Louisiana Legislative Auditor
Daryl G. Purpera, CPA, CFE

February 29, 2016

$38,450 in Student Activity Funds Missing, Jefferson Parish School System Audit Finds

A financial audit of the Jefferson Parish Public School System reported two instances of misappropriation of student activity funds totaling $38,450, with an additional $28,450 potentially missing, according to a report released today by the Legislative Auditor.

The audit was conducted by the independent CPA firm Carr, Riggs & Ingram.

In the first case, an account clerk at one of the district’s elementary schools is believed to have taken $27,000 between November 12, 2014, and March 2015, and used the money to pay personal bills and buy gift cards. School system officials have been able to recover all but about $1,900 of the money from the vendors who were paid with the school funds. The clerk has resigned, but an investigation is ongoing.

In the second case, an account clerk at one of the district’s middle schools is believed to have taken $11,450 in cash receipts received from school club moderators between July 2014 and June 2015. The money was supposed to have been deposited in the school’s bank account. Another $28,450 could be missing, but auditors could not verify that number. None of the money has been recovered. The clerk has resigned, but an investigation into this incident is ongoing as well.

The audit concluded that in both instances the school system did not have adequate measures in place to prevent, detect, or deter the thefts. Since then, the district has held training classes for principals to explain how to review monthly bank statements and reconciliations. The district’s Finance Department also is revising its internal audit program and hiring an additional internal auditor to increase the frequency of central office reviews.

For more information contact:

Legislative Auditor
225.339.3800



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Office of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor | www.LLA.La.gov