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U of M foundation cited for sloppy accounting practices

By , Daily Memphian Updated: March 05, 2025 10:16 PM CT | Published: March 05, 2025 6:46 PM CT

The University of Memphis foundation that includes money from donors and ownership of high-profile projects — including the transfer last fall of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium — raised eyebrows with auditors for sloppy internal controls that could misstate the group’s financial standing.

In its review, independent auditor ATA said the university’s Auxiliary Services Foundation made no distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds in its recordkeeping. It also made payments in some cases before receiving funds, which resulted in projects showing negative balances. Both conditions go against generally approved accounting practices.

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Auxiliary Services Foundation University of Memphis Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Bill Hardgrave David McKinney Subscriber Only

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Jane Roberts

Jane Roberts

Longtime journalist Jane Roberts is a Minnesotan by birth and a Memphian by choice. She's lived and reported in the city more than two decades. She covers business news and features for The Daily Memphian.


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