North Cook News

Bartlett council members recently discussed the future of its village auditor's contract during the Feb. 21 Bartlett village board meeting. 

Finance Committee Chair and Village Trustee Raymond Deyne said that the village has used Lauterbach and Amen, an accounting and finance firm out of Naperville, to do its annual audits since 2015. Lauterbach and Amen does the auditing for many area municipalities. 

Since the village has been with the firm for several years, it was suggested that the village looks into other potential audit firms, as its contract with Lauterbach and Amen ended in 2022. The council put out contracts for auditing services and received only two responses by the January deadline.

One of the contracts was from Lauterbach and Amen with a reduced price quote, and the other was from Sikich LLP, an auditor used by the village eight years prior to its agreement with Lauterbach and Amen. The lower quote came from Lauterbach and Amen, and was all-inclusive for expected costs. It was suggested, however, that the village switch firms and award the contract to Sikich LLP to prevent complacency.

"Both audit firms have extensive government auditing experience, including the GSF or a Certificate of Achievement of Excellence in financial reporting," Deyne said at the meeting. "Both firms are more qualified to be the auditor of the village department. Despite the higher price, staff recommended that they award the contract, that the contract be awarded to Sikich LLP at a three-year price of $133,440, plus additional costs relating to implementing the new GSP accounting pronouncements. This recommendation is based on the premise that it is a good practice to rotate auditing firms to ensure objectivity and have a fresh set of eyes look at the village financials."

Village board members, however, were concerned over the potential change. They were very pleased with the work and relationship with Lauterbach and Amen and saw no reason to stop working with them. Plus, the other contract would cost up to $8,000 more. 

Some village staff members also agreed that it would be easier for them to stay with their current firm. After a discussion, the village board decided to renew its contract with Lauterbach and Amen at a later date.