NU Accounting Students Attend Erie County Budget Commission Meeting
Niagara University accounting students helped the Erie County Citizens’ Budget Review Commission have one of its largest audiences in recent memory on Thursday, Oct. 27.
The commission was established by local law and has been a formal body since 2012. Its purpose is to advise the Erie County Legislature in the oversight of the county’s budget, monitor county finances, ensure long-term fiscal stability, prevent concealment of county deficits and help provide the legislature with enough time and information to respond to budgetary problems according to the Erie County Charter mandate. This all-volunteer, 11-member commission is comprised of a cross-section of various disciplines, including attorneys, bankers, labor, government and a CPA. The meetings are open to the public, held in “Old County Hall” in downtown Buffalo and abide by New York state public meeting requirements.
Joseph Winter, CFE, CPA, assistant professor of accounting at NU, has been the chairman of the commission the past three years and challenged students enrolled in his auditing classes to attend the most recent meeting.