Purpose

To determine whether the use of travel monies by selected government employees complied with rules and regulations and is free from fraud, waste and abuse. The audit covers the period April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2011.

Background

New York State’s executive agencies spend between $100 million and $150 million each year on travel expenses. These expenses, which are discretionary and under the control of agency management, include car rentals, meals, lodging, transportation, fuel, and incidental costs such as airline baggage and travel agency fees. As part of a statewide initiative to determine whether the use of travel money by selected government employees was appropriate, we audited travel expenses for the highest-cost travelers in the State as well as other outliers. The highest-cost travelers each incurred over $100,000 in travel expenses during the three year period ending March 31, 2011. Twelve of the state’s highest cost travelers worked at the University at Buffalo (University) and had travel costs totaling $3,593,928. We also audited one employee with an outlier in fuel expenses that totaled $45,882. In total, we examined $3,639,810 of the University’s travel payments.

Key Findings

The travel expenses for the 13 University employees selected for audit were documented and adhered to State travel rules and regulations. The 13 employees are athletic coaches or administrative staff whose travel consisted primarily of team travel to athletic events.

Key Recommendations

None

Other Related Audits/Reports of Interest

State University of New York College at New Paltz: Selected Employee Travel Expenses (2012-S-140)
State University of New York Alfred State College of Technology: Selected Travel Expenses (2012-S-142)
State University of New York College at Cobleskill: Selected Employee Travel Expenses (2012-S-143)
State University of New York College at Oneonta: Selected Employee Travel Expenses (2012-S-145)
State University of New York College at Purchase: Selected Employee Travel Expenses (2012-S-149)