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 | Financial Condition

January 22, 2021 –

The Board and District officials did not effectively manage financial condition.

School District | Information Technology

January 22, 2021 –

District officials did not ensure that the District's network access controls were secure.

Village | Capital Projects

January 15, 2021 –

The Board properly planned the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) project but could have better managed certain aspects of the project.

Town | Cash Disbursements, Other

January 15, 2021 –

The Board did not properly manage pool project donations or disbursements.

School District | Schools

January 15, 2021 –

Extra-classroom activity (ECA) funds were not properly accounted for and deposited timely.

County | Capital Projects

January 8, 2021 –

County officials did not use competitive methods to obtain and renovate temporary courthouse space.

Village | Employee Benefits

January 8, 2021 –

The Board did not establish adequate controls over payroll and employee benefits payments.

Village | Clerks

January 8, 2021 –

The Clerk-Treasurer did not maintain adequate records and reports to allow the Board to properly manage Village finances.

Town | Other

January 8, 2021 –

The Town of Orange is located in Schuyler County. Certain significant revenue and expenditure projections in the Town's adopted budget for the 2021 fiscal year are not reasonable. Our review took into consideration the potential impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on the Town's finances.

Statewide Audit | General Oversight

December 30, 2020 –

Determine whether local governments used resources to implement certain ethics oversight standards.

School District | Financial Condition

December 30, 2020 –

District officials did not adopt reasonable budgets and adequately manage financial condition during our audit period.

Village | Financial Condition

December 23, 2020 –

The Board did not adequately manage the Village's financial condition. As a result, the Village is fiscally stressed.

Village | Records and Reports

December 23, 2020 –

The Treasurer did not maintain accurate, complete and timely accounting records or properly reconcile bank accounts in a timely manner.

School District | Financial Condition

December 18, 2020 –

The Board and District officials' actions to manage financial condition were not transparent and more taxes were levied than necessary to fund operations.

BOCES | Information Technology

December 18, 2020 –

BOCES officials did not regularly provide formalized IT security awareness training, assess computer usage to confirm IT assets were used for appropriate purposes or establish adequate controls to safeguard information contained in the network and financial system.

Fire Company or Department | General Oversight

December 11, 2020 –

The Company did not have adequate controls in place to ensure that Company funds were safeguarded.

City | Other

December 11, 2020 –

The current Clerk began properly accounting for fees as of October 1, 2017. The former Clerk did not properly account for fees.

Town | Purchasing

December 4, 2020 –

Town officials did not always seek competition, as required, when purchasing goods or obtaining professional services.

County, District | Information Technology

November 25, 2020 –

District officials did not establish adequate controls over information technology (IT) assets.

County, District | Financial Condition

November 25, 2020 –

District officials did not effectively manage the District's financial condition. The District's financial condition declined approximately $1 million during our audit period because the Board's ability to recognize revenue shortfalls or cost overruns was hindered, which limited any potential corrective action.