FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2020
Contact information: Brianna Ludwig, North Dakota State Auditor’s Office, 701-328-2453, bsludwig@nd.gov
The North Dakota University System recently completed the Annual Financial Report (AFR) for the fiscal year 2019, which ended on June 30, 2019. The State Auditor’s Office audited the North Dakota University System’s AFR and issued its opinion, which is contained within the report. Our office compliments the University System on their hard work and professionalism completing this AFR. The AFR may be found at https://ndus.edu/wpfd_file/ndus-annual-financial-report-fiscal-year-2019/.
Over the course of this audit, there was one repeat finding regarding internal controls that has been reported annually since 2013. There are three parts to this finding:
1) The Dickinson State University Foundation has not been completely dissolved. Because of this, we still consider them a part of the University System report, and their financial statements are necessary, but were not included.
2) When a University has an affiliation organization, the State Board of Higher Education requires an operating agreement. We found one missing agreement out of 29.
3) Five affiliated organizations did not have an annual audit done by a set deadline, which is also required by the State Board of Higher Education.
State Auditor Gallion commented, “Having internal controls in place enhances the reliability of financial reporting and helps to secure confidence from taxpayers that their dollars are being spent and tracked correctly. Making advancements to these internal controls will give stakeholders the ability to make better decisions based on these financial reports.”
To view the finding and recommendation, read the Governance Communication Including the Report on Internal Control, Compliance, and Other Matters at https://www.nd.gov/auditor/sites/www/files/documents/Reports/State/2019%20NDUS..pdf.
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