Skip to main content Skip to search

Local Governmental Organizations

The financial management of local governmental organizations has never been more challenging or critical than it is today. The growing complexity of governmental reporting and compliance issues, the heightened demand for accountability as stewards of public resources, and the constant pressure to provide exceptional public services while maintaining budgetary integrity, have significantly increased the demands on local government organization business officials and governance. LB Carlson provides effective assurance, compliance, and advisory services to help our governmental clients meet these challenges and maintain the trust of their constituents and stakeholders.

An experienced and expert resource 

It’s important for local governments to partner with a firm that offers expert audit, accounting, and advisory services dedicated to this complex field. Our governmental services team’s leadership and experience serving the highly specialized needs of the local governmental sector in Minnesota is unsurpassed.

This experience brings a thorough understanding of this unique environment, ensuring our clients receive expert solutions that consider the latest developments in governmental accounting, compliance, and legislation. The leadership and staff of our governmental services team have the specialized knowledge and experience necessary to deliver high-quality services in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Governmental organizations we partner with

LB Carlson’s governmental services team currently provides services to approximately 100 local governmental organizations, including:

  • Cities and Townships
  • Independent and Intermediate School Districts
  • Charter schools
  • Police and Fire Relief Associations
  • Special Education Cooperatives
  • A variety of governmental joint ventures and jointly governed organizations

How we can help you!

In addition to traditional attestation, compliance, and accounting services, LB Carlson offers a wide range of customized advisory services specifically tailored to meet the needs of our governmental clients. Our governmental services team’s depth of specialized knowledge and thorough understanding of this constantly evolving environment enables us to provide responsive and forward-thinking support to our governmental clients throughout the year.

Practice Leader
Jim Eichten

Your Local Governmental Organizations Team Leaders

Aaron Nielsen,
Principal

Jaclyn Huegel,
Principal

William Lauer,
Principal

Jennifer Dickman,
Client Manager

Zekeill Johnson,
Client Manager

Blog Posts

Weighing the risks

Weighing the risks vs. rewards of a mezzanine loan

To say that most small to midsize businesses have at least considered taking out a loan this year would probably be an understatement. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has lowered many companies’ revenue but may have also opened opportunities for others to expand or pivot into more profitable areas.

If your company needs working capital to grow, rather than simply survive, you might want to consider a mezzanine loan. These arrangements offer relatively quick access to substantial funding but with risks that you should fully understand before signing on the dotted line.

Employee health care

Helping employees understand their health care accounts

Many businesses now offer, as part of their health care benefits, various types of accounts that reimburse employees for medical expenses on a tax-advantaged basis. These include health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRAs) and Health Savings Account (HSAs, which are usually offered in conjunction with a high-deductible health plan).

Accounting software

5 common accounting software mistakes to avoid

No company can afford to operate without the right accounting software. When considering whether to buy a new product or upgrade their current solutions, however, business owners often fall prey to some common mistakes. Here are five gaffes to avoid:

Social Security tax

Will You Have to Pay Tax on Your Social Security Benefits?

If you’re getting close to retirement, you may wonder: Are my Social Security benefits going to be taxed? And if so, how much will you have to pay? It depends on your other income. If you’re taxed, between 50% and 85% of your benefits could be taxed. (This doesn’t mean you pay 85% of your benefits back to the government in taxes. It merely that you’d include 85% of them in your income subject to your regular tax rates.)

Education Tax Breaks

Back-to-school tax breaks on the books

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, students are going back to school this fall, either remotely, in-person or under a hybrid schedule. In any event, parents may be eligible for certain tax breaks to help defray the cost of education.

Here is a summary of some of the tax breaks available for education.

President signs 5-week PPP extension

President Trump has signed a five-week extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), after unanimous agreement by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, in an effort to continue providing relief for small businesses hit hard by the pandemic.