Audit 381762

Finding #2025-001 – Segregation of Duties (Prior Year Finding #2024-001) Condition: The available office staff precludes a proper segregation of duties in the control areas reviewed. Effect: Because of the lack of segregation of duties, errors or irregularities could occur and not be detected on a timely basis. Cause: Controls Over Accounts Payable/Disbursements Person processing accounts payable is not always separate from those who print the checks. Controls Over Payroll Person preparing the payroll is not independent of other personnel duties such as custody of the checks. Criteria: Internal controls should be in place that provide adequate segregation of duties. Generally, a system of internal control contemplates separation of duties such that no individual has responsibility to execute a transaction, have physical access to the related assets, and have responsibility or authority to record the transaction. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented segregating duties among different employees. Management should continue to maintain a working knowledge of matters relating to the District’s operations. Response: We agree with this finding but due to the size of our District and financial constraints we do not believe it is cost effective to increase the office staff in an attempt to bring about a more effective segregation of duties. The Board of Education approves monthly accounts payable checks and the Department Head or Building Principal approves payroll timesheets prior to processing payroll. The Board, Principals, and Department Heads will continue to monitor transactions of the District.

Finding #2025-002 – Material Audit Adjustments (Prior Year Finding #2024-002) Condition: The audit proposed adjusting journal entries during the audit process to adjust District account balances. We deem these entries to be significant in relation to the financial statements. Since the District did not make these adjustments in its accounting system prior to the audit, a material weakness was determined to exist in the District’s internal controls. Effect: Financial reports generated by the accounting system may not provide an accurate reflection of the District’s financial position or activities. Cause: Financial information was not recorded in a timely manner and numerous adjustments were needed in order to correct account balances. Criteria: Material adjusting journal entries not prepared by the District before the audit are considered an internal control weakness. Recommendation: Policies and procedures should be implemented to ensure account balances are properly recorded in a timely manner. Response: The District will establish policies and procedures to reduce the number of adjusting journal entries proposed by the auditor in future years.