February 24, 2016
Dear Sisters and Brothers of Our Diocese:
We are attaching the final audit report, summary report, and communications letters regarding the financial statements of the Diocese of Bethlehem for the year ending December 2013. These reports represent the sixth and final completed audit of the finances of the diocese (2008 – 2013) Bishop Sean and the Standing Committee hired the accounting firm of Campbell Rappold & Yurasits to undertake in March 2014.
These are the complete reports as presented to the ad hoc Audit Committee. No information has been left out. These audit reports and letters indicate the firm has found no malfeasance or misuse of funds in the years that have been examined. However, as with the previous five reports, the auditors have pointed out a number of weaknesses and deficiencies to be addressed and which we began to address as of the 2014 fiscal year, as has been previously communicated in detail.
It is important to note, however, that the audits of the years 2008 through 2013 reflect the practices previously in place so that deficiencies in procedures pointed out in the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 audits remain in this audit.
This is the last audit that the ad hoc Audit Committee was asked to oversee. Starting with the audit for the year 2014, the responsibility for ensuring that audits are completed falls to the treasurer of the Diocese and the Finance Committee.
Your Sister in Christ,
Ms. Libby House, Chair of the Audit Committee
For the Members of the Audit Committee