Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to assess the internal controls over selected College financial operations for the period September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013.

Background

North Country Community College is located in Essex County and is governed by the Board of Trustees, which comprises nine appointed members and a student trustee. The College’s expenditures for the 2012-13 fiscal year were $13.6 million.

Key Findings

• The Bursar’s Office did not grant tuition waivers in accordance with the provisions of the College’s collective bargaining agreements, resulting in $54,364 in waivers being granted to ineligible individuals during the 2012-13 fiscal year.
• Some students were overbilled or underbilled for services received and student refund checks were printed and disbursed without approval.
• College officials did not solicit quotes for 15 purchases totaling $99,584.

Key Recommendations

• Designate an individual, independent of the Bursar’s Office, to review and approve employee tuition waiver forms to ensure that waivers are granted in accordance with the College’s collective bargaining agreements.
• Ensure that all students are correctly billed and the Vice President for Fiscal Operations should resume reviewing and approving student refund checks prior to their disbursement.
• Seek competition for purchases not required to be competitively bid and document their efforts.