HARRISVILLE -- The Village of Harrisville failed to segregate the clerk-treasurer’s duties, ensure that the clerk-treasurer maintained adequate and complete records and reports, or establish compensating controls, according to an audit released Tuesday by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

“Without accurate records, reports and controls in place, the Village of Harrisville can’t properly assess the village’s financial operations and condition, and there is an increased risk that improper cash transactions could occur or remain undetected,” DiNapoli said. “The village must do better.”

The audit covered the period June 1, 2008 to Oct. 31, 2009.

The clerk-treasurer is solely responsible for all aspects of the village’s financial and recordkeeping duties, such as receiving and depositing moneys, writing checks and reconciling bank accounts.

Despite this lack of segregation of duties, the board did not designate anyone to periodically review the clerk-treasurer’s records or bank reconciliations during the audit period, the comptroller’s office said.

“Furthermore, the board did not audit, or cause to be audited, the financial records and reports of the clerk-treasurer for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2009, as required by law,” the report said.

Village officials generally agreed with the auditors’ recommendations, they say, indicating the village would take corrective action.

For a full copy of the audit, visit www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/villages/2010/harrisville.pdf.