Last updated on June 16th, 2025New York State continues to invest in Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) programs with the passing of the 2025-26 Enacted State Budget. Let’s take a look at the current state of UPK in New York as well as the latest efforts to increase access to affordable early

Financial statement audits are crucial to any organization’s financial health, and school districts are no exception. A financial statement audit provides an independent assessment of an organization’s financial statements, which in turn ensures transparency, accountability, and a strong foundation for future planning. Preparation is key to ensuring a smooth audit

Last updated on April 22nd, 2025As government entities, school districts are required to implement GASB 101’s updated guidelines for the treatment of compensated absences for employees of state and local governments. What is GASB 101? The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 101 (GASB 101) updates the guidelines for

Last updated on March 18th, 2025As of July 2024, school districts in New York State that reorganize—or merge—are eligible for financial assistance of up to 40 percent of the Total Foundation Aid Base under the Reorganization Incentive Operating Aid (RIOA) program. Unfrozen in the 2024-2025 state budget, RIOA is available

On January 14, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her annual State of the State Address in Albany. The governor’s plan for 2025 includes several initiatives focused on supporting children and education in New York State. Among the proposed initiatives are an expansion of the child tax credit and a free universal

Last updated on September 27th, 2024Financial management is a weighty responsibility for all organizations. School districts’ fiscal activities have the added burden of standing up to the multi-faceted demands and scrutiny of parents and taxpayers. More and more, school districts are outsourcing accounting – especially when it comes to budgeting,

After Foundation Aid and the “hold harmless” provision survived New York’s 2025 budget process, Governor Hochul stated in her 2025 budget press release that education priorities include “a Rockefeller Institute study to examine Foundation Aid and prepare for formula changes next year.” Here’s what happened next… The Rockefeller Institute embarked on a

Last updated on July 29th, 2024As part of a school district’s financial management, maintaining a reasonable unassigned fund balance provides a safety buffer for unforeseen expenses or revenue shortfalls. This is vital as it helps ensure adequate cash flow to cover the ongoing cost of operations. Managing these funds entails