More here.Metra hires Bronner Group to fill chief audit officer function
Metra has contracted the Bronner Group to manage the railroad's internal auditing on an interim basis as part of Metra's efforts to reform its business and management practices.
The firm will report to Metra Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer Don Orseno and the board's Audit and Finance Committee. Metra is in the midst of an initiative to improve corporate governance, transparency and accountability, Metra officials said in a press release.
Metra hires outside firm to fill chief audit officer function
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CNJRoss
, Aug 26 2014 10:20 AM
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CNJRoss
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Posted 26 August 2014 - 10:20 AM
ProgressiveRailroading.com, 8/26:
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CNJRoss
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Posted 26 August 2014 - 10:25 AM
Metra news release, 8/25:
Metra furthers reforms by filling Chief Audit Officer function
New position will be handled by outside firm with knowledge and experience in government
Metra took yet another step towards reform at the agency by hiring the Bronner Group, a well-respected and experienced auditing firm specializing in government work, to manage the internal auditing function at Metra on an interim basis.
Metra has outsourced the management of the internal audit function to the Bronner Group. This is being done as part of a series of moves aimed at strengthening and updating corporate governance, transparency and accountability. The Bronner Group has a dual reporting line to Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno and the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. The firm will also help the board determine the best long-term solution for the Chief Audit Officer (CAO) function.
“Our goal is to foster strong ethics, professionalism and diligence for Metra staff at all levels,” said Metra Chairman Martin Oberman. “Hiring a firm with the proven track record of the Bronner Group, and giving them the mandate to manage Metra’s audit function, is another demonstration of our steadfast commitment to reform and is essential for continuing to rebuild the public’s trust and confidence in our agency.”
The Chicago-based Bronner Group is led by Gila Bronner, an expert on auditor independence, accountability and internal control issues and a nationally recognized authority on government compliance and oversight.
Bronner was brought in by Orseno and the Board in July to assist the audit department while a search for a CAO was underway. Having Bronner’s experienced team and fresh set of eyes focused on Metra and providing independent oversight was the best short-term solution for managing the audit function. The current authorized spending level of their engagement is $187,700 and the full year cost is expected to increase to no more than $330,000.
“Ms. Bronner and her team have an impressive, long-term record of assisting government entities with their business practices, internal controls and public oversight mechanisms, and we are confident they will greatly assist Metra in those areas and others,” said Norm Carlson, a Metra Board Member and chairman of the board’s newly constituted Audit and Finance Committee.
Appointing Carlson to lead the Board Audit and Finance Committee and oversee the financial activities of the agency was another recent board reform measure. Carlson has more than 40 years of experience in railroad finance and spent the last 11 of his 34 years at Arthur Andersen as the Worldwide Managing Partner of their Transportation Industry Practice. Carlson was named as Lake County's representative on the Metra Board of Directors a year ago.
The Bronner Group will be tasked with assessing and managing the internal Metra auditing team; recommending and carrying out additional training where necessary; supplementing internal staff with their experience where needed; and helping Metra with its audit plan.
“I welcome the opportunity to work with Metra’s Board of Directors and management team in enhancing Metra’s enterprise capabilities to demonstrate increased levels of stewardship for the public funds under its control and to improve its overall accountability framework,” Ms. Bronner said.
Ms. Bronner has written and lectured extensively on the subjects of auditor independence, internal auditing, government efficiency and reform, grants management, homeland safety, and is a recognized thought leader on public sector implementation and compliance issues associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act).
Ms. Bronner currently serves or has served on numerous significant civic and professional boards, as well as several independent oversight and advisory commissions. In addition, she has assisted many governments and government-related organizations with identification and selection of candidates for independent boards and commissions, as well as for full-time senior executive positions.
Gov. Pat Quinn appointed Ms. Bronner to the Board of Directors of the Illinois Finance Authority, where she serves as chair of its Audit and Investment committees and serves as a member of the Venture Capital, Agriculture, Legislative and Personnel and Compensation committees.
Metra furthers reforms by filling Chief Audit Officer function
New position will be handled by outside firm with knowledge and experience in government
Metra took yet another step towards reform at the agency by hiring the Bronner Group, a well-respected and experienced auditing firm specializing in government work, to manage the internal auditing function at Metra on an interim basis.
Metra has outsourced the management of the internal audit function to the Bronner Group. This is being done as part of a series of moves aimed at strengthening and updating corporate governance, transparency and accountability. The Bronner Group has a dual reporting line to Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno and the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. The firm will also help the board determine the best long-term solution for the Chief Audit Officer (CAO) function.
“Our goal is to foster strong ethics, professionalism and diligence for Metra staff at all levels,” said Metra Chairman Martin Oberman. “Hiring a firm with the proven track record of the Bronner Group, and giving them the mandate to manage Metra’s audit function, is another demonstration of our steadfast commitment to reform and is essential for continuing to rebuild the public’s trust and confidence in our agency.”
The Chicago-based Bronner Group is led by Gila Bronner, an expert on auditor independence, accountability and internal control issues and a nationally recognized authority on government compliance and oversight.
Bronner was brought in by Orseno and the Board in July to assist the audit department while a search for a CAO was underway. Having Bronner’s experienced team and fresh set of eyes focused on Metra and providing independent oversight was the best short-term solution for managing the audit function. The current authorized spending level of their engagement is $187,700 and the full year cost is expected to increase to no more than $330,000.
“Ms. Bronner and her team have an impressive, long-term record of assisting government entities with their business practices, internal controls and public oversight mechanisms, and we are confident they will greatly assist Metra in those areas and others,” said Norm Carlson, a Metra Board Member and chairman of the board’s newly constituted Audit and Finance Committee.
Appointing Carlson to lead the Board Audit and Finance Committee and oversee the financial activities of the agency was another recent board reform measure. Carlson has more than 40 years of experience in railroad finance and spent the last 11 of his 34 years at Arthur Andersen as the Worldwide Managing Partner of their Transportation Industry Practice. Carlson was named as Lake County's representative on the Metra Board of Directors a year ago.
The Bronner Group will be tasked with assessing and managing the internal Metra auditing team; recommending and carrying out additional training where necessary; supplementing internal staff with their experience where needed; and helping Metra with its audit plan.
“I welcome the opportunity to work with Metra’s Board of Directors and management team in enhancing Metra’s enterprise capabilities to demonstrate increased levels of stewardship for the public funds under its control and to improve its overall accountability framework,” Ms. Bronner said.
Ms. Bronner has written and lectured extensively on the subjects of auditor independence, internal auditing, government efficiency and reform, grants management, homeland safety, and is a recognized thought leader on public sector implementation and compliance issues associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act).
Ms. Bronner currently serves or has served on numerous significant civic and professional boards, as well as several independent oversight and advisory commissions. In addition, she has assisted many governments and government-related organizations with identification and selection of candidates for independent boards and commissions, as well as for full-time senior executive positions.
Gov. Pat Quinn appointed Ms. Bronner to the Board of Directors of the Illinois Finance Authority, where she serves as chair of its Audit and Investment committees and serves as a member of the Venture Capital, Agriculture, Legislative and Personnel and Compensation committees.
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