Auditor of State Rob Sand today released the fiscal year 2024  Statements of Auditing Standards (SAS) 122  letter, a required document on the internal controls of Iowa ¢â‚¬â„¢s finances, and a review of its financial integrity.  

 

It includes six material weaknesses, three of which relate to Iowa ¢â‚¬â„¢s school voucher program.   A material weakness is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies in internal controls of financial reporting that are significant enough to result in a material misstatement of the entity ¢â‚¬â„¢s financial integrity.

 

¢â‚¬Å“This is a big deal, ¢â‚¬ � said Auditor Sand.   ¢â‚¬Å“We can ¢â‚¬â„¢t audit a program that the state spent $100 million on because the state won ¢â‚¬â„¢t give us the information needed to let Iowans know how their tax dollars are being spent. ¢â‚¬ �

 

Despite multiple requests by the Auditor ¢â‚¬â„¢s Office, the Departments of Education and Revenue refused to provide proof that students receiving a voucher meet the income eligibility requirements, that the money is disbursed appropriately, or that the company contracted to administer the voucher program adequately protects participants' confidentiality and personal data.

 

¢â‚¬Å“The Governor claimed every program should be looked at when testifying before a Congressional Oversight Committee, but then turns around and thumbs her nose at transparency and accountability of a program she championed - one that is expected to grow to more than $300 million next year, ¢â‚¬ � said Sand.   ¢â‚¬Å“Any reasonable person would wonder why they ¢â‚¬â„¢re hiding this information. ¢â‚¬ �

 

 

See the video of Auditor Sand ¢â‚¬â„¢s news conference on  YouTube.