Auditor General: Polk County District financial statements fairly presented; one significant deficiency noted

The Florida Auditor General's office presented its financial audit and federal single‑audit results for Polk County District School Board's fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, reporting that the district's basic financial statements were “presented fairly and in all material respects” though auditors identified a significant deficiency in the district's financial reporting procedures that required corrective action.

Mark Arroyo, audit supervisor for the Auditor General's Lakeland section, told the board the audit did not disclose any material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, but listed Finding 2024‑1 as a significant deficiency: district staff did not report all deferred outflows related to pensions and erroneously recorded insurance claims expenses twice in the internal service fund. Arroyo said auditors tested compliance for major federal programs — including the child nutrition cluster and student support and academic enrichment program — and found the district materially complied with requirements for those programs.

Alain Nunez, the district's senior director of accounting, explained the duplicated June claims invoice posting was identified during the audit and promptly reversed; he said staff also plan to restrict posting access to prior‑year periods, implement a managed period‑close process and require managerial review for any prior‑period entries to reduce recurrence. “We have the ability to lock the system down for any postings into the prior year,” Nunez said, describing steps to prevent duplicate accruals.

Board members praised staff responsiveness. Several trustees and the superintendent noted the audit's overall positive results while asking for greater plain‑English explanations for the public and for additional documentation of corrective steps. The Auditor General's presentation emphasized that auditors obtained reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free from material misstatement and that management is responsible for corrective actions.

Ending: The board did not receive other negative compliance findings; staff said corrective actions are in place and that they will continue to work with the Auditor General's office to close the finding in subsequent reporting.