Services

The firm has extensive experience in the following areas of expertise in order to assist agencies in fulfilling their financial needs.

Audit “Readiness” & Compliance

In the current state of economy, the operating climate has evolved to an audit environment. An audit environment where most agencies receiving federal and state funds and/or billing Medicaid can expect to undergo an external audit from a governmental agency.

When an agency or school is notified that they will undergo an audit, we are available in assist in preparation and provide representation to meet with audit agencies and review requested information before submission.

The firm has organized and documented procedures and protocols for those agencies funded by OMRDD and schools funded by NYCDOE and the NYS Education Department. Our procedures and protocols encompass experience, findings and expert knowledge of prior audit findings and regulatory compliance guidelines.

It is recommended that all agencies undergo an audit "readiness" and compliance review before notification of an impending audit.

Compliance Requirements

In the past few years many new or revised regulations and requirements have been disseminated to agencies and schools. These include, but are not limited to, NYS OMIG Provider Compliance Plans (Medicaid Billing to include direct or indirect billing), Reimbursable Cost Manual (NYS Education), Limited Fiscal Review (OMRDD) and the Consolidated Fiscal Report (All SED, OMRDD, OMH) providers.

Our firm can assist in sorting through these regulations, providing updates on critical items and assisting your agency or school to ensure maximum compliance at all times.

Review of Tuition Rates for NYSED Funded Schools

We are available to assist in the review of any proposed reconciliation rate in accordance with the 15 day NYSED policy to comment before finalization. This review can assist in identifying errors or assist in filing requests for reinstatement of any proposed disallowance. This can also include representation and meetings with the NYS Education Department.  

Internal Audit Function

Our firm is available to serve as an internal auditor, in accordance with Fiscal Accountability Legislation for Public School Districts. We currently serve in this function which provides a broad scope of requirements and information which is applicable to other agencies and schools.

Internal Control Reviews - Preventing and Detecting Fraud

Our firm can perform a review of your existing financial structure and operations in order to design or enhance your current internal controls. Attention will be paid to existing policies and procedures with special emphasis on segregation of duties and controls to prevent and/or detect fraud.

Preparation and Review of Policy and Procedure Manuals

This will encompass review of existing policies and procedures or the formulation of new policies and procedures. All policy and procedure manuals must reflect the current existing regulatory guidance and be practical in terms of implementation.

Governance Reviews

This review includes excerpts from regulatory requirements concerning governance. All funding sources require an adequate oversight from management and/or Board of Directors or School Board Members.   Preparation and review of governance manuals and procedures with NYS OMIG, Sarbanes-Oxley, NYS Education Department and OMRDD will be followed.

Efficiency Audits

All agencies and schools must become efficient and strive to utilize funding with maximum return. This audit reviews the current operations to highlight and recommend savings centers. Past experience, knowledge of funding models and regulatory compliance will be utilized.

Executive & Other Compensation Reviews

In order to meet all the oversight requirements from Internal Revenue Service, NYS Education Department and OMRDD, we perform compensation reviews. This is performed utilizing information obtained from peer agencies, salary surveys and other regulatory guidelines to help protect agencies and schools from penalties associated with excessive compensation.

While protecting the agency or school this is also a requirement under Form 990 for Not-For- Profit organizations under the new requirements with IRS Intermediate Sanctions Law

Consolidated Fiscal Reporting ("CFR")

Our firm is available to prepare or review the Consolidated Fiscal Report. This report is a critical in that it is used to determine   tuition rates & waivers (NYSED) rate appeals & price adjustments (OMRDD), rate setting methodologies (NYSED, OMRDD, DOH). In an audit engagement, this report will the basis for the review and/or disallowances.

It is critical the all guidance and references from the CFR Manual are followed along with acceptable allocation methodologies. Recently the CFR Manual was updated for title codes as well as Program reporting revisions.

Maximizing Reimbursement

It is critical that all agencies and schools look to maximize the current revenue that is available to them through regulatory guidance. This can include:

· Preparation of rate appeal and price adjustment submissions

· Budgeting and monitoring programs to avoid tuition rate disallowances

· Consultation on new program development/budgeting

· Development of cost allocation methodologies acceptable to funding sources

· Review of fiscal impacts through proposed rate methodologies

Training

This can include training on all fiscal and program staff in policies and procedures, rate methodologies and reporting. This can also include Fund-Ez report and general ledger setup and training. In addition, we can also train   Board of Directors on   governance and financial training.

Other Services

The above listing is not all inclusive. Our firm has built relationships with many experts in the areas of greatest need and importance to agencies and schools. We are available to recommend any of these professionals which will complement our services or assist you in finding the needed expertise.