The Richmond County Partnership for Children has earned a clean bill of financial health, according to an independent audit.

An audit of 2008-2009 activities found the organization was in compliance and had all of the appropriate internal controls.

The state requires an audit every two years.

“We are very pleased with our results,” said Wylie Mabe, board chair. “We have worked hard to use every tax dollar wisely to help our children and our county thrive, and this audit shows we have done just that.”

Auditors look for compliance in three core areas: accuracy of financial statements, how the partnership processes and authorizes transactions such as grants, accounts payable, payroll and cash receipts, and contract compliance.

The Richmond County Partnership for Children is a non-profit organization that distributes legislature-allocated funds in Richmond County. The Partnership collaborates with local agencies to fund and promote programs that enhance the health, education and quality of life for children from birth to age 5 and their families.

The Partnership is part of North Carolina’s Smart Start network, an early childhood initiative designed to ensure that young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed.