Division of School Audits
What does the Division of School Audits do?
Click on the following link for a Division Overview.
What can I expect during my first year?
During your first year, you will be assigned to a team conducting school district performance audits. There are over 200 school districts in the State, and teams often work on multiple audits at the same time. Therefore, you may be working in the Phoenix office, the metropolitan area, or other areas of the State. Our division is a unique blend of individuals with various backgrounds, such as accounting, public administration, business administration, and education. Because the projects and audits we perform require a combination of these varied backgrounds and skill sets, you will put into practice a range of research and analysis techniques, such as interviewing district personnel, analyzing accounting data, or observing a district’s food service or other operations. You will also attend a variety of classes throughout the year, which may include new staff training, audit process training, and computer training. Government Auditing Standards require that you obtain 40 hours of Continuing Professional Education per year, and the office training is designed to achieve this requirement. To provide you with guidance on office procedures and ensure that your questions are answered, you will be paired with another more experienced division member.
How is the division structured?
The Division of School Audits has a staff of about 20 employees, including a director, managers, seniors, level II and level I auditors, and an administrative assistant. Staff work on project teams guided by a manager. Projects include school district performance audits and special state-wide studies, such as the annual school district spending study. Usually, staff work on multiple projects concurrently.
What are the division's basic qualifications?
Because our school district audits and other projects require various skills and abilities, we hire individuals from a variety of different backgrounds, including applicants with degrees in accounting, public administration, business administration, and education. At a minimum, applicants interested in the Division of School Audits should be willing to travel 5-10% of the time and have one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree in Accounting with 24 completed semester hours of accounting and a minimum 3.0 GPA in accounting classes. Students within 6 months of graduation will also be considered.
- A master's degree in a field emphasizing analytical skills, research, and organization of data. Students within 6 months of completing their master's degrees will also be considered.
- A bachelor's degree in a field emphasizing analytical skills, research, and organization of data, and at least 1 year of experience in performance auditing, program evaluation, financial auditing, consulting, or related experience.
Applicants should also have strong verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and analytical skills, and have a working knowledge of Windows, word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
How and when will I be evaluated?
To provide you with an understanding of what is expected of you and to give you feedback on your performance, you will receive quarterly informal evaluations and one annual formal evaluation during your first year with the Office. Evaluations will be completed by someone for whom you have primarily worked during the evaluation period. You will also have the opportunity to complete a professional development plan each year, and division managers and seniors will work with you to help you achieve your professional goals.