City of Salamanca - Collections (2023M-131)

Issued Date
March 15, 2024

[read complete report – pdf] 

Audit Objective 

Determine whether the City of Salamanca (City) City Comptroller’s (Comptroller) collections were recorded and deposited in a timely and accurate manner.

Key Findings 

The Comptroller’s collections were not always accurately recorded and because adequate collection records were not always maintained, we could not determine whether deposits were generally made in a timely manner.

We reviewed 29 deposits totaling nearly $2 million that consisted of 1,835 entries made during our audit period and determined: 

  • 1,759 entries lacked a duplicate press-numbered receipt which precluded us from determining whether deposits were made in a timely manner.
  • 34 entries totaling approximately $50,000 did not have the correct form of payment (cash or check) listed in the collection records.
  • 26 entries totaling approximately $18,000 did not have either the correct check number included on the collection records, or no check number was listed at all.

While we found no collections were lost, misused or misappropriated, because complete and reliable collections are not always maintained, the risk of City collections being lost, misused or misappropriated increased.

Key Recommendation 

  • Ensure complete and accurate collection records are maintained for each transaction.

City officials agreed with our findings and indicated they would initiate corrective action.