About the Forensic Audit
As part of the State Legislature’s budgeting process in 2019, the MTA was legislatively required under Section 1279-f of the State Public Authorities Law to contract a certified public accounting firm to conduct an independent, comprehensive forensic audit in accordance with government auditing standards. The audit examined the MTA’s capital elements and planning process to determine whether the projects in the 2020-2024 Capital Plan were appropriate based on asset conditions, investment strategies and cost ranges. This included a thorough accounting of assets by agency, including rolling stock, stations, tracks, line equipment, signals, power equipment, maintenance facilities, depots, yards terminals and other infrastructure. The audit also reviewed the 2015-2019 Capital Plan for any cost overages or duplication of functions to identify potential efficiencies and savings.
Presenting the Forensic Audit to the Board
The forensic audit findings were presented to the MTA Board on December 18, 2019. The audit, conducted by an independent firm, Crowe LLP, found the MTA capital planning process to be “consistent with industry-leading practices” and required no modifications to the 2020-2024 Capital Plan. Crowe LLP did, however, make recommendations to modernize capital planning and the Twenty Year-Needs report, find efficiencies and cost savings, and to improve delivery of capital projects.
What Happens Next
The MTA accepts the findings and will implement the recommendations to deliver cost savings for all upcoming and future capital plans.