BY DAN HILDEBRAN
The Clay County School Board discussed forming an internal audit committee during its October 29 workshop.
Representatives from RSM told school board members that their firm is the fifth-largest public accounting firm in the nation. They briefed school board members on the requirements of the Florida statutes regarding school board internal audits.
RSM’s Matthew Blondell told board members that in 2019, the Florida Legislature passed a law requiring districts with revenues exceeding $500 million to hire an internal auditor. He added that soon thereafter, the Department of Education issued letters stating that districts could hire outside firms to perform the work instead of employing an auditor.
Blondell, a Clay County Public Schools graduate, said internal audits might include verifying account balances and evaluating internal controls. They may also examine operational issues that go beyond traditional accounting audits.
School Board Attorney Jeremiah Blocker told members that the district’s internal audit plan and evaluation of audit results would be approved by a citizen committee with one school board member on the panel.
