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SOUTHEAST REGIONAL OFFICE

Audit No. 363

Limited Audit of Financial and Administrative Controls

INTRODUCTION

The Office of Inspector General conducted a limited audit of the financial and administrative internal controls of the Southeast Regional Office (SERO). The audit procedures were limited to analyzing representations made by SERO staff, reviewing supporting documentation, and conducting some tests of transactions. The purpose of the audit was to provide the Commission with negative assurance that the internal controls were adequate, being implemented economically and efficiently, and in compliance with Commission polices and procedures¹.

BACKGROUND

The Southeast Regional Office is located in Miami Florida. Assisted by the Atlanta District Office, it is responsible for administering Commission programs, subject to Commission oversight, in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virgin Islands. In carrying out its responsibilities, SERO exercises a broad range of financial and administrative functions, including maintaining time and attendance records; procuring supplies and services; arranging for staff travel; maintaining an inventory of property; and recording budgeted and actual expenditures of the office.

AUDIT RESULTS

During the limited audit described above, no material weaknesses in the internal control structure involving SERO's financial and administrative functions came to our attention. Some minor internal control weaknesses were verbally discussed with SERO management. SERO concurred with these findings and has agreed to implement our recommendations. We commend them for already implementing almost all of these recommendations in a timely manner.

The audit was performed in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards from January 2003 to April 2003.

¹ Negative assurance means that no material internal control weaknesses came to our attention during our limited audit.