Finding 59913 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-01-05
Audit: 55983
Organization: School District of Lomira (WI)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District lacks proper segregation of accounting duties, allowing one person to manage payroll approvals, check issuance, and bank reconciliations.
  • Impacted Requirements: This situation increases the risk of undetected errors or fraud due to insufficient checks and balances in financial operations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance oversight by the Administrator and School Board to monitor accounting activities and mitigate risks associated with the current structure.

Finding Text

Criteria: The District should segregate accounting duties, at a minimum to separate the asset and the recordkeeping function, to minimize the opportunity for misstatements caused by error or fraud to occur and go undetected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. Condition: The District does not have adequate segregation of duties in its accounting functions. Specifically, one individual is responsible for approval of the payroll process and has the ability to cut checks, print the automatic signatures on the checks, and performs the bank reconciliations. Cause: A small number of individuals within the District?s administration perform substantially all accounting functions and have control over both records and assets. Effect or Potential Effect: The lack of segregation of accounting duties could create an opportunity for misstatements caused by error or fraud to occur and go undetected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. Recommendation: Due to the size of the District, it is not practical to hire additional individuals in order to adequately segregate accounting duties; therefore, we recommend that the Administrator?s and School Board?s close supervision, review of accounting information and knowledge of matters relating to the District?s financial operations provide an effective means of preventing and detecting errors and irregularities.

Corrective Action Plan

In response, the District agrees and intends to continue to provide supervision and monitor accounting information and operations including obtaining explanations for variances from unexpected results and work to increase segregation of duties. In addition to monthly review and Board approval of the voucher list, detailed check register, and itemized revenue and expenditure statements relative to the yearly approved district budget, the Administrator will also review the monthly bank reconciliations, payroll records, and accounting information to determine if expectations are being met, as well as to obtain explanations for any variations.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 59914 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 59915 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 59916 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 59917 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 636355 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 636356 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 636357 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 636358 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 636359 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $269,007
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $198,811
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $127,996
10.553 School Breakfast Program $96,772
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $86,794
10.555 National School Lunch Program $47,579
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $45,133
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $23,734
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $17,625
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $12,770
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $5,421