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Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools needs to strengthen its internal processes by hiring key finance positions, establishing standardized procedures, and conducting an organizational study, according to a new audit presented Wednesday.The audit was presented during a North Carolina State Board of Education meeting. The SBOE launched the audit in the fall of 2025 and selected the firm Mauldin & Jenkins to conduct it. The audit cost WS/FCS more than $97,000.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereThe audit was designed to assess what WS/FCS is and should be doing to prevent another budget crisis, such as the $45 million deficit that rocked the district in 2025. The audit was not designed to explore the causes of the crisis, which were already explored in an audit conducted by the State Auditor’s Office last year. Mauldin & Jenkins found that WS/FCS has made progress in its internal financial controls, but still has more work to do. In terms of progress, the auditors found that WS/FCS’s ongoing transition to a new organizational software system, Tyler Munis, has helped prevent spending beyond the budget. It also confirmed that the district’s 2025-2026 budget is balanced. Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.However, the auditors identified key areas the district needs to address. They say the district needs to hire for top positions in the finance department, noting that it currently relies heavily on external financial consultants and retirees filling interim roles capped at 20 hours per week. The auditors also noted that, because the transition from the district’s legacy software to Tyler is ongoing, data transfers between the systems were not validated by staff, resulting in inaccurate or duplicate information. The auditors recommended that the district create an external audit group to review the district’s finances. They also recommended that the WS/FCS launch an organizational audit of the district’s department structure. Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsWS/FCS leaders provided a response to the audit. The response stated that the district is actively recruiting candidates for key roles within the Finance Department. District leaders say they are in the process of interviewing candidates for the Payroll Director and Executive Finance Director roles, with the goal of making offers this month. WS/FCS also said it will follow the audit’s recommendation to create standard operating procedures so that all staff have clear policies to follow when interacting with the district’s finances. The district has already created a policy for an Audit Advisory Committee, and is currently accepting applications. Leaders say they are beginning an organizational audit, which could take up to 18 months to complete. WS/FCS Board of Education will hold its next regular meeting on Feb. 10. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love | Trending Stories
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools needs to strengthen its internal processes by hiring key finance positions, establishing standardized procedures, and conducting an organizational study, according to a new audit presented Wednesday.
The audit was presented during a North Carolina State Board of Education meeting. The SBOE launched the audit in the fall of 2025 and selected the firm Mauldin & Jenkins to conduct it. The audit cost WS/FCS more than $97,000.
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Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here
The audit was designed to assess what WS/FCS is and should be doing to prevent another budget crisis, such as the $45 million deficit that rocked the district in 2025. The audit was not designed to explore the causes of the crisis, which were already explored in an audit conducted by the State Auditor’s Office last year.
Mauldin & Jenkins found that WS/FCS has made progress in its internal financial controls, but still has more work to do.
In terms of progress, the auditors found that WS/FCS’s ongoing transition to a new organizational software system, Tyler Munis, has helped prevent spending beyond the budget. It also confirmed that the district’s 2025-2026 budget is balanced.
Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.
However, the auditors identified key areas the district needs to address. They say the district needs to hire for top positions in the finance department, noting that it currently relies heavily on external financial consultants and retirees filling interim roles capped at 20 hours per week.
The auditors also noted that, because the transition from the district’s legacy software to Tyler is ongoing, data transfers between the systems were not validated by staff, resulting in inaccurate or duplicate information.
The auditors recommended that the district create an external audit group to review the district’s finances. They also recommended that the WS/FCS launch an organizational audit of the district’s department structure.
Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts
WS/FCS leaders provided a response to the audit. The response stated that the district is actively recruiting candidates for key roles within the Finance Department. District leaders say they are in the process of interviewing candidates for the Payroll Director and Executive Finance Director roles, with the goal of making offers this month.
WS/FCS also said it will follow the audit’s recommendation to create standard operating procedures so that all staff have clear policies to follow when interacting with the district’s finances.
The district has already created a policy for an Audit Advisory Committee, and is currently accepting applications. Leaders say they are beginning an organizational audit, which could take up to 18 months to complete.
WS/FCS Board of Education will hold its next regular meeting on Feb. 10.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |
Trending Stories