A Prayer of Faith

April General Conference marks the passing of the old year and the beginning of a new one. There are reports of missionaries, baptisms, wards, stakes, children of record, prominent members who have passed away since last April, read by the secretary to the First Presidency. There is business at hand, calling and releasing leaders, votes of thanks, votes of sustaining, generally conducted by a member of the First Presidency. Somewhere in there, usually right in between, comes my fix–I’m an audit groupie.

The Audit Department Report is a letter to the First Presidency outlining the results of their analysis of Church funds for the previous calendar year. Each report describes the Council of the Tithes, which contains the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Presiding Bishpric as it has been revealed. Each report explains about the separation of the Audit Department from the rest of the Church Organization. Each report comes to the same conclusion, that “in all material respects” money and other donations coming in and budget expenses going out along with the safeguarding of Church assets have been made in accordance with proper Church procedure.

Robert W. Cantwell, Managing Director Church Auditing Department, read the 2005 report at the 2006 Annual General Conference. I listened carefully, and found something different. It was brief! 211 words, from salutation to sign-off. This is by far the shortest report I’ve heard or read in over 30 years.

Church Finance Committee 1976– 417 words (the church changed financial year end, so it was a 16 month report including parts of 1975, references obtaining new technologies for better accounting practices and cooperation with tax officials.)

Church Audit Committee 1980– 431 words (explains more of what Audit dept. does, includes technology specs, specific mentions of compliance with federal state and foreign governments in tax affairs)

Church Audit Committee 1995– 388 words (explains access to types of records throughout church and includes details on types of audits, mentions professional accounting standards)

Church Audit Committee 1999– 329 words (financial activities of Church-affiliated organizations and higher learning institutions not looked at, but verified that public accounting firms were handling those audits)

Church Audit Committee 2000– 485 words. (includes descriptions of certified and credentialed employees, explains risk factor for audits, compliance with IIA and AICPA standards, “Budgeting, controllership, accounting and reporting systems, and management’s corrective action plan progress for audit comments raised were audited and reported.”)

The Church works very hard to keep honesty and integrity at the forefront of its financial dealings. Managing Director Wesley L Jones’ report for 2000 was just what was needed with the major accounting scandals happening all around the US. I think it wise that the Lord would direct His servants to be extra vigilant in a time of fraud and “creative accounting“.

I find it comforting that my faith, er, my tithes and offerings, are carefully watched over and that we as a church may know that care continues by the reading of the reports. I’ll look for you again, Brother Cantwell, in 2007. Happy Trails and Auditing to you!

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 8th, 2006 at 6:54 am and is filed under True and Living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.