Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training Inc

“The form 990 was prepared by the outside accountants. A copy was provided to the full board before being filed with the irs.”

“Accet is reviewed and listed by the u.s. Secretary of education as a "reliable authority" in the conduct of its accreditation function. The oversight/recognition process required clear and effective protections against potential conflicts of interest, which the commission and staff follow regularly and consistently. Annual sign-offs by commissioners on the policy statements; weekly staff meetings and regular commission meetings maintain transparency on the wide array of policy and procedural issues central to the integrity of accreditation. The purpose of accet's conflict of interest policy is to protect the financial interests of the commission when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of a commissioner, officer, or member of a committee designated by the commission. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state or federal laws governing conflicts of interest for charitable and/or nonprofit organizations. Provided below are the procedures for addressing conflict of interest, which are excerpted from the accet commission code of conduct policy: 1. Duty to disclose: in connection with any possible or actual conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of a financial interest and be given an opportunity to disclose all relevant facts to the executive committee which may delegate this review to an audit committee. 2. Determining whether a conflict of interest exists: after disclosure of the financial interest and all relevant facts, and after any discussion with the interested party, the person recuses himself/herself while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining committee members determines if a conflict exists. 3. Procedures for addressing the conflict of interest: a. An interested party may make a presentation at the committee meeting, but after the presentation, the person leaves the meeting during the discussion and vote on the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest. B. The executive committee may appoint an audit committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. C. After exercising due diligence, the committee determines whether accet can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. D. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably available under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the committee determines by a majority vote of the disinterested members whether the transaction or arrangement is in accet's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination, it makes its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement. 4. Violations of the conflict of interest policy: a. If the committee has reasonable cause to believe a person has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it informs the person of the basis for such belief and affords the person an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. B. If, after hearing the person's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the committee determines the person has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it takes appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.”

“Accet's executive director is subject to an annual review and evaluation by the executive committee. Following its deliberation in closed session, the executive director is apprised of the results and the process is documented. Comparative data has been used periodically, approximately every third year. During 2020, the organization was conducting a comprehensive search for a new executive director. The position was filled in may 2021 and compensation was evaluated as part of the hiring process. A performance review and evaluation of compensation will be completed in 2022.”

“Accet posts its governing documents on its website (www.accet.org), including the accet commission code of conduct policy identifying specific policy and procedures relative to conflict of interest, which are under regular review and revision by the commission. Accet's annual financial audits are posted on the website.”

“During 2020, the organization changed the systems/network management program and provides only routine maintenance.”

“On may 7, 2020, the council received loan proceeds in the amount of $282,459 under the paycheck protection program.the promissory note calls for monthly principal and interest payments amortized over the term of the promissory note with a deferral of payments for the first ten months after the last day of the covered period. Under the coronavirus aid, relief, and economic security act (cares act), the promissory note may be forgiven by the small business administration in whole or in part. The council used the loan proceeds for purposes consistent with the paycheck protection program and applied for forgiveness after completing the 24-week period stipulated by the terms of the loan.”