GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION FILLS IMMEDIATE INTERIM CFO NEED, UNDERGOES FORENSIC AUDIT

OUR CLIENT’S NEED

The Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) needed assistance in identifying a qualified professional to fill an executive leadership position after the organization’s chief financial officer resigned in 2019.

Ed Plawecki, director of government relations, has built many relationships over the years with various Detroit city officials. Ed is a former Wayne County Commissioner and judge in the state of Michigan.

UHY’s government team recently acted as the accounting department for the City of Detroit’s $5.2 billion Retirement Pension Systems for more than four years. The DLBA was aware of UHY’s work with the City of Detroit and reached out to Ed to see if he could help find a replacement for the organization’s open chief financial officer position.

The Detroit Land Bank Authority's mission is to return the city's blighted and vacant properties to productive use. The DLBA utilizes a variety of sales programs to make homeownership and land purchases accessible to Detroiters. The DLBA works with individual buyers, as well as with community partner organizations and developers for projects big and small.

UHY’S SOLUTIONS

Ed identified Marlene Beach, audit and assurance principal, to fill the role as interim chief financial officer until a permanent replacement was identified. Marlene functioned in this role for more than five months before the DLBA selected a permanent replacement.

RESULTS ACHIEVED

During the five months that Marlene acted as DLBA’s temporary chief financial officer, the organization received notice that they were subject to a forensic audit. Although the DLBA had by then hired its permanent CFO, Marlene stayed on board to help the DLBA get through the forensic examination providing an extra level of staffing that ensured they could respond to the auditors in a manner that was timely, accurate and professional without compromising day-to-day operations.

“Marlene Beach and UHY provided excellent service to the DLBA during a critical time in our organization”, said Saskia Thompson, executive director of the DLBA. “Having Marlene part of our team while we recruited and onboarded a new CFO allowed us to continue to function seamlessly during the staffing transition, and enabled us to continue managing our financial resources to the high standard which we expect.”

“Marlene’s contributions were an invaluable component of my overall transition”, said Reginald B. Scott II, chief financial officer of the DLBA. “Marlene was thoughtful in maintaining the accounting systems and practices in place, while also providing key insights based on her experience. I appreciate the ongoing professional rapport with Marlene and my ability to seek her opinion and share ideas moving forward.”