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 Division of
Inspector General
Accredited Office of Inspector General
By the Commission of Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation
 The mission of the Division of Inspector General (Division) is to improve government and preserve the public trust by providing independent, comprehensive audits, and investigations designed to add value and improve the County's operations and contracts. We strive to educate citizens and policymakers regarding the operation of their government. The Division will conduct investigations to ensure compliance with the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court's Fraud, Waste and Abuse Policy and Procedures designed to facilitate the development of internal controls that will provide for the detection, prevention, and reporting of fraud, waste and abuse directed against County government. It is the intent of the policy to promote awareness of the potential for fraud, waste and abuse throughout the County, and to provide guidelines and assign responsibility for the development of adequate internal controls and systems.
The Inspector General provides independent, objective assurance and consulting designed to add value and improve an organization's operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate
and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance
processes. The Pinellas County Division of Inspector General is responsible for auditing and investigating operations of the Board of County Commissioners, operations of the Clerk and Comptroller, contractors doing business with the County, and county revenue sources. Our Division has also established cooperative partnerships with other Constitutional Officers in which we provide consulting and project specific services to.
OUR INDEPENDENCE
The Clerk and Comptroller of Pinellas County, Florida, an elected official, serves as the ex officio County auditor per constitutional and statutory provisions. The Clerk and Comptroller established the Division of Inspector General to fulfill the audit and investigative responsibilities. The audit and investigative functions serve as an important check and balance of agencies funded by the Clerk and Comptroller and the Board of County Commissioners departments under the County Administrator. To provide for the highest degree of independence, Division staff report to the Director (Inspector General/Chief Audit Executive) who reports functionally and administratively to the Clerk and Comptroller who is independent of the Board of County Commissioners.
BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE DIVISION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL:
- Performs independent comprehensive audits and investigations of County operations and contracts.
- Provides public accountability for use of tax dollars.
- Serves as an independent, objective source of information for the Board of County Commissioners and the Clerk and Comptroller, Pinellas County, Florida
- Serves as a consulting resource for County management to obtain advice in financial issues and procedures.
- Provides a mechanism to investigate suspected fraud, waste, and abuse.
- Results in better government.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AUDIT PROCESS
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REPORT FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE OF COUNTY RESOURCES (Public Integrity Unit)
To help citizens and employees have a direct role in improving any aspect of their government, the Division of Inspector General’s Public Integrity Unit solicits information from citizens, employees, vendors and/or contractors regarding fraud, waste, or abuse of County resources. If anyone becomes aware of any potential fraud, waste, or abuse of County resources, we ask that you contact the Fraud Hotline. We will review the allegations and determine if an investigation is warranted. You can remain anonymous. Hearing from you is important!
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DIVISION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL'S GUARDIANSHIP SECTION (Public Integrity Unit)
Professional auditors (Guardianship Section) of the Division of Inspector General support the Clerk and Comptroller's Probate Division staff in an attempt to augment the Court's oversight process applicable to the protection of wards' assets pursuant to Chapter 744, Florida Statutes. In coordination and cooperation with the General Magistrate of the Guardianship Division of the Court, the Division conducts varying levels of audits/financial investigations related to Guardianship reports and activities.
If anyone becomes aware of any potential fraud, waste or abuse of Guardianships, we ask that you contact the Fraud
Hotline. We will review the allegations and determine if an investigation is warranted.
You can remain anonymous. Hearing from you is important!
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