Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity 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 Division of Inspector General is responsible for auditing operations of the Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, contractors doing business with the county, and county revenue sources.
Benefits provided by the internal audit process perfomed by the Division of Inspector General.
CSI: Submit Cost Saving Ideas for Pinellas County Government.
REPORT FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE OF:
COUNTY RESOURCES to our PUBLIC INTEGRITY UNIT.
GUARDIANSHIP CASES to our GUARDIANSHIP SECTION.
REPORT FRAUD, WASTE AND/OR ABUSE OF
NON-COUNTY RESOURCES.
OUR INDEPENDENCE
The Clerk of the Circuit
Court, an elected official, serves as the ex officio County Auditor. Elected government auditors are generally
recognized to have the highest degree of independence within an
organization. The elected ex officio
auditor serves as an important check and balance on the Board of County
Commissioners and all operations under their control.
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BENEFITS PROVIDED BY INTERNAL AUDIT/DIVISION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL:
- Performs independent comprehensive audits 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 of the Circuit Court
- 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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THE AUDIT PROCESS:
Conduct the Entrance Conference To begin an audit, Internal Audit/Division of Inspector General staff
meet with management to discuss activities of the area being audited,
introduce audit staff, and establish working arrangements. This introductory meeting is referred to
as the entrance conference.
Conduct Audit Fieldwork After the entrance conference, auditors
design and execute their audit procedures. This is the information-gathering phase of the audit.
Conduct the Exit Conference After the fieldwork phase, data and audit
results are analyzed, the audit report is drafted by audit staff, and audit
work is reviewed by audit supervisory personnel. The draft audit report is then provided to management, and a
meeting is held between audit staff and management to discuss the audit in
detail. This meeting is referred to as the exit conference. At this
meeting, responses are requested, which are due from management two weeks
later.
Issuance of the Audit Report When written responses are received from
management regarding the audit recommendations, they are incorporated into
the report. If management's response
is misleading, untrue, or needs further clarification for the reader to fully
understand the situation, Internal Audit replies to management's responses,
which are added to the report. The Chief Deputy Director and the Clerk of the Circuit Court then sign the final
report (for audits of Board of County Commissioners' operations). The report is then issued to the Board of
County Commissioners, management, and the public.
All reports back to 2001 can be found on the Website of the Clerk of the
Circuit Court. (See menu column to the right for links to reports.)
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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 INTERNAL AUDIT/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!
To read the Pinellas County Fraud, Waste & Abuse Policy,
CLICK HERE.
Call: 727-453-FRAUD (727-453-3728)
Fax: 727-464-8386
Email: fraudhotline@pinellascounty.org
Write:
Public Integrity Unit
Internal Audit Division
Fraud Hotline
400 Cleveland Street, 4th Floor
Clearwater, Florida 33755-4041
REPORT FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE OF COUNTY RESOURCES (Public Integrity Unit)
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INTERNAL AUDIT/DIVISION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL'S GUARDIANSHIP SECTION (Public Integrity Unit)
Professional auditors (Guardianship Section) of the Internal Audit Division augment the Clerk's Probate
Division staff in an attempt to buttress 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 IAD will conduct 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!
Call: 727-453-FRAUD (727-453-3728)
Fax: 727-464-8386
Email: fraudhotline@pinellascounty.org
Write:
Public Integrity Unit
Internal Audit Division
Fraud Hotline
400 Cleveland Street, 4th Floor
Clearwater, Florida 33755-4041
REPORT FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE OF GUARDIANSHIP CASES (Public Integrity Unit)
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CONTACT INFORMATION TO REPORT FRAUD OF NON-COUNTY RESOURCES
Florida Department of Children and Families -
Nick Cox, Regional Director / Circuit 6 Administrator,
9393 North Florida Avenue,Tampa, 33612
- Medicaid or Food Stamp Problems - 813-558-5500 or 1-866-762-2237.
Online at http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/, simply click on "Report public assistance fraud"
found on the left menu.
Housing Assistance Problems in Pinellas County
- Clearwater Housing Authority 727-461-5777
- Community Service Foundation 727-461-0618
- Housing Finance Authority 727-464-8210
- Pinellas County Housing Authority 727-443-7684
- Pinellas Housing Agency 727-467-9494
- Pinellas Opportunity Council Emergency Assistance with Utilities 727-937-9393
- Pinellas Opportunity Council Rent/Mortgage Assistance:
- Pinellas Park: 727-822-4492
- St. Petersburg: 727-894-5176
- South Pinellas County: 727-822-4492
- St. Petersburg Housing Authority 727-323-3171
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Florida's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Mid & South Pinellas Long-Term Ombudsman Council
11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 303
Largo, FL 33778
Toll-free 1-888-831-0404 or 727-588-6912
http://www.ombudsman.myflorida.com
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Division of Inspector General - Contact Information
- Hector Collazo Jr., Director, Inspector General/Chief Audit Executive
727-464-8371
hcollazo@pinellascounty.org
- Scott Stees, Senior Internal Auditor
727-464-8371
sstees@pinellascounty.org
- Ronald Peters, Senior Internal Auditor
727-464-8371
rpeters@pinellascounty.org
- Ken Green, Senior Internal Auditor
727-464-8371
kgreen@pinellascounty.org
- Melissa Dondero, Internal Auditor II
727-464-8371
mdondero@pinellascounty.org
- Greg McCullough, Internal Auditor II
727-464-8371
gmccullough@pinellascounty.org
- Flo Riggie, Internal Auditor II
727-464-8371
friggie@pinellascounty.org
- Ava Jurek, Internal Auditor II
727-464-8371
ajurek@pinellascounty.org
- William J. McGuinness, Internal Auditor II
727-464-8371
wmcguinn@pinellascounty.org
- Deborah Weiss, Internal Auditor II
727-464-8371
dweiss@pinellascounty.org
- Anne Olsen, Internal Auditor II
727-464-8371
aolsen@pinellascounty.org
- Linda Magnuson, Administrative Secretary
727-464-8371
lmagnuson@pinellascounty.org
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