Wantagh Public Library Audit Findings Released by State Comptroller

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released this week his office's findings from a recent audit of the and made suggestions for ways the library can improve its policies and procedures.

The audit of the Wantagh Public Library took place from July 1, 2009 to June 30,2010. To view the complete report of the audit, click here.

Among DiNapoli’s findings from the audit were:

• The Wantagh Public Library Board of Trustees board has not established an internal control system that provides for adequate oversight over employee leave accruals and compensatory time accruals.
• The duties of the senior library clerk and the head of circulation were not adequately segregated and as a result, library officials granted employees leave and compensatory time that they were not entitled to and they underreported other employees' accruals.
• The library's claims processing procedures needs to be improved.
• The board appointed a trustee as treasurer and the lack of independence makes library assets more susceptible to misappropriation.

Library officials responded to the audit's findings by pointing out they are already in the process of implementing some of the suggested changes urged by the state comptoller. At the Wantagh Public Library Board of Trustees reorganization meeting on July 11, certified public accountant Gary Hertzan was appointed as trasurer in an effort to further improve internal controls within the library's business office.

"The audit by the State Comptroller’s Office has provided the Board of Trustees and the director the opportunity to implement internal controls which will improve the oversight of leave accruals and claims processing at the Wantagh Public Library," said Wantagh Public Library Diector Maggie Marino and president Margaret Kowalski in a joint statement. "The board has been following the policies of the library that have been in effect but are updating them based on the findings of the State Comptroller’s Office."

In addition to the Wantagh Public Library, DiNapoli also conducted audits of the Coldenham Fire District and the Town of Kinderhook.

"My office's audits of local governments improve their financial management practices," said DiNapoli in a statement. "These audits are tools for local officials to make sure proper policies and procedures are in place to protect taxpayer dollars and provide the best possible service these taxpayer dollars can deliver."