Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to determine whether District controls are adequate to ensure that financial activity is properly recorded and reported and that District moneys are safeguarded for the period January 1, 2012 through November 27, 2013.

Background

The Ischua Fire District is a district corporation of the State, distinct and separate from the Town of Ischua and located in Cattaraugus County. The Board of Fire Commissioners consists of five elected members. The District’s general fund budget totaled $46,100 for the 2013 fiscal year.

Key Findings

The Board generally did not provide adequate oversight of District financial activities.

• The Board did not audit the Treasurer’s financial records or provide adequate evidence that claims were audited prior to payment.
• The Treasurer has not filed the required annual financial report with OSC since 2009.
• The Treasurer also did not receive or review cancelled checks (or check images) and did not prepare monthly bank reconciliations to determine whether any differences existed between bank records and his check register.

Key Recommendations

• Conduct an annual audit of the Treasurer’s financial records. Ensure that Board minutes contain adequate information that claims were properly audited prior to payment.
• Ensure that the Treasurer completes and files the delinquent annual financial reports for 2010, 2011 and 2012 with OSC.
• Direct the Treasurer to request that the District’s financial institution provide cancelled checks or check images. Prepare monthly bank reconciliations and the Board should review them for accuracy.