Finding Text
Finding #2022-001 - Segregation of Duties (Prior Year Finding #2021-001) Condition: Proper segregation of duties is an important aspect of any control system. Management is responsible for the design, installation and maintenance of an appropriate system of internal control. The limited size of the District?s office staff prevents the ideal segregation of functions. The following duties lack adequate segregation of duties: The District uses e-signatures to approve purchase orders. Two individuals have access to the e-signatures and have the ability to create new vendors, enter invoices, print checks, record journal entries and record activity on the general ledger. Both individuals also have access to the payroll system. The person reviewing free and reduced food service eligibility can also enter information into the system to determine eligibility. Effect: Errors or intentional fraud could occur and not be detected timely by other employees in the normal course of their responsibilities as a result of the lack of segregation of duties. Cause: Limited number of personnel. Criteria: Segregation of duties is an aspect of internal control intended to prevent or decrease opportunities of intentional and unintentional errors and fraud. Duties and responsibilities are properly segregated if no single individual either has control over all phases of a transaction or has the ability to both make and conceal an error, whether such error is intentional or unintentional. Recommendation: The Board of Education and the Superintendent should continue to monitor the transactions and the financial records of the District. We also encourage the District to continue to identify cost effective opportunities to improve the design of the internal control structure. Response: We agree with this finding but 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 Superintendent approves purchase orders and the Board of Education approves monthly accounts payable checks, and one of the school secretaries or the board treasurer reviews the bank reconciliations. The Board of Education and Superintendent will continue to monitor transactions of the District.