Audit Of West Orange Town Finances Is ‘Clean,’ Officials Say

WEST ORANGE, NJ — For the fourth-straight year, West Orange’s town finances are “clean,” officials announced this week, citing a new audit report.

On Wednesday, the township announced the results of an independent analysis that covers the year ending Dec. 31, 2022. View it online here.

The township hired PKF O’Connor Davies to carry out the audit. It was released on Sept. 28.

The audit lists West Orange as having an “unmodified opinion” and no audit findings. According to a statement from the town’s public information officer, an unmodified opinion – or a “clean opinion” – means that the financial statements, as corrected, are fairly presented in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“This audit is the fourth straight year there have not been any audit finding and the first time in 20 years for that many consecutive years,” Mayor Susan McCartney said, adding that Battaglia Associates LLC has also been working with the town’s finance department as compliance consultants in recent months.

The analysis doesn’t cover the latest budget season in West Orange, which has seen heated controversy and many hours of debate in the council chambers.

So far in 2023, the town has seen increases to property taxes on the school, municipal and county levels, a hike to sewer fees and the rollout of several other new municipal charges, and an ongoing property tax revaluation.

• See Related: Tax Hike Imminent As West Orange School Budget Hits Finish Line
• See Related: West Orange Council Adopts Town Budget, Tax Hike Approved
• See Related: West Orange Revaluation Begins: Will My Property Taxes Go Up?
• See Related: West Orange Mayor Says 'Perfect Storm' Swirls This Budget Season
• See Related: Sewer Fees Increase In West Orange; Council Gives Green Light
• See Related: West Orange Rolls Out New Fee For Local Businesses

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