Press Release  Audit Calls on Northampton Human Service Provider to Improve Oversight of Spending Procedures

Boston — In an audit released today, State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump called on ServiceNet, Inc., a state-contracted human service provider in Northampton, to improve oversight of spending funds from state contracts. Bump’s audit examined the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018. Bump’s office reviewed the credit card transactions made during ten of the twenty-four months of the audit period and found during that time the agency made $38,278 worth of expenditures from state contracts that were not properly documented, not reasonably incurred, or not program-related. The audit called on the provider to work with the Commonwealth’s Operational Services Division to determine what costs need to be repaid.

“ServiceNet provides critical mental health and addiction services to the western part of the state, but it must diligently manage its state contract to maintain public trust,” Bump said of the audit. “I urge the human service provider to quickly implement our audit recommendations.”

Additionally, the audit found problems with ServiceNet’s processes related to cash disbursements. The audit found check requests that were not approved by either the agency’s comptroller or its chief financial officer. It also found two transactions, totaling $52,869, for which no records could be located.

ServiceNet, Inc. was founded in 1973 as a nonprofit human service agency serving Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester Counties. During our audit period, ServiceNet offered services in counseling and psychiatry, mental health recovery, child and adolescent services, developmental services, brain injury services, shelter and housing, vocational services, and addiction services.

The audit of ServiceNet, Inc.is available here.

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