The Coweta County School System has received the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts’ “Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting” for the third year running.
The school system was presented the award following the receipt of an unmodified opinion for the 2015 fiscal year audit of the school system. Department of Audit and Accounts Senior Auditor Linda Becham and Audit Supervisor Anna Durham delivered the award to Superintendent Steve Barker, Assistant Superintendent for Financial Services Keith Chapman, Comptroller Mike Jones and Assistant Comptroller Chris Latimer, during the Coweta County Board of Education’s May 10 regular meeting.
Only 29 Georgia school systems among 180 in the state received the financial reporting award last year, during 2014 fiscal year audits. The auditors said the school system’s distinction placed it within the top 20 percent of Georgia School System’s in terms of financial reporting and practices.
Superintendent Barker commended Chapman and the school system’s financial and business service staff, and school leadership and staff, for their stewardship and their roles in maintaining sound financial practices. “This recognition speaks highly of the job that you do,” said Barker. “It is truly something to be proud of.”
The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts is an independent agency, and the organization’s Award of Distinction is presented to organizations that submit quality financial statements and supporting documentation in a timely manner, whose annual financial report is given an unmodified audit opinion and is free of any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, and complies with all Transparency in Government requirements.
The school system’s fiscal year 2015 audit was concluded earlier this year, and covered the school system’s previous fiscal year which ended ending June 30, 2015. The process included such activities as examining expenditure from all funds, auditing of federal funds for compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and concluded with an in-depth examination of the school system’s financial statements involving all departments within the school system, including business services, payroll, human resources, and federal program offices, as well as schools.
The audit delivered an “unmodifed opinion” of the system’s financial practices, with no deficiencies or weakness in accounting standards, practices or internal controls. The complete Coweta County Board of Education 2015 Audit Report, including key financial highlights, can be found by visiting the State Auditor’s website at www.audits.ga.gov and following the link for “Reports.”
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