Preventing embezzlement; State Auditor Calls for internal auditors

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – After nearly $1 million embezzled from Coahoma Community College, Auditor’s report describes how higher education can prevent future fraud.

Today, State Auditor Shad White released a report showing that, while all Mississippi four-year universities have internal auditors, no Mississippi community colleges employ internal auditors. The report recommends changes to state law to address that issue and describes other measures to help prevent fraud in higher education.

The study released today was designed to test how well Mississippi community colleges and universities comply with the Internal Audit Act of 2003. “This report produced by our performance audit division is alarming after our investigation into the embezzlement at Coahoma Community College. Internal auditors at community colleges can help prevent future embezzlements like Coahoma’s, and my goal is to prevent embezzlement from happening in the first place,” said State Auditor White.

The Office of the State Auditor reviewed internal audit procedures for…