Finding Text
Adjusting Journal Entries and Required Disclosures to the Financial Statements
Year ended June 30, 2023
Condition and Criteria: During the current year, adjusting journal entries, along with footnote disclosures were proposed by the auditors and accepted by the District to properly reflect the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Some of the adjustment and footnotes were related to recording retirement accruals, capitals project funds and converting to the full accruals method for government-wide financial statement purposes. In addition, a draft of the financial statements was prepared by the auditors.
Cause and Effect: AU-C Section 265 entitled Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit, issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) considers the need for significant adjusting journal entries and assistance when preparing the financial statements to be indicative of an internal control deficiency. Without this assistance, the potential risk exists of the District’s financial statements not conforming to generally accepted accounting principles.
Auditor’s Recommendation: Although auditors may continue to provide such assistance both now and in the future, under the new pronouncement, the District should continue to review and accept both proposed adjusting journal entries and footnote disclosures, along with the draft financial statements.
School District’s Response: The District has received, reviewed and approved all journal entries, footnote disclosures and draft financial statements proposed for the current year audit and will continue to review similar information in future years. Further, the District believes it has a thorough understanding of these financial statements and the ability to make informed judgments based on these financial statements.