Hudson Housing Authority – Board Oversight (2016M-302)

Issued Date
October 28, 2016

Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to assess the Board’s oversight of the Authority’s financial operations for the period July 1, 2014 through May 18, 2016.

Background

The Hudson Housing Authority is located in the City of Hudson in Columbia County and provides low-rent housing for qualified individuals. The Authority is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners consisting of five commissioners appointed by the City Mayor and two commissioners elected by tenants. The operating budget for the low-income housing program for the 2015-16 fiscal year totaled approximately $867,000.

Key Findings

  • Board and Authority officials have not adopted policies and procedures to ensure that cash receipt, cash disbursement and bank reconciliations duties are segregated.
  • The Board did not perform an audit of claims or designate a claims auditor to do so.

Key Recommendations

  • Adopt written policies to ensure that the duties for cash receipts, cash disbursements and bank reconciliations are segregated among employees or that increased managerial oversight is in place.
  • Perform a deliberate and thorough audit of claims prior to payment or appoint a claims auditor to do. Such an audit should include ensuring that claims are in accordance with purchasing policies and credit card payments are based on credit card statements.