Auditor gives Upper Darby an unmodified opinion, reports no federal-compliance findings

Caroline Hipple, principal auditor with Baker Tilly, presented the Upper Darby School District's annual financial statement audit, dated Dec. 2, and told the board the audit resulted in an unmodified opinion.

Hipple said the 70-page report includes management's discussion and analysis, financial schedules and disclosures, and federal-expenditure schedules. She described the unmodified opinion as "the highest level of assurance," and reported unmodified opinions on internal controls over financial reporting and on compliance for the federal programs the auditors tested, including ESSER (COVID-relief) and Title I.

"You can rely on those financial statements to make informed decisions," Hipple told the board, and later added that the district has "a really good team behind you." She recommended board members review the management's discussion and analysis section for a year-over-year budget-to-actual overview.

The presentation did not identify material weaknesses or reportable findings for the areas tested; the board received the report as an informational presentation during the work session.