JEFFERSON CITY - Nine former state employees got to keep their access to state purchasing cards, according to an audit of the Office of Administration.

Deputy Auditor Harry Otto said they found no evidence people continued card use post-employment, but the oversight is concerning.

"There's always a risk if you haven't collected the keys, the computer, the car and the cards, that they're going to be continued to be used for non-state use," Otto said.

State Auditor Tom Schweich's staff also found over 45,000 small dollar transactions totalling over $1.8 million that could have been paid using purchasing cards.

Otto said state purchasing cards used by state officials work like credit cards.

"For every dollar that could have been spent on the card but is somehow paid another way, the state is forfeiting a potential rebate," Otto said. "So they should be using those cards whenever and wherever possible - that's why they're there."

The Office of Administration responded in the audit that they would continue encouraging agencies to increase the use of purchasing cards for small purchases. The auditee stated they will enhance their reporting capabilities to increase oversight capabilities.