Our mission is to provide quality audit and related financial services to enhance accountability with the provision of education, cultural, professional, and vocational services. To Achieve this, we conduct internal audits and audits of external education entities such as school districts, BOCES, not-for-profit organizations, and others located throughout the State that are regulated by or receive funds administered by the Department. The Office of Audit Services is also responsible for:
- Collecting, reviewing, and approving audited financial statements, management letters, internal control reports, corrective action plans, and other requisite financial materials submitted to the Department by school districts and BOCES pursuant to Education Law and Commissioner’s Regulations;
- Monitoring Single Audit reporting compliance in the Federal Audit Clearinghouse and reviewing Single Audit/Program-Specific Audit reporting packages for relevant audit findings;
- Administering the Departments’s Fraud, Waste, and Abuse system and monitoring submitted cases until they have been closed;
- Functioning as the audit liaison for performance audits conducted by the Office of the State Comptroller;
- Preparing and issuing management decisions for relevant Single Audit findings in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance);
- Conducting financial reviews for colleges and universities.
The assignments will vary based on existing priorities within the Office. As such, general assignments will include the review of requisite financial materials submitted to the NYSED Application Business Portal by school districts and BOCES and Single Audit reporting packages submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse by school districts, BOCES, and not-for-profit entities who receive federal awards passed through NYSED. To evaluate these submissions, student interns will complete training on the business portal using recorded videos and will review applicable policies, procedures, and templated responses. They will use checklists to verify, for example, that requisite financial documents are submitted, that all elements of corrective action plans are included, and the Board approvals are provided. Interns will also be required to confirm that corrective action plans exist for each finding or recommendation cited in management letters, extraclassroom audits, Single Audits, and regulatory audits. They will also assist with entering balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow data for non-public colleges and universities into a standardized template used to calculate financial composite scores. They may also assist auditors with the OSC and DOB Internal Controls Certification. They will also document entities with NYSED pass-through funds from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse to help compile the population requiring Management Decisions for Section III findings.
Interns will gain a wealth of professional experience reviewing audited financial statements, management letters, internal control reports and corrective action plans and obtain familiarity with related Education Laws, Commissioner’s Regulations and Uniform Guidance. As these reviews will require comparative analysis and frequent communication with both internal and external parties, interns will also develop more advanced analytical and communication skills. Additionally, interns will be afforded opportunities to participate in SED training events, which have previously included topics such as professional writing, conflict resolution, and professional communications.
Interns should have:
- An academic background in accounting, business administration, or a related field;
- A desire to learn through experience and ability to maintain a positive attitude;
- Excellent customer service and effective communication skills;
- A sense of professional skepticism, objectivity, and good judgment;
- Strong analytical skills and integrity;
- An ability to interpret and apply various rules, laws, and regulations.
Interns will work no more than 20 hours each week; specific schedules will be coordinated directly with the supervisor.
Associates and Undergraduates will earn $16/hour, graduate students will earn $19/hour.
To be eligible for the SUNY/SED Program, candidates must be currently matriculated in a degree program at one of our Participating SUNY Institutions. Additionally, candidates must be enrolled in classes during the semester in which they would like to intern. Summer and Winter interns must provide proof of enrollment in classes for the following semester. New York State residency is NOT required. Furthermore, students must meet all of the requirements for being hired as a Student Assistant by their Institution. Please contact your Campus Coordinator directly with any questions about your Institution’s requirements.
To apply, students must submit their resume, transcript, cover letter, and signed application to INTERNSHIPS@nysed.gov, referencing job ID OMS-SP26-2P in their email subject line. Applications will only be considered complete if they have been signed by both the student AND the designated Campus Coordinator.
Maria Stamoulis