Albertson Water District Commissioners Host NSWCA Special Information Session on NYS Comptroller Auditing

Williston Park, NY; May 19, 2016 - Hosted by Albertson Water District Commissioners Howard Abbondondelo, Richard Ockovic and Kenneth Vey, Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), comprised of commissioners from 21 water districts across Long Island, recently held a special information session led by guest speakers Joseph C. Ferreira and Thomas J. Ruggiero, Partners at Hauppauge-based Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, P.C. (AVZ) Certified Public Accountants, addressed the Commissioners on the topic of “NYS Comptroller Audits.”

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

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 of Massapequa Water District commented, ““The subsequent hands on 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 water district commissioners. Mr. Ferreira and Mr. Ruggiero graciously enlightened us with their expertise and insights.”

A Hofstra graduate, Mr. Ferreira of Smithtown, NY is 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 of Port Jefferson Station, NY is a Dowling College graduate who 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).

Organized and chartered in 1981, Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau and Suffolk County water districts. NSWCA is dedicated to promoting environmental excellence and best practices as well as maintaining the highest standards of water quality and supply. NSWCA sponsors regular educational meetings on topics that include the environment, security, economics, rules and regulations, among other related issues.

One of Long Island’s largest certified public accounting firms, Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, P.C. provides a wide range of financial, accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services to clients and has done so for over 65 years.

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PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured from left to right at a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association Special Information Session meeting hosted by Albertson Water District Commissioners Howard Abbondondelo, Richard Ockovic and and Kennith Vey where Guest Speakers Joseph C. Ferreira and Thomas J. Ruggiero, Partners at Hauppauge-Based Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, P.C. addressed NSWCA water commissioners on the topic of “NYS Comptroller Audits” are NSWCA Treasurer William Schuckmann of Hicksville Water District, NSWCA Secretary Michael Rich of Oyster Bay Water District, NSWCA 1st Vice President Andrew Bader of Plainview Water District, Guest Speaker Joseph C. Ferriera, NSWCA President Raymond Averna of Massapequa Water District, and Guest Speaker Thomas Ruggiero.