REACH Takes Steps To Improve Accounting Procedures

The Cannon County REACH program has taken huge steps to address some adverse findings returned during a recent State audit. In a report mailed to Cannon County’s Commissioners last week, REACH Director Angela King spelled out the ways in which the program will work to comply with proper accounting procedures and correct the negative findings.

The document, entitled “Cannon County REACH Program Financial Procedures,” was adopted February 18th and requires all REACH employees to follow proper procedures when dealing with money coming into the REACH program. Some of the highlights of the document include:

- The Director will be responsible for opening all mail coming into REACH and will receipt all funds immediately and then forward them to the office manager who then deposits those funds with the County Executive’s Office;

- No disbursements will be made prior to deposit with the County Executive;

- All checks will be deposited within 3 working days;

- All deposits will be reconciled 3 times, once by the office manager, then by the assistant director, and finally by the county bookkeeper;

- All checks will be prepared by the County Executive’s Office;

- No purchase over $100.00 will be made without a purchase order first being issued and no purchase over $5,000.00 will be made without the approval of the executive director;

- In the event a purchase requires a bid, all applicable laws will be followed when making the purchase;

- All employees will complete time sheets and will not be paid unless they complete one. Additionally, all time sheets will be scrutinized for accuracy;

- No one will be paid for mileage from their residence to their work;

- All start-up money for fundraisers will be provided through the County Executive’s Office and a detailed list of items to be purchased is to be provided;

In addition to the financial procedures, Commissioners also received a detailed report concerning the benefits REACH brings to Cannon County. REACH is a program which provides tutorial and mentoring programs to Cannon County’s children. It offers enrichment activities, daily snacks, high school credit recovery, free book giveaways and offers food and snacks to children who might otherwise not have them.

It also offers children of working parents a safe place to go after school so they are not left at home alone. Additionally, REACH conducts fundraisers for various causes throughout the County and has brought over $3 million in State and Federal grant money to Cannon County. Aside from its philanthropy, REACH also employs approximately 30 Cannon Countians.

In its almost 11 years, REACH has served over 5,000 Cannon County children and has helped to increase graduation rates at the high school.

REACH has worked closely with the County Executive’s office and an independent auditor to address its past financial deficiencies and it is hoped that these new procedures will prevent adverse findings in the future.