A US organisation which recognises high standards in education and which Bermuda College has applied to become accredited by yesterday refused to comment on whether alleged financial negligence at the college could jeopardise its candidacy.

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) has a strict set of criteria for higher education institutions seeking accreditation, including rules on financial management.

Bermuda College has come under scrutiny in recent weeks following claims that it does not have proper financial controls in place, that its officers may have been negligent regarding the spending of public money and that its president, Dr. Charles Green, enjoyed perks at taxpayers' expense. The NEASC's set of standards require that a higher education institution "ensures the integrity of its finances through prudent financial management and organisation" and has "appropriate control mechanisms" in place.

It also demands timely financial reporting ? but Bermuda College is two years behind in the issuing of its audited financial statements and has not submitted annual reports since 2002, according to the Auditor General's most recent annual report.

Barbara Brittingham, director of the NEASC's Commission on Higher Education Institutions, said the college was a candidate for accreditation and could expect a visit from assessors next spring.

But she would not comment on whether recent claims about the college's finances and an investigation by the Public Accounts Committee would affect its application.

The college issued a statement yesterday on the accreditation process. It said: "The college is in the midst of preparing a report for the NEASC team that is expected to visit the college early next year to assess the college's progress on the various standards that all candidates must successfully meet before being awarded accreditation.

"All relevant reports and activities involving the college's ability to meet the NEASC requirements will be made available and come under scrutiny of the NEASC team, which will then make its own independent assessment of the college's progress."