost, Southern District Associate Commissioner Jerry Lairmore and County Clerk Lesa Lietzow.
Jimmy: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Thurston!
Thurston: Glad to do it, Jimmy! I read Hermann Hearsay everyday!
Jimmy: The topic for this 'Man On The Street Interview' is the Missouri state audits of county government which have recently been challenged by several of our Gasconade County elected offficials. What do you think about that, Thurston?
Thurston: Pure poppycock, Jimmy ol' boy! Pure poppycock!
Jimmy: Do you think the state should audit our county government periodically?
Thurston: Of course I do, Jimmy! And they ought to audit them more frequently than just once every four years!
Jimmy: Can you say more about that, Thurston?
Thurston: Well Jimmy, I own several private corporations, and I sit on the board of several other corporations, both private and public. With my own corporations, I insist upon an internal financial audit once per year. And then on a bi-annual frequency we hire an outside (external), independent and objective CPA firm to come in and perform an audit of all of our internal financial systems and procedures. When deficiencies or weaknesses are found in our procedures or systems and the CPA firm puts forth solid and reasonable recommendations, I insist that our company accountants implement the necessary changes just as fast as possible. I conduct monthly review meetings until all the improvements have been implemented. At the other corporations where I am a member of their boards of directors, we also have annual financial audits. As far as I know in the business world, annual financial audits are the rule rather than the exception.
Jimmy: That's what I thought, Thurston.
Thurston: In the business world, we just accept it as "best practice". We believe it leads to better and better financial systems and procedures which allow us to manage our businesses more effectively and for maximum profit. We also believe that frequent financial audits are critical to "keeping honest employees honest."
Jimmy: So you think financial audits are worth the investment of time and effort?
Thurston: Most certainly, Jimmy my boy!
Jimmy: So what do you think about county officials who whine and complain about the state's financial audits?
Thurston: Well Jimmy, ol' boy, I think county officials who whine and complain about havng to subject their departments to financial audits are either (1) too damned lazy to cooperate with the auditors, (2) too ignorant to understand the benefits of periodic auditing or (3) too worried and nervous about the auditors finding something they don't want them to find. Those are the only explanations I can think of for raising objections to the state audits. Afterall, the state audits only occur once every four (4) years! That's not too much to ask of our county officials!
Jimmy: Thurston, you certainly don't pull any punches, do you?
Thurston: No I don't! Jimmy, if you ask me any county official who whines about the state audits, whatever frequency they're conducted, is unfit to serve the citizens of Gasconade County. Period!
Thurston: Now, if you don't mind, I've got to be on my way. Lovey will be waiting for me to return home for lunch on the patio.
Jimmy: Certainly Thurston! Thanks for your time!
Thurston: My pleasure Jimmy! My pleasure!
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