HomeMy WebLinkAboutAlbrecht, Viggiano, Zureck ]{T,T~A. BETH A. I~-F. VTT.T,E
TOWN CLERK
REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS
MARRIAGE OFFICER
RECORDS MANAGEMENT OFFICER
FREEDOM OF INFOR1VI~TION OFFICER
Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, New York 11971
Fax (631) 765-0145
Telephone (631) 766-1800
southoldtowmnorihforkmet
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
August 18, 2003
William A. Klein, Jr., CPA
Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, P.C.
25 Suffolk Court
ltauppauge, New York 11788
Dear Mr. Klein:
Transmitted is a fully executed copy of the proposals signed by Supervisor Horton for audit of
the general purpose financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2003
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 765-1800.
Very truly yours,
Elizabeth A. Neville
Southold Town Clerk
cc: Town Comptroller
Town Attorney
Enclosures
1.,'.Li Z Al I F.T}I ' :~...NIEVI1.1 .g
Town Hall; 53095 Main Road
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, New York 11971
Fax (631.) 765.6145
Telephone (63t) 765-1800
sou~holdtown.nor thfork.net
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAI' THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION NO. 487 OF 2003
WAS ADOPTED AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD
ON AUGUST 12, 2003:
RF~OL?v~ED that thc Town Board of the Town of Southold hereby authorizes Supervisor
~orton to execute an agreement with Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, P.C. for
profess~ronal services related to the 2003 year end audit.
Elizabeth A. Neville
Southold Town Clerk
)tubrechT, V_iggiano,
reck & Company, P.C.
July 31, 2003
Town Board
Town of Southo d
Southold, NY 11971
Atth: Joshua Horton. Supervisor
We are pleased to confirm our understanding of the services we are to provide the Town of Southold
for the year ended December 31,2003
We will audit the general purpose financial statements of the Town of Southo d as of and for the year
ended EJ~cember 31, 2003. The objective of our audit will be the expression of an opinion as to
whether the genera purpose fnanca statements are fairly presented, n all material respects, in
conformity with genera y accepted accounting principles and to report on the fairness of the additional
information when considered n relation to the general purpose financial statements taken as a whole.
Our audit will.be a s~ngle audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;
the stand, ai'ds;for: , ~ fnanca audts contaned n Government Auditina_ Standards. issued by the
Compteoller. Geperal of the U~ited States the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996; and the provisions
of OMB CircL~la~r A-133 Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit OrganiZations, and will
include tess 'bi the accounting records of the Town of Southold and other procedures we consider
necessary go;. enable us to express an unqualified op~mon that the general purpose financial
statemenTt(S) are fairly presented, in all material respects, in conformity with genera y accepted
accounting ~ripciples and to report on the schedule Of expend tures of federa awards and on the Town
of Sot~tl~(~ld s:, compliance with laws and regulat~o'ns and the prov~sons of contracts and grant
agree~er~s~i an~d its internal controls as required for a single' audit. If our op nion On the f n~nc a
statement!~ !~s ?ttier than unq~la fed we w -fU y d scuss the reasor~s wth you n advance If for any
reason we are unab e to comp ete the s~ng e audit, we w not ssue a report as a resu t of this
engagemem.
The manag;eme, nt of the Town of Southold is responsible for establishing and maintaining internal
controli Id {ulfilling this responsibility, es(imates and judgments by management are required to assess
the expect, e8 benefits and related costs~ of the controls. The objectives of internal control are to provide
manag~men, t with reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that assets are safeguarded against loss
from ~nlautl~o¢ized use or disPosition, that transactions are executed in accordance with management's
authorizattohs and recorded properly to permit the preparation of general purpose financial statemer~ts
~n accordance with genera y accepted accounting pr nc pies -and that federal award programs are
managed n c~Smpliance w th app c~b e aws and r~gu at ons and the Drovis ons of contracts and grant
agreernents,
25 SUFFOLK COURT · HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORk 11788 · (6311 434-9500 · FAX (631) 434-9518
Town of Southold
July 31, 2003
Page 2
In planning and performing our audits for the year ended December 31, 2003, we will consider the
internal control in order to determine our auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinions
on the Town of Southold's general purpose financial statements and on its compliance with
requireme, nts applicable to major p:r, ograms and to report on internal control in accordance with OMB,
Circular A-133, and not to provid~ assurance on the internal control.
We will obtain an understanding of~ the design of the relevant controls and whether they have been
placed in operation, and we will assess control risk. Tests of controls may be performed to test the
effectiveness of certain controls that we consider relevant to preventing and detecting errors and fraud
that are ~atada,I to the general p,u. rBose financial stateme~s and to preventing ,and detecting
mi~t?m,e~i~ resulting ,~rom i]l,_,egal .a~ts aild',iother noncompliance matters that have a direcl and
matedal ~ffect, on th,e general, i~'ur, R'~se fi~n~ia/statements, (;-t-ests of contro s are requ red Ohly if
con,tr, ei dsk is; assesSCd,b¢0w';~l~e ~glui~ love ~) Our tes~:s i¢ performed, w'l be ess '~: Sc0pe fhan
weul~ be neces,sa~ to reredos, an op~n~on en riterna, contro and, accordmgy, no. op~non w~ be
expressed.
We will perform tests of controls, as required by OMB Circular A-133, to. evaluate the effectiveness of
the design and operation of controls that we consider relevant to preventing or detecting material
noncompliance with cornplianoe requirements, applicable to each of the Town of Southold's major
federal award programs. Our tests will be less in scope than would be necessary to render an opimon
on these controls and, accordingly, no opinion will be expressed.
We will inform you of any matters involving internal controls and its operation that we consider to be
reportable conditions under standards established by the Amedcan Institute of Certified Public
Accountants. Reportable conditions involve matters coming to our attention relating to significant
deficiencies in the design or operation of,the internal control that, in our judgment, could adversely
affect the entity's ability to record, p¢ocess, summarize, and report financial data consistent with the
assertions of management in. the general purpose financial statements. We will also inform you of any
nonreportabie conditions or other mat~ers involving internal control, if any, as required by OMB Circular
A-133.
Compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements to the Town of Southold is the
responsibility of the Town of Southold's management. As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about
whether tne general purpose financial statements are free of matedal misstatement, we will perform
tests of the Town of Southold's compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of
Contracts and grant agreements. However,' the objective of our audit will not be to provide an opinion
on overall compliance with such prowsions, and:we will not express such an opinion.
Our audit will be conducted in accordance with the standards referred to in the second paragraph.
OMB Circular A-133 requires that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the auditee has complied with applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of contracts
and grant agreements. Our procedures will consist of the applicable procedures described in the
OMB's compliance supplement. The purpose of our audit will be to express an 0p~nion on the Town of
Southold's compliance With requirements applicable to major programs.
Our procedures will include tests of documentary evidence supporting the transactions recorded in the
accounts, and may include tests of the physical existence of inventories, and direct confirmation of
receivables and certain other assets and liabilities by correspondence with selected individuals,
creditors, and financial institutions, We will request wdtten representations from your attorneys as part
of the engagement, and they may bill you for responding to this inquiry. At the conclusion of our audit,
we will also request certain written representations from you about the financial statements and related
matters.
Town: of Southold
July 31, 2003
Page 3
An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements; therefore, our audit will involve judgment about the number of transactions to be
exarcir~ed and the areas to be tested. Aisc, we will p an- and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
'ass~nce about whether the financial statements are fr_e~e of ~na~era misstatement. As required by
,ttie Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 and OMB Circular A-133, our audit wiii include tests of
transa~bns related (~) federal aware programs for tempi anc~ with, applicable taws and regulations and
the',p.~.rpv[s 0ns, Q:f 'CpntraC,ts. . , and g r~¢.;~ ag.~-eements . Because~ ortho ~once pt of reasonab e assu r,n.a ce
and~b~;au,se we w~l~ not perform a detailed examination o3 all t ;ransactions~ there is a risk that material
e('ro~:~, frauci~, or illegal a6t~, may eXiSt and r~ot be~db{~cteOL~y tJs~ Ho'we"er We wi inform you of apy
matena[ errors and ~ny fJ'a~u¢ that cpmes t~our atte,n;tiort; We wiA al.s,~, infi3.m3 yeq of any~other ,illegal
acts ~b~ ~,~om.e,?e o~r :.a~E,~n¢.gn~ ~SS Cloafl~ ~con~lue~a]~ ~/,e:~l ~ndade such matter~ ~n ~e
toporr!~ req,ui'ro~:!' for ~' sin'gl~ ?~cl,!,t; O;u~.Fe. 8p.o~.s?]!t~ :as~audi .~rS, is. lit~iT,~: to the~ped0~d :C:o~,er'edi by. Our
audit ar;d .does not extend ~(~;m~t~e~s ~htat'mfgl~ arise ~ldrin¢ any fair pei;[e~l~s for~ W~i¢h~-w:e ~& f~-nt
enoagcd as audilors,
We U~derstand that you will provide us with the basic information required for our audit and that you are
resp~J~sib e for the accuracy and completeness of ~hat information. We wil;l advise you about
approprtato acdoun;ing principles and the!r application and will assist in the preparation of, yoUrfinancial
state~ents..';,Jr tho res:x)nsibilit.~, Ior the financial statements remains wi.th you. This 'respQnsibility
incbd~s tt:o esL;~.~)lish ~c ~[ ~r~,,..' ~a ~Le anco of'adeau~te reOor4:ls and re ate~l controls' tl~ Se~eni'Jc, n
and a, pp!~6'~t~on of acceun,,ting pp,nc,~ples and the s~eguard~ng of assets. Madage(nept is also
reSp~sibl9, fo~ fdenti;f.y P~g a;n~ en,s,~,r~ng fhat U~e enti~ ~ompli:es w~ applicable laws an~ ~egulatiorts
and t~e I~r~dvisipns O,f'co~t~ot§ ~tnd, 9:¢aht agreements. ~¢e un~lerstand that your employ~ ~il:l:loCate
any d~c~ehts S'el:~bte~"~)¥ U~,fOr i~e~rig~
The i~plementation of'Ge~/ernmegta[ Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No 34 s now
man~ted, for ai~ gove?'h~e~tall ¢~[(tie§ .preparing financial s~ate~ents in accordance with U. S.
gene~a[ly~, accepted acc~u'n~ing.;, prir~,c~leS~, , .GASB .... No 34 requ res dramatic changes to the. presentat on
of g~ernr~eatal ffnan,ci~t, st, a{eme~ts;re_~U~nng additional financial statements prepared on a different
meth~d of ac,co~ntfng;:'~hanges ih i-e~rd keeping in order to fac'i itate the new account ng and
add:iti,bnal~isbi,oS:Ures a~d mauage~e~nt 8 discussion and analysis in the financial statements. The new
repor~ir~g;,model r'eq~ire~at a mirlimum:
· Managerdent's Dtsc~ssion and Analysis
· Government Wide Financial!:Statements and Fund Financial Statements
· Notes to Financial S~atemer~ts
· Required Supplementary Infbr~nat~on
Under GASB 34, capital asslets should be reported at historica cost The cost of a capital asset shou d
include capitalized i~tere~t ~ndl an¢lary charges necessary to place the asset into its intended Iocat on
and condition for use. A6Ci~ry oh~rg,es incl,ude costs that are d rectly attributable to asset acqu s t on -
such as f~eieht,and tra~s~a, ti0nl c?rges site preparaton costs and profess onal fees. Donated
capital assets should be re~)orted at ~he r est mated fair value at the time of acquisition )lus ancillary
charges, if any.
Capital assets includes land, improvements to land, easements, buildings, building ~mprovements,
vehicles, machinery, equipment, works of art and historical treasures, infrastructure and all other
tangible or intangible assets that are. used ~n operations and that have initial useful lives extending
beyond a single reporting period. Infrastructure assets are long-lived capital assets that normally are
stationary in nature and normally can be preserved for a significantly greater number of years than
most capital assets. Examples of infrastructure assets include roads, bridges., tunnels, drainage
systems, water and sewer systems, dams and lighting systems. Buildings, except those that are an
ancillary part of a network of infrastructure assets, should not be considered infrastructure assets for
purposes of this Statement.
Town of Southold
July 31,2003
Page 4
Governments should provide detail in the notes To the financial statements about capital assets and
Iong-teYm liabilities of the primary government reported in the statement of net assets. The information
disclosed should be divided into major classes of capital ,assets and long-term liabilities as well as
between-those assocated with governmental activities and thos, e associated with busness-type
activ~t(es. CaPital assets that are not being depreciated should, be d~sclosed separately from those that
are b~ng deprec Uteri.
Information presented about major classes of capital assets should include:
a. Beginning - and end-of-year balances (regardless of whether beginning-of-year balances are
pre~en?d On the face of the government-wide fiflancial' statements) with a~'cumulated
depreSia[10n presaged separately fi"om historical cost. ·
b. Capitai abq uisj~tions
c. Sales.6'r.0th~ei*. dispesitions
d. Currenl~._.l~.¢rb~d. deprecat on, expense wth dscosure of the amounts charged to each of the
unct er~s ~n the Statement of ack,wries.
The initial capitalization amount should be based on historical cost. If determining historical cost is not
practical because of inadequate records, estimated historical cost may be used.
We anticipate that the financiat statements prepared by you will be ~n accordance with these current
standards.
The work papers for this engagement are the property of Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck and Company,
P.C. and constitute confidential information. However, we may be requested to make certain
workpapers are available to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of
Labor pursuant to authority given to it by law or regulation. If requested, access to such workpapers
will be provided under the supervision of Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck and Company, P.C. personnel.
Furthermore, upon request, we may provide photocopies of selected workpapers to the Department of
Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Labor. The Department of Housing and
Urban Development and the Department of Labor may intend, or decide, to distribute the photocopies
or information contained therein to others, including other governmental agencies.
We expect to begin our audit on approximately Apdl 15, 2004 and to issue our reports no later than
June 30, 2004.
Our fee for the audit services will be at our standard hourly rates plus out-of-pocket costs (such as
report reproduction, typing, postage, travel, copies, telephone, etc.) except that we agree that our gross
fee, including expenses will consist of a base audit fee of $20,000, plus $10,000 for the additional
auditing requirements required by GASB 34. This includes the audit of the government-wide financial
statements, audit of the infrastructure, review of Management discussion & analysis as well as
assistance with inventory and additional disclosures required by GASB 34. If the Town's is required to
have an audit of the federal grants and awards received, there will be an additional fee for the audit of
federal grants and awards of $3,000 ~er major program.
Our standard hourly rates vary according to the degree of responsibility involved and the experience
level of the personnel assigned to your audit. Our invoices for these fees will ~e rendered each month
as work progresses and are payable on presentation. The above fee is based on anticipated
cooperation from your personnel and the assumption that unexpected circumstances will not be
encountered during the audit. If significant additional time is necessary, we will discuss it with you and
arrive at a new fee estimate before we incur the additional costs.
ToWn of SoUthoid
July 31, 2003
Page 5
In light of thi.,s being the first year the Town is reporting the financial statements under GASB 34; and for
this, 'reasOn you e~pressed concerns and the ~esire to dbtath the necessary guidance during this
transition~ ~Te as ~n' accounting firm that s familiar With both your personne an~ the requ reme~ts of
G/~sB 34 will be a~allab'le f0r~ consulting services during t~e imp ementat on phase Whici~ will include
assiStance in .valuing nfrastrUcture assets of the ToWn, as well as answering any questions you may
have rega~,di~g, restatement of fund ba ances, MD&A etc. We estimate our fees for these consulting
SenCi~s t~ b~',approximate!y $~0,'000. If h(~wever; this estimate does hot seem sufficient we will
.d:iscu~S with~ you ~e de~a sand': c mumstances before performing se~ ces beyond th ~ estimate
Go~er8~n,t A~diti~g Standards -~ 1994 Revision requires that we provide you with a copy. Of our most
recentqual{,~ epntrol report. Our 2002 peer review reportacoo,m]~an~es,tlt~eletter.
We apprec, ;.ate the o, pBortun., . ty: to be o~f service to the, Town of South,oM .and hal eve this etter accurate y
summari~zeS;r~he $ig~i~nt tb,:rms of o~Jr erigagement, lf~you have anyqt~stions please let us know. If
you iagr;e'e:~it§ thE~ ~r~sbf ~ur ertg~gement ~S dbscrib~d in this letter; i~lease s~n the enclosed copy
an~l r~[urn ¢it~o Us.
Very tru y yours,
/
William A K ein, Jr for
ALBRECHT, VlGGIANO ZURECK & COMPANY, P.Cl
WAFJklb
Enclosure
RESPONSE:
This letter correctly sets forth the understanding of
TOWN OF ;~OUTHOLD, NEW YORK
By: ,
2" Joshua Y. Horton
/
Title://. Suoervisor,bTown of Southold
Date:
August 14, 2003
Albrecht, Viggiano,
Zureck & Company, P.C.
CE wiz Ed PuZ [ic Accou wmvws
MICHAEL O. COLLINS, CpA i~' 1 ~
May 1,2003
Town Board
Town of Southold
Southold NY 11971
Attn: Joshua Horton, Supervisor:
We are pleased to confirm our understanding of the services we are to provide for the Town
of Southo~d, New York for the year ended December 31, 2002.
We will audit the general purpose financial statements and grants of the Town of Southold,
New York as of and for the year ended December 31 2002.
Our audit will be a Single Audit conducted ~n accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards; the standards for financial audits Contained ir{ Government Auditing Standards;
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; the Single Audit Act of 1984; the
SingleAudit Act Amendments of 1996; and the provisions of OMB Circular A-133. and will
include tests of the accounting records of the Town of Southold. New York and other
procedures we consider necessary to enable us to express an unqualified opinion that the
financial statements are f.a.,iriy presented, in all material respects, In conformity with generally
accepted accounting prihciples and to report on the Schedue of Federal Financial
Assistance and on the Town of Southold, New York's compliance with laws and regulations
and its internal controls as required for a Single Audit.
We will take into consideration the internal accounting and administrative controls. We will
obtain an understanding of these controls and will test these controls where appropriate.
Our consideration of the internal control environment is necessary in order to determine the
extent of audit procedures for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the general purpose
financial statements. Also, matters of internal controls that we feel could be improved,
together with our recommendations, would be presented to you for consideration
25 SUFFOLK COURT · HAUPPAUGE NEW YORK 11788. (631) 434-9500. FAX (631) 434~9518
Town of Southold
May 1, 2003
Page 2
Our procedures will include tests and documentary evidence supporting the transactions
recorded in the accounts, and may include tests,of the physical existence of ~ventodes,
and direct confirmation of receivables and certain other assets and liabilities by
correspondence with selected funding sources, creditorS, and financial institutions. We will
request written representations from your attorneys as part of the engagement,, and they
may bill you for. responding t~ this inquiry. At the conclusion of our audit, we will also
request certail~ written represehtations fro~ you about the financial statements and related
matters.
An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the fina,q~ial;statements, therefore, our audit will i~volve judgmen{ about the
number of transactions to be examined and the areas to be tested. Also, we will: plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free. of matedat misstatement. However. because of the concept of ~asonable
assurance and be.;c...ause we will not perform a detailed examination of all ttansactipns, ~here
s a r sk that mate~ al .errors~ 'rregu aritieS, or il egal acl:s, includ ~g fraud or defa ~bns, may
exist' and hot be dete, cted ~ us. We will advise, you, however, of any matters of t, hat nature
that come to our attention. Opr raspons bility as auditors are imited to, the. peri;~d .covered
by ,our audit and does hot. extend: to matters.that might arise, during any later ~er~ods for
Wh ch we are not eng'aged as auditorS.
We'. understand that~you will, provide us with the basic information required for our audit and
that you are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of that information. We will
advise you about appropriate accounting principles and their application and will assist in
the' preparatio~ of your financial statements, but the responsibility for the financial
statemen,ts remains, with you. This responsibility includes the maintenance of adequate
records and~ related, internal control structure policies and procedures~ the selection and
application of accounting principles, and the.safeguarding of assets.
it is our understanding that the Town will prepare its Annual Update Document (New York
State financial report). We will be available to advise and assist in the preparation of this
document We will als~) be available to advise you during audits performed by New York
State Department of Aadit and Control. It is.; our understanding that the Annual Update
Document will be complete e, long with supporting documentation no later than April 30 so
that we may issue our report by June 30.
We will prepare a list of the reports, schedules and reconciliations necessary to perform the
audit and prepare the fibancial statements. These documents are traditionally requested of
the client during the audit.
Our audit is not specifically designed and cannot be relied on to disclose reportable
conditions, that is, significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the internal control
structure. However, dudng the audit, if we become aware of such reportable conditions or
ways that we believe management practices can be improved, we will communicate them to
you in a separate letter.
Town of Southold
May 1, 2003
Page 3
Our fees for services are based on the number of hours required to complete our
assignment and our current billing rates. Our time records are maintained on detailed
computerized ledger sheets and are available for inspection.
Our fees for the audit services; described above shall not exceed $19,000 for the audit for
the year ending December 31, 2002. All bills are due and payable upon receipt and we
reserve the right to discontinue work on the engagement if invoices are not paid within 30
days after receipt. This fee proposal represents a discount from our standard hourly rates
as the estimated: hours are substantial y more than our fee proposal indicates. However
these, are the bo~rs we~ant~iPa~te devoti-ng to. this e9gagem, ent and furth.~r demonstrate our
¢ommitment'totheT~ (~f SQuthold. An:y.additional special~workwou!~ be p,efformed~only
after your. approvaJ, arid we Would, f.u. rniSh you wJfft ar~ eS~timat~e of our fee before we
proceed Addi'~iOnally. the abovementioned fee does not include services provided in
~:onjunctJon With the implementa[ion of GASB 34; as described belo~N. '
GASB 34
The implementation of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No.
34 is now mandated for all governmental entities preparing financial statements 'n
accordance with U. S. generally accepted ac, counting principles. GASB No. 34 requires
dramatic changes to the. presentation of governmental financial statements requiring
additional financial statements prepared, on a different method of accounting; changes in
record keeping in order to facilitate the new accounting and additional disclosures and
management's d,iscussion and analysis in the financial statements. The new reporting
model requires at a minimum:
a. Management's Discussion and AnaJysis
b. Government Wid~e Rnancial Statements and Fund Financial Statements
c. Notes to Financi;al Statements
d. Required Supple~ne~ary Information
Under GASB 34, capital assets should be reported at historical cost. The cost of a capital
asset should include capitalized interest and ancillary charges necessary to place the asset
into its ntended location and condition for use. Ancillary charges include costs that are
directly attributable to asset acquisit on - such as freight and transportation charges, site
preparation costs and :~[o_fessional fees. Donated capital assets should be reported at their
estimated fair value at the time of acquisition plus ancillary charges, if any.
Capital assets includes land, improvements to land. easements, buildings, building
improvements, vehicles, machinery, equipment, works of art and historical treasures,
infrastructure and all other tangible or intangible assets that are used in operations and that
have initial useful lives extending beyond a single reporting period. Infrastructure assets are
long-lived capital assets that normally are stationary in nature and normally can be
preserved for a significantly greater number of years than most capital assets. Examples of
infrastructure assets include roads, bridges, tunnels drainage systems, water and sewer
systems, dams and lighting systems. Buildings, except, those that are an ancillary part of a
network of infrastructure assets, should not be considered infrastructure assets for purposes
of this Statement.
Town of Southold
May 1, 2003
Page 4
GASB 34 (continued)
Governmen~ should provide detail in the notes to the financial statements abput capital
assets and IongAerm liabilities of the primary government reported in. the statement of net
assets. The information disclosed should be divided into major classes of capital assets
and ]ong~term liabilities as well as between those associated with governmental activities
and those associated with business-type acti.,vities. Capital' assets that are not being
depreciated should t~e disclosed separately from 'those that are being depreciated.
Information p:resented ab~ major classes of capital assets.should include:
a. Beginning and end-o~-Year balances (regardless of whetl~er beginning-of~year
balanCeS: are p[esented ~ th.e face, of the ggvemment~[d~ financial statements),
with acCumu!ated dePrec afion pmser~ted seDarately~from, his~torica] cost.
b. Capital acqtriSiffons '
c. Sales or o~he[ d spositions
d. Current-p~riod,depreciation expense, with disclosure of the amounts charged to each
of the fUnCtions in the statement of activities.
The initial cap:ita!iza~on ampunt should be based on historical cost. if determining historical
cost is not prect ~a becau~se 0f nadequate records, estimated historical cost may be used.
The Town of Sot~thold ~zil[ be reqt~ired to implement GASB 34 for the year 2003, and for this
reason you expressed concern~s and the,des re to obtain the necessary guidance during this
transition. We, as an accounting firm that is feral ~ar with both your personne and the
requirements of GASB 34. wilt be available for consulting services during the
implementation phase to the extent allowed: by Government Auditing Standards issued by
the Corn ptroller 'Generei of the United States, which maY include assistance in valuing
infrastructure assets of the Town. Since you have requested our assistance with
preparation for and implemer~tation of GASB 34. we witi bill you separately based upon the
amount of time expended at the regular hourly rates in effect at the time the services are
rendered. Any additional work would be performed only after your approval.
We appreciate the opportunity to be of service of the Town of Southold and believe this
Ietter accurately summarizes the significant terms of our engagement. If you agree with the
terms of our engagement as described in this letter, please sign the enclosed copy and
return it to us.
Very truly yours,
ALBRECHT. VIGGIANO, ZURECK AND COMPANY. P. C.
Eric,
RESPONSE:
This letter correctly sets forth the understanding of:
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD, NEW YORK
Officer's signature: ~
Tithe: Supervisor. Town of Southold Date: 5/21/03