City University of New York

New York City College of Technology: Selected Financial Management Practices

New York City College of Technology, one of 11 senior colleges in the City University of New York (CUNY), specializes in technology-related curriculums. We examined the College’s internal controls over selected payroll, purchasing and tuition revenue collection activities. We found that improvements were needed in certain payroll and purchasing controls, and significant improvements were needed in tuition collection practices. For example, many former College employees were still listed on the College’s payroll register, including nine individuals who were deceased. The presence of such names on the payroll register increases the risk of payroll fraud. In addition, contrary to CUNY guidelines, the College allowed students with unpaid tuition balances to register for new classes, and in some instances these students also failed to pay for the new classes. The College also refunded financial aid to students with unpaid tuition balances, and did not always recover the refunded aid when the balances remained unpaid. We made several recommendations aimed at strengthening the College’s internal controls.

For a complete copy of Report 2003-S-37 click here.