Who performs Raleigh's annual audit?

The City engages an independent certified public accounting firm to perform the annual audit and issues a CAFR through the Finance Department.

Where can I find the city's CAFR?

Published CAFRs and recent audit reports are available on the City of Raleigh financial reports page and on request from the Finance Department.

What if I suspect misreporting?

Report concerns to the City Auditor or Finance Department; unresolved matters may be referred to the North Carolina Local Government Commission.

Raleigh Annual Audit Standards and Financial Reporting

Taxation and Finance North Carolina 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026

Raleigh, North Carolina requires regular independent audits and public financial reports for city government operations. This guide explains the local reporting practice, the offices responsible for annual audits and Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs), and how residents and officials can access, review, and challenge audit findings. It summarizes submission pathways, typical procedural timelines, and where to locate official forms and contacts to comply with municipal finance rules.

Legal basis and authorities

The City of Raleigh publishes annual financial reports and audit records through its Finance Department; independent audit engagements and CAFR publication practices are maintained by city finance staff and the city auditor or equivalent oversight office. See the City of Raleigh financial reports for current practice and published CAFRs City of Raleigh Financial Reports^[1]. The North Carolina Local Government Commission provides statewide oversight and submission requirements for municipal audits and financial reporting obligations North Carolina Local Government Commission^[2].

Municipal audit schedules and CAFR publication are public records available from the finance office.

Penalties & Enforcement

Official city and state pages do not list monetary penalties or daily fines tied to late CAFR filing on the cited municipal pages; where specific penalties or sanctions apply they are documented by the enforcing authority and must be checked directly with that office or the Local Government Commission. For amounts and statutory fines, see the enforcing agency pages cited above.^[1]^[2]

Enforcer: City of Raleigh Finance Department and city auditor for internal matters; Local Government Commission for statutory reporting oversight.
Inspection: annual independent audit reports, internal audit reviews, and state submissions.
Appeals/review: procedures not specified on the cited page; contact the enforcing office for appeal time limits and review steps.
Fines/penalties: not specified on the cited pages.
Non-monetary sanctions: orders to correct financial statements, withholding of approvals, or referral to state authorities when applicable.

When fines or statutory remedies are needed, the Local Government Commission typically provides the formal notice and process.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes CAFRs and audit reports; there is no single public ‘‘application’’ for the audit itself because independent audits are procured and administered by city finance or procurement. Official submission forms for state reporting and audit transmittal are referenced by the Local Government Commission and are available on that site or by contacting the finance office directly.^[2]

Action steps for officials and residents

Officials: schedule and publish the CAFR and audit engagement letter annually and file required state reports.
Residents: request copies of the latest CAFR from the City Finance Department or view published reports online.
If you find concerns: file a formal complaint with the City Auditor or the Finance Department and, if necessary, notify the Local Government Commission.

Document any correspondence and deadlines when raising audit concerns to preserve appeal and review rights.

FAQ

Who performs Raleigh's annual audit?: The City engages an independent certified public accounting firm to perform the annual audit and issues a CAFR through the Finance Department.
Where can I find the city's CAFR?: Published CAFRs and recent audit reports are available on the City of Raleigh financial reports page and on request from the Finance Department.^[1]
What if I suspect misreporting?: Report concerns to the City Auditor or Finance Department; unresolved matters may be referred to the North Carolina Local Government Commission.^[2]

How-To

Locate the latest CAFR on the City of Raleigh financial reports page or request a copy from the Finance Department.
Review the auditor's opinion, management discussion, and notes for areas of concern.
Contact the City Auditor or Finance Department to ask for clarification or additional records.
If unresolved, submit a complaint to the Local Government Commission following their guidance.

Key Takeaways

Raleigh publishes audits and CAFRs through the Finance Department for public review.
The Local Government Commission provides statewide oversight and submission requirements.