August 13, 2015

NYS Comptroller DiNapoli releases state audits


NYS Comptroller DiNapoli releases state audits
Source: Office of the State Comptroller

On
August 13, 2015 New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced the following audits have been issued [Click on text highlighted in color to access the full report]:

Development Authority of North Country [DNAC]
Auditors determined that DANC officials have provided appropriate oversight for procurements and the loan programs, having established policies and procedures and maintained sufficient monitoring systems. However, auditors did identify areas where DANC could improve its operations, specifically in terms of procurement reporting and determining reasonable cost.


NYS Energy Research and Development Authority [
NYSERDA]
Auditors found that although NYSERDA has policies and procedures governing the contract award process, certain policies and procedures were not always followed for 19 of the 69 contracts reviewed. NYSERDA did not effectively monitor contract expiration dates to ensure that successor contracts were in place prior to the expiration of the previously existing contracts for similar or related work. NYSERDA also did not adequately document the justification for allocating projects (related to four contracts) to certain contractors when there were nine additional contractors pre-qualified for the same work.


Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance [OTDA]
Auditors found the OTDA’s internal control system appropriately addresses all five components of internal control. As a result, the office has multiple mechanisms in place for implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of its internal control system.


State Education Department [
SED] Summit Educational Resources
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, auditors identified $28,176 in other than personal service costs that did not comply with SED’s requirements for reimbursement. The disallowances included $26,754 for consultant services and $1,422 in various other costs that were ineligible for reimbursement. Auditors also questioned another $34,357 in costs for consultant services and information technology procurements that were not obtained through competitive bidding practices.


State Education Department [
SED] – Clinical Associates of the Finger Lakes
Auditors identified $72,401 in costs that did not comply with SED’s requirements for reimbursement. The disallowances included $54,751 in various other-than-personal-service costs, such as property related costs and vehicle expenses, and $17,650 in personal service costs.


State Education Department – Hear 2 Learn, PLLC
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, Hear 2 Learn charged $20,851 in costs that did not comply with SED’s requirements for reimbursement. The disallowances included $10,957 in other than personal service costs and $9,894 in personal service and associated fringe benefit costs that were either non-reimbursable, incorrectly reported, or not properly documented.


Tuition Assistance Program, State Financial Aid at
Barnard College
Auditors determined that Barnard was overpaid $106,333 because school officials incorrectly certified students as eligible for state financial aid awards. Incorrect certifications include 11 students who received awards but had not met the good academic standing requirements and six students who did not meet the full-time requirements. Additional incorrect certifications include two students who had not met matriculation requirements and one student who had not demonstrated the required academic preparedness.