Auditor

Office Responsibilities

The city auditor is the city's fiscal and chief accounting officer. The office's duties include:

  • Keep the books and accurate statements of all moneys received and expended and of all taxes and assessments
  • Examining all accounts of city officers and departments at the end of each fiscal year, or more often if requested by the City Council
  • Ensuring that the amount set aside for any appropriation is not overdrawn, that the amount appropriated for any one item is not drawn upon for any other purpose, and that vouchers are not paid unless sufficient funds are in the city treasury to the credit of the fund on which the voucher is drawn
  • Authorizing all purchases through the purchase order requisition approval process
  • Recording receipt of all revenue
  • Performing accounts payable function
  • Provides payroll services for all city employees, including pension and tax reporting

Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

The City of Alliance Auditor's Office works with the Auditor of State's Office during its annual audit to ensure that the city is in compliance with all regulations and laws. The City Auditor's Office provides that data used in the compilation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

CAFR Recognition

The Auditor's Office has been recognized by both the Government Finance Officer's Association of the United States and Canada for its CAFR.

The city's CAFR was honored after an impartial panel judged it to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its accurate financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

Making Your Tax Dollars Count Award

The City of Alliance Auditor's office has also been awarded the Making Your Tax Dollars Count award by State of Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor's office. Fewer than 5% of all Ohio government agencies are eligible for this award.

Certain criteria must be met to receive the Making Your Tax Dollars Count award:

  • The entity must complete and submit a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
  • There must be no findings or issues present in the audit report.
  • There must be no other financial concerns involving the entity.

About the Auditor

Kevin G. Knowles has served the City of Alliance since 2007 - first as deputy auditor and then as city auditor since July 2008.

He is a graduate of Alliance High School and Bowling Green State University. Knowles is a member of the Municipal Finance Officers Association of Ohio, Government Finance Officers Association, and has been certified through the Center for Public Investment Management to invest public funds.