Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association

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Special Session With AVZ

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA),  recently held a Special Information Session. Guest speakers Joseph C. Ferreira and Thomas J. Ruggiero, Partners at Hauppauge-based AVZ & Co. P.C. Certified Public Accountants, addressed the Commissioners on the topic of “New York State Comptroller Audits.” Albertson Water District Commissioners Howard Abbondondelo, Richard Ockovic and Kenneth Vey hosted the session.

The focus was on the constitutional and statutory objectives of auditing. “The difference between independent audits and comptroller audits includes scope and materiality,” Mr. Ferreira stated. “Being thoroughly prepared includes operational and control considerations, especially internal operations, as well as compliance with NYS general municipal law and their own internal policies and procedures.”

Thomas J. Ruggiero (L) and Joseph C. Ferreira (R)

Mr. Ruggiero added, “There is a distinct need to have policies for traditional topics such as purchasing, investments, and fixed assets. In today’s world, IT, disaster recovery and business continuity must also have policies in place.”

 NSWCA President Raymond Averna commented, “The subsequent hands during the Q&A session brought deeper discussion of several interrelated topics, including the Top 10 internal controls, and delved into important governance issues that concern all member District Commissioners. Mr. Ferreira and Mr. Ruggiero graciously enlightened us with their expertise and insights.”

Mr. Ferreira (Smithtown, NY) is a Hofstra graduate and a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the NYS Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) and past-chairperson of the Real Estate/Construction Committee for the Suffolk Chapter of NYSSCPA.

Mr. Ruggiero (Port Jefferson Station, NY), a Dowling College graduate, is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the NYS Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA), The NYS Government Finance Officers’ Association (NYSGFOA), the NYS Association of School Business Officials (NYSSASBO), the NYS Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) and the NYS American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACECNY).