Providing Auditing & Accounting

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1. Cover Letter

January 6, 2016 Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association 1111 H Street Fresno, CA 93721 Attention: Becky Van Wyk, CPA, FCERA Assistant Retirement Administrator Dear Ms. Van Wyk; Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corporation is pleased to respond to your request for proposal to perform professional audit services and to submit our qualifications to continue to perform audits of the financial statements of the Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, 2017, and 2018 with the option to renew for two additional years. We fully understand the work to be performed and are committed to performing the work within your stated time period. Our firm is the best qualified because of our experience providing auditing services to large retirement systems, our involvement with professional organizations, our commitment to delivering on time, and our people. I will be the engagement partner and primary liaison responsible for all services to Fresno County Employees Retirement Association (FCERA), and I am authorized to contractually bind the Firm. I can be contacted at: 4200 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 300, Bakersfield, California 93309, Tel (661) 324-4971, Fax (661) 324-4997 or e-mail: [email protected]. This is also the contact information for the office that will be responsible for the audit. Please call me if I can clarify or expand on any item contained in this proposal. We appreciate the opportunity to provide you with the outstanding service you expect. Sincerely, BROWN ARMSTRONG ACCOUNTANCY CORPORATION By: Rosalva Flores, CPA Firm Principal

Providing Auditing & Accounting Services for Over 40 Years

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2. TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. Cover Letter ................................................................................... i 2. Table of Contents ............................................................................ ii 3. Executive Summary ........................................................................ 1 4. Technical Proposal .......................................................................... 2

A. General Requirements .............................................................. 2 B. Independence .......................................................................... 2 C. License to Practice in California .................................................. 2 D. Firm Qualifications and Experience .............................................. 2 E. Qualifications and Experience of Individuals

Assigned to the Engagement ..................................................... 3 F. Similar Engagements with Other Public Retirement Systems ........... 4 G. Liaison with Other Entities ......................................................... 5 H. Bidder Disclosure ..................................................................... 5 I. Specific Audit Approach ............................................................. 6

5. Dollar Cost Bid ............................................................................... 9 A. Total Not-to-Exceed Maximum Price ............................................ 9 B. Rates by Staff Classification and Anticipated Hours ....................... 10 C. Out-of-Pocket Expenses Included in the Not-to-Exceed Maximum Price ........................................................................ 12 D. Rates for Additional Professional Services .................................... 12 6. Background and Reference Checks .................................................... 13 7. Additional Information and Attachments ............................................. 14 Attachment I – External Quality Control Review Report ........................ 14 Attachment II – Summary of Recent Governmental Experience ............. 15 Attachment III – Resumes of Audit Team Members .............................. 16 Attachment IV – Continuing Professional Education .............................. 22 8. Signature Sheet .............................................................................. 24


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3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Brown Armstrong is one of the largest regional accounting firms in California. Our mission is simple, we set out “to exceed expectations and provide opportunities” for our clients. Our seventy (70) employees in our four (4) offices lead us in achieving this mission by working with our clients to be proactive in implementing new accounting pronouncements efficiently and timely, and continually improving client financial reports. This was proven the last couple of years when we took the lead assisting our clients in implementing GASB Statements No. 67 and 68. We have audited numerous agencies similar to yours for more than four decades. We are experts in governmental accounting and auditing and have assisted numerous clients in receiving the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. We have thoroughly read your request for proposal and performed the due diligence required to ensure that we completely understand the scope of the work to be done for Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association (FCERA). By submitting this proposal, we are committing to perform the required work and issue our reports within FCERA’s time frame. Our firm is the best qualified because of our 1937 Act audit experience, our involvement in SACRS and CALAPRS, and our people. We are the current auditors of several large governmental retirement plans as detailed in Attachment II of this proposal. Most of these clients continue to receive the GFOA Certificate of Achievement Award with several receiving their first award while our client. We are also members of the Center for Public Company Audit Firms Section of the AICPA. Membership requires that we undergo a peer review of our system of quality controls every three years. We have undergone several peer reviews. Participation in organizations such as SACRS and CALAPRS allows us to remain current on all administrative, legal, and accounting issues impacting 1937 Act retirement systems. Our personnel assigned to your engagement are experienced, professional, and take a “team” approach with client personnel in the conduct of the audit. Our technical proposal follows. This proposal is a firm and irrevocable offer for ninety (90) days following January 6, 2016. This proposal will demonstrate to you that we are the best-qualified firm to be your auditors.


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4. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

A. General Requirements This technical proposal will demonstrate to you our qualifications, competence and capacity to perform a quality independent audit of FCERA in accordance with the requirements of your request for proposal. B. Independence Our firm, its shareholders and employees are independent of the Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association (FCERA), as defined by the U.S. General Accounting Office's Government Auditing Standards. We are not currently involved in any litigation with FCERA, the County of Fresno, Superior Courts of California – Fresno County, Clovis Veterans Memorial District, Fresno Madera Area Agency on Aging of Fresno Mosquito & Vector Control District.

C. License to Practice in California Our firm and all assigned key professional staff are properly licensed as denoted to practice in the State of California, and are in good standing with all licensing agencies. D. Firm Qualifications and Experience Our Firm currently employs seventy (70) people, thirty-nine (39) of which are professionals providing audit and accounting services to governmental entities. The majority of services to you will be provided from our main office located at 4200 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 300, Bakersfield, California 93309 (661-324-4971). In addition, staff from our Fresno and Stockton offices will also be working on the engagement. All staff assigned to your engagement will be employed on a full-time basis. The professional staff assigned to your engagement are:

Name Position 1. Rosalva Flores, CPA Engagement Partner 2. Andrew J. Paulden, CPA Technical Review Partner 3. Ashley Casey, CPA Engagement Manager 5. Marybeth Brooks Engagement Senior 6. Rosa Alberto Engagement Staff 7. Mai Xiong, CPA Engagement Staff

We are not proposing as part of a joint venture or consortium.

External Quality Control Reviews As part of our commitment to quality control, our firm is a member of the Center for Public Firms Auditors Section (Center) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). We have completed several External Quality Control reviews under the AICPA's guidance, all of which included one or more governmental audits. Attachment I of this proposal contains a copy of our most recent report. As indicated in that report, our Firm received a peer review rating of “pass,” which is the highest rating available.


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Desk or Field Reviews and Disciplinary Actions In the normal course of business, our firm has been subjected to several field reviews during the past three years. Additionally, all of our reports are subjected to annual desk reviews by federal and state cognizant agencies. All of our reports for the past three years were accepted by these agencies. We have no disciplinary action taken or pending against the Firm during the past three years with state regulatory bodies or professional organizations. E. Qualifications and Experience of Individuals Assigned to the Engagement When you choose Brown Armstrong for your auditing services, you aren’t just choosing an accountant; you’re choosing a resource, a friend, and an expert. You don’t need to dread your upcoming audit, the audit team assigned to your engagement will not only meet the deadlines you have in place, but will work with you to keep you current on the latest regulations. Our professional auditing staff is experienced in working with clients in all levels of the public sector, but the team we have chosen for you have specific skills that make them the best fit for your needs. From our governmental audit staff of thirty-nine (39), we have assembled an audit team consisting of members who are extremely qualified to perform your audit. All team members notated as a CPA are registered or licensed to practice as a certified public accountant in California. Below is an organizational chart of the proposed engagement team structure.

Andrew J. Paulden, CPA Technical Review Partner

Rosa Alberto Engagement Staff

Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association

Rosalva Flores, CPA Engagement Partner

Ashley Casey, CPA Engagement Manager

Marybeth Brooks Engagement Senior

Mai Xiong, CPA Engagement Staff


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Attachments III and IV of this proposal contain detailed resumes of each team member which details their qualifications, experience, and training, including relevant continuing professional education and memberships in professional organizations. The Partner and Manager exceed your requirement of having conducted at least two governmental audits of a defined benefit plan in the last five years. In addition, our firm has experience conducting audits using Governmental Accounting Standards Board No. 67 and No. 68. In fact, we established GASB 67/68 implementation task forces that streamlined the implementation of these new standards. Staff Continuity Our firm policy is to maintain staffing continuity for all audits. In the unlikely event that key team members must be replaced, we will only do so with the acceptance of FCERA. Any staffing replacements during the term of the agreement will have the same or better qualifications and experience of the staff that they replace. The quality of the staff over the term of the agreement will be assured because of our aggressive in-house governmental audit and accounting continuing education classes, and our unexcelled on the job training. Continuing Professional Education Each year Brown Armstrong organizes four days of CPE seminars in Bakersfield (two, two-day sessions covering 32 hours of CPE) for its professional staff and clients’ personnel. One of the two-day CPE seminars is in the middle of January. It covers accounting and auditing updates relating to for-profit businesses (FASB, PCAOB, and SAS). Another two-day CPE seminar covering primarily governmental accounting and auditing updates (GASB, Yellowbook, Single Audit) is typically in May. The course material covers emerging issues, current pronouncements, auditing standards, risk alerts, information systems, reporting issues, and other topics of interest which concern auditing and accounting with an emphasis on governmental issues. Course materials are prepared by professional lecturers, our partners, managers, and seniors based on their own experience, research, and learning. Last year’s attendance included Brown Armstrong professionals and nearly 60 clients and their accounting staff. All staff assigned to governmental entities meets the CPE requirements in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. See Attachment IV for a listing of total continuing professional education hours for the firm for the past two years. In-house training is provided to our junior professional staff annually and covers a range of topics from taxation to information systems. These sessions are usually conducted over several days; both in spring and late fall. Frequently our clients request that members of their accounting divisions be included in our in-house training, and we are happy to help our client’s staff achieve their continuing professional education requirements. F. Similar Engagements with Other Public Retirement Systems Following are the most significant engagements performed by our firm in the last five years that are similar to the engagement for FCERA described in your request for proposal.

1. Los Angeles County Employees’ Retirement Association Date/Scope: June 30, 2003 to present; Audit and GASB 68 Engagement Engagement Partner: Andrew J. Paulden, CPA Total Hours: 1,200 Contact: Richard Bendall, Internal Auditor Phone: (626) 564-6000 E-mail: [email protected]


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2. Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association Date/Scope: December 31, 2004 to present; Audit and GASB 68 Engagement Engagement Partner: Rosalva Flores, CPA Total Hours: 560 Contact: Gail Strohl, Chief Executive Officer Phone: (925) 521-3960 E-mail: [email protected] 3. Sonoma County Employees Retirement Association Date/Scope: December 31, 2005 to present; Audit and GASB 68 Engagement Engagement Partner: Rosalva Flores, CPA Total Hours: 560 Contact: Cathy Austin, Accounting Manager Phone: (707) 565-8119 E-mail: [email protected]

4. Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System Date/Scope: December 31, 2005 to present; Audit and GASB 68 Engagement Engagement Partner: Rosalva Flores, CPA Total Hours: 750 Contact: Rahoof “Wally” Oyewole, Departmental Audit Manager Phone: (213) 978-6897 E-mail: [email protected]

G. Liaison with Other Entities Our Firm will use the following entities to provide us with the access necessary to obtain prompt responses to inquiries arising from technical or procedural questions developed in the course of the engagement:

1. California State Controller, Division of Audits 2. State Association of County Retirement Systems (Associate Member) 3. California Association of Public Retirement Systems (Sponsoring Member) 4. Cal Society of CPA’s, Governmental Accounting & Auditing Committee (Members) 5. Government Finance Officers Association (Members) 6. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants 7. Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 8. Other 1937 Act Clients

We are proud that an alumni of our firm, Jialan Su, is now a project manager at the GASB. Jialan has been a great resource for responding to technical accounting issues. H. Bidder Disclosure Our firm has not been involved in any investigation, examination, compliant, disciplinary action or other proceeding commenced by any state or federal regulatory body or professional organization during the past three (3) years. In addition, there has not been any pending litigation or litigation against our firm in the past three (3) years.


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WORK PLAN

Audit Tasks Staff (#) (Hours) 1. Interim Audit Procedures (May-July) Partner (2) ( 15) Manager (1) ( 35)

Senior (1) ( 60) Planning and Administration Staff (2) (100)

• Review and evaluate FCERA’s accounting and

financial reporting. Prepare an overall memo of recommendations, potential issues, and suggestions for improvements.

• Entrance Conference with Audit Committee and Management to discuss audit approach, timing, assistance, and other issues.

• Prepare audit programs, audit budget and staffing schedule. • Provide information request and critical date schedules to FCERA management.

Internal Control Structure Understanding and Testing

• Obtain and document understanding of the following key internal control systems through walk-throughs, interviews of staff, and review of

supporting documentation: - Investments and related income and expenses - Benefit payments and calculations - Retirement contributions and calculations - Actuarial Information - Government Code and other Laws and Regulations Compliance - Data Processing - Cash transaction and administrative expenses - Other key internal control systems, as necessary

• Test and evaluate effectiveness of the internal control system. Random samples of transactions in key operating systems. Non-statistical sampling. Minimum sample size is 25. Samples selected will be reviewed for adequacy of support and approvals, and degree of adherence to and compliance with FCERA policies. • Provide FCERA’s management with a memo concerning management letter points and issues identified, if any. Laws and Regulations • Review and evaluate FCERA’s procedures for maintaining compliance with Government Code and County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937 (CERL). • Test a sample of transactions and/or information to determine FCERA’s compliance with applicable Government Code and CERL provisions.

I. Specific Audit Approach This section sets forth our understanding of the audit engagement requirements, and a risk-based work plan, including an explanation of the methodology to be followed to perform the engagement. All parts of the audit will focus on FCERA’s strategic goals, core processes and business objectives.


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Other Audit Tasks Review minutes of Board meetings and other key committees. Coordinate with and assist FCERA staff in the preparation of all appropriate

confirmation requests including: o Custodian o Managers o Active and retired participants (Random, non-statistical

sample. Unless FCERA specifies requested sampling method to be used. Minimum sample size is 40 for each classification.)

o Actuary o Employers o Legal o Others, as required

Hold progress conference with FCERA staff.

2. Year End Audit Procedures (October – December) Partner (2) ( 35) Manager (1) ( 65) Senior (1) ( 90) Field Work (October) Staff (2) (150) Clerical (1) ( 10) • Entrance conference with FCERA staff. • Receive and review draft financials. • Reconcile custodian and manager confirmations to FCERA general ledger. • Review actuarial valuations, plan funding, reserves, and actuary confirmation for accuracy. • Review and perform additional procedures on active and retired participants confirmations, and evaluate adequacy of responses. • Perform analytical testing on revenues and expenditures and evaluate material variances. • Perform a search for unrecorded liabilities by reviewing disbursements subsequent to June 30, testing terms of contractual obligations, and interviewing staff. • Perform review of subsequent events through discussions with management and review of all minutes of the Board and key committees. • Provide proposed adjustments and financial statement revisions to FCERA. • Review final reports for adherence to GAAP and compliance with GFOA Certification requirements. • Other procedures as necessary. • Hold exit conference with FCERA staff. Draft Reports (November) • Issue drafts of all required reports. • Issue draft management letter. • Present and discuss above reports with FCERA management. Final Reports (December) • Issue final reports. • Present all reports to Audit Committee. • Present all reports to the Board of Retirement.


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Personnel Hours

Partner 50 Manager 100 Senior 150 Staff 250 Clerical 10

Total Hours 560

Summary of Professional Audit Hours for the above mentioned audit tasks:


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5. DOLLAR COST BID

A. Total Not-to-Exceed Maximum Price

a) Name of Firm:

Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corporation

b) I, the undersigned, certify that I am duly authorized to represent the above named firm and am empowered to submit this bid. In addition, I certify that I am authorized to contract with the Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association (FCERA) on behalf of the above named firm.

Principal January 6, 2016 Signature Title Date

Rosalva Flores Name (Print)

c) Total All-Inclusive Maximum Price The total all-inclusive maximum price contains all direct and indirect costs, including all out-of-pocket expenses. The total all-inclusive maximum price for each of the three years ending June 30, 2016, 2017, and 2018, is as follows:

2016 2017 2018

Total All-Inclusive Maximum Price $ 67,800 $ 69,000 $ 70,200


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5. DOLLAR COST BID

B. Rates by Staff Classification and Anticipated Hours The schedules of professional fees and expenses below provide the staff levels, hours assigned to these levels, and the assigned hourly rates.

ALL-INCLUSIVE SCHEDULE OF PROFESSIONAL FEES AND EXPENSES

FOR THE AUDIT OF THE 2016 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

HourlyHours Rates Total

Partners 50 230$ 11,500$

Managers 100 160 16,000

Supervisory Staff 150 125 18,750

Staff 250 90 22,500

Other (clerical) 10 80 800

Subtotal 560 69,550

Out-of-Pocket Expenses (Meals and Lodging) 3,500

GASB 68 Separate Engagement 8,000

Discount (13,250)

Total All-Inclusive Maximum Price for 2016 Audit 67,800$


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5. DOLLAR COST BID




Partners 50 230$ 11,500$

Managers 100 160 16,000


Staff 250 90 22,500


Subtotal 560 69,550



Discount (12,050)



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5. DOLLAR COST BID




Partners 50 230$ 11,500$

Managers 100 160 16,000


Staff 250 90 22,500


Subtotal 560 69,550



Discount (10,850)


C. Out-of-Pocket Expenses Included in the Not-to-Exceed Maximum Price All out-of-pocket expenses are included in the schedules of professional fees and expenses included in the dollar cost bid. All expense reimbursements will be charged against the total not-to-exceed maximum price.

D. Rates for Additional Professional Services If it should become necessary for FCERA to request our firm to render any additional services to either supplement the services requested in the RFP or to perform additional work as a result of the specific recommendations included in any report issued on this engagement, then such additional work shall be performed as set forth in an addendum to the contract between FCERA and our firm. Any such additional work agreed to between FCERA and our firm will be performed at the same rates set forth in the schedule of fees and expenses included in the dollar cost bid.


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6. BACKGROUND AND REFERENCE CHECKS

Brown Armstrong has extensive retirement association experience, including numerous 1937 Act clients. Below are references of clients that we have performed work for within the last five years.

Contact Name Company Name Address Numbers and Email

Gail Strohl, Chief Executive Officer

Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association

1355 Willow Way, Suite 221, Concord, CA 94520

T: (925) 521-3960 F: (925) 646-5747

E: GStrohl@ cccera.org

Richard Bendall, Chief, Internal Audit

Los Angeles County Employees’ Retirement Association

300 North Lake Ave., Suite 840, Pasadena, CA 91101

T: (626) 564-6000 F: (626) 564-6177

E: rbendall@ lacera.com

Jeff Wickman, Retirement Administrator

Marin County Employees’ Retirement Association

One McInnis Parkway, San Rafael, CA 94903

T: (415) 473-6147 F: (415) 473-3612

E: JWickman@ marincounty.org

Cathy Austin, Accounting Manager

Sonoma County Employees’ Retirement Association

433 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403

T: (707) 565-8119 F: (707) 565-8102 E: Cathy.Austin@

sonoma-county.org

Rahoof “Wally” Oyewole, Departmental Audit Manager

Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System

202 W. First Street, Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90012

T: (213) 978-6897 F: (213) 473-7241 E: rahoof.oyewole@

lacers.org


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7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND ATTACHMENTS

Attachment I External Quality Control Review Report


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Attachment II Summary of Recent Governmental Experience

CITIES GOVERNMENTAL RETIREMENT PLANS SPECIAL DISTRICTS

City of Bakersfield City of Burlingame City of Delano City of Fresno City of Lindsay City of Madera City of Modesto City of Pasadena City of Santa Barbara City of Seaside City of Tehachapi City of Tulare City of Visalia

Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association Fresno City Employees’ Retirement System Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association Imperial County Employees’ Retirement System Kern County Employees’ Retirement Association Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension System Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System Los Angeles County Employees’ Retirement Association Marin County Employees’ Retirement Association Merced County Employees’ Retirement Association Orange County Employees’ Retirement System San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System San Diego County Employees’ Retirement Association San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association San Mateo County Employees’ Retirement Association Sonoma County Employees’ Retirement Association Tulare County Employees’ Retirement Association Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District Money Purchase Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan North Bakersfield Rec.& Park Dist. Pension Plan San Luis Obispo County Employees’ Pension Trust Pasadena Fire & Police Retirement System Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement System Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension System

Port Hueneme Water Agency North Bakersfield Recreation And Park District Shafter Recreation & Park District Bear Mountain Recreation & Park District San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Westside Cemetery District Westside Mosquito and Control Vector District Minter Field Airport District Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control

District Belridge Water Storage District Mojave Public Utility District Bear Valley Springs Homeowners’ Association Rose Bowl Operating Company Pasadena Center Operating Company Santa Clara Valley Water District Kern Tulare Water District Fresno Irrigation District Pixley Public Utility District

TRANSIT RECREATION & PARK DISTRICTS COUNTIES Antelope Valley Transit Authority Central Contra Costa Transit Authority Fresno Council of Government Kern Council of Government Fresno County Transportation Authority Golden Empire Transit District North County Transit District Riverside Transit Agency Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District San Joaquin Regional Transit District Napa County Transportation and

Planning Agency

North Bakersfield Recreation & Park District Shafter Recreation & Park District Bear Mountain Recreation & Park District

County of Fresno County of Kern County of Kings County of Merced County of Monterey County of Riverside County of Santa Barbara County of San Joaquin County of Stanislaus County of Tulare

COLLEGE DISTRICTS College of the Sequoias Community College District Kern Community College District San Luis Obispo Community College District Victor Valley Community College District

NON-PROFITS HEALTH CARE Goodwill of California Boy Scouts of America Kern County Library Foundation Kern County Bar Association Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired Tranquil Waters Guidance Center Ebony Counseling Center Economic Development Corporation – Fresno County Women at Work Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Pasadena Community Access Corporation Granada Court Homeowner’s Association

Kern Health Systems Kern Medical Center Heritage Provider Network Community Health Plan Heritage California Medical Group Heritage New York Medical Group Family Hospice Care Riverside County Regional Medical Center San Joaquin County General Hospital Stanislaus County Health Services Agency - Clinic and

Ancillary Tehachapi Public Healthcare District


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Attachment III Resumes of Audit Team Members








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Education California State University, Bakersfield, 1998 Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Concentration in Accounting


Rosalva Flores is a principal with over 16 years of experience in governmental accounting. She has grown within the firm serving a diverse client base. Her expertise ranges from special districts and retirement systems to municipal entities and nonprofit organizations. Rosalva enjoys working “hands-on” with her clients and will never be too far away from audit procedures. Rosalva has always ensured that we have the highest level of audit, tax, and consulting services for all of her clients. She is actively involved in a number of professional organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the California Municipal Finance Officers Association.

Roles and Responsibilities on FCERA Engagement Overall responsibility for the audit

and delivery of client service. Approves the overall audit risk

assessment and audit procedures.

Communicates with executive management, and members of FCERA, regarding audit planning, fieldwork and reporting.

Available throughout the year to ensure proactive issue identification and service delivery.

Clients Served *Only selected clients are listed

Retirement Systems Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement

Association Fresno City Employees’ Retirement System Kern Schools Federal Credit Union Pension Plan Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System Sonoma County Employees’ Retirement

Association Stanislaus County Employees’ Retirement

Association Tulare County Employees’ Retirement Association Ventura County Employees’ Retirement

Association Special Districts Belridge Water Storage District Casitas Municipal Water District Kern Tulare Water District Minter Field Airport District Mojave Public Utility District Rosamond Community Services District


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Education California State University, Chico, 1985 Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting


Retirement Systems Fresno County Employees' Retirement Association Los Angeles County Employees' Retirement

Association Ventura County Employees' Retirement Association San Mateo County Employees' Retirement

Association Tulare County Employees' Retirement Association Marin County Employees' Retirement Association Fresno City Employees' Retirement System San Diego County Employees' Retirement Association Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System Contra Costa County Employees' Retirement

Association Sonoma County Employees' Retirement Association Santa Barbara County Employees' Retirement

System Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Plan Imperial County Employees' Retirement System San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit Money

Purchase Plan San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit Deferred

Compensation Plan

Roles and Responsibilities on FCERA Engagement Responsible for assisting the

Engagement Partner in performing the audit risk assessment and design audit procedures.

Assists in audit documentation review in significant areas.

Reviews financial statements to ensure they are in conformance with GAAP and GFOA requirements.

Advises the audit team regarding technical matters and provides concurring approval of financial statements and audit reports.

Andy Paulden is a principal with over 29 years of experience in governmental accounting. Andy has grown within the firm serving a diverse client base. His expertise ranges from special districts and retirement systems to municipal entities and nonprofit organizations. Not only does he have experience in the audit process, but he will be an integral member of the team when it comes to keeping standards up to date. Andy is actively involved in a number of professional organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Governmental Auditing and Accounting State Committee as a member at large.



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Roles and Responsibilities on FCERA Engagement On site at FCERA’s office during the

performance of all audit procedures. Reports to the Partners regarding

audit and technical matters. Assists in the coordination of

planning, fieldwork, and reporting matters.

Reviews audit documentation for all audit areas.

Manages all staff assigned to the FCERA engagement.

Is in constant communication with executive management and members of FCERA regarding audit planning, fieldwork, and reporting.

Ashley is the engagement manager of the project. She has more than 8 years of governmental auditing experience. Her primary business focus is governmental entities audit and accounting. Her audit specialties include retirement systems, cities, and special districts. Ashley will be highly involved in the field work and a face to face presence for Brown Armstrong. She and the senior accountant will be easily accessible for FCERA at all times. Her ability to manage an audit has become invaluable for Brown Armstrong. She is actively involved in a number of professional organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Education California State University, Chico, 2007 Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Option in Accounting


Retirement Systems Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association Fresno City Employees’ Retirement System Fresno City Fire and Police Retirement System Imperial County Employees’ Retirement System Kern County Employees’ Retirement Association Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System Los Angeles County Employees’ Retirement Association Marin County Employees’ Retirement Association Pasadena Fire and Police Retirement System San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement

Association San Diego County Employees’ Retirement Association San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association San Mateo County Employees’ Retirement Association Sonoma County Employees’ Retirement Association Tulare County Employees’ Retirement Association

Special Districts Bear Mountain Recreation & Park District Kern Tulare Water District Mother Lode Job Training Agency Westside Mosquito and Vector Control District


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Marybeth is an audit senior with three years of governmental auditing experience. She has shown excellent performance in leading fieldwork, compiling and preparing financial statements, performing tests and analytical reviews, as well as creating strong working relationships with clients. She has executed audits in the past with little issues and is great at maximizing efficiency while performing audit work. Roles and Responsibilities on FCERA Engagement

Leading fieldwork audit team Reviews, analyzes, and

documents client internal controls

Completes complex audit procedures

Researches and performs tests and analytical reviews on issues under direction of the Engagement Manager

Reviews financial statements and workpapers before sending the drafts to Engagement Manager and partners for further review.

Education California State University, Bakersfield Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Concentration in Accounting

Clients Served *Only selected clients are listed Retirement Systems Fresno County Employees’ Retirement

Association Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System Los Angeles County Employees’ Retirement

Association Tulare County Employees’ Retirement Association Imperial County Employees’ Retirement System Ventura County Employees’ Retirement

Association Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement

System San Mateo County Employees’ Retirement

Association San Diego County Employees’ Retirement

Association

Counties County of Kern County of Kings County of Riverside County of San Joaquin County of Stanislaus County of Santa Barbara

Special Districts Buena Vista Water Storage District Bear Mountain Recreation & Park District Kern-Tulare Water District


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Education California State University, Fresno, 2010 Bachelor of Science Degree, Concentration in Accounting


Association City of Fresno Retirement Systems Counties County of Stanislaus County of Santa Barbara County of Tulare County of San Luis Obispo Cities City of Fresno Special Districts Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District Transit Districts Stanislaus Council of Governments Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District Non-Profits Kings Economic Development

Corporation

Education California State University, Bakersfield, 2014 Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Concentration in Accounting


Association City of Fresno Retirement Systems Contra Costa County Employees’

Retirement Association Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement

System Los Angeles County Employees’

Retirement Association Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Santa Barbara County Employees’

Retirement System Tulare County Employees’ Retirement

Association Special Districts Lamont Public Utilities District Pixley Public Utilities District Counties County of Fresno County of Kern County of San Joaquin County of Santa Barbara




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Attachment IV Continuing Professional Education Rosalva Flores Governmental GASB Statement No. 68 Audit and Accounting, 2015 (4 hours) School Districts Conference, 2015 (8 hours) Employee Benefit Plans Annual Audit Conference, 2015 (8 hours) GASB Update/Fiduciary Responsibilities of Public Officials, 2015 (8 hours) Accounting and Auditing Update, 2015 (8 hours) Audit Quality Discussion Part II: Avoiding Common Audit Deficiencies in Yellow Book and Single Audits, 2015 (2

hours) School Districts Conference, 2014 (8 hours) Accounting and Auditing Update, 2014 (8 hours) GAAP Update, 2014 (16 hours) Non-Governmental Accountancy Laws, Ethics, Taxes and Financial Reporting Review - Ethics, 2015 (4 hours) Accountancy Laws, Ethics, Taxes and Financial Reporting: Regulatory Review, 2015 (2 hours) Fraud and the CPA Profession, 2015 (8 hours) Professional Association Memberships American Institute of Certified Public Accountants California Society of Certified Public Accountants State Association of County Retirement Systems California Municipal Finance Officers Association California Association of Public Retirement Systems Andrew J. Paulden Governmental GASB 68 and 71: New Pension Standards, 2015 (4 hours) Governmental Accounting and Auditing Conference, 2015 (8 hours) Audit Update and Pension Accounting/Financial Reporting, 2015 (8 hours) Pension Accounting and Financial Reporting: New Standards, 2014 (8 hours) Non-Governmental U.S. GAAP and IFRS Divergence, 2015 (8 hours) Not-for-Profit Organizations: Accounting and Auditing Principals, 2014 (8 hours) Compilations and Reviews: Risks, Procedures and Fraud, 2014 (8 hours) Professional Association Memberships American Institute of Certified Public Accountants California Society of Certified Public Accountants California Association of Public Retirement Systems State Association of County Retirement Systems AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center Ashley Casey Governmental Accounting and Auditing Update, 2015 (8 hours) Fraud and the CPA Profession, 2015 (4 hours) Accounting and Auditing Update, 2014 (8 hours) GAAP Update, 2014 (16 hours)


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Non-Governmental 2015 AICPA Professional Issues Update, 2015 (1 hour) Fraud and the CPA Profession, 2015 (4 hours) SQ Professional Issues Update, 2015 (3 hours) California Financial Literacy Summit, 2014 (3 hours) AICPA State of the Profession, 2014 (1 hour) California Frauds, Scams and Scandals, 2014 (8 hours) Professional Association Memberships American Institute of Certified Public Accountants California Society of Certified Public Accountants Marybeth Brooks Governmental GASB Update/Fiduciary Responsibilities of Public Officials, 2015 (8 hours) Audit Update and Pension Accounting/Financial Reporting, 2015 (8 hours) Accounting and Auditing Update, 2015 (8 hours) GAAP Update, 2014 (16 hours) Accounting and Auditing Update, 2014 (8 hours) Non-Governmental Fraud and the CPA Profession, 2015 (8 hours) California Frauds, Scams and Scandals, 2014 (8 hours) Spidell’s Fall Federal and California Tax Update, 2014 (8 hours) Rosa Alberto Governmental GASB Update/Fiduciary Responsibilities of Public Officials, 2015 (8 hours) Audit Update and Pension Accounting/Financial Reporting, 2015 (8 hours) Accounting and Auditing Update, 2015 (8 hours) GAAP Update, 2014 (16 hours) Non-Governmental Fraud and the CPA Profession, 2015 (8 hours) Spidell’s Fall Federal and California Tax Update, 2014 (8 hours)


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8. SIGNATURE SHEET

Providing Auditing & Accounting

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Transcript of Providing Auditing & Accounting