Finding 1173182 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-02-10
Audit: 386636
Organization: Montello School District (WI)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Limited staff prevents proper segregation of duties in payroll processing, increasing the risk of undetected errors.
  • Impacted Requirements: Internal controls should ensure that no single employee handles all aspects of a transaction, including execution, access, and recording.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures to separate duties among staff and ensure management stays informed about operational matters.

Finding Text

Finding #2025-001 – Limited Segregation of Duties (Prior Year Finding #2024-001) Condition: The available office staff precludes a proper segregation of duties for processing payroll. Effect: Because of the lack of segregation of duties, errors or irregularities could occur and not be detected on a timely basis. Cause: The condition is due to limited staff available. 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 and continue to work to achieve segregation of duties whenever cost effective. The payroll disbursement process includes approval of timesheets and review of coding on an ongoing basis. The Board of Education reviews budget to actual information along with disbursement information monthly.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding #2025-001 – Limited Segregation of Duties (Prior Year Finding #2024-001) Condition: The available office staff precludes a proper segregation of duties for processing payroll. Effect: Because of the lack of segregation of duties, errors or irregularities could occur and not be detected on a timely basis. Cause: The condition is due to limited staff available. 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 and continue to work to achieve segregation of duties whenever cost effective. The payroll disbursement process includes approval of timesheets and review of coding on an ongoing basis. The Board of Education reviews budget to actual information along with disbursement information monthly. Contact Person: Cheryl Troost Anticipated Completion: Not Applicable

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1173173 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173174 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173175 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173176 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173177 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173178 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173179 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173180 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173181 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.778 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $278,338
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $269,707
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $196,975
16.710 PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERSHIP AND COMMUNITY POLICING GRANTS $130,817
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $120,652
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $111,187
84.287 TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS $95,391
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $86,191
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $46,752
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $36,108
10.559 SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN $33,997
84.358 RURAL EDUCATION $17,849
10.582 FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM $12,921
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $8,576
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $7,695
10.185 LOCAL FOOD FOR SCHOOLS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAM $918