Orange County NC Website
In providing our services, we will consult with the County with respect to matters of accounting, <br />financial reporting, or other significant business issues. Accordingly, time necessary to affect a <br />reasonable amount of such consultation is reflected in our fee. However, should a matter require <br />research, consultation, or work beyond that amount, Cheny, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. and the <br />County will agree to an appropriate revision in services and fee. <br />Except for any changes in fees, which may result from the circumstances described above, our fees <br />will be limited to those set forth below. <br />FEE <br />Our fees for these services will be based upon our customary billing practices at the time of the <br />engagement. Bills for services will be rendered as work progresses and are due within 15 days from <br />invoice date. A service charge will be added to past due accounts equal to 1'/% per month (18% <br />annual rate) on the previous month's balance less payments received during the month, with a <br />minimum charge of $2.00 per month. The fee for our audit as described in this letterwill not exceed <br />$7,750. This fee is based on anticipated cooperation from your personnel and the assumption that <br />unexpected circumstances will not be encountered during the audit. If significant additional time is <br />necessary, we will discuss it with you and arrive at a new fee estimate before we incur the additional <br />costs. Any modification to the fee shall be in writing and signed by both parties. You agree to pay all <br />costs of collection (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that we may incur in connection withthe <br />collection of unpaid invoices. <br />ACCESS TO WORKING PAPERS <br />• The working papers for the engagement are the property of Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. and <br />constitute confidential information. Except as discussed below, any requests for access to our <br />working papers will be discussed with you prior to making ttem available to requesting parties. <br />The workpapers for this engagement will be retained for a minimum of three years after the date of <br />completion of the schedule or for any additional period requested by the County. If we are aware <br />that a federal or State awarding agency, pass-through entity, or other party is contesting the <br />schedule, we will contact the agency contesting the schedule for guidance prior to destroying the <br />workpapers. <br />Our Firm, as well as all other major accounting firms, participates in a "peer review" program, <br />covering our audit and accounting practices. This program requires that once every three years we <br />subject our quality assurance practices to an examination by another accounting firm. As part of the <br />process, the other firm will review a sample of our work. It is possible that the work we perform for <br />you may be selected by the other firm for their review. If it is, they are bound by professional <br />standards to keep all information confidential. If you object to having the work we do for you <br />reviewed by our peer reviewer, please notify us in writing. <br />USE OF THIRD PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS <br />The firm may from time to time, and depending on the circumstances, use third-party service <br />providers in serving your account. We may share confidential information about you with these <br />service providers, but remain committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of our <br />information. Accordingly, we maintain internal policies, procedures and safeguards to protect the <br />confidentiality of your personal information. In addition, we will secure confidentiality agreements <br />• with all service providers to maintain the confidentiality of your information and we will take <br />reasonable precautions to determine that they have appropriate procedures in place to prevent the <br />unauthorized release of your confidential information to others. <br />