Louisiana Board of Optometry fails to document thousands in reimbursements

(The Center Square) — The Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners did not properly document more than $5,000 in travel reimbursements.

The audit performed by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office studied the board's financial reporting from January 2022 through December 2023 and found five improperly noted incidences in the period starting June 8, 2023.

The board was unable to provide the auditors any supporting documentation for one travel reimbursement totaling $785 and a portion of another travel reimbursement for a $16 parking receipt.

Another incident included overnight lodging for four days totaling $878 and two meals totaling $41 that were outside of the dates of travel for official board business.

Two reimbursements included a total of $68 of duplicate charges for the same meals and another three were meal receipts that were not itemized, totaling $578.

The auditors noted this is the third consecutive engagement they reported exceptions relating to travel reimbursements.

The board did not concur with the exception noted for reimbursement of expenses outside of the dates of travel for official board business noted above.

They also did not agree with the duplicate reimbursement of a meal totaling $35 on June 17, 2023, stating the other charge noted was for a different meal on June 19, 2023. The auditors replied saying the June 17 meal was reimbursed again using an itemized receipt, which indicated that the meal was charged to the room.

Besides issues in reimbursement reporting, the audit determined that management resolved the prior report findings related to lack of controls over bank reconciliations, lack of controls over collections, failure to obtain formalized contracts, lack of written policies and procedures, and insufficient support for approved budget.

The newly appointed president of the board responded saying he was proud that the previous board leaders made a concerted effort to solve the issues, leaving only one issue to be addressed.