Education

Tips to Prevent Wire and ACH Frauds

ACH payment fraud is becoming more common, and it is believed that the fraudsters target certain types of individuals. Unfortunately, school districts are one of those targets. Financial institutions play a crucial role in safeguarding bank accounts from fraud;...

Utility Bill Auditing

For many school districts, especially larger districts, reviewing the utility invoices can be a cumbersome process as schools have multiple accounts. We have noted that recently late fees have been added and are cropping up across the Island. Many districts have asked...

Guest Article: Securing Tomorrow’s Future: The Importance of Intelligence Powered Cybersecurity in K-12 Schools

In today's digital age, where technology is deeply ingrained in our daily lives, ensuring the cybersecurity of our educational institutions has become paramount. K-12 schools are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks, highlighting the urgent need for robust...

Artificial Intelligence Acceptable Use Policy

Schools are constantly looking for ways to utilize technology to improve the educational experience. Educators have quickly understood that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to help a variety of students as it can adapt to different learning styles. For...

GASB Statement 101 – Compensated Absences

Many school districts allow employees to carry over their accrued leave balance at the end of a fiscal year. Some districts have different policies for distinct types of leave. For example, policies may allow for the paying out of accrued vacation leave but not...

NYSLRS Enhanced Reporting – Gold Certification

Reminder: The New York State & Local Retirement System is requiring that all employers must switch to enhanced reporting by the end of 2023. There are many benefits of enhanced reporting.For employers: Maximize efficiency and improve service to employees...

Guest Article: Nonprofit Organization that Supports Schools: MusicBreeds: Rhythm Reach!

Using music as the driver, this local nonprofit organization empowers young people to build successful careers with a program centered on leadership, finance, entrepreneurship, and employment training. MusicBreeds services middle school and high school students through their music focused after-school program, summer camp, and online learning center.

Zero-emission School Bus Mandate – Update

In early August, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) released proposed eligibility guidelines for the Public School Bus Electrification Program being designed under the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs...

Artificial Intelligence – Use with Caution

s Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has been thrust into the public consciousness, many parents have become increasingly worried about its potentially negative effects on their children. In response to this, many school districts have been creating policies to ensure that teachers and students use AI responsibly. With input from key stakeholders such as administrators, teachers, students, IT departments, and the community an AI use policy should seek to enable teachers to supplement their students’ learning rather than supplant it. Any sensible AI policy should also seek to emphasis AI with humans in the loop.

Guest Article: Video-conferencing: Protecting against eavesdroppers using Zerify Defender

Hackers are getting more creative in finding areas where data can be exploited. Many video-conferencing platforms have provided an easy solution for doing business, but they can open private conversations to eavesdroppers and even with gated private rooms, they can be breached.

GASB 96 – The What, When, Why and How

GASB 96 – The What, When, Why and How

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued on June 25, 2020, Statement No. 96, “Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements (SBITA).” On June 15, 2022, the guidance became effective which means current accounting has to be in line with GASB...

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K12 Data Protection Q&A Panel – Powerhouse Team

K12 Data Protection Q&A Panel – Powerhouse Team

Join our Powerhouse Team for a Time-Critical Panel Discussion followed by a Question-and-Answer Session New York State Education Law §2-d took effect in 2020 and applies to school districts, charter schools, universal pre-K providers and BOCES. It also applies to...

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Segregation of Duties

Segregation of Duties

Segregation of duties is a commonly used and widely accepted internal control practice. It is the process of taking shared responsibilities of a key process and dispersing the critical functions of that process to more than one person or department. Implemented...

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Mandatory Federal Premium Reporting Requirement

Mandatory Federal Premium Reporting Requirement

What is the Federal premium reporting requirement? The Consolidated Appropriations Act (2021) was passed by Congress on December 21, 2020 and signed into law on December 27, 2020. It is responsible for the implementation of a new annual reporting requirement that...

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Guest Article: E-Rate Funding Explained

Guest Article: E-Rate Funding Explained

Before the pandemic, many schools were in the process of implementing a 1:1 device for students and staff. With the onset of remote learning, that timeline was hastened. Schools not only have to consider the cost of the devices, but the ability to use the devices...

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Guest Article: Finance Manager nVision Features

Guest Article: Finance Manager nVision Features

As many districts we work with use Finance Manager’s nVision program as their financial application system, we reached out to our contacts there to provide some of the features that can help with new school year and year-end processes. Below are some highlights they...

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Guest Article: 2022-2023 Cyber Insurance Outlook

Guest Article: 2022-2023 Cyber Insurance Outlook

Cyber coverage in the public school arena is challenging. In a recent demographic study of K-12 public school districts, school districts with larger enrollments and lower economic metrics are more likely to see a cyber event than those with a smaller enrollment and...

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Guest Article: Conferences, Luncheons, and Gifts, Oh my!

Guest Article: Conferences, Luncheons, and Gifts, Oh my!

In our roles as either internal or claims auditors for school districts on Long Island, we are often asked about whether certain purchases can be considered a gift of public funds. While we often recite the regulations per the School Law book when providing an answer,...

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