Audit Committee

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes | View Agendas and Minutes 2011 and Older

Members

  • Doug Farrington, Chair
  • Leonetta Scappini, Secretary
  • Kathryn Cohen
  • Andrw Sanders
  • Judd Caplain
  • Tom  Mayo
  • Susan  Nickerson

About the Committee

Article 23: That the Town establish an Audit Committee to assist in the selection and monitoring of an independent auditing firm to conduct annual audits of the financial statements of the Town. The voting members of the Audit Committee will consist of 5 citizens of the Town, of whom 3 members will be appointed by the Moderator and 2 members will be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The initial terms of appointment will commence July 1, 2010 and will be staggered as follows: the 3 members appointed by the Moderator will be appointed to terms of 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. The 2 members appointed by the Board of Selectmen will be appointed for terms of 2 and 3 years, respectively. Thereafter all terms will be for 3 years. No members may serve for more than 2 consecutive 3-year terms, not including service for a shorter term or to fill a vacancy for the unexpired portion of a 3-year term.


Annual Audit

Under the direction of the Selectmen, the Audit Committee will ask the Town Administrator to issue, at least every 3 years, a Request for Proposals for an independent auditing firm to conduct, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, an annual audit of the financial statements of the Town. The Audit Committee will recommend to the Board of Selectmen the firm to conduct the audit.


The Audit Committee will supervise and review the conduct of the audit and its relationship with the Town. To maintain the independence and transparency of the Audit Committee, both in appearance and in fact, voting members shall be citizens of Hingham, volunteers, not otherwise employed by the Town or serving on a Town elected or appointed committee or board. The Town Administrator and the Town Accountant/Finance Director shall serve as non-voting members of the Committee. The Chairman of the Advisory Committee shall appoint 2 of its members to serve as liaisons to the Audit Committee.


Public Sessions

The Audit Committee shall meet in public session at least 4 times per fiscal year; shall appoint a chairman annually with no individual member serving as chairman for more than 3 consecutive years; and shall periodically report to the Town at an open meeting to the Board of Selectmen on its activities and findings.


Charter

The Audit Committee shall establish a charter (PDF) for its work and annually review that charter with the Board of Selectmen.