State Education Department
Quality of Internal Control
Certification
Issued: September 28, 2012
Link to full audit report 2012-S-45
Purpose
To determine whether the State Education Department (SED) submitted timely a quality Internal
Control Certification to the Division of Budget (DOB) by April 30, 2012.
Background
In 1987, the Legislature passed the New York State Governmental Accountability, Audit and Internal
Control Act requiring State agencies and public authorities to each institute a comprehensive
system of internal controls over their operations. DOB requires the head of each covered State
agency and public authority to certify compliance with the Internal Control Act by April 30 of
each year by submitting a certification and internal control summary detailing the internal control
activities undertaken during the previous year. On July 20, 2012, SED submitted its annual Internal
Control Certification and reported a mix of full and partial compliance with the various provisions
of the Act.
Key Findings
- The Internal Control Certification was submitted almost three months late on July 20, 2012.
- Although submitted late, SED's certification exhibited the necessary quality. Answers were complete and responsive, and were supported by records and documentation maintained by the agency.
Key Recommendations
- Re-examine priorities to accommodate timely submission of the annual Internal Control Certification.
Other Related Audits/Reports of Interest
Office for the Aging: Quality of Internal Control Certification Report 2008-S-114
Division of Veterans Affairs: Quality of Internal Control Certification Report 2008-S-115
Department of Transportation: Quality of Internal Control Certification Report 2008-S-116
State Government Accountability Contact Information:
Audit Director: John Buyce
Phone: (518) 474-3271; Email: StateGovernmentAccountability@osc.state.ny.us
Address: Office of the State Comptroller; Division of State Government Accountability; 110 State Street, 11th Floor; Albany, NY 12236