Financial reporting on the part of the Aiken County Public School District’s business services department takes comprehensive financial transparency to another level.
Though the school district is only required to issue a standard financial statement each year, the additional issuance of a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, commonly referred to as a CAFR, offers an additional level of assurance to the community.
At the December 8, 2017, regularly scheduled school board meeting, Mr. Tim Grow with Elliott Davis, LLC., presented audit results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017. During the meeting, Mr. Grow spoke highly of District Chief Financial Officer Mr. Tray Traxler, Director of Business Services Ms. Julie Forrester, and others on the District’s business services department staff, calling them “highly competent” before reporting no issues with the audit.
Additionally, the District has received the Governmental Finance Officer Association’s Certificate of Achievement in Excellence in Financial Reporting for its past five CAFRs and the Association of School Business Officials International’s Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting over the past six years. The District will submit its June 30, 2017, CAFR and apply for both awards again this year. An independent and random third party performs an annual review of the CAFR for any award consideration.
Grow made no recommendations, calling the financial statements themselves “materially correct,” while also offering his highest level of assurance. Further, he offered no recommendations on the systems of internal control and commented that the District has “quality staff” doing the work.
Because the District receives funding from the federal government, a single audit is also conducted in areas of high significance such as Title I dollars, IDEA and Improving Teacher Quality. There were no findings with the single audit and no deficiencies to report.
Following Mr. Grow’s report, District Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford thanked Mr. Traxler and Ms. Forrester and their team for their continued diligence and dedication.
“These folks have put in a tremendous amount of time,” commented Dr. Alford. “I don’t have to tell you we have the best financial department in the state.”
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2018 PR CAFR AUDIT RESULTS PRESENTED TO BOARD