Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to determine if the Board provided adequate oversight of the Village’s financial operations and the Clerk-Treasurer’s office for the period June 1, 2012 through January 31, 2014.

Background

The Village of Clinton is located in the Town of Kirkland in Oneida County and has a population of approximately 1,900. The Village is governed by an elected five-member Board of Trustees. Budgeted appropriations for the 2013-14 fiscal year were approximately $2.5 million.

Key Findings

• The Clerk-Treasurer’s financial records were inaccurate and unreliable.
• Not all claims had evidence of Board approval.
• The Board did not provide sufficient oversight of the Village’s financial operations.

Key Recommendations

• Maintain separate accounting records for each fund, ensure that all financial transactions are properly recorded and reported, reconcile all cash balances in the accounting records to bank balances monthly and establish and maintain receivable control accounts for real property taxes and water and sewer rents.
• Pay only the claims that have been audited and approved for payment by the Board, except where allowed by law.
• Require detailed monthly financial reports, segregate financial duties and responsibilities, where practicable, and establish sufficient compensating controls, such as increased oversight.