Tribal Governments

Meeting the Needs of Tribal Governments

We understand the unique qualities and needs of Tribal governments and the demands placed on Tribal financial officers.

Your Tribe's next audit and advisory firm should be a trusted resource in meeting demands for fiscal accountability, and must understand the unique needs of Tribal governments, the demands placed on Tribal financial officers, opportunities to benefit Tribal members, and the federal government’s complex and constantly changing requirements.

Your audit and advisory firm should be Walker & Armstrong.

What is the "WALKER & ARMSTRONG DIFFERENCE" for TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS?

LEADERS IN SERVING TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AND FINANCIAL OFFICERS

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

  • Pre-Audit

    By paving the way for your annual audit, an efficient pre-audit facilitates a smoother, quicker, less disruptive and less expensive annual audit.


    We oversee the preparation for the annual audits of Tribal governments, schools and enterprises. Our valuable “pre-audit” services, which make up the first step in the process of an audit, include project management and staff training in audit preparation.


    During a pre-audit, we assist our clients in the preparation of audit schedules and supporting documentation necessary to facilitate a more timely and efficient audit process. We also will prepare financial statements and supporting schedules.

    ABOUT OUR PRE-AUDIT SERVICES
  • Audit

    Walker & Armstrong audits are conducted in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.


    We will include tests of your accounting records and other procedures we consider necessary to enable us to express an opinion that your financial statements are fairly presented, in all material respects, in conformity with U.S. GAAP. 


    In addition, we assist in the preparation of financial statements and review your comprehensive annual financial report, including providing comments and suggestions regarding compliance and reporting requirements.


    Where applicable, we issue reports on our governmental clients’ compliance and on internal control over financial reporting based on an audit of the financial statements performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and other reports required by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, we perform agreed-upon procedure engagements, including those required by the Arizona Supreme Court (MAS audits).

    LEARN ABOUT OUR AUDIT SERVICES
  • Accounting & Advisory

    We provide accounting and consulting services to our non-attest clients, including audit and financial statement preparation and value-added services that are tailored to each client’s unique needs.


    Examples of projects that are ongoing or have been completed include:


    • Walker & Armstrong helped a new client that was just getting back on their feet by designing a chart of accounts that would grow with their needs. We drafted content for them to adopt a financial code, policies, and procedures, and we helped them develop their very first general fund budget appropriation. When they submitted their Gaming Revenue Allocation Plan to the U.S. Department of the Interior, we provided guidance for the budget ranges for each category. We have provided a wide range of other advisory services.

    • For a client whose previous consultants had made some poor choices in their accounting system conversion, we worked with the client to clean up a number of messes on their books and achieve a clean audit in our second year together.

    • Another client came to us when they were just starting out. We provided full cycle services, beginning with bookkeeping, continuing with audit preparation, and compiling their first-ever issued financial statements.

    • After a client received a substantial allocation from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, we helped them structure their assistance programs to conform with the General Welfare Doctrine. We assisted with drafting subrecipient monitoring tools and the subrecipient agreement; helped them set up their accounting structure to facilitate reporting to the Tribal Council and the U.S. Department of the Treasury; drafted guidance for the Tribe and its subrecipients; and provided technical training to a group of subrecipients. We continue to help them with development and implementation of other COVID relief programs that are improving their members’ lives.
    ACCOUNTING & ADVISORY SERVICES
  • Forensic Accounting

    We conduct Forensic Accounting and Financial Investigations.


    Government entities call on Walker & Armstrong to ensure the integrity of their internal controls, investigate suspected fraud or misappropriation of funds, and produce reports on matters of interest to regulators and stakeholders.

  • Peer Review

    The quality of Walker & Armstrong’s services is affirmed by unqualified opinions rendered by independent CPAs on the firm’s last eight peer reviews.

    READ OUR PEER REVIEW

By paving the way for your annual audit, an efficient pre-audit facilitates a smoother, quicker, less disruptive and less expensive annual audit.

We oversee the preparation for the annual audits of Tribal governments, schools and enterprises. Our valuable “pre-audit” services, which make up the first step in the process of an audit, include project management and staff training in audit preparation.


During a pre-audit, we assist our clients in the preparation of audit schedules and supporting documentation necessary to facilitate a more timely and efficient audit process. We also will prepare financial statements and supporting schedules.


Walker & Armstrong audits are conducted in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

We will include tests of your accounting records and other procedures we consider necessary to enable us to express an opinion that your financial statements are fairly presented, in all material respects, in conformity with U.S. GAAP. 


In addition, we assist in the preparation of financial statements and review your comprehensive annual financial report, including providing comments and suggestions regarding compliance and reporting requirements.


Where applicable, we issue reports on our governmental clients’ compliance and on internal control over financial reporting based on an audit of the financial statements performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and other reports required by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, we perform agreed-upon procedure engagements, including those required by the Arizona Supreme Court (MAS audits).


We provide accounting and consulting services to our non-attest clients, including audit and financial statement preparation and value-added services that are tailored to each client’s unique needs.

Examples of projects that are ongoing or have been completed include:


  • Walker & Armstrong helped a new client that was just getting back on their feet by designing a chart of accounts that would grow with their needs. We drafted content for them to adopt a financial code, policies, and procedures, and we helped them develop their very first general fund budget appropriation. When they submitted their Gaming Revenue Allocation Plan to the U.S. Department of the Interior, we provided guidance for the budget ranges for each category. We have provided a wide range of other advisory services.

  • For a client whose previous consultants had made some poor choices in their accounting system conversion, we worked with the client to clean up a number of messes on their books and achieve a clean audit in our second year together.

  • Another client came to us when they were just starting out. We provided full cycle services, beginning with bookkeeping, continuing with audit preparation, and compiling their first-ever issued financial statements.

  • After a client received a substantial allocation from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, we helped them structure their assistance programs to conform with the General Welfare Doctrine. We assisted with drafting subrecipient monitoring tools and the subrecipient agreement; helped them set up their accounting structure to facilitate reporting to the Tribal Council and the U.S. Department of the Treasury; drafted guidance for the Tribe and its subrecipients; and provided technical training to a group of subrecipients. We continue to help them with development and implementation of other COVID relief programs that are improving their members’ lives.

We conduct Forensic Accounting and Financial Investigations.

Government entities call on Walker & Armstrong to ensure the integrity of their internal controls, investigate suspected fraud or misappropriation of funds, and produce reports on matters of interest to regulators and stakeholders.

The quality of Walker & Armstrong’s services is affirmed by unqualified opinions rendered by independent CPAs on the firm’s last eight peer reviews.


A FOUR-DECADE TRADITION OF SERVICE TO GOVERNMENT ENTITIES

Walker & Armstrong Armstrong is a leader in providing Arizona Tribes and Tribal entities with mandated and value-added professional services, including:


ENHANCED VALUE

Our value to Tribal clients is enhanced by our monitoring of government-specific accounting and compliance reporting requirements, including the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. In addition, we have over 30 years of experience in performing audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act, as amended.

SHARING OUR KNOWLEDGE

Walker & Armstrong LLP
By Walker & Armstrong LLP April 22, 2022
Government entities that received funding from the Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program may just be learning about a very important deadline that is the topic of this alert. The final rule offers a standard allowance for revenue loss of $10 million, allowing recipients to select between a standard amount of revenue loss or complete a full revenue loss calculation. Recipients that select the standard allowance may use that amount – in many cases their full award – for government services, with streamlined reporting requirements.
Walker & Armstrong logo
By Walker & Armstrong LLP February 7, 2022
Walker & Armstrong audit partner Jay Parke presented "COVID-19 Funding and Compliance" at the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants' 2022 Governmental Accounting Conference on February 4.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason March 31, 2021
Tribes should follow authoritative guidance from the federal government in reporting recipients of pass-through CRF funding.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason January 21, 2021
In extending CRF availability by 12 months, the federal government gave Tribes and other CRF recipients and subrecipients precious breathing room for completing CRF-funded projects and providing valuable services to their constituencies.
Walker & Armstrong
By Walker & Armstrong LLP October 23, 2020
In June 2017, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued “Statement No. 87 – Leases” (GASB 87). GASB 87’s objectives are to enhance the information needs of financial statement users by improving how governments report leases; enhancing the comparability of financial statements between governments; and improving the relevance, reliability, and consistency of information about governments’ leasing activities.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason July 20, 2020
The new Treasury Guidance has opened a door for Tribes to continue providing for their employees’ financial needs without having to deplete their reserves.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason July 8, 2020
This article discusses the new Guidance and explore in greater depth the assistance to Tribal businesses and related parties. We will continue with a discussion of procurement and cost principles.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason June 1, 2020
As Tribes await receipt of the final 40% distribution of Fund proceeds, now is the time to focus on eligible expenditures that will deliver lasting benefits to Tribal members.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason May 13, 2020
The sheer size of the Coronavirus Relief Fund will have a significant impact on major fund determination for many Tribes’ audited financial statements.
Walker & Armstrong LLP
By Walker & Armstrong LLP April 22, 2022
Government entities that received funding from the Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program may just be learning about a very important deadline that is the topic of this alert. The final rule offers a standard allowance for revenue loss of $10 million, allowing recipients to select between a standard amount of revenue loss or complete a full revenue loss calculation. Recipients that select the standard allowance may use that amount – in many cases their full award – for government services, with streamlined reporting requirements.
Walker & Armstrong logo
By Walker & Armstrong LLP February 7, 2022
Walker & Armstrong audit partner Jay Parke presented "COVID-19 Funding and Compliance" at the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants' 2022 Governmental Accounting Conference on February 4.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason March 31, 2021
Tribes should follow authoritative guidance from the federal government in reporting recipients of pass-through CRF funding.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason January 21, 2021
In extending CRF availability by 12 months, the federal government gave Tribes and other CRF recipients and subrecipients precious breathing room for completing CRF-funded projects and providing valuable services to their constituencies.
Walker & Armstrong
By Walker & Armstrong LLP October 23, 2020
In June 2017, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued “Statement No. 87 – Leases” (GASB 87). GASB 87’s objectives are to enhance the information needs of financial statement users by improving how governments report leases; enhancing the comparability of financial statements between governments; and improving the relevance, reliability, and consistency of information about governments’ leasing activities.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason July 20, 2020
The new Treasury Guidance has opened a door for Tribes to continue providing for their employees’ financial needs without having to deplete their reserves.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason July 8, 2020
This article discusses the new Guidance and explore in greater depth the assistance to Tribal businesses and related parties. We will continue with a discussion of procurement and cost principles.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason June 1, 2020
As Tribes await receipt of the final 40% distribution of Fund proceeds, now is the time to focus on eligible expenditures that will deliver lasting benefits to Tribal members.
Ken Mason
By Ken Mason May 13, 2020
The sheer size of the Coronavirus Relief Fund will have a significant impact on major fund determination for many Tribes’ audited financial statements.
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