Audits of Local Governments

The Office of the New York State Comptroller’s Division of Local Government and School Accountability conducts performance audits of local governments and school districts. Performance audits provide findings or conclusions based on an evaluation of evidence against criteria. Local officials use audit findings to improve program performance and operations, reduce costs and contribute to public accountability.

For audits older than 2013, contact us at [email protected].

For audits of State and NYC agencies and public authorities, see Audits.

Topics
School District | Purchasing

August 5, 2022 –

District officials did not always procure goods and services in accordance with Board policies and applicable statutory requirements.

Town | Financial Condition, Utilities

July 29, 2022 –

The Board and Supervisor did not effectively manage the Town's financial operations, and were unaware of the Town's true financial position, because the Supervisor did not maintain accurate accounting records and reports.

School District | Information Technology

July 29, 2022 –

District officials did not establish adequate controls over user accounts and software updates to help prevent against unauthorized use, access and loss. Sensitive IT control weaknesses were communicated confidentially to officials.

School District | Purchasing

July 29, 2022 –

Although District officials entered into written agreements with the 15 professional service providers we reviewed, they did not always seek competition for professional services in accordance with District policy. As a result, services may not have been procured in the most economical manner and in the best interest of the taxpayers.

Village | General Oversight

July 29, 2022 –

The Board did not provide adequate oversight of financial operations.

School District | Financial Condition

July 22, 2022 –

The Board and District officials did not properly manage fund balance and reserves. As a result, real property taxes were higher than necessary.

County, Court and Trust | Other

July 22, 2022 –

The County Clerk and Surrogate's Court are responsible for maintaining up-to-date and complete records for court and trust funds and abandoned property. Pursuant to New York State Finance Law Section 184, the Treasurer is required to submit a report on an annual basis to the State Comptroller accounting for all money, securities and other properties deposited into court and ordered into her custody.

School District | Capital Projects

July 22, 2022 –

The Board and District officials properly planned, authorized contracts and accounted for the ongoing project.

Village | Clerks

July 22, 2022 –

The Clerk-Treasurer did not properly deposit, record, report and disburse Village funds and was arrested in February 2021 and charged with grand larceny, falsifying business records, forgery and official misconduct. In December 2021 she pleaded guilty to petit larceny and paid restitution to the Village. The Board of Trustees (Board) did not monitor the Clerk-Treasurer's work, implement compensating controls, or audit the records as required.

School District, Statewide Audit |

July 15, 2022 –

The District's Internet connectivity met the Federal Communications Commission's recommended bandwidth of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) per 1,000 students, as guided by New York State Education Department (NYSED). When tested, the average wireless Internet download speed was 127 Mbps.

Local Development Corporation | Financial Condition

July 15, 2022 –

The Board and officials did not establish realistic budgets. Also, the Board did not review periodic financial reports to monitor the budget and finances and did not establish a comprehensive written multiyear financial plan.

School District | Claims Auditing

July 15, 2022 –

We reviewed 100 claims totaling approximately $5.3 million and found that they were adequately documented and for appropriate purposes. However, the District needs to improve the claims audit process because some claims were not subject to an independent claims audit and some were not properly approved before they were paid.

School District | Schools

July 15, 2022 –

Officials did not establish nonresident tuition (NRT) rates for special education students in accordance with regulations.

School District, Statewide Audit |

July 15, 2022 –

The District's Internet connectivity met the Federal Communications Commission's recommended bandwidth of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) per 1,000 students, as guided by New York State Education Department (NYSED). When tested, the average wireless Internet download speed was 232 Mbps, and the average ethernet cable Internet download speed was 564 Mbps.

Charter School | Claims Auditing

July 15, 2022 –

Credit card charges were not always properly approved or adequately supported. Without adequate support, officials could not demonstrate that all charges were for School purposes.

Town, Local Development Corporation | Other

July 15, 2022 –

The Board did not properly approve and monitor projects.

Statewide Audit, School District | Information Technology

July 15, 2022 –

The District's Internet connectivity met the Federal Communications Commission's recommended bandwidth of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) per 1,000 students, as guided by New York State Education Department (NYSED). When tested, the average wireless Internet download speed was 142 Mbps.

School District, Statewide Audit |

July 15, 2022 –

The District's Internet connectivity met the Federal Communications Commission's recommended bandwidth of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) per 1,000 students, as guided by New York State Education Department (NYSED). When tested, the average wireless Internet download speed was 134 Mbps and the average ethernet cable Internet download speed was 706 Mbps.

County, Court and Trust | Other

July 15, 2022 –

The County Clerk and Surrogate's Court are responsible for maintaining up-to-date and complete records for court and trust funds and abandoned property. Pursuant to New York State Finance Law Section 184, the Treasurer is required to submit a report on an annual basis to the State Comptroller accounting for all money, securities and other properties deposited to court and ordered into his custody.

BOCES | Financial Condition

July 8, 2022 –

While the Board and BOCES officials properly established reserve funds, they did not transparently fund the reserves or use or maintain reserve funds at reasonable levels.