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PSS gives ‘good progression’ in audit reports
The Public School System’s comptroller, George Palican, reported “good progression” in his updates on audit matters to the CNMI State Board of Education yesterday.
He said most findings from 2011 have been resolved but there are a few remaining that PSS is still working on. A 2011 independent audit identified major deficiencies that mostly cover contract awards, disbursements, and travels incurred in fiscal year 2011.
The U.S. Department of Education has in the past stipulated special conditions for grant awards received by PSS from the department.
In 2013, the USDE stipulated additional special conditions to their grants based on the outcome of an onsite visit conducted by the department’s Risk Management Service in August 2012, the delay by PSS in filing the fiscal year 2011 single audit, and findings included in their March 18, 2013 audit report.
The fiscal year 2011 single audit reported deficiencies in bank reconciliation concerning federal funds; procurement; allowable use of department funds; property management (including inventory); travel policies; and payroll procedures; as well as prior areas of concern regarding monitoring and evaluating department programs, and tracking of property and equipment purchased with department funds.
In an interview, Palican said there have been “less findings” in these areas in subsequent years. Right now, PSS has continued to submit quarterly reports on findings from 2011.
He told the board “most of them have been resolved” and only a “few are remaining.”
He told Saipan Tribune that his work has been “intensive.”
Different agencies review PSS’ audit and ask for clarification, and PSS provide this clarification, he said.
In an update on the audit for fiscal year 2012, he reported some “cases closed.”
He reported to the board that the Administration of Children and Families has accepted PSS corrective action plan, and that Federal Transit Agency has “closed-out” on an FY 2012 audit finding based on PSS responses.
Documents have also been submitted to the inspector of the Department of Health and Human Services regarding their FY 2013 audit. PSS is now waiting for news of their accepted corrective actions, according to Palican.
