NATCHEZ — After many long days and some weekend work, Assistant Natchez City Clerk Wendy McClain said the city audit should be ready for submission Monday — probably.

“If not Monday, it will definitely be submitted by the end of next week,” said McClain, who joined the city clerk office July 6.

The audit, which by state mandate was due June 30, missed its initial deadline for several reasons, McClain said.

“We had some items coded incorrectly, and there were some items that were posted incorrectly,” McClain said. “We had to go back and correct all of that.”

Once the audit is complete, McClain said it would then be submitted to The Gillon Group — a local group of accountants who offer accounting and tax consultations.

From there, McClain said the reviewed audit would then be sent to the state for public record.

One of the largest accounts left on the audit, McClain said, is the general fund.

“We’re working on that right now,” McClain said while sorting papers in her office Thursday afternoon.

Since arriving at the clerk office, McClain said she has been working solely on preparing the city’s audit.

“I’ve worked some with getting the budget ready, but other than that, I’ve just been working on the audit,” she said.

Once the audit is submitted, McClain said she plans to shift gears and begin working on the city’s budget, which is due Sept. 15.

McClain said she thinks that deadline will be met.

“The fiscal year begins Oct. 1, so we want to get that in as soon as possible,” she said.

When the budget is ready, McClain said the board of aldermen would then start holding special work sessions to review the budget.

“I’ve been her for a month now, and it’s been busy,” McClain said.

But, I knew when I came here, that I would have to put in some time.”

Diane Holland, accounting clerk for the city, said the budget was late for submission last year, but she anticipates a punctual completion this year.