Auditors had trouble collecting the information needed to review the Southern University System’s books for the last budget year, the state Legislative Auditor’s Office has found.
Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says the university system filed its annual financial report with the state two months late, The Associated Press reports. And the auditor’s office says the financial report that was submitted had numerous errors and omissions.
In a report released today, Purpera’s office says auditors waited as long as three months to track down some financial information from Southern for the fiscal year that ended June 30. In a written response, Southern University System President Ronald Mason agrees with the findings and blames “major transitions” in management, employee turnover and vacancies in several financial positions for the problems.
Mason says the university system is reviewing its processes and staffing levels to make improvements.
“The Southern University System is fully committed to the principles of timely, accurate and complete financial reporting, and we will utilize our best efforts to ensure that we adhere to these principles and standards,” Mason writes. “The system’s vice president for finance and business, along with the chief financial officers of the campuses, will be responsible for implementing corrective actions.”
