Two seats open on APS audit committee

Albuquerque Public Schools is looking for two community members to serve on the district’s audit committee.

They will serve alongside board members, the superintendent and the district’s chief financial officer.

One of the community representatives must have experience in accounting or financial matters. The other seat is for the parent of a student currently attending an APS school.

Their two-year terms would begin next month and run through June 2026. 

To Do What?

The committee helps vet potential auditors, attends meetings related to annual and special audits, meets with auditors at least monthly during the audit and works with auditors on reporting to the Board of Education.

Committee members also track and report to the board about the status of the most recent audit findings and advise it on policy changes needed to address those findings.

A finding is when an auditor identifies internal control issues or a point of noncompliance with accounting standards. The auditor is required to report such matters in writing.

APS says the committee is charged with providing other advice and assistance as requested by the Board of Education, as well as receiving and reviewing whistleblower complaints and internal audit reports from the superintendent or other administrators about fraud, waste or abuse.

Committee members must follow the same requirements regarding the confidentiality of audit information that are imposed upon the Board of Education.

Meets Transparency Requirements

Mark Turnbull, the district’s executive director of accounting, said the assignment of the two members meets requirements established in state law and aligns with the school board’s transparency goals. All of the committee’s meetings are public, he said, except when the law requires it to conduct a closed session.

Turnbull said committee members attend about nine meetings a year. They may attend virtually.