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Audit Buzz Newsletter
March 2026
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Engagement and Office Updates
In this issue, we summarize the March 2 Audit Committee meeting; continue the Coffee and Compliance Series; and offer a training opportunity.
Prior editions of Audit Buzz are archived here on Office of Auditor General (OAG) website.
As always, we appreciate the cooperation and courtesies extended to our staff by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) management and staff during all past, current, and future audit engagements.
Here is a challenge to test your audit knowledge, before we begin this issue:
Say What You See
Hint: OAG provides this for all FCPS staff to attend.
March 2 Audit Committee Meeting Summary
At the March 2 Audit Committee meeting, OAG presented the following items:
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FY26 Business Process Audit (BPA) Summary and BPA Reports for Annandale High, Cameron Elementary, Franklin Middle, Langley High, Louise Archer Elementary, Twain Middle - These six audits include four moderate risk, and ten low risk findings. These findings are related to fund account usage, purchasing process, and sufficient documentation.
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FY27 Risk Assessment and Proposed Audit Plan Presentation and Document - OAG presented the results of Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 risk assessment and proposed audit topics to the Audit Committee. Next Steps: School Board will review these documents in June and approve in July.
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Audit Follow-Up - OAG presented the follow-up status of open audit recommendations as of January 31.
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FY26 School and Office Safety Audit - OAG completed the School and Office Safety Audit, focusing on evaluating (a) safety and security requirements, (b) building security measures and access controls, and (c) contracts. The results of this audit are exempt from public disclosure under the Virginia Code.
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OAG External Peer Review Results - OAG is proud to report that the office received a pass rating during the recent external peer review. External peer review is an independent review of OAG’s work to determine whether OAG is following Government Auditing Standards.
Knowledge Hive
Coffee and Compliance Series: Changing the Narrative Around School Auditing
As internal auditors for Fairfax County Public Schools, we know that our stakeholders sometimes wonder what our roles truly involve. In this issue of the Coffee and Compliance series, we would like to clear up a few common myths.
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The Myth
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The Reality
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“The auditor is looking for a reason to get me in trouble”
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Auditors focus on a school’s overall financial health. We evaluate processes, not people. Our goal is to ensure that internal controls are strong enough to prevent errors before they occur
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“If they find one mistake, the whole audit is a failure”
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Materiality matters. Auditors understand that everyone makes mistakes. While OAG points out the exceptions that we noted, our office focuses on material issues, meaning significant errors that could mislead the public or the School Board.
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“Auditors love gotcha moments”
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Auditors value transparency. An audit finding requires additional paperwork and documentation for the auditor, as well.
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“Questions are an interrogation”
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Questions are a key part of gathering audit evidence. Often, an auditor asks a question simply to document the reasoning behind a decision so they can support the work that was done.
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“The auditor knows more about my job than I do”
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You are the expert. You work in the daily workflow, while the auditor only sees a snapshot. Our office relies on your expertise to explain the context behind why a transaction occurred.
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At the end of the day, school audits are a standardized, professional check-up designed to protect the district's mission. The reality is that a school’s financial reputation is its most valuable currency. By embracing the audit process, the finance office is not just surviving a stressful week; you are actively participating in a process that ensures the community’s tax dollars are transformed into student opportunities.
Please try not to view the audit as a hurdle to overcome. Instead, view it as the ground we stand on. Audit Today, Improve Tomorrow.
Did You Know?
OAG Outreach and Education: Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Opportunity - Audit as Ally: Strengthening District Culture through Ethical Core Competencies and Decision-Making
OAG aims at providing regular training to all staff members, covering topics related to mitigating financial and process risks to FCPS. Scenarios will be provided during the training where staff members can take what they learn back to work. OAG is a certified National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Continuing Professional Education (CPE) provider, on behalf of FCPS. FCPS can award employees with CPE credits required to maintain professional certification status.
Course Details: By the end of this session, participants will be able to internalize ethical core competencies, including transparency, integrity, and apply such competencies over decision-making in their everyday work.
Format and Date/Time: Synchronous online training via Zoom, on April 24 (Friday), from 9am to 12pm. Three CPE credits will be awarded for the entire training.
FCPS employees may sign-up here April 24, 2026 Training.
Upcoming Events
Next Audit Committee Meeting
The next Audit Committee meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Please refer to BoardDocs for meeting information once it becomes available.
Fraud, Waste & Abuse Hotline:
(571) 423-1333 (anonymous voicemail)
InternalAudit@fcps.edu (email is not anonymous)
Online Submission Form
[Answer: OAG Training, Continuing Professional Education, Professional Development ]
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