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Annual Audit

According to North Carolina General Statute 159-34, the County of Cleveland "shall have its accounts audited as soon as possible after the close of each fiscal year by a certified public accountant or by an accountant certified by the Commission as qualified to audit local government accounts." This auditor "shall evaluate the performance of [the  County of Cleveland] with regard to compliance with all applicable federal and state agency regulations."

Each year or at the end of each contract term, the County Commissioners must form a contract or agreement with an independent auditor to perform the annual audit. This contract or agreement is submitted to the State Treasurer for approval. The annual audit must begin as soon as possible after the close of each fiscal year, which ends on June 30. To be independent, the auditor must meet certain guidelines that determine whether the auditor may have a conflict of interest in performing the audit function. The independent auditor will evaluate the County's compliance with all applicable regulations and review the financial operations of the County.

Throughout the audit process, the auditor may submit interim or progress billings up to 75% of the total contracted price. Prior to payment, all billings must be submitted to the State Treasurer for approval. Before the auditor receives final payment for performing the audit services, a copy of the final report is sent to the State Treasurer for a quality review inspection.

The annual audit culminates in the production of an annual report. The report includes basic financial statements (including note disclosures), supplementary schedules, other information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the auditor's opinion as to whether the statements are free of material misstatements. This report should be available by December 15, or soon thereafter, of each year. A printed copy of the annual financial and compliance report is retained at the County Manager's office and the public library in Shelby for public inspection. 

2025-2026 Audit Readiness Assessment


Cleveland County engaged a consultant through the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners to determine the root cause(s) of the Fiscal Year 2024 – 2025 Audit being late and to assess the County’s readiness for the Fiscal Year 2025 – 2026 Audit process.

The consultant reviewed the audit timeline, key milestones (planned versus actual), Prepared by Client (PBC) lists and submission timing, journal entries, final auditor trial balance, management letter and data input worksheet submitted to the Local Government Commission and interviewed Finance department staff and other key individuals.

The assessment identified the primary causes for the late audit submission, strengths of the current Finance staff, remaining challenges, best practices, immediate corrective actions and long-term recommendations.

May 2026 Audit Readiness Assessment

Published: May 19, 2026

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ANNUAL AUDIT REPORTS16 documents

  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2025
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2024
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2023
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2022
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2021
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2020
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2019
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2018
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2017
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2016
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2015
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2014
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2013
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2012
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2011
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  • Annual Financial and Compliance Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2010
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