Report 2014-135R Recommendation 2 Responses

Report 2014-135R: Magnolia Science Academies: Although the Financial Condition of These Charter Schools Has Improved, Their Financial Controls Still Need to Be Strengthened (Release Date: May 2015)

Recommendation #2 To: Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation

To ensure the CMO fees it charges to its academies are accurate, the Foundation should develop procedures to ensure that CMO fees are accurately calculated and recorded, including performing regular reconciliations of the CMO fees recorded in the Foundation's and academies' general ledgers.

6-Month Agency Response

The organization has implemented a cost allocation methodology that has been reviewed by external consultants and approved by Magnolia's board. Cost allocation is reconciled on a monthly basis.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented

60-Day Agency Response

The organization has implemented a cost allocation methodology that has been reviewed by external consultants and approved by Magnolia's board. Magnolia staff is in the process of reconciling the month of June 2015, and starting July 1, 2015, The cost allocation will be reconciled on a monthly basis by the external back office service provider. The finance department is currently working with the back office service provider to draft the new policies and procedures relating to the CMO allocation and reconciliation.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2014-135R

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.