For the fifth straight year, the Water Authority of Great Neck North unanimously approved the Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, P.C. for its internal auditing but agreed to investigate other firms for future jobs.
The board accepted AVZ’s offer which fell $610 less than last years quote before discussing the possibility of changing auditors next year so there would be no questions raised “of any familiarity causing a problem, not necessarily intentionally or non-intentionally,” said Water Authority Vice Chairman Howard Miskin.
All board members present agreed that it would be a good policy to begin to look at other options beginning in May.
“The best policy might be to put out an RFP and the same firm can apply then the board can discuss if there is somebody out there makes a better presentation and go with that,” said board member Jon Kaiman
Board member Ralph Kreitzman agreed with Kaiman regarding the RFP but suggested that a change in auditors could possibly result in a large fee increase due to unfamiliarity with the books in the first year of service and that a judgment should be made next year to determine whether it is worth the switch.
A suggestion by board member Robert Graziano to flip the internal auditor to the external auditor also received favorable response from he board.
Without a vote, the board tentatively agreed to seek the possibility of change and to examine the possible material financial disruption in doing so.
All board members, except J. Leonard Symanksky, were present at the meeting on Watermill Lane.
Reach reporter Rich Jacques by e-mail at rjacques@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x203. Follow Rich Jacques on Twitter at twitter.com/richjacques.
