Audit of RCS notes improvements

An independent auditor has determined the RCS school district is making improvements of its financial oversight and controls.

In a report made public in October, independent auditor West and Company noted several changes that have increased controls of district funds, including increased payroll and attendance controls and increased controls over cash accounts. 

The audit involved the school year ending on June 30, 2007.

Specifically, the report found that previous comments about lax oversight in the purchasing and payments procedures “have been corrected” – specially in the area of documentation of payments, proper authorization of purchases and keeping expenditures within appropriations.

Additionally, West and Company also noted improvements in:

• Procedures within the treasurer’s office
• Full utilization of an internal claims auditor to review purchase and payable processes
• Maintenance of I-9 forms  in personnel files
• Authorization of time-off requests by proper management
• Accounting of extra classroom activity funds with proper controls
• Proper legal support of expendable and nonexpendable trust funds
• Institution of proper authorizations for budget transfers

The independent audit report did note areas RCS still must address, including reviewing the work done by an appraisal accompany and the development of policies, procedures and controls to record future additional and deletions to the physical inventory.

Another recommendation was that RCS should develop procedures and related controls for increased oversight of  the treasurer’s general journal entries.

“We are pleased that the work of the Board of Education and administration, as well as faculty and staff to improve oversight has been noted by this firm. We will continue to work diligently on addressing auditor recommendations,” said Superintendent Vicki Wright.