SCSBC INTERNAL CONTROL CHECKLIST Instructions: To complete this checklist, tab through the document and fill in every grey box with your responses. Text boxes will expand to fit, and pages will be added as needed. School Name: Date Prepared or Updated: Prepared by: Introduction The purpose of this checklist is to analyze the sufficiency of the school’s internal controls, document those controls, and make recommendations for improvement. Management should update this checklist at least annually. Financial and Accounting Administration List the names of officers and employees in the following positions: Position Principal: Treasurer: Business Manager: Bookkeeper: Payroll Clerk: Accounts Payable Clerk: Tuition Receivable Clerk: Others: Name Accounting Software What software is used by the school for: Accounting: Contact Management: Donation Receipting: Budget: Payroll: Other: Are all authorized users trained and software updates purchased? Page 1 of 23 Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement Are files backed up regularly and disk or memory stick stored offsite? Yes No Are system/software manuals on file and used? Yes No Are user log-in and passwords confidential and secure? Yes No Does the school use a well established anti virus program for all computers? Yes No Is there a recovery plan in place for each system that is time critical? Yes No If not, what steps will be taken to do so? Are all software purchases and software changes approved by principal in consultation with IT manager/advisor? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement: Does the school have an internet access and email policy for students and staff? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement: Accounting Personnel and Procedures Are there adequate job descriptions for all accounting or finance positions? Is the level of competence and the requisite knowledge and skills carefully defined for each job in the accounting or finance department? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school have a written Accounting / Financial Policies and Procedures Manual? Is the manual current and thorough, and do all employees have a copy? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are policies and procedures in place for hiring, training, promoting and compensating employees in the accounting or finance department? Yes No Page 2 of 23 If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Has the accounting or finance staff been appropriately trained in the use of the accounting system, including an appropriate chart of accounts, edits, and other system controls? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: When employees assigned to financial or accounting duties are on vacation, does another employee assume their responsibilities? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the organization require all individuals working in finance or accounting to take a full, uninterrupted week of vacation per year? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Have all accounting personnel signed a Conflict of Interest Policy document? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school require thorough background checks for all finance personnel and key positions? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Is there a written policy whereby employees are required to report suspicious activities, conflicts of interest, or unethical behaviour to the appropriate level of management? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school have a whistleblower protection policy prohibiting retaliation against whistleblowers? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school have a policy whereby terminated employees are subject to an exit interview? Yes No Page 3 of 23 If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the Audit/Finance Committee have a written mandate including purpose statement, bylaw requirements of committee, specific functions and structure? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school have a code of ethics, a code of conduct, Community Standard Policy or other policies addressing acceptable business practice and expected standards of ethical and moral behaviour for all employees, including financial management? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the board provide training for directors and Audit/Finance Committee members with respect to fiduciary responsibilities and liability for negligence? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable Financial Reporting Does the school engage a professional firm of external accountants to audit or review the school fiscal year end financial statements? Yes No If no, explain and note what does the school constitution or bylaws and the school bankers require? Does the school prepare monthly financial statements with current month and year to date statement of operations compared to current month and year to date budget and are variances with significant amounts explained? Yes No Does the school have an Audit/Finance Committee? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the Audit/Finance Committee review these monthly with business manager/bookkeeper and developed action plan for significant differences? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement Page 4 of 23 Does the Audit/Finance Committee keep minutes of its meetings and distribute them to the school board? Yes No Does the school have a sufficiently detailed chart of accounts for divisional reporting, elementary, middle, and high school reporting, specific purpose fund and religious and secular expense allocation? Yes No List names and titles of employees who prepare disbursement cheques: Name: Title: List names and titles of employees recording accounts receivable and general receipts: Name: Title: List names and titles of employees who open and distribute the mail: Name: Title: Describe journal entry preparation, review and approval procedures: Are full explanations required for all journal entries? Yes If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: List names and titles of employees authorized to prepare journal entries: Name: Title: List names and titles of employees responsible for reviewing and approving journal entries: Name: Title: Page 5 of 23 No Are procedures surrounding the review and approval of journal entries adequate? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the external auditor/accountant provide a management letter with identification of internal control weaknesses and recommendations for improvement, after completion of year end financial statement audit/review? Yes No Budgeting and Benchmarking Does the school use the SCSBC Budget Model or similar model to assist in working out detailed assumptions, data input, tuition, government grants, other revenue, staffing model, salary and benefits, professional development, education supplies, administration, facilities, financing, capital, development, special education, transportation, elementary, middle, high school and preschool cost centers? Yes No If not, explain and record recommendation for improvement: Does school provide year end financial information, on a confidential basis, to SCSBC Director of Finance for the purpose of benchmarking to other schools? Yes No If no, explain how school determines whether line items on financial statements are in with other schools? line Does the budget compare class sizes teaching requirement with actual teaching staff on a FTE basis to ensure optimum staffing levels? Yes No Does the school use the SCSBC Budget Model to assist in determining optimum FTE staff levels? Yes No If no, how are you determining optimum staff levels? Does the school prepare a cash flow projection with its yearly budget? Yes No Does the school approve and monitor budgets for specific purpose funds? Yes No Does the school periodically update its strategic plan to ensure longevity of operations? Yes No Page 6 of 23 If no, explain and record recommendations for improvements Banking List names and titles of all authorized cheque signers and person administrating the online banking: Name: Title: Bank Account(s): Are controls surrounding the preparation of bank deposits adequate? Yes No Examples: Segregation of duties, review procedures, cheques received are restrictively endorsed immediately upon receipt, cash receipts logs. If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Note how funds are physically deposited into the bank: List names and titles of employees who are responsible for making bank deposits: Name: Title: Are bank deposits made frequently and from a signed list prepared by receptionist/other person? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are the original bank statements sent to, opened by and reviewed by someone who does not have the responsibility for reconciling the statement to the general ledger? Yes No If banking is done online; does the person who has access to bank statement have responsibility for the bank reconciliation and if so what are the review procedures for the bank reconciliation? Describe what approvals are in place for access to online banking transactions. Page 7 of 23 Are approvals for online banking documented and kept on file? Yes No Explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: List names and titles of employees who are responsible for reconciling bank statements, next to the account(s) they are responsible for: Name: Title: Bank Account(s): Are all bank statements reconciled from the bank statement to the general ledger monthly and promptly? Are reconciling differences, negative balances, and/or unsupported transactions investigated and corrected on a timely basis? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are cheques that are noted as outstanding on the prior year-end bank statement reconciliations investigated thoroughly (endorsement comparisons, double payments, etc.) by auditors or other employee, before the start of the following year’s audit? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are copies of bank reconciliations attached to monthly internal financial statements, and reviewed by management and/or Audit/Finance Committee? Yes No If no, detail that it has been explained to management that this is a recommended procedure to reduce embezzlement through manipulation of bank statement reconciliations: Are the individuals responsible for reconciling bank statements different from those responsible for cheque preparation? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are controls over online transfers and other electronic payments reviewed, documented and authorized with limited authority? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Page 8 of 23 Has the bank been made aware that any changes regarding authorized signatures on cheque signature cards, wire transfer contracts, activations on lines of credit, and loans require the approval of the appropriate level of management? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Cash, Cash Equivalents, Investments Note all of the school’s cheque accounts, money market accounts, etc.: Bank Name: Type of Account: Account Number: Note all of the school’s certificates of deposit: Bank Name: Certificate Number: Note all of the school’s investments as follows: Description of Investment Investment Account # Interest Rate: Maturity Date: Location Is the security of investments adequate (e.g., safe deposit box, safe, with custodian, etc.)? Yes If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: No List names and titles of employees having access to investment transactions: Name: Title: Does the school ensure that any significant excess cash is invested to maximize interest returns? Yes No Are investments examined routinely by responsible parties? Page 9 of 23 Yes No N/A If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school have an adequate written investment policy approved by the board of directors? Yes No N/A If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Comment on any specific cash, cash equivalents, or investment procedures or issues that indicate that the system and controls are inadequate, and suggest recommendations for improvement: Petty Cash Fund Do you have a petty cash fund? Yes No List the names and titles of petty cash agents: Name: Title: What is the amount of the petty cash fund? $ Describe the petty cash disbursement procedures: Are supporting documentation obtained for all disbursements and is a petty cash log kept? Yes If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Payroll List the names and titles of personnel who process payroll for your school. (If an outside payroll services is used, put “N/A”, and see additional questions below.) Name: Title: Are a minimum of two people involved in the following payroll functions? Page 10 of 23 No Adding new employees to the payroll? Processing payroll? Sign-off on payroll? Two signatures on payroll cheques? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school prepare teacher and other employee contracts on an annual basis and a contract for non employees of the school? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school use the SCSBC Compensation Report recommendations of salary and benefits for all staff? Yes No If no, explain and note what methodology is used to ensure consistency in salary and benefit determination: Is staff provided a monthly written statement of earnings and employee deductions? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement Are payroll cheques signed by individuals not involved in processing payroll? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: If an outside payroll preparation service is used, note the following: Name of Service: Address: Contact Name: Telephone: Fax: E-mail: If an outside payroll preparation service is used, are payroll amounts and changes approved by principal and/or board? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Page 11 of 23 Is there a random check on payroll during the year to ensure that wages are accurate and there are no ghosts on the payroll? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are the calculations of the federal income tax and other employee withholdings checked or reviewed by management on random basis? Yes No Are employee remittances paid at the legally required time? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: If an online banking direct deposit method is used for payroll, are the payroll lists and any subsequent changes approved by principal or other authorized person? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendation for improvement: Is the payroll account reconciled from the bank statement to the general ledger promptly at the end of each month by someone not involved in the processing of payroll? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are payroll cheques or direct deposit receipts distributed to employees by someone not involved in processing payroll? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school determine whether a person is an employee or contract person based on a clear understanding of each category for legal, Canada Revenue Agency and Workers Compensation purposes? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: If employee loans or advances are allowed, are controls, procedures and approvals adequate? Yes No Examples of controls: limits on amounts loaned or advanced, reconciliation to general ledger accounts, tracking loan balances by employee, review of unusual, large or old employee loans, use of expense reports with advances. If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Page 12 of 23 Comment on any specific payroll-processing issues that indicate that controls are not adequate, with recommendations for improvement: Are personnel records for all employees at the school stored in a secure fireproof environment? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Employee Interviews It is recommended that a committee of the board interview employees to discuss fraud risk and internal control strengths and weaknesses. The following interview questions can be asked during each interview: Is the school’s Conflict of Interest policy clear and understandable? Are you aware of the existence of fraud, conflicts of interest, or unethical behavior? Are you aware of any potential for fraud? Has any employee ever approached you to conspire in fraud? Has anyone outside the school ever approached you to conspire in fraud? Are you aware of any weaknesses in internal controls that could lead to fraud? Are the controls over confidential customer information (e.g. credit card numbers, bank account numbers, etc.) adequate? Are controls over confidential employee personnel records adequate? Is the school’s policy for reporting suspicious behavior to the appropriate level of management clear and understandable? Is the school’s whistleblower protection policy clear and understandable? Do you have any suggestions for improvement for the organization taken as a whole? Other questions determined by the committee: Results of Interviews: The employee interviews and results should be documented. After the interviews, the results should be discussed among the committee members. The risks should be analyzed and a plan of action should be formulated. Page 13 of 23 Note specific areas of concern resulting from staff interviews: Detail the plan of action formulated to investigate areas of concern: Summarize results of implementing the plan of action and further action warranted, if necessary: Revenue, Cash Receipts and Accounts Receivable Are the cheques that come into the school via the mail endorsed with the school’s restrictive endorsement stamp immediately after receipt? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Once cheques have been endorsed, are they forwarded directly to finance for processing? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Is a log of cheques received maintained by the person who opens the mail and who is not responsible for depositing of cheques, for audit trail purposes? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school prepare a board approved tuition schedule annually? Yes No Does the school allow for family discounts for families with more than one student or for families with children in another Christian school? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school compare its tuition schedule with similar schools to ensure fee structure is within market and family affordability range? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendation for improvement, if applicable: Does the school set tuition fees in relation to cost centers for special education, international students, native students, kindergarten, preschool and transportation? Yes No Page 14 of 23 If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable. Does the school require a signed application and acceptance of the obligation to pay tuition fees from both parents (or other responsible party)? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable. Does the school compile a tuition receivable aging schedule monthly? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school have adequate procedures to follow up on aged tuition receivable and delinquent accounts? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are tuition statements reviewed and controlled by an employee other than the accounts receivable clerk? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Note the school’s procedures for writing off uncollectible accounts receivable: Are the procedures concerning writing off uncollectible accounts receivable adequate and approved? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: List the names and titles of employees/Finance Committee members authorized to approve accounts receivable write-offs: Name: Title: Note the names and titles of employees/Finance Committee members authorized to issue credit memos to parents: Name: Title: Page 15 of 23 Are the controls concerning offering credits to parents and issuing credit memos adequate? Yes No N/A If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Comment on specific issues concerning recording accounts receivable, securing proper write-off approvals, issuing credits to parents, etc., that indicate controls are not adequate, and record recommendations for improvement: Does the school have a Tuition Assistance Policy and a Tuition Refund Policy? Yes No N/A Comment on the policy - Does school request from parents: Summary of income and expenses; Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency, listing of assets and liabilities with appropriate signed request for assistance. Comment on whether parents are required to request for assistance from other sources such as church, family and friends: Does school provide for early payment discounts for tuition? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if any: Are all donation receipts pre-numbered, duplicate receipts kept on file numerically and cancelled receipts attached to duplicate receipt? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if any: Purchases, Payments and Accounts Payable Is the cheque supply under lock and key? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are individuals involved in the accounting function or the recording of transactions prohibited from signing cheques? Yes No Page 16 of 23 If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are cheque numbers pre-printed? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school use a pre-numbered purchase order system authorized by principal or other authority? Yes No Are several quotes obtained for significant standing orders or capital purchases? Yes No Are predetermined limits set for differing purchase authorizations? Yes No Does the school belong to ERAC through SCSBC for purchase savings? Yes No Is the purchase order and receiving report matched to the supplier invoice for accuracy? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are purchase orders, receiving reports and invoices initialled by authorized person to evidence order, receipt of goods and matching and approval of invoice prior to cheque preparation? Yes No Are invoice extensions, additions and pricing checked and initialled? Yes No Is the payment of invoice done be a person different from the person ordering goods or services? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendation for improvement, if applicable: Are two signatures required on some or all disbursements? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are there periodic comparisons of witnessed cheque-signing signatures against cancelled cheques? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Page 17 of 23 If handwritten or typed cheques are ever prepared, is the amount protected with a cheque imprinter machine? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are purchase order, receiving report, invoice, and cheque copy filed by supplier or expense? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendation for improvement, if any: Other than petty cash, are all disbursements made by cheque or online transfer? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are voided cheques voided properly (cutting off signature lines) and is numerical sequence accounted for properly? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school prohibit authorized signers from signing cheques in advance? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendation for improvement, if applicable: Does the school maintain an accounting of GST/HST paid in a separate general ledger account for periodic partial recovery from federal government? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Travel and Other Expenses Does the school issue travel advances? Yes No Yes No If yes, describe procedures: Does the school require original receipts for travel expenses? If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Page 18 of 23 If the school reimburses employees for purchases made on behalf of school, are expense reports with receipts attached approved by principal? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Credit/Debit Cards Does the school use school credit cards? Yes No Comment on who uses school credit cards and who approves credit card expenses Are copies of credit card statements mailed by the credit card issuer to a secured post office box accessible only by the following? Yes No N/A The Principal The Business Manager Other staff If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are employees who have been issued school credit cards aware of immediate steps to take to report lost or stolen cards? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Is the use of debit cards prohibited in your school? Yes If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Postage and Shipping Describe how the school funds postage in the following areas: Office postage meter: Business reply mail: Bulk mail: Page 19 of 23 No N/A Other methods: Are policies and controls over access to postage meters and accounts adequate to prevent unauthorized use? Yes no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: No If If the school uses a shipping service, note the following: Name of Service: Address: Contact Name: Telephone Number: Are the procedures surrounding utilization of the school’s mail / shipping service adequate? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Comment on any specific issues that indicate that controls and policies surrounding postal meters, postal accounts, and shipping services are not adequate, and record recommendations for improvement: Capital Assets, Depreciation and Amortization What is the school’s capitalization cut-off point policy? $ Are the purchases of budgeted and non-budgeted capital assets approved by the appropriate level of management? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: What type of depreciation method(s) does the organization use? Tax method: Book method: Declining balance method: Straight line method: Does the school maintain a loans register for borrowed assets? If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Yes No Does the school apply capital asset control numbers to equipment and does it maintain a capital asset ledger for accounting and insurance purposes? Yes No Page 20 of 23 If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Is the capital assets subsidiary ledger for over $1,000 complete and current? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: How often are fixed asset accounting records verified against capital assets on hand? Describe capital asset retirement procedures and recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Does the school have a maintenance policy and timeline for all significant capital assets? Yes No Does the school have a safety policy? No Yes If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement: Implementing an Embezzlement and Fraud Action Plan Does the school have an action plan of steps to take in the event of fraud or embezzlement, and has the school identified a position within the school to “own” the fraud prevention plan? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Have the appropriate levels of management been advised of the following: Safeguarding original documents, in the event of fraud? Yes No Taking detailed notes with the perpetrator, in the event of fraud? Yes No Contacting the bank(s) immediately, in the event of fraud? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Comment on any specific embezzlement and fraud action plan issues that indicate that more study and communication with management / employees is needed: Page 21 of 23 Safeguarding of Assets and Risk Assessment Does the school have a privacy policy consistent with the requirements of the Personal Information and Protection Act? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement Does the organization have a Fidelity Bond and/or employee dishonesty coverage? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: If the organization has a Fidelity Bond and/or employee dishonesty coverage, note the following: Insurance Company: Address: Agent Name: Telephone Number: Policy Number: Deductible: $ Emergency Number: Amount of Bond: $ Is the amount of bond adequate, and has it been reviewed recently? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are there any Fidelity Bond requirements due to line of credit agreements, grants, mortgages, notes, etc.? Yes No If yes, explain below and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Are all employees who handle cash, cheques, and credit card transactions included in the Fidelity Bond and/or employee dishonesty coverage? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Has it been explained to management that corporate officers and directors are excluded from Fidelity Bond coverage? Yes No Note details accordingly: Page 22 of 23 Does the organization have Directors and Officers Liability insurance coverage? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement, if applicable: Comment on any specific Fidelity Bond, employee dishonesty coverage or Directors and Officers Liability insurance issues that indicate the coverage is inadequate, and note recommendations for improvement: Does the school annually review adequacy of all its insurance needs for third party liability, general property, motor vehicle, student activity, machinery, business interruption, glass, theft, and directors and officers? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement: Has the school implemented a Community Standards Policy and have all staff, board and committee members signed off on such policy? Yes No If no, explain and record recommendations for improvement: Note any other internal control issues and recommendations for improvement not addressed in this document: Page 23 of 23