REPORT DIGEST

REGIONAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION #45:

MONROE AND RANDOLPH COUNTIES

FINANCIAL AUDIT (In accordance with the Single Audit Act and OMB Circular A-133)

For the Year Ended: June 30, 2011

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Summary of Findings:

Total this audit: 1

Total last audit: 0

Repeated from last audit: 0

State of Illinois, Office of the Auditor General

WILLIAM G. HOLLAND, AUDITOR GENERAL

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Office of the Auditor General, Iles Park Plaza, 740 E. Ash Street, Springfield, IL 62703

(217) 782-6046 or TTY (888) 261-2887

This Report Digest and Full Report are also available on the worldwide web at www.auditor.illinois.gov

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SYNOPSIS

The Regional Office of Education #45 did not have adequate monitoring of collateral on deposits.

FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

INADEQUATE MONITORING OF COLLATERAL ON DEPOSITS

The Public Funds Deposit Act (30 ILCS 225/1) gives the authorization for deposits in excess of the federally insured limit to be covered by pledged collateral held by the financial institutions’ trust departments in the Regional Office of Education #45’s name. In addition, prudent business practice requires that all cash and investments held by financial institutions for the ROE be adequately covered by depository insurance or collateral.

As of June 30, 2011, cash account balances with one bank totaled $425,601. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) covers up to a maximum of $250,000. Additional collateral totaling $61,404 was received as of June 30, 2011. The Regional Office of Education #45 had made a formal arrangement with the bank to automatically provide additional collateral for balances exceeding the FDIC coverage; however, additional collateral was not provided by the bank for the balance of $114,197. Failure to secure full collateral on cash balances may result in monetary losses to the Regional Office of Education #45.

According to Regional Office of Education #45 officials, the required additional collateral for the ROE’s deposits was due to the bank insufficiently monitoring account balances when assigning collateral. (Finding 11-01, page 12)

The auditors recommended that the Regional Office of Education #45 should monitor collateral held for its bank accounts. The Regional Office of Education #45 should also establish controls for confirming amounts pledged by the bank on a regular basis, especially when cash balances exceed the FDIC level.

The Regional Office of Education #45 responded that it agrees with the finding. The ROE noted that management will meet with bank personnel to review the agreement about additional collateral for the Regional Office of Education and to request a regular statement showing the amounts that have been pledged. The Regional Office of Education #45 also noted that staff will more closely monitor collateral pledged on bank account balances.

AUDITORS’ OPINION

Our auditors state the Regional Office of Education #45’s financial statements as of June 30, 2011 are fairly presented in all material respects.

WILLIAM G. HOLLAND

Auditor General

WGH:JRB

AUDITORS ASSIGNED: Kemper CPA Group, LLP were our special assistant auditors.