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Audit Services RecommendationCity of Dubuque City Council CONSENT ITEMS # 5. Copyrighted November 18, 2024 ITEM TITLE: Audit Services Recommendation SUMMARY: City Manager recommending the selection of Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants, to provide the City's auditing services for the next three fiscal years, Fiscal Year 2024 through 2026, and authorize the City Manager to sign the audit service agreement. SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: 1. MVM Memo 2024 11 06 Audit Services Recommendation_ 2. Audit Services Recommendation Staff Memo 2024 11 06 3. Mauldin and Jenkins Proposal Page 119 of 1454 THE CITY OF DUB E Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Audit Service Recommendation DATE: November 6, 2024 Dubuque AIFAnti Ciq 2007-2012.2013 2017*2019 Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Larson recommends the selection of Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants, to provide the City's auditing services for the next three fiscal years, Fiscal Year 2024 through 2026, and authorize the City Manager to sign the audit service agreement. Mauldin & Jenkins will provide a dedicated team to the audit which will include (at a minimum) two partners, one full-time manager, and at least two staff professionals. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. / � kw4ZA4�-� Michael C. Van Milligen MCVM/jml Attachment cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer Brian DeMoss, Finance Manager Page 120 of 1454 THE CF D!Uj--B E Masterpiece on the Mississippi TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer SUBJECT: Audit Services Recommendation DATE: November 14, 2024 INTRODUCTION Dubuque All -America City 1' 2007 • 2012 • 2013 The City issued an Audit Services Request for Proposal (RFP) which was posted on the City of Dubuque website and notification was given electronically on September 30, 2024, to Eide Bailly LLP, Creative Planning, WIPFLI, and CliftonLarsonAllen CPA's. Audit committee members included Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Larson, Finance Manager Brian DeMoss, and Budget/Financial Analyst Nathan Kelleher. DISCUSSION Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants was the only proposal submitted. The other firms indicated that they did not have staff capacity to submit a proposal at this time. The audit services review committee reviewed the proposal and interviewed Mauldin & Jenkins on November 4, 2024. Mauldin & Jenkins proposal all-inclusive maximum price was $231,000 for all three years. Mauldin & Jenkins was established in 1918 and is one of the largest certified public accounting firms in the Southeast and in the United States and is licensed to practice in Iowa. The firm currently services clients as far northeast as Gates County in North Carolina (on the Virginia line) to Corpus Christi, Texas, to Islamorada, Florida in the Florida Keys. Mauldin & Jenkins has a very deep wealth of knowledge and resources when it comes to the government industry. 31 % of Mauldin & Jenkin's business is focused on governmental practice as compared to the firm's overall practice, 725 governmental entities have been served in the past three years, there are 515 employees at the firm, 150 of which have current governmental experience, and 50% of firm offices are led by governmental partners. The firm performs 220 Single Audits every year, which is equivalent to $6.2 billion in Federal award dollars audited. Other services provided by the firm include forensic audits, performance audits, Page 121 of 1454 information systems audits, agreed -upon procedures, bond issuance services, capital asset inventory services, cybersecurity framework engagements, system vulnerability assessments engagements, and penetration testing engagements. Cities that are audited by Mauldin & Jenkins that are like the City of Dubuque include City of Atlanta, Georgia, City of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, City of Charleston, South Carolina, City of Savannah, Georgia, and the City of Gulfport, Mississippi. Mauldin & Jenkins will provide a dedicated team to the audit which will include (at a minimum) two partners, one full-time manager, and at least two staff professionals. The firm is ready to start the audit immediately with the plan to issue the Fiscal Year 2024 audit in March 2025. The Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026 audits would be completed by December 31 St each year to meet the Government Finance Officer Association's Certificate of Achievement deadline. Based on the consensus of the committee, I recommend seeking approval to issue a contract with Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants. A copy of the Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants proposal and dollar cost bid are enclosed. RECOMMENDATION I respectfully recommend awarding a three-year audit services agreement to Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants and subsequent approval of the audit service agreement. Attachment cc: Brian DeMoss, Finance Manager 2 Page 122 of 1454 i s i LL tx0 i 0 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Provide Audit Services Request for Proposal - Auditing Services (Annual Contract) Fiscal Years June 30, 2024 through 2026 Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants Contact Person: David Irwin, CPA, Partner Phone: (800) 277-0050 Email: dirwin@mjcpa.com 200 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1700 Atlanta, GA 30339 October 29, 2024 i Is -M mjcpa.com Page 123 of 1454 lP - I M PAC �� T • • ORE P URPOS •. �r • J> . . .0: , AT 0 0 0 .o MAULDIN&JENKINS . 4 W tin • r • -I4 J'�O • . • • • �^ • • .•• wlT N COMPASSIO�IP ••. . CORE VALUES VISION To be a trusted advisor, earning trust and building respect through our consistent commitment to sustainable excellence, leadership, and integrity. Page 124 of 1454 Over 725 Governmental Units Served Throughout the Southeast INSIDE - -1ic accounting m S Going Further. Page 125 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Table of Contents TransmittalLetter........................................................................................... 1 and 2 Scope of Work to be Performed....................................................................... 3 and 4 - Scope of Our Work and Required Audit Reports - Irregularities and Illegal Acts Independence............................................................................................................ 4 License to Practice in Iowa........................................................................................ 5 Firm Qualifications and Experience...................................................................... 5-7 - Organization and Size — Regional Firm - Other Industries and Services By Mauldin & Jenkins - A Century of Service QualityControl Review...................................................................................... 7 —10 - External Peer Review - Desk Reviews or Field Reviews - No Disciplinary Actions Similar Engagements with Other Governmental Entities ................................... 11— 26 - The Mauldin & Jenkins Difference - Governments Served in the Past Three Years - Certificates of Achievement & Excellence in Financial Reporting - PAFR Experience - Audits of Federally Funded Programs (Single Audits) - Governmental Attestation Services - Governmental IT Solutions - Governmental Advisory Services - Similar Clients Partner, Supervisory and Staff Qualifications and Experience .............................27 — 43 - Proposed Staffing and Qualifications - Other Resources for Non Audit Services (Advisory Services, Information Technology Services & Fraud Examinations) - Other Staff Auditors & Accountants - Diversity and Inclusion - Affirmative Action - Partner & Staff Continuity - Continuing Education of Partners and Staff - Planned Use of Outside Specialists Page 126 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Table of Contents (Continued) Specific Audit Approach....................................................................................44 — 56 - Proposed Segmentation of Audit Engagement and Level of Staff Assigned - Assistance Requested from the City's Staff - High Percentage of Partner and Manager Involvement - Our Request List Management Software - Suralink - Sampling Techniques and the Extent to Which Statistical Sampling Will be Used in the Engagement - Type and Extent of Analytical Procedures to be Used in the Engagement - Approach to be Taken to Gain and Document an Understanding of the City's Internal Control - Approach to be Taken in Determining Laws and Regulations to be Subject of Audit Test Work - Approach to be Taken in Drawing Audit Samples for Purposes of Tests of Compliance - Methodology to be Used in Performing the "Risk Based" Approach in Determining Major Federal Programs - Remote Audit Approach Available as Needed Identification of Anticipated Potential Audit Problems .................................... 56 and 57 Additional Information of Value Added Services.................................................58 — 62 - Upcoming GASB Statements - Free Continuing Education for Governmental Clients - Governmental Newsletters - Auditor's Discussion & Analysis - Mauldin & Jenkins Partner Joel Black Appointed GASB Chairman FeeSchedule........................................................................................................ 63 — 64 - Important Note to be Considered Closing....................................................................................................................... 65 Page 127 of 1454 �TAT - City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Transmittal Letter October 29, 2024 City of Dubuque, Iowa Attn: Brian DeMoss, Finance Manager 50 W. 131" Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4805 Ladies and Gentlemen: We appreciate the opportunity to propose on providing audit services to the City of Dubuque, Iowa (the "City"), and we are pleased to submit a qualifications package including cost estimates to provide annual financial and compliance auditing services for the City. The contract for such audit services will be for three consecutive fiscal years beginning with the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, and ending with the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026. We have read the Request for Proposal ("RFP") and fully understand its intent and contents. We understand the time frame for performance of the annual financial audits as stipulated by the City and agree to provide the services described in the proposal. We will conduct preliminary and final fieldwork and will issue all the deliverables and reports substantially prior to the required due dates. As professionals serving the public sector, Mauldin & Jenkins is qualified to serve the City. We believe that Mauldin & Jenkins is the leader in auditing state and local governments in the Southeast. This leadership was achieved by recognizing that we are an important part of our client's success, with our objective being to ensure that accurate information is reported to the Council, management, and its citizens. Given the complexities of the City's financial operations and the ongoing significant changes in accounting standards, we feel that it is very important that you select an auditing firm that is focused and experienced in the governmental industry. We differentiate ourselves from our peers via: ❖ Experience with Governments. As auditors for more governments in the Southeast than any other firm, our professionals are thoroughly versed in the complex governmental arena and have consistently provided the highest quality of service to our government clients. We serve: • 725+ state and local governments across the Southeastern U.S.A. • 175+ water & sewer systems, 35+ airport operations, 25+ gas systems, 20+ electrical utilities, & 25 transit services; • 181 governments awarded the GFOA's and, or ASBO's Financial Reporting Certificates. • 220+ of Single Audits as required by the Uniform Guidance. Over 725 10 A& Served ■ Cities 180+ Counties 90+ ■ School Districts & 125+ Charter Schools State Entities 65+ ■ Utility Authorities 85+ Special Purpose 180+ Mauldin & Jenkins provides over 155,000 hours of service to over 725 governmental units in the Southeast on an annual basis utilizing over 150 professionals. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 1 Page 128 of 1454 �" T City of Dubuque, Iowa - Proposal to Serve ❖ Responsiveness and Large Firm Resources with Small Firm Sensitivity. We pride ourselves in responding to the needs of our clients; not only the ability to meet deadlines, but also to respond to other requests. Our ability to be responsive is enhanced by the open communications and good working relationship we have with our clients. Our resources provide for the flexibility to meet your needs and to perform our services in an efficient and effective manner. ❖ Nationally Recognized. Mauldin & Jenkins is consistently ranked in the Top 100 by various publications as one of the largest certified public accounting firms in the country. We are a regional firm, but the firm's influence is shared nationally. Our partners have volunteered to serve as the American Institute of CPA's ("AICPA's") Governmental Audit Quality Center's ("GAQC") Executive Committee in 2022; the AICPA's State and Local Government Expert Panel in 2021; the AICPA's sole representative to Government Accounting Standards Advisory Council ("GASAC"); the 2015 Chairman of the board of the AICPA; and a board member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) in 2016. In 2020, our ~ own Joel Black was appointed to serve as the Chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Mauldin & Jenkins is a leader nationally. ❖ On -site or Remote Audits and Suralink. Whether management elects for a remote or on -site audit, Mauldin & Jenkins is very effective in working from a hybrid environment. We also utilize software, like Suralink, on all audits to add organization and transparency to the audit process. ❖ Information Technology Services. Mauldin & Jenkins is one of 38 of the top 100 CPA firms in the nation who have invested in the AICPA's new revolutionary audit tool and methodology — the Dynamic Audit Solution ("DAS"). We also have resources to address the evolving cybersecurity threats to your government with Certified Information Systems Auditors (CISA) on staff and certified by the AICPA to provide cybersecurity advisory services and the newly created cybersecurity assessment. ❖ Staff Continuity. Our staff retention rates are considered to be among the best in the profession. We are able to not only provide consistency with the partner and manager on our engagement teams, but seniors as well. We also have enough resources at the partner, manager, and senior levels to provide for periodic rotations as requested by our clients. ❖ Education. Mauldin & Jenkins' clients have the opportunity to register and receive approximately 30 hours of continuing education on an annual basis, free of charge. We take our experience in serving governments and choose timely and relevant topics to provide ongoing education to our clients, both virtually and in -person. Sessions are limited to clients only. This proposal represents a firm offer for 90 days from the date of the proposal. As a member of Mauldin & Jenkins, David Irwin is authorized to bind, and make representations for the Firm, and he will be the ultimate party responsible for the quality of the report and working papers. We are able to begin the City's June 30, 2024 audit immediately. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to present our proposal and our qualifications. Again, on behalf of Mauldin & Jenkins, thank you for the opportunity to serve. Sincerely, MAULDIN & JENKINS, LLC David Irwin, Partner INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 2 Page 129 of 1454 AT 4INI�IT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Scope of Work to be Performed The following pages attempt to demonstrate to you our understanding of the nature of the audit services and our general plan for meeting your needs. Scope of Our Work and Required Audit Reports The overall objective in serving the City is to determine whether the financial statements present fairly the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business -type activities, the aggregate discretely presented component units, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information and the respective changes in financial position and cash flows, where applicable, thereof and the respective budgetary comparison for the major governmental funds in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, to determine whether the combining and individual non -major fund financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The audit will be conducted in accordance with auditing standards _ generally accepted in the United States of America, promulgated by ®- the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") and „� in accordance with: Government Auditing Standards issued by the VW -- Comptroller General of the United States; the provisions of the Federal Single Audit Act, the audit requirements of Title 2 U. S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards ("Uniform Guidance") standards. Our audit will consider the City's internal controls over financial reporting in order to determine the auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the financial statements and not to provide an opinion on the internal control over financial reporting. We will perform tests of compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grants, noncompliance with which could have a direct and material effect on the determination of financial statement amounts. Providing an opinion on compliance with these provisions is not an objective of the Audits. However, the results of the tests disclosing instances of noncompliance and other matters will be reported as required under Government Auditing Standards. Following the completion of the audit of the fiscal year's financial statements, we shall prepare the required audit reports (if applicable) including those required by Government Auditing Standards and the Single Audit and the Official Code of Georgia Annotated: 1) A report on the fair presentation of the financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This report shall include Required Supplemental Schedules (RSI) as required by GASB 34. 2) A report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and on Compliance and on Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial Statements Performed in Accordance with Government Auditing Standards. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE / PROVEN RESULTS 3 Page 130 of 1454 �" T City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve 3) A report on Compliance for Each Major Federal Program and on Internal Control Over Compliance required by the Uniform Guidance. 4) A Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Irregularities and Illegal Acts We will make an immediate, written report of all irregularities and illegal acts or indications of illegal acts of which we become aware, to the following parties: • The City Council • The City Attorney • The City Manager Independence We hereby affirm that Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC is independent with respect to the City of Dubuque, Iowa, its component units and its joint ventures, and related outside entities as defined by generally accepted auditing standards. We meet the independence standards of Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and the U.S. General Accounting Office Government Auditing Standards (2018 revision). We are also independent with respect to the City within the meaning of Part 1.200 of the Code of Professional Conduct of the American Institute of CPAs and the applicable published rules and interpretations thereunder. To further understand the above paragraph, we have not: • Prepared or performed reconciliation services; • Performed bookkeeping services; or, • Provided other consulting services for the City during the past year or any time prior. Independence is very important to the integrity of an audit, and we are independent with respect to the City. Further, we have no conflicts of interest or local bias. We have had no business relationships or made payments to any officer or employee of the governing board members of the City who is or has been in a policy making or significant management position relating to any aspect of the proposed work in the past five years. Our Firm, nor any partner or employee, has made any contributions to any political campaigns of any person serving as a City Council member of the City of Dubuque, Iowa. We have made no payments or commitments to make payments to any person, Firm or corporation for services rendered in soliciting business for the City. Written notice will be provided to the City provided any professional relationships are entered into with the City during the period of this agreement. We will conduct our audits objectively and will report findings, opinions, and conclusions objectively. As noted above, we are free from personal and external impairments to independence, are organizationally independent and will maintain an independent attitude and appearance so that opinions, conclusions, judgments, and recommendations are impartial and will be viewed as impartial by knowledgeable parties. There are no situations that might lead others to question our independence. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE / PROVEN RESULTS 4 Page 131 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve License to Practice in Iowa Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC is properly registered as a certified public accounting firm licensed to practice in Iowa. Additionally, all assigned key professional staff are properly licensed and registered to practice public accounting with the State of Iowa. Firm Qualifications and Experience Organization and Size - Regional Firm Mauldin & Jenkins was formed in approximately 1918 and has been actively engaged in governmental auditing since its inception. Mauldin & Jenkins is one of the largest certified public accounting firms in the Southeast and in the U.S.A., and a leading provider of audit and accounting services. Mauldin & Jenkins serves clients whose operations span the entire U.S.A. Mauldin & Jenkins is considered to be a large regional firm with offices in the following communities: • Albany, GA • Alpharetta, GA • Athens, AL • Atlanta, GA • Birmingham, AL • Bradenton, FL • Chattanooga, TN • Columbia, SC • Florence, AL • Huntsville, AL • Macon, GA • Raleigh, NC • Sarasota, FL • Savannah, GA Our current footprint of governmental clients extends as far northeast as Gates County in North Carolina (on the Virginia line) to Corpus Christi, Texas to Islamorada, Florida in the Florida Keys. Other key information relative to the size and experience of Mauldin & Jenkins is as follows: • 515,000 - approx. total hours of service provided annually to clients of the Firm • 155,000 - approx. total hours of service provided annually to governmental clients • 55% - percentage of governmental practice as compared to Firm's attestation practice • 31% - percentage of governmental practice as compared to Firm's overall practice • 725 - approx. total governmental entities served in past three (3) years • 515 - total number of Firm personnel • 181 - total clients served who obtain the GFOA/ASBO Certificates INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 5 Page 132 of 1454 > AT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve • 47 - total clients with publicly issued debts in excess of $76 million • 77 - total number of Firm partners • 25 - total number of full-time governmental partners & directors • 20 - total number of full-time governmental managers • 150 - total number of professionals with current governmental experience • 50% - percentage of Firm offices led by governmental partners Other Industries and Services by Mauldin & Jenkins: Each of Mauldin & Jenkins' offices provides a wide variety of services to a broad range of clientele. We have partners and managers who are responsible for specialized practice areas of auditing and accounting, taxes and management advisory services. Their purpose, as leaders in the particular practice area, is to establish policies with respect to technical matters in these specific areas and ensure that the quality of the Firm's practice is maintained. Services Provided: This diversity of practice enables our personnel to experience a wide variety of business, accounting and tax situations. We provide the traditional and not -so -traditional services such as: • Financial Audit/Review/Compilation • Compliance Audits and Single Audits • Agreed -Upon Procedures • Forensic Audits • Bond Issuance Services • Performance Audits • State Sales Tax Matters • International Tax Matters • Business and Strategic Planning • Profitability Consulting • Budgeting • Buy -Sell Agreements and Business Valuation Issues • Income Tax Planning and Preparation • Multi -State Income Tax Issues • Information Systems Consulting • Cost Accounting Analysis • Healthcare Cost Reimbursement • Outsourced Billing Services • Fixed Asset Inventories • Succession and Exit Strategy Consulting • Estate Planning • Management Information Systems • Employee Benefit Plan Administration • Merger/Acquisition and Expansion Financing A Century of Service Mauldin & Jenkins' commitment to government began when our Firm was established in 1918. Since then, we have viewed service to governments as significant to the overall success of the Firm. Today, the governmental sector is an industry that has been specifically identified for our continued growth in professional services. Accordingly, all professionals, from entry-level accountants to partners (who select the governmental sector as their focus) are trained to understand the issues and meet the needs of state and local governmental entities. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 6 Page 133 of 1454 4-j City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve As noted previously, Mauldin & Jenkins employs 45 partners, directors and managers who dedicate 100% of their time serving government clients. We also have numerous additional professionals with current experience in providing services to governmental entities, many of whom spend their time exclusively on government clients. Mauldin & Jenkins' dedicated professionals can bring a comprehensive understanding of the issues that face government entities as well as "bench strength" at all levels, allowing us to respond swiftly and effectively to your evolving needs. The goal of our government practice is to help governments improve their financial processes and strategies so that they can in turn achieve their goal of improving the lives of their citizens. This shared commitment to the goals of our clients has resulted in a significant government clientele. As noted in our transmittal letter, we currently serve over 725 governments in the Southeast. We know of no other regional firm that can match our governmental experience. I was apprehensive when the decision was made to go with Mauldin & Jenkins thinking our city was too small for a larger firm. I couldn't be more pleased with their helpful attitude and professionalism. The audit process is now smooth and painless. City of Rockmart, Clerk/Finance Officer Quality Control Review External Peer Review In the mid 70s, the Private Companies Practice Section ("PCPS") was founded by the American Institute of CPAs ("AICPA") to establish a voluntary quality assurance program for CPA firms. There are requirements for membership in the section, which include mandatory continuing education for each member of the professional staff and a key element is a tri-annual independent review of a firm's quality control system in its practice of public accounting. Mauldin & Jenkins has been a member of the section from inception. The peer review aspect has evolved from being voluntary to mandatory and Mauldin & Jenkins is in full compliance with the requirements of having a tri-annual review. In the peer reviewer's latest report dated December 29, 2023, our reviewing firm gave a rating of "pass" which is the highest form of assurance they can render on the system of quality control for our accounting and audit practice. A copy of the report on our most recent external quality control review is provided on the next page. The quality control review included a review of specific government engagements, including compliance audits under the Single Audit Act. No letter of comment was received as a result of this review. We are quite proud to be one of the few Southeast based firms to have undergone this review and to have received such an excellent opinion from a large reputable national firm. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 7 Page 134 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve PBMares.M CPAs and Consultants REPORT ON THE FIRM'S SYSTEM OF QUALITY CONTROL December 29, 2023 To the Shareholders of Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC and the National Peer Review Committee We have reviewed the system of quality control for the accounting and auditing practice of Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC (the firm) applicable to engagements not subject to PCAOB permanent inspection in effect for the year ended May 31, 2023. Our peer review was conducted in accordance with the Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews established by the Peer Review Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Standards). A summary of the nature, objectives, scope, limitations of. and the procedures performed in a system review as described in the Standards may be found at vv%Nr r.aicpa.orz/prsuummary. The summary also includes an explanation of how engagements identified as not performed or reported on in conformity with applicable professional standards. if any, are evaluated by a peer reviewer to determine a peer review rating. Firm's Responsibility The firm is responsible for designing and complying with a system of quality control to provide the firm with reasonable assurance of performing and reporting in conformity with the requirements of applicable professional standards in all material respects. The fine is also responsible for evaluating actions to promptly remediate engagements deemed as not performed or reported in conformity with professional standards, when appropriate, and for remediatnng weaknesses in its system of quality control, if any. Peer Reviewer's Responsibility Our responsibility is to express ail opinion on the design of and compliance xvith the finn's systein of quality control based on our review. Required Selections and Considerations Engagements selected for review included engagements performed under Government Auditing Standards. including compliance audits under the Single Audit Act, audits of employee benefit plans; audits performed under FDICIA. and an examination of service organizations (SOC 2 engagement). As a part of our peer review, we considered reviews by regulatory entities as communicated by the firm, if applicable. in determining the nature and extent of our procedures. PBMares. LLD 1725 Jackson Street. Suite 210 I Fredericksburg, VA 22401 I P 540.371.3566 I r 540.371.3598 I www.PBM&r*s.com INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 8 Page 135 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Opinion In our opinion, the system of quality control for the accounting and auditing practice of Mauldin & Jenkins. LLC applicable to engagements not subject to PCAOB permanent inspection in effect for the year ended May 31. 2023. has been suitably designed and complied with to provide the firm with reasonable assurance of performing and reporting in conformity with applicable professional standards in all material respects. Firms can receive a rating of pass, pass with deficiency(ies), or fail. Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC has received a peer review rating of pass. P8MCWe+' UP PBMares, LLP Fredericksburg. Virginia We chose Mauldin & Jenkins and have continued with them, because of their deep understanding and accounting knowledge of our industry and they are an invaluable resource to us. The professionals on their team are easy to work with and pay close attention to our specific concerns. They provide exceptional expertise and service, responding to questions quickly and proficiently. Without question, our decision to use Mauldin & Jenkins for the past years was a sound business decision, delivering the expected results and then some. David Smith, Henry County (GA), Chief Financial Officer INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 9 Page 136 of 1454 AT 4INI�IT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Desk Reviews or Field Reviews Mauldin & Jenkins audits most of the largest school districts in the State of Georgia. Based on that fact, the State of Georgia's Department of Audits & Accounts ("DoAA") periodically performs a review of a sample of our local school district audits. No report has ever been formally issued, and no matters or issues have ever been noted by this annual effort. As part of the review process, the DoAA has asked to send teams of auditors to review our workpapers in their own effort to better approach financial and compliance audits from a risk based perspective. With the exception of the above paragraph's thoughts, Mauldin & Jenkins has not had a federal or state desk review or field review of its audits during the past three years. Regarding one of our past Federal desk reviews or field reviews, we would like to provide the following details of that review, as we believe its results further distinguish Mauldin & Jenkins from other firms. As part of the Federal Department of Education's random testing of the audits of local boards of education, a review was performed by the Federal Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding a Single Audit engagement of a local board of education. We are quite pleased to note the examiner provided Mauldin & Jenkins a letter of high marks for the performance of the respective Single Audit and this comes at a time when Federal regulators are condemning the profession for poor performance of such Single Audits. Unofficially and orally provided, the examiner noted this Single Audit engagement to be the best such engagement reviewed in his experience. We at Mauldin & Jenkins are quite proud of our Firm's governmental practice and appreciate the efforts of state and Federal inspectors and examiners, and their kind words of our doing things right and doing the right things in our attestation engagements. No Disciplinary Actions Mauldin & Jenkins has not had any disciplinary actions taken (nor are any pending) against the Firm during the past three years with any state or Federal regulatory bodies or professional organizations. In the six years that I've gone through internal and external audits this has been by far the best experience with auditors. Your personalities make a huge difference and we haven't regretted changing auditors. Crystal Coleman, Edgefield County (SC), Former Finance Director INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 10 Page 137 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Similar Engagements with Other Governmental Entities The Mauldin & Jenkins Difference Our method effectively minimizes the impact of the audit process, and our goal is to the audit a painless and positive experience. We accomplish this by taking the following ten steps: • Experience. Our experience enables us to focus on the areas of your organization that possess the greatest risk. Each and every person assigned to the engagement will bring extensive governmental experience relative to their time with the firm. Essentially, our youngest staff persons oftentimes have more current governmental experience than higher level people in other firms. Communication. Our emphasis on planning and communication allows for an efficient and effective audit process in which everyone involved knows their roles and expectations. Further, we like to communicate with our clients, and want to hear their concerns, questions and thoughts as they develop, and address such matters at that time. This helps avoid surprises to all respective parties. Learning Before Testing. We do not take a cookie -cutter approach to our audits. Initially, we spend time visiting, inquiring, listening and learning before we ever begin the first audit tests. • Tailoring Our Approach. Once we obtain an understanding of the intricacies of a client's operations, we tailor our audit approach to minimize unnecessary time and effort in the audit process, and avoid disruptions to client personnel. Not Recreating the Wheel. We also consider client's processes and reports generated on a regular basis for possible use in our audit process to minimize the need for client's to spend additional .lM The Commissioners of Mount Pleasant Waterworks would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation for the excellent audit of our financials, especially being a first time audit..... We are looking forward to next year's audit. Clay Duffie, Mount Pleasant (SC) Waterworks, Genera' Manager time and effort simply creating auditor requested schedules. Further, we can share templates used by other clients and ourselves that may reduce time in generating audit schedules. Flexible. We understand the demands client personnel have on a daily basis. We have the resources available to accommodate any special requests or timing relative to the conduct of the annual audit, and still meet required specified deadlines. We understand plans can change, and we are open to making any change in scheduling requested by our clients. • Decisions Made in the Field. Issues, as they arise, are dealt with immediately and not accumulated until the end of the audit. This is accomplished by having seasoned governmental partners and managers in the field during the course of the engagement. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 11 Page 138 of 1454 A City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve • Reviews in the Field. Our goal is to conduct and review audits in the field. We find that to be the most effective and efficient approach to client service. Because our partners and managers are directly involved in the engagement during fieldwork, we can proactively identify significant issues immediately and resolve them with management, so the engagement is essentially complete when fieldwork ends. • Year -long Support. We encourage your staff to take advantage of our accessible staff throughout the year for questions that may arise. Our people, working with you and your staff, can provide proactive advice on new accounting or GAAP pronouncements and their potential impact; help with immediate problems including answers to questions; and share insights and best practices to assist you in planning for your future success. • Working Toward a Common Goal. Considering all of the above thoughts, our ultimate goal and objective is to provide excellent client service with the least amount of disruption to our clients. We tailor our approach to provide for everyone to work smarter, so our clients do not have to work harder. Governments Served in the Past Three Years Perhaps the greatest indicator of our reliability as a professional service provider to state and local governments is our list of governmental clients. Partners 100% Dedicated to Serving Governments Serve 7.7 S+ Governments with annual revenues of $750, 000 to $4.5 INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 12 Page 139 of 1454 > AT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve The following governmental client listings are provided to demonstrate Mauldin & Jenkins' vast experience serving the governmental sector, and these listings are broken down by type of governmental unit, and the respective listings represents clients we have served in the past three years (and not over a lifetime). Cities. Cities we have served within the past three years: Georgia 50) Kingsland 100) Valdosta 143) Hendersonville 1) Albany 51) LaGrange 101) Villa Rica 144) Jacksonville 2) Alpharetta 52) Lake Park 102) Waycross 145) Rocky Mount 3) Americus 53) Lawrenceville 103) West Point 146) Selma 4) Ashburn 54) Leesburg 104) Willacoochee 147) Zebulon 5) Atlanta 55) Lilburn 148) Wilkesboro 6) Austell 56) Lone Oak Alabama / Mississippi 7) Avondale Estates 57) Lyons 105) Athens, AL South Carolina 8) Bainbridge 58) Manchester 106) Huntsville, AL 149) Aiken 9) Baldwin 59) Mansfield 107) Tuscaloosa, AL 150) Beaufort 10) Ball Ground 60) Milledgeville 108) Gulfport, MS 151) Bluffton 11) Barnesville 61) Milner 109) Meridian, MS 152) Cayce 12) Bloomingdale 62) Milton 110) Prattville, AL 153) Chapin 13) Brookhaven 63) Monroe 111) Sheffield, AL 154) Charleston 14) Brunswick 64) Morrow 155) Clemson 15) Butler 65) Nashville Florida 156) Clinton 16) Byron 66) Newton 112) Apopka 157) Clover 17) Cartersville 67) Norcross 113) Atlantis 158) Fountain Inn 18) Cedartown 68) Oxford 114) Callaway 159) Hanahan 19) Centerville 69) Palmetto 115) Clewiston 160) Hardeeville 20) Chamblee 70) Peachtree City 116) Crystal River 161) Hemingway 21) Chattahoochee Hills 71) Peachtree Corners 117) Destin 162) Hilton Head Island 22) Clarkston 72) Pearson 118) Gulf Stream 163) Hollywood 23) College Park 73) Perry 119) Fernandina Beach 164) Georgetown 24) Colquitt 74) Pooler 120) Ft. Myers Beach 165) Greenwood 25) Conyers 75) Powder Springs 121) Haines City 166) Goose Creek 26) Cordele 76) Port Wentworth 122) Hallandale Beach 167) Johnsonville 27) Covington 77) Reynolds 123) Indiantown 168) Kiawah Island 28) Dacula 78) Richmond Hill 124) Islamorada 169) Mount Pleasant 29) Dalton 79) Riverdale 125) Juno Beach 170) North Augusta 30) Darien 80) Rockmart 126) Jupiter Inlet Colony 171) North Charleston 31) Decatur 81) Rome 127) Jupiter Island 172) Orangeburg 32) Doraville 82) Roswell 128) LaBelle 173) Pamplico 33) Douglasville 83) Sandy Springs 129) Lake Placid 174) Rock Hill 34) Duluth 84) Savannah 130) Longboat Key 175) Seabrook Island 35) Dunwoody 85) Sharpsburg 131) Marco Island 176) Seneca 36) Fairburn 86) Social Circle 132) Naples 177) Summerville 37) Fayetteville 87) South Fulton 133) New Port Richey 178) Winnsboro 38) Flovilla 88) St. Marys 134) North Port 39) Forest Park 89) Stockbridge 135) Palmetto Tennessee 40) Forsyth 90) Stonecrest 136) Plant City 179) Bristol 41) Garden City 91) Suwanee 137) Tarpon Springs 180) Clarksville 42) Grovetown 92) Temple 138) Tequesta 181) Jackson 43) Griffin 93) Thunderbolt 139) Wildwood 182) Lebanon 44) Hapeville 94) Tifton 140) Winter Haven 183) Morristown 45) Hinesville 95) Toccoa 184) Spring Hill 46) Holly Springs 96) Tucker 47) Jefferson 97) Turin North Carolina 48) Johns Creek 98) Tybee Island 141) Black Mountain 49) Kennesaw 99) Union City 142) Garner INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 13 Page 140 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Counties. Counties we have served within the past three years: Georgia 26) Lamar 52) Turner 72) Beaufort 1) Athens -Clarke 27) Lee 53) Walton 73) Berkeley 2) Augusta -Richmond 28) Liberty 54) Whitfield 74) Calhoun 3) Bacon 29) Long SS) Wilkes 75) Colleton 4) Barrow 30) Lumpkin 76) Darlington 5) Bryan 31) Macon Florida 77) Dorchester 6) Butts 32) Macon -Bibb 56) Alachua 78) Edgefield 7) Camden 33) McIntosh 57) Hernando 79) Fairfield 8) Charlton 34) Meriwether 58) Union 80) Florence 9) Chatham 35) Mitchell 59) Walton 81) Greenville 10) Clayton 36) Monroe 82) Hampton 11) Columbus-Muscogee 37) Morgan North Carolina 83) Horry 12) Crisp 38) Newton 60) Bertie 84) Jasper 13) DeKalb 39) Paulding 61) Buncombe 85) Lancaster 14) Dougherty 40) Pierce 62) Columbus 86) Laurens 15) Douglas 41) Polk 63) Gates 87) Newberry 16) Emanuel 42) Rockdale 64) Greene 88) Oconee 17) Floyd 43) Spalding 65) Halifax 89) Orangeburg 18) Forsyth 44) Stephens 66) Madison 90) Richland 19) Gwinnett 45) Stewart 67) Montgomery 91) Sumter 20) Henry 46) Sumter 68) Moore 21) Irwin 47) Talbot 69) Orange Tennessee 22) Jackson 48) Tattnall 70) Wake 92) Hamilton 23) Jeff Davis 49) Taylor 24) Jenkins 50) Toombs South Carolina Alabama 25) Jones 51) Troup 71) Aiken 93) Jefferson State Governmental Entities. States have many entities as part of financial reporting: agencies, departments, colleges, university foundations, and other component units that are audited. Please see the following for a listing of State governmental entities we have served in the past three years: 1) Abraham Baldwin Agri. College Foundation 27) 2) Aiken Technical College 28) 3) Athens State University, AL 29) 4) Calhoun Community College 30) 5) Central Carolina Technical College 31) 6) College of Coastal Georgia Foundation 32) 7) Denmark Technical College 33) 8) Drake State Community and Technical College 34) 9) Francis Marion University 35) 10) Ga. Building Authority (GBA) 36) 11) Ga. Business Success Center 37) 12) Ga. College & State Univ. Foundation 38) 13) Ga. Dept. of Behavioral Health 39) 14) Ga. Dept. of Economic Development 40) 15) Ga. Education Authority 41) 16) Ga. Environmental Finance Auth. (GEFA) 42) 17) Ga. Higher Education Assistance Corp. 43) 18) Ga. Higher Education Facilities Authority 44) 19) Ga. Highlands College Foundation 45) 20) Ga. Lottery Corporation (LOTTO) 46) 21) Ga. Military College Foundation 47) 22) Ga. Ports Authority (GPA) 48) 23) Ga. Southern Univ. Athletic Foundation 49) 24) Ga. Southern Univ. Foundation 50) 25) Ga. State Financing & Investment Com. (GSFIC) 51) 26) Ga. State Univ. Athletic Foundation 52) Ga. State Univ. Foundation Ga. Student Finance Authority (GSFA) Ga. Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Auth. Ga. Technology Authority Ga. World Congress Center Authority Gadsden State Community College Greenville Technical College University of Chattanooga Foundation Trident Technical College Kennesaw State Univ. Athletic Department Kennesaw State Univ. Athletic Foundation Kennesaw State Univ. Research Foundation Kennesaw State Univ. Foundation Medical College of Georgia Foundation Mississippi College of Georgia Foundation New College of Florida Northeast Alabama Community College Northeastern Technical College Northwest Florida College Foundation Northwest Shoals Community College Polytechnic Foundation of Kennesaw State Univ. REACH Georgia (of the GSFC) Snead State Community College South Carolina Comptroller Generals Office South Carolina Education Lottery Commission South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 14 Page 141 of 1454 fl City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve 53) South Carolina Infrastructure Bank 61) Tri County Technical College 54) South Carolina Insurance Reserve Fund 62) University of North Alabama 55) South Carolina Department of Transportation 63) University of North Georgia Foundation 56) South Carolina Jobs -Economic Development Auth 64) University of West Alabama 57) South Carolina Office of the State Auditor 65) University of West Georgia Foundation 58) Southern Polytechnic Applied Research Foundation 66) University System of Georgia 59) State College of Florida Sarasota -Manatee 67) Williamsburg Technical College 60) Stone Mountain Memorial Association School Systems. Boards of Education we have served within the past three years: Georgia 32) Greene County Schools 62) Sheffield City School 1) Atlanta Independent Schools 33) Griffin -Spalding County Schools 63) Limestone County Board of 2) Barrow County Schools 34) Gwinnett County Schools Education 3) Bartow County Schools 35) Habersham County Schools 64) Jackson County Board of Education 4) Bibb County Schools 36) Hancock County Schools 5) Buford City Schools 37) Henry County Schools 6) Butts County Schools 38) Houston County Schools Florida 7) Camden County Schools 39) Jefferson City Schools 65) Hardee County Schools 8) Carroll County Schools 40) Laurens County Schools 66) Highland County Schools 9) Carrollton City Schools 41) Lumpkin County Schools 67) Manatee County Schools 10) Cartersville City Schools 42) Marietta City Schools 68) Lee County Schools 11) Clayton County Schools 43) Marion County Schools 12) Cobb County Schools 44) Newton County Schools South Carolina 13) Colquitt County Schools 45) Oconee County Schools 69) Beaufort County Schools 14) Commerce City Schools 46) Peach County Schools 70) Berkeley County School District 15) Coweta County Schools 47) Pickens County Schools 71) Calhoun County Schools 16) Dawson County Schools 48) Polk County Schools 72) Charleston County Schools 17) Decatur City Schools 49) Putnam County Schools 73) Clarendon Co. School Dist. 1 18) DeKalb County Schools 50) Rockdale County Schools 74) Colleton County Schools 19) Dodge County Schools 51) Rome City Schools 75) Florence School Dist. 1 20) Dougherty County Schools 52) Savannah -Chatham Co. Schools 76) Florence School Dist. 3 21) Douglas County Schools 53) Stephens County Schools 77) Horry County Schools 22) Dublin City Schools 54) Thomas County Schools 78) Marlboro County Schools 23) Effingham County Schools 55) Troup County Schools 79) Orangeburg County School District 24) Fannin County Schools 56) Twiggs County Schools 80) Richland Co. School Dist. 1 25) Fayette County Schools 57) Union County Schools 81) South Carolina Public Charter 26) Floyd County Schools 58) Walton County Schools School District 27) Forsyth County Schools 59) Ware County Schools 82) Sumter County Schools 28) Fulton County Schools 60) White County Schools 29) Gilmer County Schools Tennessee 30) Glynn County Schools Alabama 83) Bristol City Schools 31) Gordon County Schools 61) Athens City Schools 84) Hamilton County Schools Charter School Systems. Charter schools we have served within the past three years: 1) Academy for Classical Education (ACE) 16) International Community School 2) Atlanta Classical Charter Academy 17) Just for Girls Academy 3) Atlanta Heights Charter Academy 18) Kendezi School 4) Brookhaven Innovation Academy 19) KIPP Metro Atlanta Collaborative 5) Coastal Empire Montessori Academy 20) KIPP Opportunity Fund 6) Cherokee Charter Academy 21) KIPP South Fulton Academy 7) Cirrus Academy 22) Lighthouse Academies 8) Coweta Charter Academy 23) Manatee School of Arts & Sciences 9) East Point Academy of South Carolina 24) Northwest Classical Charter Academy 10) Florida School for the Deaf and Blind 25) NW Florida St. College — Collegiate High School 11) Furlow Charter School 26) Pataula Charter Academy 12) Gwinnett County BOE Charter Schools 27) Pensacola State College Charter Academy 13) Gwinnett Online Campus 28) Phoenix Center Community Service Board 14) Graduation Achievement Charter High School 29) Provost Academy of Georgia 15) International Charter Academy of Georgia 30) School for Arts Infused Learning INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 15 Page 142 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve 31) Scintilla Charter Academy 36) SW Georgia STEM Charter School 32) SKY Academy Englewood 37) St. Petersburg Collegiate High School 33) SKY Academy Venice 38) Susie King Taylor Community School 34) SLAM Academy 39) Troup County College & Career Academy 35) Spring Creek Charter Academy 40) Tybee Island Maritime Academy Business -Type Special Purpose Governments. Please see the following for a listing of business -type stand-alone special purpose business -type governments we have served in the past three years: Water/Sewer & Electric Utility 1) Albertville Municipal Utilities Board 2) Athens Electric Utility 3) Athens Water and Sewer Utility 4) Atlanta Watershed 5) Augusta Utilities (Water/Sewer Ops) 6) Barrow County Water & Sewer Authority 7) Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority 8) Berkeley County Water & Sanitation 9) Bristol Essential Services 10) Bristol Joint Sewer System 11) Broad Creek Public Service District 12) Brunswick - Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Comm. 13) Butts County Water & Sewer Authority 14) Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 15) Catawba River Water Supply Project 16) CDE Lightband 17) Charleston Regional Resources Recovery Auth. 18) Charleston Water System 19) Chatsworth Water Works Commission 20) City of Sheffield Utilities 21) Clarksville Gas, Water & Wastewater 22) Clayton County Water Authority 23) Cobb County - Marietta Water Authority 24) Crisp County Power Commission 25) Dutton Waterworks 26) Eatonton-Putnam Water & Sewer Authority 27) Edgefield County Water & Sewer Authority 28) Electric Power Board of Chattanooga 29) Electric Power Board of Chattanooga, TN 30) Emerald Coast Utilities Authority 31) Englewood Water District 32) Gladeville Utility District 33) Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority 34) Greenville Water System 35) Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works 36) Greer Commission of Public Works 37) Guntersville Water and Sewer Board 38) Gwinnett County Water and Sewerage Authority 39) Hamilton Co. Water & Wastewater Treatment 40) Henry County Water Authority 41) Huntsville Utilities 42) Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority 43) Lumpkin County Water & Sewerage Authority 44) Macon Water Authority 45) Middle Chattahoochee Regional Water & Sewer Authority 46) Middle Georgia Regional Water & Sewer Authority 47) Mount Pleasant Waterworks 48) Newton County Water & Sewerage Authority 49) North Charleston Sewer District 50) Onslow Water & Sewer Authority 51) Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities 52) Peace River/Manasota Reg. Water Supply Auth. 53) Peachtree City Water & Sewerage Authority 54) Polk County Water Authority 55) Renewable Water Resource 56) Seabrook Island Utility Commission 57) Seacoast Utility Authority 58) Section Waterworks 59) Sheffield Utilities 60) Susanville Sanitary District 61) Tampa Bay Water 62) Warren County Utility District 63) Waterworks & Sewer Board of the Town of Parrish Airports 64) Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport 65) Augusta -Richmond County Regional Airport 66) Charleston County Aviation Authority 67) Glynn County Airport Commission 68) Gwinnett Airport Authority 69) Halifax -Northampton Regional Airport Authority 70) Horry County Airport 71) Moore County (Pinehurst) Airport Authority 72) Paulding County Airport Authority 73) Walterboro-Colleton County Airport Commission Transit 74) Chatham Area Transit Authority 75) Chattanooga Area Reg. Transportation Authority 76) Jackson Transit Authority, TN 77) Lakeland Area Mass Transit District 78) Lowcountry Regional Transit Authority 79) Macon -Bibb County Transit Authority 80) Pee Dee Regional Transit Authority 81) Santee Wateree Regional Transit Authority 82) South Florida Regional Transportation Authority 83) Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority Gas 84) Athens Gas Utility 85) Austell Natural Gas System 86) Natural Gas Acquisition Corp. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 16 Page 143 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Other Governments. Other governmental entities we have audited within the past three years: 1) Albany - Dougherty Inner City Authority 59) DeKalb County Public Library 2) Albany — Dougherty County Land Bank 60) Dev. Auth. of City of Jeffersonville & Twiggs Co. 3) Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau 61) Development Authority of City of Roswell 4) Amelia Island Mosquito District 62) Development Authority of Lumpkin County 5) Allendale County Hospital 63) Development Authority of Peachtree City 6) Athens Limestone 911 District 64) Development Authority of Warner Robins 7) Athens Limestone Hospital 65) Downtown Atlanta Revitalization 8) Athens Limestone Industrial Development Board 66) Downtown Chattanooga Alliance 9) Athens Limestone Landfill 67) East Alabama Regional Planning & Development 10) Atlanta Firefighters Pension Plan 68) Eau Development Corporation 11) Atlanta General Employees Pension Plan 69) E.G. Fisher Public Library 12) Atlanta Police Pension Plan 70) Ensor Forest Apartments 13) Atlanta Development Authority 71) Fairfield County Library 14) Atlanta Economic Renaissance Corporation 72) Fayette County Development Authority 15) Atlanta Housing Opportunity 73) Fifth Circuit Solicitor of Richland County 16) Avita Community Partners 74) Florida Bar 17) Bayshore Gardens Park & Recreation District 75) Florida Bar Retiree Health Plan 18) Berkeley County Water & Sanitation 76) Foundation for the Mental Health Center of NC Alab 19) Bledsoe County Nursing Home 77) Forsyth County Public Library 20) Bradenton Downtown Development Authority 78) Georgia Charter Educational Foundation 21) Bristol Public Library 79) Georgia Mountains Regional Commission 22) Brookhaven Convention and Visitors Bureau 80) Georgia Pines Community Service Board 23) Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority 81) Georgia Ports Auth. DB & OPEB Plan 24) Camden County Joint Development Authority 82) Georgia Ports Auth. Defined Contribution Plan 25) Camden County Public Service Authority 83) Grand Strand W&S Auth OPEB Plan 26) Captiva Erosion Prevention District 84) Griffin Spalding County Land Bank Authority 27) Central Community Redevelopment Agency 85) Gwinnett Civic/Cultural Center Operations 28) Central Georgia Joint Development Authority 86) Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau 29) Central Midlands Council of Govts. 87) Gwinnett County Development Authority 30) Central Savannah River Area Regional Comm. 88) Gwinnett County Public Facilities Authority 31) Charleston Co. Parks & Recreation Authority 89) Gwinnett County Public Library 32) Chatham County Jail Complex 90) Gwinnett County Recreation Authority 33) Chatham County Tax Commissioner 91) Hallandale Beach CRA 34) Chatham County -Savannah Metro Planning Comm. 92) Halifax County Tourism Development Authority 35) Chattahoochee River 911 Authority 93) Hardee County Industrial Development Authority 36) Chattanooga Area Regional Council of Govts. 94) Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission 37) Citrus County Mosquito District 95) Hospital Authority of St. Marys 38) City of Albany- Chehaw Park Authority 96) Housing Authority of Clayton County 39) City of East Point Retirement Plan 97) Houston County Library System 40) City of Sandy Springs Development Authority 98) Islamorada,City of Islands, Florida 41) Classic Center Auth. of Clarke County 99) Jacksonville, NC Tourism Development Authority 42) Clayton Center Community Service Board 100) Jefferson Co. Economic and Industrial Dev Authority 43) Clayton Co. Pension Fund 101) Keep Peachtree City Beautiful Commission 44) Clayton Co. Sheriff's Office 102) Kennesaw State University Athletic Department 45) Coastal Heritage Society 103) Lamar County Recycling Authority 46) Cobb Center Community Service Board 104) Lawrence County Health Care Authority 47) Cobb County -Marietta Water Auth. Pension 105) Lebanon Senior Center 48) Colleton County Commission on Drug & Alcohol 106) Legacy Community Health Services Abuse 107) Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission 49) Columbia Development Corp. 108) Liberty County Development Authority 50) Columbia Empowerment Zone 109) Live Oak Public Library 51) Columbia Housing Development Corp. 110) Lumpkin County Hospital Authority 52) Columbus County Tourism Development Authority 111) Macon -Bibb County Land Bank Authority 53) Community Housing Services Agency (CHSA) 112) Macon -Bibb County Urban Development Authority 54) Convention and Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody 113) Madison Tourism Development Authority 55) Crisp Co.- Cordele Industrial Development Authority 114) Manatee County Mosquito Control Dist 56) Crisp Co.- Cordele Industrial Development Council 115) Manatee Technical Institute 57) Cumberland Community Improvement District 116) Manchester Development Authority 58) Decide DeKalb 117) MARTA/ATU Local 732 Employees Retirement INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 17 Page 144 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve 118) McIntosh Trail Community Service Board 119) McMinn County Library 120) McPherson Implementing Local Redev. Authority 121) McPherson Planning Local Redevelopment Authority 122) Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama 123) Meriwether County Industrial Development Authority 124) Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) 125) Miami Beach Employees Retirement Plan 126) Middle Flint Regional E-911 Authority 127) Middle Georgia Community Service Board 128) Milledgeville -Baldwin County Dev. Authority 129) Moore County Convention & Visitors Bureau 130) NE Corridor, LLC 131) Newton County Industrial Development Auth 132) North Charleston District 133) North Fulton Regional Radio Authority 134) Northeast Georgia Regional Commission 135) Northwest Florida State College Foundation 136) North Port Fire Pension 137) North Port Police Pension 138) Ocean Highway and Port Auth. of Nassau County 139) Oconee Center Community Service Board 140) Orangeburg Co. Development Commission 141) Orangeburg County Library 142) Palm Bay Police & Fire Pension Plan 143) Palm Tran Amalgamated Transit Union Pension 144) Palm Beach Gardens Firefighters Pension 145) Paulding County Industrial Development Authority 146) Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Auth. 147) Peachtree City Convention & Visitor's Bureau 148) Phoenix Center Community Service Board 149) Pooler Chamber of Commerce 150) Port Authority of Corpus Christi & Nueces County 151) Private Colleges and Universities Authority 152) Public Bldg. Auth. of Knox Co. & City of Knoxville 153) Redevelopment Agency of Warner Robins 154) Richland County Libraries 155) Riverdale Downtown Development Authority 156) River's Edge Community Service Board 157) Saluda Nursing Center 158) Sandy Springs Hospitality Board 159) Santee -Lynches Reg. Council of Governments 160) Santee -Lynches Reg. Development Corp. 161) Sarasota General Employees Pension 162) Sarasota Firefighters Pension 163) Sarasota Police Officers Pension 164) Savannah Chatham County Land Bank Authority 165) Savannah Development & Renewal Authority 166) Seacoast Utility Authority 167) Serenity Behavioral Health Systems 168) South Carolina Centers of Economic Excellence 169) South Island Public Service District 170) SOWEGA Council on Aging 171) St. Augustine Municipal Firefighters Pension 172) Talbot County Development Authority 173) Toccoa -Stephens County Public Library 174) Trailer Estates (FL) 175) Two Notch Development Corp. 176) Tybee Island Maritime Academy 177) Vidalia Onion Committee 178) Walterboro-Colleton County Airport Commission 179) Waycross / Ware County Development Authority 180) West Jackson Fire District 181) Wilson County / Lebanon Development Board Water & sewer operations. Below is a listing of water/sewer operations we have served within the past three years: 1) Aiken County 25) City of Cartersville 49) City of Gulf Stream 2) Athens -Clarke County 26) City of Cayce 50) City of Haines City 3) Augusta -Richmond Co. 27) City of Cedartown 51) City of Hendersonville 4) Barrow County 28) City of Clarksville 52) City of Hinesville 5) Berkeley County, SC 29) City of Clemson 53) City of Islamorada 6) Bertie County 30) City of Clinton 54) City of Jackson 7) Calhoun County 31) City of Clover 55) City of Jacksonville 8) Camden County 32) City of College Park 56) City of Jefferson 9) Chatham County 33) City of Colquitt 57) City of Johnsonville 10) City of Aiken 34) City of Conyers 58) City of Kingsland 11) City of Albany 35) City of Cooper City 59) City of Lagrange 12) City of Americus 36) City of Cordele 60) City of Lake Placid 13) City of Arcadia 37) City of Covington 61) City of Lawrenceville 14) City of Ashburn 38) City of Crystal River 62) City of Lebanon 15) City of Bainbridge 39) City of Fairburn 63) City of Leesburg 16) City of Ball Ground 40) City of Fayetteville 64) City of Long Boat Key 17) City of Barnesville 41) City of Fernandina 65) City of Manchester 18) City of Bloomingdale 42) City of Forsyth 66) City of Mansfield 19) City of Bradenton 43) City of Ft. Myers Beach 67) City of Marco Island 20) City of Brunswick 44) City of Garden City 68) City of Milledgeville 21) City of Butler 45) City of Georgetown 69) City of Monroe 22) City of Byron 46) City of Goose Creek 70) City of Morristown 23) City of Callaway 47) City of Griffin 71) City of Naples 24) City of Canton 48) City of Gulfport 72) City of North Augusta INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 18 Page 145 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve 73) City of North Port 94) City of Thunderbolt 115) Mitchell County 74) City of Palmetto 95) City of Tifton 116) Montgomery County 75) City of Perry 96) City of Toccoa 117) Monroe County 76) City of Plant City 97) City of Tuscaloosa 118) Moore County 77) City of Pooler 98) City of Tybee Island 119) Orange County 78) City of Port Wentworth 99) City of Union City 120) Orangeburg County 79) City of Powder Springs 100) City of Valdosta 121) Paulding County 80) City of Reynolds 101) City of Villa Rica 122) Richland County, SC 81) City of Richmond Hill 102) City of Wildwood 123) Rockdale County 82) City of Rock Hill, SC 103) Columbia Co. 124) Spalding County 83) City of Rockmart 104) Crisp County 125) Talbot County 84) City of Rocky Mount 105) DeKalb County 126) Taylor County 85) City of Rome 106) Floyd County 127) Walton County 86) City of Roswell 107) Forsyth County 128) Town of Black Mountain 87) City of Savannah 108) Gates County 129) Town of Chapin 88) City of Seneca, SC 109) Greene County 130) Town of Hemingway 89) City of Social Circle 110) Halifax County 131) Town of Pamplico 90) City of St. Marys 111) Lee County 132) Town of Selma 91) City of Stockbridge 112) Liberty County 133) Town of Wilkesboro 92) City of Suwanee 113) Lincoln County 134) Town of Winnsboro 93) City of Thomasville 114) McIntosh County 135) Village of Tequesta Gas operations. Below is a listing of gas operations served within the past three years: 1) Athens -Clarke County 2) Austell Natural Gas System 3) Barrow County 4) City of Albany 5) City of Americus 6) City of Ashburn 7) City of Bainbridge 8) City of Cartersville 9) City of Clarksville 10) City of Colquitt 11) City of Cordele 12) City of Covington 13) City of Fountain Inn, SC 14) City of Jackson 15) City of Lagrange 16) City of Lawrenceville 17) City of Lebanon 18) City of Pensacola 19) City of Perry 20) City of Rock Hill, SC 21) City of Rocky Mount, NC 22) City of Social Circle 23) City of Thomasville 24) City of Tifton 25) City of Toccoa 26) Town of Winnsboro Electric operations. Below is a listing of electrical operations served within the past three years: 1) Bristol Essential Services 13) City of Lawrenceville 2) City of Albany 14) City of Mansfield 3) City of Barnesville 15) City of Morristown 4) City of Cartersville 16) City of Monroe 5) City of Clewiston 17) City of Rock Hill 6) City of Clinton 18) City of Rocky Mount, NC 7) City of College Park 19) City of Seneca 8) City of Fairburn 20) City of Thomasville 9) City of Forsyth 21) Crisp County Power Commission 10) City of Griffin 22) Town of Selma 11) City of Jackson 23) Town of Winnsboro 12) City of Lagrange INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 19 Page 146 of 1454 FM City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Transit operations. Below is a listing of transit operations served within the past three years: 1) Chatham Area Transit Authority 9) Birmingham -Jefferson County Transit Auth. 2) City of Albany 10) Fairfield County, SC 3) City of Clarksville 11) Lakeland Area Mass Transit District 4) City of Clemson, SC 12) Madison County 5) City of Hinesville 13) Polk Transit Authority 6) City of Huntsville, AL 14) South Florida Regional Transportation Auth. 7) City of Rock Hill, SC 15) Whitfield Transit 8) City of Seneca, SC Airport operations. Below is a listing of airport operations served within the past three years: 1) Athens -Clarke County 15) Fairfield County, SC 2) Augusta -Richmond County Regional Airport 16) Floyd County 3) Barrow County 17) Glynn County Airport Commission 4) Beaufort Co., SC - City of Hilton Head 18) Gwinnett Airport Authority 5) Beaufort Co., SC - Lady's Island 19) Henry County 6) City of Aiken 20) Lancaster Co., SC 7) City of Albany 21) Macon -Bibb Co. - Downtown Airport 8) City of Covington 22) Macon -Bibb Co. - Mid.Ga. Regional Airport 9) City of Fernandina 23) Newberry County, SC 10) City of Griffin 24) Oconee Co., SC 11) City of Orangeburg, SC 25) Paulding County Airport Authority 12) City of Pensacola 26) Richland County, SC 13) Darlington County, SC 27) Taylor County 14) DeKalb County 28) Walterboro-Colleton County Airport Commission Certificates of Achievement & Excellence in Financial Reporting Mauldin & Jenkins has served over 725 governments in the past several years, and 181 governmental units who obtain the GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (and, or the ASBO's o_ Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting). Mauldin & Jenkins' clients have never failed to obtain the Certificate! Every Annual Comprehensive Financial Report submitted has received the award. The following are current clients: Counties: 18) Floyd 37) Polk 54) Bluffton, SC 1) Aiken, SC 19) Forsyth 38) Richland, SC 55) Bradenton, FL 2) Athens -Clarke 20) Glynn 39) Rockdale 56) Bristol, TN 3) Augusta -Richmond 21) Greenville, SC 40) Spalding 57) Brookhaven 4) Barrow 22) Gwinnett 41) Wake, NC 58) Brunswick 5) Beaufort, SC 23) Halifax, NC 42) Walton 59) Callaway, FL 6) Buncombe, NC 24) Hamilton, TN 43) Whitfield 60) Cartersville 7) Butts 25) Henry 61) Cayce, SC 8) Camden 26) Horry, SC Cities: 62) Chamblee 9) Cartersville 27) Jackson 44) Aiken, SC 63) Charleston, SC 10) Chatham 28) Lancaster, SC 45) Albany 64) Chamblee 11) Clayton 29) Liberty 46) Alpharetta 65) Chapin, SC 12) Colleton, SC 30) Macon -Bibb 47) Americus 66) Clarksville, TN 13) Columbus- 31) Morgan 48) Apopka, FL 67) Clemson, SC Muscogee 32) Moore, NC 49) Austell 68) College Park 14) Dekalb 33) Newton 50) Avondale Estates 69) Conyers 15) Douglas 34) Oconee, SC 51) Ball Ground 70) Cooper City, FL 16) Edgefield, SC 35) Orange, NC 52) Beaufort, SC 71) Covington 17) Florence, SC 36) Paulding 53) Black Mountain, NC 72) Decatur INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 20 Page 147 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve 73) 74) 75) 76) 77) 78) 79) 80) 81) 82) 83) 84) 85) 86) 87) 88) 89) 90) Doraville Douglasville Dunwoody Fayetteville Fairburn Forest Park Forsyth Garden City Garner, NC Georgetown Griffin Gulfport, MS Haines City, FL Hallandale Bch, FL Hapeville Hardeeville, SC Hendersonville, NC Hilton Head Island, SC 91) Hinesville 92) Holly Springs 93) Huntsville, AL 94) Jacksonville, NC 95) John's Creek 96) Juno Beach, FL 97) Kennesaw 98) Kiawah Island 99) Kingsland 100) Marco Island, FL 101)Lagrange 102) Lawrenceville 103) Longboat Key, FL 104) Milledgeville 105) Milton 106) Monroe 107) Morristown, TN 108) Morrow Boards of Education: 143) Atlanta Public Schools 144) Beaufort County Schools 145) Bibb County Schools 146) Cartersville City Schools 147) Cobb County Schools 148) Fayette County Schools 149) Fulton County Schools 150) Griffin -Spalding County Schools 151) Gwinnett County Schools 152) Horry County Schools 153) Lee County School District 154) Marietta City Schools 155) Putnam County Schools 156) Richland Co. School District One 157) Savannah -Chatham County Schools State Governmental Entities: 158) Ga. Environ. Fin. Auth. (GEFA) 159) Ga. Ports Authority Other Governmental Entities. 160) Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Auth. 161) Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 109) Mount Pleasant, SC 110) Naples, FL 111) N. Augusta, SC 112) N. Charleston, SC 113) North Port, FL 114) Palmetto 115) Peachtree City 116) Perry 117) Plant City, FL 118) Pooler 119) Port Wentworth 120) Powder Springs 121) Prattville 122) Richmond Hill 123) Riverdale 124) Rockhill 125) Rockmart 126) Rocky Mount, NC PAFR Experience 127) Rome 128) Roswell 129) St. Marys 130) Sandy Springs 131)Savannah 132) Social Circle 133) Stockbridge 134)Suwanee 135) Thunderbolt 136) Tarpon Springs, FL 137) Thomasville 138) Tuscaloosa, AL 139) Union City 140) Valdosta 141) Villa Rica 142) Zebulon, NC 162) Central Savannah River Area Regional Comm. 163) Charleston Water System 164) Clayton County Water Authority 165) Cobb County - Marietta Water Authority 166) Emerald Coast Utilities Authority 167) Greenville Technical College 168) Greenville Water System 169) Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works 170) Greer Commission of Public Works 171) Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport 172) Henry County Water Authority 173) Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority 174) Macon Water Authority 175) Mount Pleasant Waterworks 176) North Charleston Sewer District 177) Onslow Water & Sewer Authority 178) Port of Corpus Christi Authority 179) Public Building Authority of Knox Co. & Knoxville 180) South Florida Transportation Authority 181) Tampa Bay Water Authority The GFOA established the Popular Annual Financial Report ("PAFR") Awards Program in 1991 to encourage and assist state and local governments to extract information from their annual comprehensive financial report to produce a high quality PAFR. PAFR's are specifically designed to be readily accessible and easily understandable to the general public and other interested parties without a background in public finance. The GFOA's award program recognizes individual governments that are successful in achieving that goal. Mauldin & Jenkins currently serves numerous local governments who prepare a PAFR on an annual basis. We assist our clients in planning, developing and reviewing their PAFR's, and believe such deliverables to be extremely valuable to governments communicating their finances to the general public. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 21 Page 148 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Should the City be interested in preparing such a report, we would enjoy the opportunity to assist. Audits of Federally Funded Programs (Single Audits) Based on data provided by the Federal Audit Clearinghouse ("FAC") through March 31, 2024 which is for calendar year 2023, Mauldin & Jenkins audits 220 entities representing approximately $6 billion in federal expenditures for state, local government, and non-profit clients ® which is the: o• Highest among public accounting firms in the Southeast as it relates to the number of Single Audits conducted; and • Highest among public accounting firms in the Southeast as it relates to total expenditures audited under the Single Audit Act. Number of Single Audits Performed Carr, Riggs & Ingram 63 Cherry Bekaert 92 Clifton Larson Allen 58 Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC 220 MSL, Inc. 31 Purvis Gray 16 RSM 18 0 50 100 1s0 200 250 Federal Award Dollars Audited (In Thousands) Carr, Riggs & Ingram Cherry Bekaert Clifton Larson Allen Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC MSL, Inc. � Purvis Gray 371,487 RSM 0 1,000,C00 1,083,589 2,936,951 2,073,819 1,617,223 1,833,751 2,000,000 3,000,000 4,000,000 6,220,812 The above information was summarized from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse for audits with fiscal year -ends in calendar year 2023 as reported through March 31, 2024 for states in which our Firm has offices. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 22 Page 149 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Governmental Attestation Services Other attestation services beyond financial and compliance audits which Mauldin & Jenkins currently provides to our clients include: • Forensic audits • Performance audits • Agreed -upon procedures • Bond issuance services • Information systems • Capital asset inventory services audits Governmental IT Solutions As noted above, Mauldin & Jenkins performs various IT attestation and non -attestation services. The following are three such services. Cybersecurity Framework Engagements With governments dealing with IT ransoms, cybersecurity is one of the top issues on the minds of nearly every government (large & small). Managing this business issue is especially challenging. A government with a highly mature cybersecurity risk management program still has a residual risk that a material cybersecurity breach could occur and23 not be detected in a timely manner. Services can be provided via: 1) attestation engagements or 2) consulting engagements. The AICPA has established standards for performing attestation engagements in this arena with the issuance of the SOC for Cybersecurity as part of its suite of System and Organization Controls ("SOC") reporting. Consulting services can be provided while not compromising auditor independence. W, Identify Recover Protect Respond IDetect System Vulnerability Assessments Engagements Lack of Patch This is the process of defining, identifying, classifying Management and prioritizing vulnerabilities in computer systems, applications and networks infrastructures, and providing an assessment with necessary knowledge, awareness and risks to understand the threats to determine appropriate reactions. Using specialized UnmanaZ tools and applications, we can access networks to scan with automated tools and interrogate every L A device connected to network with the objective of searching for misconfigu rations, unsupported software, missing software updates and patches, etc. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE / PROVEN RESULTS 23 Page 150 of 1454 /1 I 1010WIT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Penetration Testing Engagements This is the practice of testing a computer system to find security vulnerabilities that a hacker / attacker could exploit using automation or manual applications. The process involves gathering information about the target before the test, identifying possible entry points, attempting to break in — actually or virtually — and reporting back the findings. Tests come from external or internal angles of entry. Our main objective is to identify security weaknesses. Penetration testing can also be used to: test an organization's security policy; its adherence to compliance requirements; its employees' security awareness; and, the government's ability to identify and respond to security incidents. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the quality of service provided by the staff of Mauldin & Jenkins. We would like to thank you for the level of detail and accountability you have demonstrated on this project and the way you conduct business as a whole. Our team could not be more satisfied with your work and we look forward to continuing this relationship. Angela Jackson, City of Fairburn (GA), Finance Director -16 Governmental Advisory Services Beyond traditional audit and accounting services and IT services, we provide advisory services that are wide-ranging in nature. Our experienced government advisory team helps governments, governmental agencies and special purpose governmental organizations balance fiscal responsibility with the latest business strategies to achieve targeted and overarching objectives. Our advisory services can be summarized via the following bubbles. Operational Efficiency Transformation & Effectiveness Allow forthe Ensure business successful change processes and service from current to delivery are provided desired in a manner environmentor maximizing targeted outcome goals. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 24 Page 151 of 1454 �T City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Similar Clients In addressing the City's interest in the qualifications and client references of Mauldin & Jenkins and the request for audits performed for local governmental units, we have elected to report on five entities which most closely resemble the City in size and services (total staff hours). Should management of the City need some additional references, we would be happy to provide such data. The five entities we audit which most closely resemble the City are noted as follows: 1) City of Atlanta, Georgia General Information City government and the capital of Georgia with approximately 500,000 in ■ population and assets in excess of $19 billion and revenues of approximate billion. Government includes component units and Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. Financial & compliance audits; Single Audits; audits o component units; special bond issuance services; and various agreed -upon procedures; preparation of financial statements. Multiple single -employer ILdefined benefit pension plans included in fiduciary trust funds. Scope & Type of Engageme Financial audits and compliance audits in accordance with OMB Circular A-: Preparation of ACFR and the maintenance of the GFOA Certificate. June 30, 2022 through present I Partners Doug Moses, Adam Fraley, Trey Scott, David Irwin Hours 1 urs Contact Information Ms. Youlanda Carr - (404) 865-8453 - ycarr@atlantaga.gov 2) City of Tuscaloosa, Alabama General Information City with population of approx. 101,000. Assets and revenues of approx. $' million and $222 million. General government, community services, educa infrastructure and public services, urban development, intermodal facilities water and sewer, tourism, parking, and transit. Multiple pensions and OPE ACFR prepared and GFOA Certificate awarded. Scope & Type of Engagemc Financial audits and compliance audits in accordance with the Uniform Guii Preparation of ACFR and the maintenance of the GFOA Certificate. Account financial reporting and internal control training of City's accounting staff. Dates 2017through present Partners Miller Edwards and David Irwin Total Hours 1,000 hours Contact Information Ms. Carly Standridge, Chief Financial Officer — 205-248-5170 - cstandridge@tuscaloosa.com INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 25 Page 152 of 1454 >4i- City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve 3) City of Charleston, South Carolina General Information City with population of approx. 135,000. Aggregation of assets and revenues c approx. $2.9 billion and $474 million. General government, public safety, pub service, urban and community development, culture and recreation, commun promotions, health and welfare, business development, parking facilities, City market, golf course, museums, and other activities. Pension and OPEB. ACFR! prepared and GFOA Certificate awarded for City and Water System. Scope & Type of Engager Financial audits and compliance audits in accordance with the Uniform Guidar Preparation of ACFR and the maintenance of the GFOA Certificate. September 30, 2013 through present Partners Grant Davis and David Irwin NNNF`rs1,000 hours Contact Information Ms. Amy Wharton, CFO — 843-579-7596 whartona@charleston-sc.gov 4) City of Savannah, Georgia General Information City with population of approx. 146,000. Assets and revenues of approx. $2 bi and $437 million. General government, judicial, public safety, public works, h( and welfare, culture and recreation, housing and development, water and sew system, airports, garbage collection, waste management, transit, stormwater, component units. Multiple pensions and OPEB. CAFR prepared and GFOA Certificate awarded. Scope & Type of Engager Financial audits and compliance audits in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Preparation of ACFR and the maintenance of the GFOA Certificate. Dates III December 31, 2018 through present Partners Trey Scott and David Irwin Total Hours 950 hours ■ Contact Information Mr. David Maxwell, Director of Finance - (912) 651-6434 — dmaxwell@savannahga.gov 5) City of Gulfport, Mississippi General Information Second larges City in Mississippi with a population of approximately 72,000 an larger of the two principal cities in the Gulfport -Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolita Statistical Area. The City has assets of approximately $705 million and annual L revenues of approximately $118 million Scope & Type of Engager Financial audits and compliance audits in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Preparation of ACFR and the maintenance of the GFOA Certificate. September 30, 2018 through present — Partners David Irwin and Trey Scott Total Hours Im 800 hours Contact Information Mr. Todd Harman, Director of Finance and Administration - (228) 868-5705 - tharman@gulfport-ms.gov INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 26 Page 153 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Partner, Supervisory and Staff Qualifications and Experience Proposed Staffing and Qualifications In order to provide the highest quality service in the most cost-efficient manner, Mauldin & Jenkins has formed a client service team which will function as a cohesive unit and would represent a superb assortment of talent and experience for the audit of the City. The unit would be assembled as: Grant Davis Support Partner Audit Engagement Team Staff Lucas Hand Manager Jameson Miller Brandon Smith Certified Info. Certified Info. Systems Auditor Systems Auditor The above team dedicated to audit the City will include (at a minimum): two partners, one full-time manager, and at least two staff professionals. The manager (Lucas Hand) and the staff professionals will can work on site or remotely as necessary to conduct of their role in the audit. Other governmental audit professionals will be available to assist throughout the fieldwork and the preparation of the financial reports. The audit partner in -charge of fieldwork will correspond with City management on financial reporting, audit, and related issues on an ongoing basis, and this individual will also be dedicated to serve the City throughout fieldwork, reporting and conclusion in all respective fiscal years. Mauldin & Jenkins has the depth of resources which allows us to provide you with significant resources of knowledgeable professionals to meet your deadlines. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE / PROVEN RESULTS 27 Page 154 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve David Irwin, CPA Lead Partner & Ultimate Partner Responsible David Irwin is a partner and a certified public accountant with Mauldin & Jenkins specializing in serving local and state governmental entities. David is licensed to practice in the State of Georgia and South Carolina. His in -charge experience as a partner and client executive with the firm covers a variety of state and local governmental organizations in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. He spends 100% of his time serving local governments. Years of Professional Experience and Years with Firm David has 20 years of experience in public accounting, all with Mauldin & Jenkins, serving a wide range of governmental clients. List of Governmental Clients Served in the Last Three Years 44 David serves both large and small governmental units, and is involved in serving over 100 such governmental entities. The following is a current summary of governmental clients served by David in the capacity of Engagement Partner or Quality Control Partner. Cities: Aiken, South Carolina Barnesville, Georgia Beaufort, South Carolina Bluffton, South Carolina Brunswick, Georgia Centerville, Georgia Chapin, South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina Clover, South Carolina Conyers, Georgia Covington, Georgia Flovilla, Georgia Georgetown, South Carolina Goose Creek, South Carolina Griffin, Georgia Grovetown, Georgia Gulfport, Mississippi Hanahan, South Carolina Hinesville, Georgia Hollywood, South Carolina Jeffersonville, Georgia Kiawah Island, South Carolina Kingsland, Georgia Loris, South Carolina Lyons, Georgia Meridian, Mississippi Milledgeville, Georgia Milner, Georgia Morrow, Georgia Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Nashville, Georgia North Charleston, South Carolina Orangeburg, South Carolina Peachtree City, Georgia Pooler, Georgia Port Wentworth, Georgia Union City, Georgia Rock Hill, South Carolina Seabrook Island, South Carolina Sharpsburg, Georgia St. Marys, Georgia Summerville, South Carolina Turin, Georgia Tuscaloosa, Alabama Waycross, Georgia Counties: Augusta -Richmond County, Georgia Bacon County, Georgia Beaufort County, Georgia Berkeley County, South Carolina Calhoun County, South Carolina Chatham County, Georgia Colleton County, South Carolina Columbus Consolidated Government Darlington County, South Carolina Dorchester County, South Carolina Edgefield County, South Carolina Emanuel County, Georgia Hampton County, South Carolina Horry County, South Carolina Irwin County, Georgia Jeff Davis County, Georgia Jones County, Georgia Lancaster County, South Carolina Laurens County, South Carolina Lincoln County, Georgia Long County, Georgia Newton County, Georgia Oconee County, South Carolina Rockdale County, Georgia Stephens County, Georgia Tattnall County, Georgia Toombs County, Georgia Turner County, Georgia INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 28 Page 155 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Other Governmental Units: Brunswick -Glynn Joint W&S Commission Butts County, et al. Water & Sewer Authority Catawba Water River Supply Project Central Carolina Technical College Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Charleston County Airport District Charleston Water System Dorchester County Board of DSN Development Authority of Jeffersonville & Twiggs Development Authority of Warner Robins Downtown Development Authority or Warner Robins Griffin Spalding Land Bank Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works Greer Commissioners of Public Works Housing Authority of Clayton County Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission Lowcountry Regional Transit Authority Macon -Bibb County Transit Authority Milledgeville -Baldwin County Development Authority Mount Pleasant Waterworks Newton County Industrial Development Authority Newton County Water Authority North Charleston District North Charleston Sewer District Peachtree City Convention & Visitors Bureau Degree/Certifications and Audit Training Peachtree City Development Authority Peachtree City Water and Sewer Authority Pillars4Hope Redevelopment Agency of Warner Robins Seabrook Island Utility Commission Santee Wateree Regional Transit Authority Tri-County Technical College Trident Technical College Vidalia Onion Committee Waccamaw Regional Transit Authority Walterboro-Colleton County Airport Commission Williamsburg Technical College State of Georgia Entities: Georgia Building Authority Georgia Ports Authority David graduated from Georgia College and State University with a MAcc and a B.B.A. in Accounting. David has obtained a significant amount of continuing professional education over the last three (3) years including: • 2024 OCTANE Governmental Accounting Conference —Participant • 2024 National GFOA Government Conference — Exhibitor and Participant • 2024 M&J Free Client CPE Classes — Accounting & Auditing Potpourri - Participant • 2024 M&J Free Client CPE Classes - GASB Update, Federal Compliance Update & Internal Control over Disbursements and P-Cards — Participant • 2023 M&J Quarterly CPEs • 2022 GGFOA — GASB 87 Implementation • 2022 GFOASC Conference — Various Topics • 2022 M&J Quarterly CPEs • 2022 M&J Governmental Conference — Various topics — Instructor and Participant • 2022 Octane Conference — Team Performance — Instructor • 2022 M&J Annual Governmental Conference, Various Information Presented and Received —Virtual (1 day) Professional and Civic Activities David is a certified public accountant with a license to practice in Georgia and South `� Carolina. David is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants 0 J0 ti • (AICPA), the Georgia Society of CPAs, the Government Finance Officers Association, the ` ' Georgia Government Finance Officers Association (GGFOA), and the South Carolina •�F Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCAPA). David Irwin INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 29 Page 156 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Trey Scott, CPA Quality Control Partner Trey Scott is a director and a certified public accountant with Mauldin & Jenkins specializing in serving local and state governmental entities. Trey's experience with the firm covers a variety of state and local governmental organizations in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. Trey spends 100% of his time serving local governments emphasizing cities, counties, school districts, business - type entities and state government entities, and special purpose entities and authorities. Years of Professional Experience and Years with Firm Trey has 11 years of experience in public accounting, all with Mauldin & Jenkins serving a wide range of governmental clients. Trey has specific experience with client computer systems (most commonly Tyler Munis and BS&A, among others). He is also thoroughly versed in Federal and State grant programs. Trey would be in the field during the entire conduct of the audit. List of Audits Performed for Governments in the Last Three Years Trey serves both large and small governmental units, and is involved in serving over 35 such governmental entities. The following is a current summary of governmental clients served by Trey in the capacity of engagement manager: Cities: Aiken, South Carolina Cooper City, Florida Covington Conyers Crystal River, Florida Fayetteville Griffin Hallandale Beach, Florida Hinesville Morrow Peachtree City Pensacola, Florida Savannah St. M a ry's Village of Pinecrest, Florida Union City Counties: Augusta -Richmond County Colleton County, South Carolina Oconee County, South Carolina Peach County Rockdale County Stephens County Toombs County Other Governmental Units: Clayton County Water Authority Newton County Water Authority Peachtree City Convention & Visitors Bureau Peachtree City Development Authority Peachtree City Water and Sewer Authority Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority Toccoa -Stephens County Public Library Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority Hardee County, FL Industrial Development Authority Ocean Highway and Port Authority Tampa Bay Water Lakeland Area Mass Transit District Polk Transit Authority INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/PROACTIVE SERVICE/PROVEN RESULTS 30 Page 157 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve State Fntities Georgia Building Authority Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority Degree/Certifications and Audit Training Georgia Ports Authority Georgia Student Finance Authority South Florida Regional Transportation Authority Trey graduated from Austin College, in Sherman Texas with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Business Administration. Trey also has a Master of Public Accounting degree from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. He is in his 9th year of public accounting and auditing, with an emphasis on state and local governments. Trey has obtained a significant amount of continuing professional education over the last three years including: • 2024 Personal and Professional Ethics for Florida CPA's — Participant • 2023 M&J Governmental Conference — Lake Lanier, Georgia — Instructor and Participant • 2023 LEAP Conference — Lake Lanier, Georgia — Governmental Auditing — Instructor • 2023 FICPA USF Accounting Conference —Tampa, Florida — GASB Update — Instructor • 2023 FGFOA School of Governmental Finance —Jacksonville, Florida — Fraud and Internal Controls — Instructor • 2023 FSFOA Conference — Jacksonville, Florida — Fraud and Internal Controls — Instructor • 2022 Summer M&J Governmental Client CPE (GASB Update, Fraud and Internal Controls, Financial Statement Deficiencies, and Presenting Financial Information to Non -financial People) — Palmetto, Florida— Instructor • 2022 FGFOA Nature Coast Training Day — Hernando, Florida — "GASB 63 & 65 and Presenting Financial Information to Non -Financial People" — Instructor • 2022 FGFOA Southwest Florida Chapter Meeting — GASB 74 & 75, OPEB standards; GASB 87, Leases; Financial Reporting Deficiencies in State and Local Government Financial Reports; Presenting Financial Information to Non -financial People — Punta Gorda, Florida — Instructor • 2022 FGFOA School of Governmental Finance — "GASB 63 & 65 and Presenting Financial Information to Non -Financial People" — Jacksonville, Florida — Instructor Professional and Civic Activities Trey is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Government Finance Officers Association, the Florida Government Finance Officers Association, and the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SER VICE / PROVEN RESULTS 31 Page 158 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Grant Davis, CPA Technical Support Partner Mr. Grant Davis is a manager and a certified public accountant with Mauldin & Jenkins specializing in serving local and state governmental entities. Grant spends 100% of his time serving state and local governments, and he works exclusively in the governmental sector of the Firm's audit practice. Grant moved to our Columbia office several years ago to the lead our team on the ground serving the governmental sector. He has a wide range of experience at the local and state levels. Years of Professional Experience and Years with Firm Grant has over ten years of experience, with Mauldin & Jenkins, in public accounting serving a wide range of government clients. List of Governmental Clients Served in the Last Three Years Counties: Cities: Aiken County, SC Aiken, SC State Government Entities: Augusta -Richmond County, GA Beaufort, SC Georgia Building Auth. Columbus -Muskogee Co., GA Black Mountain, NC (GBA) Macon -Bibb County, GA Bluffton, SC Georgia Ports Authority Beaufort County, SC Brunswick, GA (GPA) Calhoun County, SC Cayce, SC South Carolina Insurance Colleton County, SC Charleston, SC Reserve Fund (IRF) Darlington County, SC Clemson, SC South Carolina Jobs- Edgefield County, SC Clinton, SC Economic Dev. Auth. Fairfield County, SC Conyers, GA (JEDA) Florence County, SC Cordele, GA South Carolina Dept. of Greenville County, SC Goose Creek, SC Transportation (SCDOT) Halifax County, NC Gulfport, MS South Carolina Henry County, GA Hardeeville, SC Transportation Jones County, GA Hemingway, SC Infrastructure Bank Lancaster County, SC Hendersonville, NC (SCTIB) Laurens County, SC Hinesville, GA Aiken Technical College Liberty County, GA Hollywood, SC Central Carolina Technical McIntosh County, GA Johnsonville, SC College Montgomery County, NC Kiawah Island, SC Denmark Technical College Newberry County, SC Kingsland, GA Greenville Technical College Oconee County, SC Morrow, GA Northeastern Technical Richland County, SC Orangeburg, SC College Spalding County, GA Peachtree City, GA Tri-County Technical Sumter County, SC Rock Hill, SC College Toombs County, GA St. Mary's, GA Trident Technical College Wake County, NC Tifton, GA Williamsburg Technical Wilkes County, GA Union City, GA College Chapin, SC Francis Marion University Clover, SC Summerville, SC Wilkesboro, NC INDUSTRY EXPERTISE / PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 32 Page 159 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Other Governmental Units: Bibb County (GA) Board of Education Brunswick -Glynn County (GA)Joint Water and Sewer Commission Cape Fear (NC) Utility Authority Catawba Water River Supply Project Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Charleston County Airport District Charleston Water System Clayton County (GA) Water Authority East Point Academy Edgefield County Water & Sewer Authority Broad Creek Public Service District Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Georgetown County Water & Sewer District Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority Greenville Water System Greenwood Commission of Public Works Greer Commission of Public Works Henry County (GA) Water and Sewerage Authority Horry County School District Jackson (TN) Transit Authority Lowcountry Regional Transit Authority Marlboro County School District Montessori School of Camden Degree/Certifications and Audit Training Mount Pleasant Waterworks Orangeburg County School District Pee Dee Regional Transit Authority Richland County School District One Santee -Lynches Regional Council of Governments Santee -Lynches Development Corporation Santee-Wateree Regional Transit Authority SC Centers of Economic Excellence Snead State Community College (AL) Sumter County School District Waccamaw Regional Transit Authority Grant graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, and a Master of Accountancy. Grant has obtained a significant amount of continuing professional education over the last three years including: • 2024 OCTANE Governmental Accounting Conference —Participant • 2024 National GFOA Government Conference — Exhibitor and Participant • 2024 M&J Free Client CPE Classes — Accounting & Auditing Potpourri - Participant • 2024 M&J Free Client CPE Classes - GASB Update, Federal Compliance Update & Internal Control over Disbursements and P-Cards — Participant • 2023 Mauldin & Jenkins Annual Governmental Industry Conference • 2023 GFOASC Fall Conference • 2023 Spring Mauldin & Jenkins Quarterly CPE - Instructor • 2022 GFOASC Fall Conference - Instructor • 2022 GFOASC Spring Conference - Instructor • 2022 Octane Accounting Conference - Instructor • 2022 SCACPA Spring Splash — Spartanburg - Instructor • 2021 SCAPCA Fall Fest — Columbia - Instructor Professional and Civic Activities Grant is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified �.� y Public Accountants (AICPA), the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants (GSCPA), r j and the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA). Grant Davis INDUSTRY EXPERTISE / PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 33 Page 160 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa 4>4fProposal to Serve Other Leadership Resources Adam Fraley, CPA Partner in Charge of Governmental Practice and Audit & Assurance Partner Adam Fraley is a partner and a certified public accountant with Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC specializing in serving local and state governmental entities. He is the partner in charge for the Firm - wide governmental practice division of Mauldin & Jenkins (largest industry niche of the firm) and serves governmental clients throughout the Southeast. He is also the partner in charge of the Atlanta offices, as well as a member of the Firm's Executive Committee, which governs the actions and direction of the Firm. Adam currently serves on the firm's Advisory Committee as well as the firm's Assurance Committee, which leads the establishment of audit policies of the firm and answering technical questions for the firm's governmental partner group as well as other partners. He is also the Firm's Designated Audit Quality Partner ("DAQP") for the AICPA's Government Audit Quality Center. He has served as Chairman on the Firm's Leadership and Career Development Committee, helping provide policy and procedural recommendations to establish and monitor a leadership, educational, and mentoring programs for the development of the Firm's human resources. Adam has over twenty five (25) years of experience with the Firm serving a wide range of government clients. Adam serves both large and small governmental units and is involved in serving over eighty (80) such governmental entities. Adam obtained his CPA certificate in 1999. Adam is a licensed certified public accountant in the States of Georgia and Florida. He graduated from Georgia College & State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He has been a featured speaker at various GGFOA Conferences and other GGFOA workshops, free quarterly CPE provided to our clients, and several internal and external conferences. Adam coordinates the annual Mauldin & Jenkins Governmental Industry Training Conference each year, which provides advanced training to experienced governmental auditors and consultants of the Firm. In his role as Chairman of the Firm's Leadership & Career Development Committee (LCDC), he also participates in providing annual instruction at the Mauldin & Jenkins LEAP conference, which introduces younger people to the various practice areas of the firm, including the governmental practice. Adam is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Government Finance Officers Association, the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association, the Cobb County Chamber's Government Affairs Committee, and the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), which he has served as the Director of the AGA's Audit Committee. ❑ia%❑� yy tit Adam Fraley INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 34 Page 161 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa >4�Proposal to Serve Tim Lyons, CPA, CGMA Audit & Assurance Partner Tim Lyons is a partner with Mauldin & Jenkins and is a certified public accountant as well as a chartered global management accountant. His experience covers a variety of clients throughout the Southeast, working mainly in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Tim spends 100% of his time serving clients in the governmental industry, working with all types of entities ranging from large state agencies to local counties/cities/townships, school districts, and authorities. In a leadership capacity, Tim is the partner -in -charge of the Firm's Columbia and Raleigh Offices and is also a member of the Firm's Assurance Committee, overseeing the entire audit practice of Mauldin & Jenkins, focusing on the Firm's Governmental Assurance services. Tim has more than fifteen years of experience in public accounting — a year and a half with a firm based out of Charleston, South Carolina and over thirteen years with Mauldin & Jenkins serving a wide variety of clients in the public services industry. Professional and Civic Activities Tim is involved in a variety of organizations to both support the governmental industry and to promote the CPA profession overall. At the national level, he is a graduate of the AICPA's Leadership Academy, Class of 2012 and is a current member of the AICPA's State and Local Government Expert Panel. As a part of this fifteen member panel, Tim works on financial reporting, audit and attest matters relevant to audits of state and local government financial statements. The expert panel protects the public interest by bringing together knowledgeable parties in the state and local government industry to deliberate and come to agreement on key state and local government issues. It also plays a significant advocacy role through analysis and comment on exposure documents of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and other proposals affecting state and local governments. Also at the national level, Tim is a member of the Special Review Committee for the Government Finance Officers' Association ("GFOA"), reviewing Annual Comprehensive Financial Report submissions from all across the U.S. for governments seeking to obtain the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. At the state level, Tim is involved with the state GFOA organizations as a periodic presenter at the annual conferences as well as with the State CPA societies. Outside of the CPA profession, Tim is a member of the Board of Directors for Children's Trust of South Carolina whose Board is appointed by the Governor. Children's Trust is the only statewide organization whose mission is the prevention of child abuse, neglect and injury throughout South Carolina by forming partnerships with local governmental and nonprofit organizations including many counties, school districts, and other governmental agencies. ❑� ❑r- T� r ❑� F Tim Lyons INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 35 Page 162 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Hope Pendergrass, CPA Audit & Assurance Partner Hope Pendergrass is a partner and a certified public accountant with Mauldin & Jenkins. Her experience covers a variety of state and local governmental organizations, and non-profit organizations. Hope spends 100% of her time serving state and local governments. Hope is well respected for her knowledge of performing Single Audits relative to expenditures of Federal awards, and serves as the firm's lead compliance audit technical partner. Hope was recently appointed to the Executive Committee of the AICPA's Government Audit Quality Center (GAQC) where she collaborate with a team of individuals from firms across the United States on issues facing firms who perform governmental audits. Hope has 20 years of experience in public accounting and has spent all of that time serving both large and small governmental units. She is directly involved in serving approximately 85 such governmental entities. Hope obtained her CPA certificate in 2007. Professional and Civic Activities Hope is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Georgia Society of CPAs ("GSCPA"), the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and is active in the Georgia GFOA. She also serves on GFOA's Special Review Committee and performs reviews of ACFRs as part of GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting program. Hope has been a featured speaker and instructor for various trade and professional organizations including the GGFOA, the AICPA, the GSCPA, and the University System of Georgia. Hope also coordinates and instructs our quarterly continuing education events provided to our clients. Additionally, she coordinates and edits our e-newsletter, which are issued periodically on emerging topics of interest to state and local governmental entities throughout our governmental practice. ❑� �'tlF ❑� Hope enjoys community service work and has volunteered with various organizations r'• r •� in the middle Georgia area including United Way of Central Georgia, Distinguished Young Women of Monroe and Bibb Counties, Forest Hills United Methodist Church, and Wesleyan College. Hope Pendergrass INDUSTRY EXPERTISE / PROACTIVE SERVICE / PROVEN RESULTS 36 Page 163 of 1454 4�AT- 44 TT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Other Resources For Non -Audit Services (Advisory Services, Information Technology Services & Fraud Examinations) David Roberts Partner, Governmental Advisory Services David Roberts has more than 22 years of experience as a consultant and trusted advisor providing operational/organizational assessments and similar transformational projects for federal, state, and local governments across the country. David's experience includes leading numerous enterprise-wide/departmental/functional assessments and transformations over his career measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of organizational structures and culture, performance management, technology systems and strategies, staffing models, service delivery models, and customer satisfaction. David helps his clients turn visions and goals into reality. He has helped multiple clients win national government industry awards for innovation, transformation, and cost savings. David leads our Government Advisory practice, where he focuses on helping governments and individual agencies fulfill and exceed their financial, operational, and regulatory obligations to the public. David has completed hundreds of projects over his career. Below are representative sample management consulting projects demonstrating David's depth and breadth completed within the past 12 months: Operational and Performance Assessment — Walton County, Georgia David led a multi -department Operational and Performance Assessment for Walton County. The scope included assessing organizational structure, operational efficiency, staffing levels and resource utilization, comparison to leading practices, and observations and recommendations to assist the County in achieving the desired future state. The final report included numerous observations with associated recommendations and a detailed Road map/Implementation Plan. Outsourcing Feasibility Study — City of Rocky Mount North Carolina David led a feasibility study for the City of Rocky Mount to assess its current service delivery model for providing parks maintenance and landscaping services. City operations used of a hybrid model of both internal resources and third -party contractors to provide parks maintenance and landscaping. The project evaluated the pros and cons (both financial and non -financial) of 1) maintaining the hybrid model, 2) performing all services in-house, and 3) performing all services externally. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 37 Page 164 of 1454 AT - PIT, TT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Finance Functional Assessment — Richland County Library, South Carolina David led a functional assessment of the Library's finance department. The project consisted of understanding the current state — current service provision, performance, workflow, business processes, internal controls, organizational structure, reporting, and communications. The current state was compared to leading practices and gaps were identified. An implementation roadmap was created that aligned recommendations to leaderships' vision to help the organization achieve its desired future state. Technoloev Utilization Assessment — Mt. Pleasant Waterworks (South Carolina David led an objective evaluation of the organization's system usage and governance related to the existing financial system (Microsoft Dynamics) and the existing workorder management system (Maximo). The organization wanted to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of both systems while maintaining internal controls and system of record. The project consisted of numerous interviews, data review, system mapping, and a collaborative workshop among stakeholders to define a future state. Grant Compliance Audit — Decide DeKalb (Georgia) David led a Grant Compliance Assessment of various development projects for Decide DeKalb. The project reviewed the established grant and contractual criteria to be maintained by developers and compared with tenant information related to low income occupants. The project identified areas of compliance, non-compliance, and recommendations for remediation. Forensic Audit — Confidential City David led a forensic investigation into questionable cash management activity for a City Parks and Recreation department. The project reviewed bank account activity, cancelled checks, cash withdrawals, and purchased item documentation as well as conducted interviews with account cardholders to determine the collection, handling, and use of several hundred thousand dollars collected in fees, sponsorships, and contributions made to the City. Numerous observations and corresponding recommendations were developed to enhance internal controls, written policies, and procedures to correct conflicts of interest, mishandling of funds, and misappropriation of funds. From management consulting and identifying new opportunities, to increasing stakeholder satisfaction and implementing transformational strategies, David and our government advisory team deliver insights and techniques that help government clients leverage public resources efficiently while achieving overarching goals. Our Government Advisory Practice brings to market a team that has direct experience as government employees, change agents, and transformation consultants to help tackle the industry's toughest issues. 0� Oil map. David Roberts INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 38 Page 165 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Jameson Miller, CPA, CISA, CISSP, CCSFP, CHQP Partner in Charge, TechnologV Services Office, CVbersecuritV Advisory Services Jameson Miller is a partner and has been with Mauldin & Jenkins since graduation from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. For over 15 years, Jameson has provided information 1 technology consulting and attest services to public and private entities throughout the Southeast. Jameson's experience h includes audits of general controls, application controls, and cybersecurity risk management programs. Jameson has extensive experience with Sarbanes Oxley, SSAE18 System and Organization Controls ("SOC") Audits, National Automated Clearinghouse Association ("NACHA") Operating Rules and Guidelines, and Gramm -Leach -Bliley Act ("GLBA") compliance programs. His technical expertise includes performing vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of information systems using both technical and social engineering techniques. Further, Jameson: • Maintains current and relevant information technology and financial accounting ❑�'❑� continuing professional education credits ("CPE"); _.:. • Holds the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' ("AICPA") "Cybersecurity Advisory Services" and "Blockchain for Accounting and Finance" Certificates; • Served as a Cybersecurity panelist and speaker at the 2020 Octane Conference and Jameson Miller GGFOA's 2019 Annual Conference; • Presented a firm sponsored 8 hours session entitled, "All Things IT —Are You Protected?"; and, • Has spoken at other various conferences on topics, including: o Managing Cybersecurity Risk Through an Effective Vendor Management Program; o Technologies Transforming Accounting; and, o Data Analytics: Balancing the Good and the Ugly cRSEC(� n �pCKCF/,q ti GJ� GFV R/T eGpJNTING 4N0 ti i 4oe Sim WN CISA `. Jameson is a member of the AICPA, the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, ISACA, and ISC2. Jameson is a licensed Certified Public Accountant with the State of Tennessee, a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) through ISACA, a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) through ISC2, a Certified Cybersecurity Framework Practitioner (CCSFP) and Certified HITRUST Quality Professional (CHQP) through the HITRUST Alliance. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 39 Page 166 of 1454 YT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Considering the fact that Jameson only provides non-traditional consulting -type services to governmental entities, and he does not (and will not) provide audit and accounting services under the guidance of the Yellow Book educational standards, no such continuing education is required or provided under this proposal to provide services. Brandon R. Smith, CPA, CCSFP, CHQP Partner, Advisory Services Information Technology and Cybersecurity Brandon Smith joined Mauldin & Jenkins in 2008 after studying Accounting and Information Systems at Georgia Southern University. He works with organizations throughout the Southeast to help deliver a blend of capacity building and advisory services. His experience includes evaluating cybersecurity, internal control, and risk management policies and practices. He helps organizations review posture and identify prioritized, flexible, repeatable, performance -based, and cost-effective approaches to improve measures and controls. Expertise includes NIST Cybersecurity Framework, HITRIST Common Security Framework, System and Organization Controls ("SOC") Reporting, COSO Internal Control -Integrated Framework, and Uniform Guidance. Services range from reviewing existing policies and practices and providing targeted recommendations in line with proven frameworks, to helping facilitate technical assessments. Brandon serves on a national Alliance Innovation Committee that represents more than 80 firms nationally, he serves on the AICPA's Stakeholder Advisory Group for its Dynamic Audit Solution currently in development, and he is the chair of M&J's NExT Committee for Innovation. Brandon is enthusiastic about transformative technologies and the impact they have on our clients and our profession, including Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Robotic Process Automation, and Blockchain. Additional services provided by Brandon and his team include: • Internal Controls Assessments •❑ E • IT/Cybersecurity Framework Assessments • GLBA Compliance —Information Security } =• 41d Vulnerability Assessments• Internal & External Penetration Testing� • Social Engineering Campaigns Brandon Smith • Cybersecurity Awareness Training Brandon is a regular speaker for the Georgia Society of CPAs and he serves as a volunteer faculty member for Nonprofit University's certificate programs. He is a member of ISACA, AICPA, GSCPA, Georgia Planned Giving Council, Georgia Center for Nonprofits, Technology Association of Georgia, and HITRUST. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 40 Page 167 of 1454 >,A4T11T1_ City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Lisa Huffman, CPA CIA, and CFE Certified Fraud Examiner Lisa Huffman is a senior manager with Mauldin & Jenkins with over 17 years of public accounting experience and 3 years in the private sector. Lisa received her Bachelor's degree in Accounting and her Master of Accountancy degree from Auburn University. Since joining Mauldin & Jenkins in 2016, Lisa has worked primarily with clients in the non-profit industry. Her experience ranges from agreed -upon procedures, compilation & review engagements, and financial statement audits. Lisa is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the Institute of Internal Auditors. Other Staff Auditors & Accountants Prior experience with government audits is as important for the staff as it is for management. Experience in governmental accounting and auditing minimizes the amount of time the staff will require to fully understand the complexities of the operations and financial accounting and reporting systems. Prior experience also enables the staff to recognize problems early in the engagement. This, in turn, allows the desired early consideration and resolution of problems. All staff assigned to the City's engagement will have prior experience serving government clients and/or will have substantial government audit training. All staff assigned to the City will be on -site throughout the entire engagement. We would like to stress the fact that the majority of our governmental staff work on state and local governments 100% of their time. This reduces the "learning curve" on most all audits by reducing the amount of "on -site training" that occurs at most national accounting firms. This is very evident in our proposed hours, which are typically much less than that of other firms. Our staff knows what is required and how to get the work done efficiently and effectively. Our staff members understand the laws and regulations specifically pertinent to governmental entities. We also normally have more high-level hours of service by our partners and managers (in the conduct of fieldwork) than other firms, thereby reducing redundancy and other audit engagement inequities. We bring our experience to the field where timely decisions can be made. Diversity and Inclusion At Mauldin & Jenkins, we believe the word inclusive should apply to everything we do. We strive to maintain a workplace where everyone's differences are celebrated and valued. We recognize that our ability to maintain a sustainable business model will depend largely on attracting, retaining and promoting individuals that share our common vision of success but do so with a multitude of different backgrounds, views and life experiences. We embrace this diversity and recognize it is critical to current and future generations that will operate our Firm and support our Profession. By specifically placing an emphasis on these initiatives, the Firm will intentionally work towards a workplace with a broader inclusion of talent that celebrates equal access and equal opportunities, thereby strengthening the impact on the communities we serve. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 41 Page 168 of 1454 AT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve M&J's commitment to diversity and inclusion created a need and interest for a Committee that organizes and promotes various activities and themes around maintaining a safe, professional, and inclusive atmosphere for everyone in the firm. Our commitment primarily focuses on how staff and management can continue to provide equal opportunities and experiences to everyone inside and outside of our firm. The committee also uses the opportunity to help mentor our employees, as well as youth within the communities we serve. This allows everyone to evolve into exceptional professionals. Not only do participants attend diversity and inclusion related events on a local level, they also are able to apply for opportunities to participate and engage on a national level as well. The Committee meets quarterly and strives to host three to four events each year. The Firm is also committed to providing opportunities to the next generation of accounting professionals. Annually, M&J provides scholarships to eligible accounting students that have a strong desire to work in one of our current markets. Additionally, the Firm has doubled its contribution and impact by providing additional scholarships specifically targeted to first -generation and minority student populations. Affirmative Action Mauldin & Jenkins is committed to the hiring of men and women and minorities representing any and all races, ethnic origins, religious affiliations, codes and creeds. Mauldin & Jenkins policy is to prohibit discrimination in all elements of its operations. We are proud of our reputation as an equal employment opportunity business. We have partners, as well as staff, in our Firm representing a wide variety and background. Partner & Staff Continuity We are committed to providing continuity of our engagement team members. We recognize that this is also an important factor for the Entity as it limits the amount of retraining that needs to be performed each year. Our staff retention rates of approximately 85% are considered to be among the best in the profession (and much better than national firms). We are able to not only provide consistency with the partners and managers on our engagement teams, but seniors and staff as well. Retention > 85% This indicates that we retain 85% of our staff for a minimum of five years. It is also our goal to minimize disruptions to your management personnel by staffing the engagement so as to provide continuity, both during and between audits. It is the Firm's policy not to rotate key audit staff, consultants or specialists off a multi -year contracted audit engagement. Consequently, it is not anticipated that any key audit personnel will be rotated away from this annual audit. In any business, however, turnover is inevitable. When this happens, we will provide resumes of suggested replacements and any changes in key personnel would always be discussed timely with officials to their satisfaction. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 42 Page 169 of 1454 >4f- City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Continuing Education of Partners and Staff All members (i.e., partners) and staff of Mauldin & Jenkins receive substantial continuing education in audit and accounting — typically over 100 hours of such study per year. As soon as a staff person becomes a key ingredient to any type of niche service such as governmental audit, accounting and consulting, specific continuing education is sought. A good example includes sending our staff with over one year of governmental audit experience to various GFOA and AICPA training for audit, accounting and financial reporting courses. All partners and staff serving in the governmental sector join together in July each year for the M&J Annual Governmental Conference in which three days' worth of audit, accounting and financial reporting training is provided. Mauldin & Jenkins also provides week long audit efficiency training via Audit Watch every June to all staff persons with less than five years of experience. Further, every July staff persons from various levels of experience are provided with four days of training relative to the conduct of Single Audits and the preparation of Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports. All staff associated with the annual audit of the City will exceed all the continuing professional education requirements contained in the Yellow Book throughout the term of the agreement. Planned Use of Outside Specialists At this time, we do not plan on the use of any outside specialist. All work to be conducted will be performed by Mauldin & Jenkins partners and staff. Of course, certain staff has certain specialties, and they will be called on as needed. We do plan on using the results of reports provided to the City from their specialists. This would include, when applicable, the following types of specialists: • Actuaries • Retirement plan administrators • Engineers • Fixed asset valuation professionals • Healthcare providers • Bond underwriters and counsel • Third -party administrators • Consulting attorneys & outside counsel INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 43 Page 170 of 1454 N/4 T City of Dubuque, Iowa �T Proposal to Serve Specific Audit Approach Proposed Segmentation of Audit Engagement and Level of Staff Assigned Our professionals, who are knowledgeable with respect to audit requirements for governmental entities, will be assigned based on their expertise with respect to each segment. Our audit is enhanced by our utilization of advanced technology tools. With those tools we continue to evolve and modernize our audit process. Our audit procedures, related documentation and quality review will be segregated by each segment as follows based on our review of the City's prior financial statements, budgets, request for proposal, and other information available: INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 44 Page 171 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve The below time frames are estimates based on our understandings with the City as to its desires. We at Mauldin & Jenkins would be flexible in the timing of certain events as requested by the City. As noted in the table below, we want to work with City personnel in an effective manner. We intend to do a great deal of planning and tailoring of our approach from our initial visits. We do not want our clients to feel that they have to reinvent the wheel every time we ask for something. However, to make this process cost the City as little as possible (both in dollars and their individual time), it is important to start only when ready and avoid auditing a moving target. The following table attempts to depict the timing and key elements of the planned audit process for the June 30, 2024 audit: Segments Ongoing consultation on major issues & developments throughout the year, and greater discussions as year end approaches (such as new GASB standards). Meet management to discuss audit risks and scopes. Engagement team planning meetings and performance of interim audit procedures. Gain/update understanding of significant processes & key controls. Perform testing of key controls with goal of reducing substantive audit testing. Detemine nature, timing and extent of substantive tests to be performed. Finalize audit plan based on results to -date. Perform substantive tests (detail testing of respective general ledger/trial balance accounts, and final analytical procedures & key ratios & relationship of financial data). Conduct a final evaluation of risk assessments. Conduct of progress meetings with management as needed and as often as desired. Preparation and delivery of draft comprehensive annual financial report (ACFR), reports, findings, management letter comments, and any other deliverables. Meeting with management to discuss draft deliverables and final completion and presentation time frames. Upon management's review, delivery ofACFR, internal control reports, and management letter to management. Presentation of audit deliverables to the governing board. 0 119 W INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 45 Page 172 of 1454 4 T City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Segment I - Planning and Interim Procedures: ® 00 • Meet with the prior auditor to review prior year workpapers and obtain appropriate prior year information; • Obtain a signed engagement letter for the financial and compliance audit; _V.q� • Prior to our planning visit, creation of an "Interim Procedures PBC" listing in Suralink, our request list management software (more information about Suralink in the section immediately following). • Meet with City management to discuss the scope of the audit, timing of our work, and preparation of client schedules, and to address any concerns; • Review previously issued and interim financial reports, comment letters, monitoring reports, and other supporting workpapers; • Familiarize ourselves with the organizational structure of the City; • Read minutes of City meetings; • Review the City's current year budget, as adopted and revised; • Review debt agreements, and other various documentation; • Gain an understanding of the City's accounting policies and procedures, including the financial and other management information systems utilized by the City; • Obtain an in-depth knowledge of the EDP equipment, software and systems in use; • Obtain interim financial data from the general ledger for establishing the appropriate coding in M&J's trial balance software. • Utilize interim data to perform analytical reviews to determine critical areas and assess risks; • Perform a preliminary evaluation of the internal control structure at the account and assertion level; • Design and perform applicable tests of controls related to the financial statements and internal accounts; • Make fraud inquiries and assessing the risks of material misstatement; • Obtain a list of cash, investment, receivables, debt, and selected revenue accounts for confirmation purposes, as applicable; • Determine audit strategies for balance sheet and operating statement accounts based on audit risk; • Obtain a preliminary schedule of expenditures of Federal awards to initiate planning and internal control testing for the Single Audit; • Prepare year-end audit programs; • Meet with appropriate City personnel to discuss the results of our preliminary audit work; and, • Finalize the "Final Fieldwork PBC Listing" and upload to Suralink. Segment II - Final Audit Fieldwork Procedures: • Utilize Ai program on final general ledger data and scan transaction for unusual transactions, data, or analytical relationships; • Use data scanned above in various substantive analytical reviews of account balances (such as reasonableness tests, trend analysis, and predictive tests) to reduce other substantive tests of details; • Test the valuation, restrictions and cut-offs of cash and investment balances, as applicable; • Test receivable cut-offs and balances, including an analysis of subsequent receipts; • Test cut-off and valuation of inventory; INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 46 Page 173 of 1454 >,A4T11T1_ City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve • Review and testing supporting documentation for the allowance for doubtful accounts, any material prepaid items and other assets; • Vouch capital asset additions and deletions, analyzing charges for appropriate accounting and testing depreciation; • Test accounts payable cut-offs and balances, including an analysis of subsequent disbursements; • Test accrued payroll, compensated absences, claims payable, and other accrued liability cut-offs and balances; • Review actuarial methodologies, assumption, and census data and determine the appropriateness and accounting of the pension and OPEB liabilities; • Test debt balances and debt covenant compliance; • Test compliance with applicable laws and regulations; • Test the classification of net position (unrestricted, restricted and net investment in capital assets) and fund balance (nonspendable, restricted, committed, assigned, unassigned); • Perform analytical procedures and substantive testing of revenues and expenditures/expenses; • Obtain and auditing the final schedule of expenditures of Federal awards; • Complete compliance tests for the major programs selected for testing as required by the Uniform Guidance, as applicable; • Review the PBC listings in Suralink for any outstanding items and hold and end of fieldwork exit conference with management. Segment III - Review, Completion & Delivery Procedures: • Review workpapers to ensure quality and thoroughness of audit procedures; ® ® • Summarize the results of audit procedures; • Obtain attorney letters; • Evaluate commitments, contingencies and subsequent events; • Propose audit adjustments; • Summarize and evaluating passed audit adjustments; • Evaluate compliance exceptions; • Review draft financial statements and related note disclosures; • Perform financial condition assessment procedures; • Prepare drafts of audit reports and management letter; • Deliver drafts of audit reports and letters to appropriate client officials; • Finalize all reports and management letter; • Obtain signed representation letter and the City's approval of the final financial statements; • Draft the Data Collection Form and obtaining the City's approval; • Prepare and provide the City a final PDF document of the audited financial statements; • Hold final exit conferences and presentations with appropriate City officials. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 47 Page 174 of 1454 T City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Assistance Requested from the City's Staff The audit is an annual process that we know the City prepares for each year. However, we also know that the regular, on -going operations and day-to-day requirements do not stop just because the annual audit is occurring. The assistance that will be requested from the City staff will be clearly communicated by Mauldin & Jenkins during the preliminary / interim procedures to allow for maximum lead time so that our requests can be met with as little disruption to the City's operations as possible. Our expectation for assistance from the City staff includes the following: preparation of cash, investment, debt, and other audit confirmations; provision of access to the City's system or response to requests to provide reports, reconciliations, queries, etc.; preparation of certain elements of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (transmittal letter, organization chart, etc.); and availability via telephone, video conference, and in -person to respond to various questions and inquiries. Based on our previous experience auditing the City, we have also prepared a schedule, including level of staff and number of hours to be assigned, to each proposed segment of the engagement, which is representative of the expected 2024 audit in the following tabular presentation: . ! MM , Engagement Team Members by Level Segments Partner Manager Senior Staff Total Segment I - Planning and Interim Procedures 20 20 10 10 60 Segment II - Final Audit Fieldwork Procedures 50 80 60 60 250 Segment III - Review, Completion & Delivery Procedures 30 25 25 10 90 Total Engagement 100 125 95 80 400 Mauldin & Jenkins believes that we are uniquely qualified to perform the audit of the City. In a time in which very significant changes continue to be implemented in the City's financial reporting model, it is imperative for the City's auditors to understand the City's financial reporting environment and processes and utilize advances technology and tools in performing your audit. The team proposed to serve you is made up of individuals who have significant experience in auditing local governments of various sizes in the Southeast. Our audit of the financial statements will be conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and will conform to the standards as set forth in the following: • "Generally Accepted Auditing Standards" developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") • "Government Auditing Standards" issued by the Comptroller General of the United States • "Audits of State and Local Government Units" prepared by the State and Local Government Committee and published by the AICPA INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 48 Page 175 of 1454 T City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Our audit will include advanced methodologies and technology, tests of the accounting records and such other auditing procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances, which include, but are not limited to, those procedures necessary to test compliance and to disclose non-compliance with specified laws, regulations, and contracts. We will use Firm manuals specifically designed for governments to develop audit programs tailored to the City which incorporate the requirements set forth above. We anticipate that these procedures will enable us to express our professional opinion that the financial statements of the City present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the various opinion units in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. If conditions are discovered which lead to the belief that material errors, defalcations, or other irregularities exist which might prohibit us from expressing an unqualified opinion or if any other circumstances are encountered that require extended services, we will promptly advise the City. No extended services will be performed unless they are authorized in contractual agreement or in an amendment to the agreement. Upon notification of obtaining the audit contract with the City, we would determine with City management a more detailed timetable for the audit process, and a detailed audit plan leading up to a list of all schedules to be prepared by the City. Adequate supervision and lead time will be provided by the auditor with respect to assistance needed by the City staff. High Percentage of Partner & Manager Involvement Partner and manager involvement varies with different firms. At Mauldin & Jenkins, we believe it is important for our partners and managers to be highly involved in the audit process, including fieldwork. This is a value-added concept most firms do not employ. That being said, we believe it is important to note that our proposal includes the following: • Substantial Partner Hours as Compared to Total Hours. • Substantial Manager Hours as Compared to Total Hours. • Approximately 56% of all anticipated hours of service are partner and manager hours which means our partners and managers are heavily involved during the audit process, and not just the front end and back end of the audits. Our Request List Management Software — Suralink For all of our governmental audit engagements, we use Suralink. Suralink is the leader in PBC request list management software, helping all of our audit teams stay on track throughout the engagement and improving the overall client experience. Prior to our visit to the City's offices for interim/planning work, we will create an account for the City. We can add as many people to the City's account as requested — and even have the ability to limit which people can see which items in the portal for security of sensitive information. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 49 Page 176 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve All requests for the audit will run through Suralink which our audit team members will update throughout fieldwork. Our periodic audit status meetings will start with a review of the Suralink portal and a general discussion of the progress to date. Suralink will provide a summary status that looks similar to the diagram below, and will also include details of the specific items for each category. Request Summary �sx Outstanding - 50% o a eque Fulfilled - 13% Accepted: 33 Returned: 0 Returned - 0% 0utstanding:43 Fulfilled:l2 Accepted - 37% 37% &# By using Suralink, we will (1) eliminate inefficient and unsecured email exchange of audit information; (2) ensure that all members of the Mauldin & Jenkins team as well as the City's team remain on the same page throughout the conduct of the audit; and (3) encourage the efficient assignment of audit tasks on both the audit team and client team for the engagement. Sampling Techniques and the Extent to Which Statistical Sampling Will be Used in the Engagement In some situations, sampling will still be necessary or required. When we utilize audit sampling, we do so as provided in U.S. Auditing Standards AU-C Section 530, Audit Sampling. We would plan to utilize audit sampling whenever a decision is made to apply a specific audit procedure to a representative sample of items within the account balance or class of transactions with the objective being reaching a conclusion about the entire balance or class. We anticipate using audit sampling on the following types of audit tests: • Substantive tests of details of balance sheet account balances • Substantive tests of details of transactions • Tests of controls • Tests of compliance with laws and regulations Our use of audit sampling will be based on the guidance in AU-C Section 530 and the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide - Audit Sampling. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 50 Page 177 of 1454 4�AT- 44 TT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Type and Extent of Analytical Procedures to be Used in the Engagement Analytical procedures can be applied to almost every financial statement amount and are often less costly to apply than tests of details. It is, therefore, an efficient audit strategy to employ analytical procedures to the maximum extent possible, and vary the required extent of substantive tests of details inversely with the degree of assurance already obtained. The elements of analytical procedures we plan to consider are as follows: • Identify the factors on which a given accounting result should depend; • Determine the approximate relationship between the accounting result and those underlying factors; • Predict what the current results should be if that relationship continued; • Compare the actual current result to the prediction; — p • Investigate and corroborate significant variances between the actual q result and the prediction; • Reach a conclusion as to the reasonableness of the reported result. Types of analytical procedures employed will include: • Reviewing changes from prior years for reasonableness. • Scanning accounts for items larger or smaller than expected when compared to budgets or forecasts. • Reviewing and comparing logical relationships between years (e.g., payroll taxes and benefits to wages, etc.). Comparisons between years can be made more effective when logical relationships between elements of the financial statements that would be expected to conform to the predictable pattern are used to develop trends. This is primarily accomplished through the use of ratios. • Analyzing and comparing nonfinancial information, such as number of taxable properties, geographical area, number of employees, etc. All analytical procedures performed as substantive tests are documented on each applicable audit program. Approach to be Taken to Gain and Document an Understanding of the City's Internal Control For purposes of an audit of the financial statements and statutory, regulatory and contractual compliance, the City's control structure consists of the following five elements as they relate to the City's ability to conduct operations and use resources in accordance with management's authorization and consistent with laws, regulations, contracts and policies, and to record, process, summarize, and report financial data consistent with assertions embodied in the financial statements: INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 65 Page 178 of 1454 >1AT41TV1 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve the control environment; risk assessment, control activities, information and communication processes/systems, and monitoring. The internal control structure and its policies and procedures are an important source of information about the types and risks of potential material misstatements that could occur in the financial statements and violations of statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements. This information is essential for effective audit planning and in designing effective and efficient audit tests. In our understanding of the City's internal control structure, we will obtain knowledge about: • How internal control structure policies, procedures and records are designed; • Whether internal control structure policies, procedures and records have been placed in operation, i.e., whether the City is using them; • Whether internal control structure policies, procedures and records are designed effectively, i.e., whether they are likely to prevent or detect material misstatements or compliance violations on a timely basis; • Whether internal control structure policies, procedures and records are operating effectively. Auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America require the auditor to document our understandings of the internal control structure elements. The form and extent of documentation is flexible. Generally, the more complex an entity's internal control structure and the more extensive the procedures performed to obtain the understanding, the more extensive our documentation should be. In addition to memos, we plan to use specific designed forms and questionnaires to document our understanding of the internal control structure. Recent changes in auditing standards, known as the risk assessment standards, denote that the auditor is not required to test internal control so as to rely on them to reduce other test work, but do not allow for only inquiry procedures related to internal control. We are required, and will perform, other procedures, such as walkthroughs and observation, related to controls over significant financial statement and audit assertions. Approach to be Taken in Determining Laws and Regulations to be Subject of Audit Test Work Our approach to be taken to determine the laws and regulations that will be subject to audit test work will include procedures designed to identify requirements found in legal or legislative data, administrative regulations, and documents associated with grant and contract arrangements. The following procedures and policies will be applied depending on the nature and materiality of the laws and regulations: During the planning phase, the type of audit to be performed, as it relates to compliance matters, will be communicated to all personnel assigned to the engagement. Obtain a list of all federal award programs from which the client received and expended funds and identify, using the prescribed risk -based approach, the major programs required to be audited. If a program -specific audit is required, identify the award program to be audited. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 52 Page 179 of 1454 AT _ City of Dubuque, Iowa �r Proposal to Serve • Identify applicable state and local statutory and regulatory requirements and contractual requirements. • Plan and document the audit procedures to be performed relative to material state and local statutory and regulatory requirements and contractual requirements. • Perform and document federal, state, and local statutory, regulatory and contractual compliance audit procedures as deemed to be applicable and appropriate during the planning stage of the engagement. • Make specific inquiries of management concerning the following matters: ■ The City's compliance with laws and regulations. ■ The City's policies relative to the prevention of statutory, regulatory and contractual violations. ■ The use of directives issued by the City and periodic representations obtained by the City from officials and other management personnel at appropriate levels of authority concerning compliance with laws and regulations. Approach to be Taken in Drawing Audit Samples O O for Purposes of Tests of Compliance O Applicable auditing standards state that, in testing for compliance with laws and regulations, the number, selection, and testing of transactions is based on the auditor's professional judgment. None of the guidelines, primarily AU-C Section 250, explain whether this requirement to select a representative number for testing compliance means that audit sampling is necessary. The two possible approaches to audit sampling are nonstatistical and statistical. AU-C Section 530 Audit Sampling indicates that both of these approaches are capable of producing sufficient evidential matter, if properly applied. The types of procedures that are applied are not determined by the sampling approach used. Either approach may be used to apply whatever tests of details deemed necessary in the circumstances. The importance of professional judgment cannot be overemphasized as it applies to the evaluation of the adequacy of evidential matter generated by the sampling approach. Regardless of the sampling approach selected, we will properly plan, perform, and evaluate the results of the sample. Professional judgment must be used to relate the sample results to other evidential matter when we form a conclusion about compliance with laws and regulations. It should be noted, however, that not all tests of compliance or controls are transaction related. If we decide to use audit sampling, attention is focused on which sampling approach (statistical or non -statistical) to use. Substantial information is given in the AICPA Sampling Guide and several college and professional books on the use of various statistical sampling approaches. The basic requirements that relate to all compliance related samples, statistical and nonstatistical, are as follows: Planning. We will relate the population to the objective of the audit test; i.e., defining the population and sampling unit. Selection. We will select items that can be expected to be representative of the population. Evaluation. We will project sample results to the population and consider sampling risk. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 53 Page 180 of 1454 4-i City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve In a compliance sampling application, the population is defined as all items that constitute the account balance or class of transactions, or the portion of the balance or class, being tested (i.e., all expenditures of the City above a certain threshold required to be bid). The population for a substantive sample usually is the account balance or class of transactions excluding those items selected for testing because of individual significance. The term individually significant item encompasses two types of items: Individually significant dollar items Unusual items (that is, items that have audit significance by their nature) Due to the nature of tests of controls or compliance, we ordinarily are not concerned with identifying individually significant items when tests of controls or compliance are performed using audit sampling. Sampling results can be projected only to the population from which the sample is drawn. The use of the wrong population for a sampling application could mean that conclusions based on the sample are invalid for our purpose. The sampling units are the individual items that are subjected to tests and that represent the components of the population. It is important to properly identify the sampling unit before the sample is selected to produce an efficient and effective sampling application. Examples of sampling units would be individual capital disbursements, etc. The determination of the specific sampling unit is influenced by the following considerations: The sampling unit should produce an efficient sampling plan. The sampling plan must be effective to accomplish its objectives. The nature of the audit procedures can determine the sampling unit to be used. AU-C Section 530 requires a "representative sample". There are several commonly used methods of selecting samples that meet the criteria of representativeness stipulated by AU-C Section 530. The following are some of those methods: random (can be statistical or nonstatistical), systematic (can be statistical or nonstatistical), or haphazard (nonstatistical). We will evaluate whether the sample selected seems representative of the population to be tested. If the sample does not seem representative, we would reselect. For all items in the population to have a chance to be selected, we will determine that the sample population actually includes all the items (e.g., capital disbursements, etc.) comprising the balance. There are many ways to determine the completeness of a sample population, including: • If the sample is selected from a trial balance, we can foot the trial balance and reconcile the total to the account balance. • If the items are numerically sequenced, we can scan the accounting records to account for the numerical sequence of items in the population and select the sample from that sequence. The two sampling forms presented both include a step that allows the auditor to document how the completeness of the sample population was considered. Whenever practical, we will consider using random selection (with a random number table or microcomputer -generated numbers) or systematic selection. Haphazard selection may be used when the population is not numbered or when other circumstances make use of a random -based method impractical. Using one of these random -based methods does not make the sampling application statistical. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 54 Page 181 of 1454 YT City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve The evaluation of sample results has two aspects. We will need to project the noncompliance. Also, we will need to consider the sampling risk. In a statistical sample, sampling risk must still be considered and restricted to a relatively low level but cannot be objectively measured. This is the primary conceptual distinction between statistical and non -statistical sampling. In the two non -statistical sampling approaches presented in this section, sampling risk is assessed by considering whether the rate or amount of exceptions identified in the sample exceed the expected rate or amount of exceptions used in designing the sample. Methodology to be Used in Performing the "Risk Based" Approach in Determining Major Federal Programs The Uniform Guidance of 2 CFR 200 (the "Uniform Guidance"), which replaced OMB Circular A-133 in implementing the audit requirements of the Single Audit Act, states that the auditor should use a risk - based approach to determine which federal programs are major programs. The Uniform Guidance also places the responsibility for identifying major programs on the auditor, and provides criteria for the auditor to use in applying a risk -based approach. In evaluating risk, we will utilize the prescribed approach which considers, among other things: !1►iJl 1, • The current and prior audit experience with the City • Oversight by the federal agencies and pass -through entities, and IttS/(11�SCU • Changes in personnel or systems. We will utilize Firm governmental manuals and the Uniform Guidance to apply the risk -based approach as illustrated in the following steps: • We will obtain the City's schedule of expenditures of federal awards identifying each program/cluster. • We will identify the programs/clusters with expenditures that meet the dollar threshold for Type A. • We will perform risk assessment of the Type A programs/clusters to determine if any are low -risk programs and if they are not low -risk, they will be identified as major programs under the risk based approach. • For programs/clusters with expenditures that do not meet the dollar threshold for Type A, they will be identified as Type B programs and evaluated as to whether each Type B has expenditures that meet the dollar threshold for risk assessment and whether the Type B is considered a high -risk program. • The total dollar amount of major programs determined in steps 3 and 4 above will be compared to the total federal expenditures to ensure the appropriate coverage is obtained. The major program expenditures must be at least 20% of total federal expenditures if the City is deemed a low -risk auditee and at least 40% if the City is not considered low -risk. The standards allow for the risk criteria described above to be waived in the first year after a change in auditors. Exercising the waiver would result in all Type A programs/clusters being audited as major programs. We would consider this option and compare the major program determination using this method to that of the risk based approach in performing the Single Audit of the City for the first year a Single Audit is required. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 55 Page 182 of 1454 AT _ City of Dubuque, Iowa �T Proposal to Serve Remote Audit Approach As Requested Governmental organizations are choosing remote audits with increasing t frequency, and Mauldin & Jenkins is very effective in working from a remote environment. The spring of 2020 brought an increasing demand for remote audits due to the spread of COVID-19 and the inability for work to be conducted CHANGE AHEADI on site. However, even before the complexities brought on by the spread of COVID-19, many organizations opted for remote audits for a variety of reasons. It will be the City preference whether to conduct the audit remotely, but should you desire this service delivery option, Mauldin & Jenkins is trained to conduct remote audits while maintaining all professional standards. Remote audit engagements offer significant advantages over those that follow a more traditional format: faster results, less disruption, and reduced stress for governmental finance personnel. Current technology allows our clients and their audit teams to stay in regular communication, securely share information, and collaborate effectively. Our staff professionals have grown accustomed to being provided read-only access to client systems to run reports, view purchase orders, invoices, reconciliations, etc. As a result, work that used to require extended on -site time can be performed anywhere, easing the burden on the audit process for both the auditor and auditee. Though audits can still require some on -site time, reconfiguring the City audit engagement to maximize efficiency and to take advantage of technological tools can dramatically reduce the amount of time spent on -site. While the remote audit can generate far less disruption for the organization undergoing the audit, it does not necessarily reduce client contact very much — or even at all. As we leverage the technological tools at our disposal (Suralink, Zoom, LeapFile, Google Hangouts, etc.) we maintain consistent contact with our clients throughout the process and find that in many ways, communication between our teams and clients are as good, if not better, in the remote working environment than during traditional onsite engagements. A successful audit experience requires careful planning, timely preparation and strong communication, regardless of where the work takes place. That is especially true for a remote engagement, so preparing for this type of audit sometimes helps organizations identify ways to improve their internal data management strategies — a welcome bonus! We are proud of the strong governmental practice we've built and it's upon that foundation that we can leverage these technological tools to conduct remote audits as the environment demands or the client chooses. Identification of Anticipated Potential Audit Problems Single Audits Single audits can be quite cumbersome - especially during a time when new programs are being created and new funding streams are available from the Federal government. Since 2020, we have seen a significant amount of new Federal funding made available via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES"), the Omnibus Appropriations and Coronavirus Relief Package, the American Rescue Plan Act, and most recently, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Obtaining the needed information from a compliance and financial perspective can be difficult for the auditor and auditee. We anticipate similar difficulties in performing the audit of the City if a single audit INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 70 Page 183 of 1454 T City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Obtaining the needed information from a compliance and financial perspective can be difficult for the auditor and auditee. We anticipate similar difficulties in performing the audit of the City if a single audit is required. However, we do believe that with proper planning and communication by all sides, and with the assistance of City personnel, all potential problems should be easily overcome. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), entails more than 100 pages of regulations in applying for, managing, and auditing federal grants and cooperative agreements. The Uniform Guidance includes many complex requirements for you as the auditee to adhere to — including those related to procurement (which seemingly continue to evolve), sub recipient monitoring, and indirect costs. We have a very good understanding of both the auditor and grant recipient requirements of the Uniform Guidance, and are available to assist you in adhering to the provisions thereof. Additionally, we are active members of the AICPA's Government Audit Quality Center (GAQC) which continues to provide significant updates and guidance to the funding created by the Federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As members of the GAQC, we have direct access to the information as soon as it is made available and can be a valued resource to the Entity as a recipient of any of this new funding. Other Potential Problems In addressing any issue, communication and timely resolution are critical. Mauldin & Jenkins prides itself in developing professional relationships and rapport with clients which facilitate open and honest communication. Mauldin & Jenkins' stance would be based on reporting meaningful information to the financial statement users, but understanding that the financial statements are the City's representations. To do less would compromise our independent status. We use the following approach to seek a mutually agreeable resolution of accounting & reporting issues Step 1 Define and understand the issue through discussion with the City's management and verified audit information. Step 2 Make an initial assessment of the impact of alternative accounting treatments. Step 3 If the impact has significant potential, gather research which may include the following: obtain the City's research and rationale for their position; gather additional details; draw on common practices within other similar sized governments; utilize recognized Firm experts. Step 4 Discuss with City staff the Firm's preferred position and rationale. Step 5 Resolve the issue. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 57 Page 184 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa >4i-Proposal to Serve Additional Information of Value Added Services Upcoming GASB Statements As has been the case for the past 10 years, GASB has issued several other new pronouncements which will be effective in future years. The following is a brief summary of the new standards for which we will utilize our continuing education trainings and governmental newsletters. Additionally, we regularly assist our clients with understanding and implementing these new standards. The standards which will be implemented in the near future: Statement No. 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections Statement No. 101, Compensated Absences Statement No. 102, Certain Risk Disclosures As noted by the numerous pronouncements issued by GASB over the past decade, the GASB continues to research various projects of interest to governmental units. Subjects of note include: Revenue and Expense Recognition Going Concern Uncertainty and Severe Financial Stress Classification and Disclosure of Capital Assets Free Continuing Education for Governmental Clients We provide free quarterly continuing education for all of our governmental clients. Each quarter, we pick a couple of significant topics tailored to be of interest to governmental entities, and offer the sessions several times per quarter virtually and at a variety of client provided locations resulting in greater networking among our governmental clients. We normally see approximately 100-200 people per quarter. We obtain the input and services of experienced outside speakers along with our in-house professionals. "I've been a CPA for 32 years. Today's CPE class by Mauldin & Jenkins has been the best of my career". Terry Nall, CPA, City of Dunwoody (GA) Q Council Member "They are always on top of new accounting pronouncements and provide I training well before implementation deadlines. This is a very valuable resource for our organization". Laurie Puckett, CPA, CPFO, Gwinnett County (GA), Accounting Director Examples of subjects addressed in past quarters include: • Accounting for Debt Issuances • Achieving Excellence in Financial Reporting • Best Budgeting Practices, Policies and Processes • Budget Preparation • Capital Asset Accounting Processes and Controls • Coaching and Mentoring • Closing Out and Audit Preparation • Collateralization of Deposits and Investments INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 58 Page 185 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve • Component Units • Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) • Cybersecurity Risk Management • Detecting Fraud in Revenues and Expenditures • Evaluating Financial and Non -Financial Health of a Local Government • Financial Report Card — Where Does Your Government Stand? • Financial Reporting Model Improvements • GASB No. 74 & 75, New OPEB Standards . • GASB No. 77, Tax Abatement Disclosures ... • GASB No. 84, Fiduciary Activities • GASB No. 87, Leases • GASB No. 96, SBITAs • GASB No. 100, Accounting and Error Corrections • GASB No. 101, Compensated Absences • GASB No. 102, Certain Risk Disclosures • GASB Projects & Updates (ongoing and several sessions) • Grants (Accounting and Auditing) • Human Capital Management • Information Technology (IT) Risk Management • Internal Controls Over Accounts Payable, Payroll and Cash Disbursements • Internal Controls Over Receivables & the Revenue Cycle • Legal Considerations for Debt Issuances & Disclosure Requirements • Navigating IRS Communications with Success • Policies and Procedures Manuals • Presenting Financial Information to Non -Financial People • Procurement Card Red Flags • Risk, Efficiency, & Effectiveness in Governments • Single Audits for Auditees • SPLOST Accounting, Reporting & Compliance • Uniform Grant Guidance Governmental Newsletters We produce quarterly newsletters tailored to meet the needs of governments. We also provide additional timely newsletters and announcements as necessary on any emerging topics to ensure governments stay informed of current developments in the government finance environment. The newsletters are authored by Mauldin & Jenkins governmental industry specialists and have addressed a variety of subjects. In the past several years, the following topics have been addressed in our newsletters: • Are Your Government's Funds Secure? • COVID-19 Updates (several) • Cybersecurity Awareness • Changes to FEMA's Disaster Recovery Grant Program • Deposit Collateralization INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 59 Page 186 of 1454 Employee vs Independent Contractor Escheat Laws on Unclaimed Property Federal Funding and Accountability Transparency Act Financial Data Transparency Act Forensic Audit or Financial Audit? Form PT 440 GASB No. 72, Fair Value, It is Not Totally About Disclosure GASB No.'s 74 & 75, Other Post -Employment Benefits (OPEB) GASB No. 77, Abatements — Go Viral with GASB 77 GASB No. 84 Fiduciary Activities (Series) GASB No. 87, Leases GASB No. 89, Accounting for Interest Cost Incurred Before the End of Construction GASB No. 91, Conduit Debt Obligations GASB No. 93, Replacement of Interbank Offered Rates GASB No. 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) GFOA announces new COA Submission Requirement Grants Management IRS Imposing ACA Penalties — Including to Governmental Entities OMB Compliance Supplements OPEB, What You Need to Know Public Funds and Secure Deposit Program Rotating or Not Rotating Auditors Property Tax Assessments Remote Auditing Best Practices Refunding Debt Sales & Use Taxes on Retail Sales of Jet Fuel Sales Tax Collections and Remittances by the State SAS Clarity Standards and Group Audits Single Audit, including Uniform Guidance (several) Social Security Administration (SSA) Incentive Payments Special Purpose Local Option Sales Taxes (SPLOST) Expenditures Subrecipient Risk Assessment Tool Supplemental Social Security for Inmates The New Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — Impact on Bond Refunding Uniform Guidance & New Procurement Requirements What's Happening with Property Tax Assessments City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve You are the best auditors 1 have ever worked with over my career. It is a big difference having a group that is dedicated to governmental accounting. Wesley Ropp, Charleston Water System, Chief Financial Officer INDUSTRY EXPERTISE / PROACTIVE SERVICE / PROVEN RESULTS 60 Page 187 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Auditor's Discussion & Analysis During the course of serving our clients, we stress the importance of timely and frequent communication. Such communication takes place throughout the audit and throughout the year, and includes proactive communications regarding new and upcoming accounting standards and auditing standards, as well as, the availability to answer questions and provide advice to the government. We believe such communication is a key to providing timely value-added service to our clients. At the conclusion of the audit process, Mauldin & Jenkins prepares an Auditor's Discussion & Analysis (formerly called the Audit Agenda) which provides auditor insight and summarizes the audit process, conclusions, and year-end financial analysis all under one cover. Elements of the Auditor's Discussion & Analysis include the following: • Information about the Firm, and the respective personnel serving the government; • Results of the audit and other matters which should be emphasized to the governing board; • An overview of the governments year-end financial results and auditor insights relative to key financial elements of the government; • An understanding of the internal control/compliance audit reports and the results of our testing of internal controls and compliance with laws and regulations; • A summary of certain audit scopes and procedures utilized by Mauldin & Jenkins during the audit process; • Documentation of certain required communications as required by auditing standards; • If applicable, a summary of any findings (material weaknesses and/or significant deficiencies) and management recommendations resulting from the audit; • Practical information regarding upcoming new financial reporting and auditing standards and pronouncements affecting the government; • A summary of the free continuing education and newsletters made available to the government during the past year. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 61 Page 188 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Mauldin & Jenkins Partner Joel Black Appointed GASB Chairman In 2020, the Financial Accounting Foundation's board of trustees appointed Joel Black, partner -in -charge of Mauldin & Jenkins audit practice, the next Chairman of the ` Governmental Accounting Standards Board. "I am very excited to take on this new professional challenge. I have been immersed my entire adult life in the important, complex world of governmental accounting. I am eager to join my new colleagues in the mission to establish and improve accounting standards, and to engage with the remarkably diverse groups of stakeholders who care so much about public sector financial reporting." "Joel Black has a longstanding and demonstrated commitment to the mission and work of the GASB and will make an excellent chair," said Financial Accounting Foundation Chairman Kathy Casey in a statement. "He brings extensive knowledge and experience to the role and has genuine appreciation for the opportunities and challenges that our stakeholders face as accounting standards change. We are pleased to welcome him to the organization and look forward to his future leadership." INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 62 Page 189 of 1454 >,A4rTj- Fee Schedule City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve As requested by the City, we have enclosed on the following pages an all-inclusive maximum fee for the financial and compliance audit services for the fiscal years noted in the Request for Proposal. The below cost schedule contains all pricing information relative to the performance of the audit. SCHEDULE OF PROFESSIONAL FEES AND EXPENSES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE 2024 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Hours Hourly Rate Total Partners 100 $285 $ 28,500 Managers 125 225 28,125 Staff Professionals 175 175 30,625 Total for Services Described in RFP 400 87,250 Out-of-pocket expenses: Meals and lodging 2,000 Transportation 1,500 Mauldin & Jenkins discount from standard fees and expenses (15,750) I all inclusive not to exceed price for 2024 audit $ 75,000 Amount of Professional Services, in hours, allowed for 2024 year without additional cost (such services include phone calls & continuing education) 30 SCHEDULE OF PROFESSIONAL FEES AND EXPENSES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE 2025 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Hours Hourly Rate Total Partners 95 $290 $ 27,550 Managers 120 230 27,600 Staff Professionals 160 180 28,800 Total for Services Described in RFP 375 83,950 Out-of-pocket expenses: Meals and lodging 2,000 Transportation 1,500 Mauldin & Jenkins discount from standard fees and expenses (10,450) I all inclusive not to exceed price for 2025 audit $ 77,000 Amount of Professional Services, in hours, allowed for 2025 year without additional cost (such services include phone calls & continuing education) 30 INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 63 Page 190 of 1454 4-i City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve SCHEDULE OF PROFESSIONAL FEES AND EXPENSES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE 2026 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Hours Hourly Rate Total Partners 95 $295 $ 28,025 Managers 120 235 28,200 Staff Professionals 160 185 29,600 Total for Services Described in RFP 375 85,825 Out-of-pocket expenses: Meals and lodging 2,000 Transportation 1,500 Mauldin & Jenkins discount from standard fees and expenses (10,325) Total all inclusive not to exceed price for 2026 audit $ 79,000 Amount of Professional Services, in hours, allowed for 2026 year without additional cost (such services include phone calls & continuing education) 30 Important Notes to be Considered: Note (1) — Unlimited Correspondence: It is Mauldin & Jenkins' policy to not charge for simple discussions and conversations that occur between the governmental entity and Mauldin & Jenkins that are only simple discussions (i.e., a phone call to ask certain questions that do not require additional research). Note (2) — Free Periodic/Quarterly Continuing Education: As noted in our technical proposal, we provide free quarterly continuing education classes to our clients. This could amount to approximately $3,000 of annual savings for the Government's estimated finance department per person. Note (3) — Additional Services: If it should become necessary for the City to request Mauldin & Jenkins to provide any additional services (such as bond issurances, etc.), then such additional work shall be performed only if set forth in an addendum to the contract between the City and Mauldin & Jenkins. Note (4) — No Hidden Fees or Costs: The pricing schedules contain all pricing information relative to performance of the audit as required by the City including all reimbursement for travel, lodging, communications, etc. Our estimated number of hours and the associated fee estimate indicated are based on our professional judgment and experience with similar governmental entities. So long as there are no significant changes in the operations or the number of major programs of the City and or the scope of services requested or significant problems requiring additional time, our quoted fees will not change. Note (5) — Single Audit: The above fees include the Single Audit of two (2) major programs. If additional major programs are required, we would propose an additional fee of $7,000 per major program. INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 64 Page 191 of 1454 City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal to Serve Closing We appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the City of Dubuque, Iowa. We believe Mauldin & Jenkins is the "right" Firm for the City. Our experience and knowledge in the governmental sector of accounting is vast and ever improving. We would be very pleased to share our experience and understanding of governmental accounting and operations for the benefit of the City. We would greatly appreciate your recommending us for your audit, accounting, and financial reporting needs. As we mentioned in our Transmittal Letter, we are ready to begin the City's audit immediately. Should you or anyone at the City have any questions with regards to this proposal or about Mauldin & Jenkins, please feel free to contact us. MAULDIN&JENKINS CPAs & ADVISORS INDUSTRY EXPERTISE/ PROACTIVE SERVICE/ PROVEN RESULTS 65 Page 192 of 1454 MAULDIN&JENKINS CPAs & ADVISORS 800-277-0050 www.mjcpa.com Page 1 of 1454