Forensic Audits Are Finding Waste in the Same Places and It’s Not the Classrooms

Across the country, forensic audits are uncovering the same patterns of waste, weak oversight, and questionable spending practices in school divisions and most of the problems are not happening in classrooms. This interactive, on-demand SBMA microcredential helps school board members understand what forensic audits are actually finding, why these issues continue to happen, and what boards can do to strengthen financial oversight and accountability before problems grow larger. Participants will explore common audit findings involving: • Contracts and procurement practices • Payroll and staffing irregularities • Travel and reimbursement spending • Administrative growth and oversight gaps • Weak internal controls and approval processes This practical training focuses on governance and oversight, helping board members ask better financial questions, identify red flags earlier, and better protect taxpayer dollars. Designed specifically for school board members, this course provides real-world examples and practical oversight strategies boards can immediately apply in their own divisions. Once you purchase this microcredential, use the provided URL to create your Reach account. After your account is set up, you will have access to the course within 24 hours. You only need to create your Reach account once, and all current and future SBMA digital courses will be available through the Reach platform.