Audit Review Committee


Are you interested in serving on the Audit Review Committee You can read more about the responsibilities of serving on this committee in the Audit Review Committee Member Position Description. Contact the staff liaison for more information!

Audit Review Committee Meeting Minutes(2016)

Date Appointed: July 2023

CHAIR: Nancy Trivette

BOARD LIAISON: Shani Watkins
STAFF LIAISON: Laine Culbreath
MEMBERS: A member from each ACTE Region

The committee is charged with overseeing the audit process of the Association and working with the outside auditor on the completion of the audit. The report, along with the auditor’s management letter, is to be included in the Board packet mailed prior to the Board of Directors meeting at VISION. The report of the committee is to be published in Techniques magazine.

The Committee should make recommendations to the Board of Directors and the Headquarters staff as to changes that will improve the financial management of the Association.

1. MISSION

To ensure the Association’s financial statements and disclosures are validated and to evaluate the Association’s accounting procedures and to oversee ACTE’s financial reporting, internal control and audit processes.

2. AUTHORITY

This is a committee appointed under procedures adopted pursuant with Article 8.3 of the Bylaws.

3. COMPOSITION, SELECTION & TERM

3.1 The committee shall be composed of one representative from each ACTE Region and one chairperson. In addition, two members will be appointed by the President, at least one of whom shall be a “financial expert.”

3.2 The term of office is the Association’s operating year. Members serve for a three-year period and may serve up to two terms per position.

3.3 The Committee elects the Chair with approval of the Board of Directors.  The Chair serves one three-year term. A chair may be re-appointed to a second term if it is deemed to be in the best interests of the committee.

3.4 The Region Vice Presidents appoint their committee representative.

3.5 The Chair of the Committee serves as the Whistleblower Compliance Officer.

3.6 Members of this committee should have some accounting experience.

4. OBJECTIVES

4.1 Submit audited financial statements of the most recent fiscal year, prepared by an independent certified public accounting firm, to the Board of Directors no later than the second Board meeting in the ensuing fiscal year.

4.2 Verify compliance with financial directives issued by the Board of Directors within the fiscal year under audit.

4.3 Select the individual or firm to conduct the financial statement audit.

4.4 Assure the submission of a Management Letter, prepared by an independent certified public accounting firm, to the Board of Directors no later than the second Board meeting in the ensuing fiscal year.

  1. Statement of Current Accounting
  2. Statement of Recommended Improvements with rationale and implementation guidelines

4.5 Meet with the independent auditors at the time of the submission of the audit reports to obtain their assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the Association’s financial staff, systems, internal controls and other factors considered pertinent to the integrity of the financial reports and the safety and soundness of the Association’s financial condition.

4.6 Review reports from management and the independent auditors with respect to controls required to ensure adequate financial reporting and require that the audited statements contain certifications by the executive director and senior director of finance and operations that procedures and internal controls for financial reporting are adequate and that the statements are accurate and complete in all material respects.

4.7 Review the Whistleblower Policy to ensure the policy adequately enforces an anti-fraud program to address the following:

  • create and maintain a culture of honesty and high ethics
  • evaluate the risks of fraud and implementing the processes, procedures and controls to mitigate risk and reduce opportunities for fraud
  • develop an appropriate oversight process
  • create a means by which employees can confidentially and/or anonymously communicate concerns about potential violations of the policy or suspicious activity

Representatives

Position Name
Chair Nancy Trivette
Region I Frank Yesalavich
Region II Christi Hack
Region III Matt Simoneau
Region IV Rachel Knight
Region V Mark Branger
Member-at-Large Alex Gromada
Member-at-Large Karen Mason
Board Liaison Shani Watkins
Staff Liaison Laine Culbreath