The City of Wildwood has received the highest opinion in its independent audit of financial statements for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2023.

In a presentation Monday at the city’s budget workshop, Daniel Anderson from Mauldin & Jenkins LLC, an independent audit organization, presented an overview of his team’s analysis, explaining the unmodified opinion issued equates to a clean audit and is the highest form of assurance.

Anderson remarked on the ease of working with the city’s financial personnel, who accommodated audit requests and needs not only promptly but cheerfully.

Cassandra Smith, Wildwood’s chief financial officer and assistant city manager, echoed the compliment, commenting on how smoothly the process has gone throughout the city’s multi-year contract with Mauldin & Jenkins. She commended Lynzey McClellan, Wildwood’s assistant chief financial officer, for enthusiastically spearheading the audit over the past two years.

“We pride ourselves on accuracy and transparency,” McClellan said. “But we also recognize the potential for mistakes and welcome the input of an independent expert. The scrutiny of such highly trained analysts can be intimidating, but we remind ourselves it’s an opportunity to learn and improve, which is one of our daily goals.”

Wildwood is in the midst of preparing its budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2024. Public budget hearings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 13. Agendas will be posted at wildwood-fl.gov no less than 72 hours in advance.