External Audit Gives Huntington High Marks

The Huntington School District has received an excellent independent financial audit from Cullen & Danowski, LLP, certified public accountants based in Port Jefferson Station. The firm conducted an extensive examination and review of the district’s financial books, records and internal control procedures.

The audit was presented to the Huntington School Board by Jill S. Sanders, CPA, during a January 6 public meeting during which she reviewed the findings and recommendations.

Ms. Sanders’ assessment was exceedingly positive. The audit is available on the district’s website at www.hufsd.edu or it can be quickly accessed by clicking on this link: http://www.hufsd.edu/leadership/central/central_office_finance.html.

Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky, Assistant Superintendent for Business Sam Gergis and Huntington School Board members have been steadfast in their insistence on maintaining extremely tight internal control procedures along with a culture of honesty and professionalism.

“The positive assessment is a result of the ongoing hard work of many,” Mr. Polansky said. “We have worked diligently to ensure the quality and quantity of internal control mechanisms, which clearly contributes to the favorable report. As importantly, the commitment to transparency is unwavering, as is the prompt response to any auditor recommendations.”

Ms. Sanders, who is a Cullen & Danowski partner, provided an overview of the auditing process, which covered the district through the end of the last fiscal year, June 30, 2013.  The firm examined records, interviewed employees and documented the procedures in place. Sample transactions were tested for deficiencies and checked to determine if purchasing was in line with both Huntington School Board policies and the state law.

The audit showed effective segregation of duties among employees and revealed no discrepancies in the district’s books and records. “The good news is that the district is in good financial condition,” Ms. Sanders said. “The district has put forth a meaningful budget and works hard to monitor that budget.”

Ms. Sanders reviewed a draft version of the audit with the district’s audit committee in the fall. She told trustees that she was “very pleased to report the district has a very good system of internal controls and checks and balances.”

Cullen & Danowski provided “the highest level of assurance that financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects.” All of the separate funds maintained by the district were subject to the audit.

The accounting firm’s findings were presented in two volumes along with a management letter that included a handful of relatively minor recommendations.  Ms. Sanders noted the district is traditionally “prompt in putting together a corrective action plan” in response to the auditor’s recommendations.

“Ms. Sanders has almost 30 years of professional experience in public accounting focusing on local governmental and not-for-profit organizations,” according to the Cullen & Danowski website. “She has an expertise in audits of employee benefit plans and compliance audits of federally funded programs. She is experienced in providing accounting and related services to commercial enterprises. She has been a speaker for various professional organizations.”

Ms. Sanders holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Connecticut State College and a P.B.M. in accounting from Kean College.