I thought this Tulsa World commenter was interesting...
http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=62&articleid=20091105_7_A16_spanc34042Wood has experience, education By Price Brattin, Tulsa
11/5/2009
I take issue with the World's endorsement of Preston Doerflinger for city auditor ("For Doerflinger," Oct. 24). The endorsement is based on the notion Doerflinger "has more than 14 years of management experience."
Maybe the writer didn't know what an auditor does. How money is spent is determined by the city budget, not the auditor. The auditor tests city transactions to make sure they conform to city policies, rules and regulations. Management experience as an entrepreneur provides little or no understanding of auditing.
The editorial states Doerflinger is becoming a certified internal auditor. How? By reading a book so he can pass the exam? Isn't that like a prospective coach never playing the game but reading about the sport? Becoming a certified internal auditor requires 24 months auditing experience. Doerflinger lists no audit experience on his Web site. He has a degree in organizational leadership and is a registered respiratory therapist. That might be the education and experience for city health care officer but not city auditor.
Phil Wood retired as the chief financial officer of a major Tulsa company, is a certified internal auditor, and has more than 20 years experience as an internal auditor. He taught business at the University of Kansas and did advanced study of business at Harvard and the Wharton School. He's been elected city auditor 10 times. He has the education and ability to do the job.
Vote for Phil Wood. He won't have to learn on the job.
Editor's note: Brattin is a certified public accountant.