As schools are in the business of educating students, academic performance should be the primary outcome by which a charter school is evaluated. But a charter school cannot provide students with a good education if it cannot meet payroll, afford to keep the lights on in the building, or worse yet, improperly uses public funds that should be spent…

A Nevada school board has instituted an internal audit committee to review how well the school system is operating, financially and otherwise. Describes committee organization and suggests a code of conduct for school systems that addresses the following situations: gifts, influence, conflict of interest, privy information, and confidentiality.…

Only with careful planning can school business managers develop fixed asset information and good recordkeeping. Use of a simple inventory system and discussion with school districts already utilizing this system will assist planning. (CJH)

A permanent inhouse auditor at the Tacoma (Washington) school district provides assurance to the administration that complex systems and procedures are effective and that financial reports are accessible. Lists criteria for defining the auditor's role and methods for evaluating the auditor. (MLF)

Somerville Charter School was among 24 Massachusetts charter schools included in a study undertaken by the Office of the Inspector General in March 1998. The office identified weaknesses in the contracting practices, procurement procedures, and financial management of some schools, including Somerville. These weaknesses could undermine the…

Written policies and administrative procedures in the school business office are necessary so transition and change will go smoothly. Provides a sample from the policy department of the Illinois Association of School Boards. (MLF)

Implementation of new college and university accounting standards for financial statements do not change the need for institutional accountability and, therefore, for fund accounting. The new standards will, however, change the level and appearance of external reporting. (MSE)

Offers guidelines for school board members in building a school budget. Includes a sample budget timetable, basic financial facts about the school district that boards should have at hand, and how to monitor the budget after it is approved. (MLF)

Four recent and proposed changes in national school accounting standards have significant policy implications for colleges and universities. These changes address (1) standards regarding postemployment benefits other than pensions, (2) depreciation, (3) financial report format, and (4) contributions and pledges made to the school. Governing boards…

Less than 5 percent of charter schools have been shut down nationwide. Charter school advocates say closings prove that accountability measures already present in law and in practice are working. Critics counter that closings often reveal that more oversight is needed. Discusses fiscal mismanagement and the need for training. Summarizes…

This report provides financial data on the value of obligations of any supplemental pension plans and the annual cost of any post-employment benefits for employees of state universities, colleges, and community colleges in Oklahoma. Attachment 1 summarizes information on supplemental pension plans that have been reported by state system…

School district participation in the Meritorious Budget Awards (MBA) Program makes budgets more understandable and user-friendly. All budget data are presented in a single document in a pyramid approach that begins with a summary of all funds and then presents individual funds. Provides ordering information for a publication that guides readers…

This reference guide presents the basic accounting concepts, terminology, and definitions used by colleges and universities. The guide, a companion to the National Association of College and University Business Officers' (NACUBO's) online self-study course of the same name or a standalone reference, compares college and university accounting…

This paper examines the effects of site-based budgeting in education. It describes and presents a school-based budgetary decision-making model that was designed originally to shift the balance of power from the central office to the building level. The model has been refined and successfully utilized in one school district for 20 years, and its…

The University of Chicago's trustees, most prominent businessmen, found the institution's fund accounting system outmoded and incomprehensible and revised the financial reporting procedures. The new system gives a better picture of the size of the university, its activities, and its general financial health to use in decision making. (MSE)