Audit 301948

FY End
2023-06-30
Total Expended
$10.15M
Findings
20
Programs
5
Organization: City of Westminster, Maryland (MD)
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2024-04-01
Auditor: Sb & Company

Organization Exclusion Status:

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Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
391459 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
391460 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
391461 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
391462 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
391463 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
391464 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
391465 2023-002 - Yes B
391466 2023-002 - Yes B
391467 2023-003 - - N
391468 2023-003 - - N
967901 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
967902 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
967903 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
967904 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
967905 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
967906 2023-001 Significant Deficiency Yes P
967907 2023-002 - Yes B
967908 2023-002 - Yes B
967909 2023-003 - - N
967910 2023-003 - - N

Contacts

Name Title Type
QYL1GWFYPE77 Theresa Rodgers Auditee
4108483274 William Seymour Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Policies: All Federal grant operations of the City of Westminster, Maryland (the City) are included in the scope of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Single Audit). The programs on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the Schedule) represent all Federal award programs and other grants with fiscal year 2023 cash or non-cash expenditure activities. The accompanying Schedule includes the Federal award activity of the City under programs of the Federal government for the year ended June 30, 2023, and is reported on the accrual basis of accounting De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The City has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. All Federal grant operations of the City of Westminster, Maryland (the City) are included in the scope of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Single Audit). The Single Audit was performed in accordance with the provisions of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Compliance Supplement (the Compliance Supplement). Compliance testing of all requirements, as described in the Compliance Supplement, was performed for the major grant program noted below. The programs on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the Schedule) represent all Federal award programs and other grants with fiscal year 2023 cash or non-cash expenditure activities. For our single audit testing, we tested the Federal award program below with fiscal year 2023 cash and non-cash expenditures to ensure coverage of at least 40% of Federally granted funds. Actual coverage was 99%. Expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. The City has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance.
Title: BASIS OF PRESENTATION Accounting Policies: All Federal grant operations of the City of Westminster, Maryland (the City) are included in the scope of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Single Audit). The programs on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the Schedule) represent all Federal award programs and other grants with fiscal year 2023 cash or non-cash expenditure activities. The accompanying Schedule includes the Federal award activity of the City under programs of the Federal government for the year ended June 30, 2023, and is reported on the accrual basis of accounting De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The City has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The accompanying Schedule includes the Federal award activity of the City under programs of the Federal government for the year ended June 30, 2023, and is reported on the accrual basis of accounting. The information in the Schedule is presented in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the City, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the City.

Finding Details

Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-002 Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Allowable Costs and Cost Principles Repeat Findings: Yes Criteria: Except where otherwise authorized by statute, a cost must be adequately documented in order to be allowable under Federal awards. Condition and Context: The allocation rate of the employees to the Housing Choice Voucher program was unsubstantiated. The City has no documentation, time study, or time sheets to prove that the 80% allocation is accurate. The rate being used was based on a discussion with the employee once they were hired and has not been updated since then. Cause: The City does not have an official policy to document or determine allocation rates of employees to funds other than informal discussions. The City also does not complete time studies of employees. Effect or Potential Effect: Payroll costs could be charged to the program at an improper allocation rate. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City does annual time studies or an annual review of timesheets to determine accurate allocation rates and then document this within employee personnel files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-002 Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Allowable Costs and Cost Principles Repeat Findings: Yes Criteria: Except where otherwise authorized by statute, a cost must be adequately documented in order to be allowable under Federal awards. Condition and Context: The allocation rate of the employees to the Housing Choice Voucher program was unsubstantiated. The City has no documentation, time study, or time sheets to prove that the 80% allocation is accurate. The rate being used was based on a discussion with the employee once they were hired and has not been updated since then. Cause: The City does not have an official policy to document or determine allocation rates of employees to funds other than informal discussions. The City also does not complete time studies of employees. Effect or Potential Effect: Payroll costs could be charged to the program at an improper allocation rate. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City does annual time studies or an annual review of timesheets to determine accurate allocation rates and then document this within employee personnel files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-003 Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Depository Agreement Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: Public Housing Authorities are required to enter into depository agreements with their financial institutions in the form required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreements serve as safeguards for federal funds and provide third party rights to HUD. Among the terms in many agreements are requirements for funds to be placed in an interest-bearing account (24 CFR section 982.156). Condition and Context: The City has not entered into a depository agreement with their financial institution since January 2020 which expired in January 2021. There was no depository agreement active for fiscal year 2023. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to track their HUD depository agreement expiration. Effect or Potential Effect: HUD funds are not properly deposited or safeguarded. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City enters into a depository agreement with their HUD funds financial institution immediately and implements a system to track the expiration of the agreement to avoid lapses in HUD requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-003 Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Depository Agreement Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: Public Housing Authorities are required to enter into depository agreements with their financial institutions in the form required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreements serve as safeguards for federal funds and provide third party rights to HUD. Among the terms in many agreements are requirements for funds to be placed in an interest-bearing account (24 CFR section 982.156). Condition and Context: The City has not entered into a depository agreement with their financial institution since January 2020 which expired in January 2021. There was no depository agreement active for fiscal year 2023. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to track their HUD depository agreement expiration. Effect or Potential Effect: HUD funds are not properly deposited or safeguarded. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City enters into a depository agreement with their HUD funds financial institution immediately and implements a system to track the expiration of the agreement to avoid lapses in HUD requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - Fiscal Year End Reporting Repeat Findings: Yes, 2022-001 Criteria: The City’s fiscal year end account balances should include all significant transactions from the reporting period and should be reconciled at fiscal year end. Condition and Context: While management informed us that adjustments would be required after the trial balances were provided to us for audit, adjustments took longer than expected. These adjustments were crucial to ensure the financial statements were complete and accurate. Effect or Potential Effect: The City’s account balances were misstated as and for the year ended June 30, 2023 prior to adjustments being made to correct such misstatements. The potential effect is that accurate information might not be available timely to make management decisions throughout the year as well as at year end. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over financial reporting to ensure all transactions are recorded in the City’s financial statements, and that their accounting and finance department is fully staffed to ensure timeliness of reporting. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-002 Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Allowable Costs and Cost Principles Repeat Findings: Yes Criteria: Except where otherwise authorized by statute, a cost must be adequately documented in order to be allowable under Federal awards. Condition and Context: The allocation rate of the employees to the Housing Choice Voucher program was unsubstantiated. The City has no documentation, time study, or time sheets to prove that the 80% allocation is accurate. The rate being used was based on a discussion with the employee once they were hired and has not been updated since then. Cause: The City does not have an official policy to document or determine allocation rates of employees to funds other than informal discussions. The City also does not complete time studies of employees. Effect or Potential Effect: Payroll costs could be charged to the program at an improper allocation rate. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City does annual time studies or an annual review of timesheets to determine accurate allocation rates and then document this within employee personnel files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-002 Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Allowable Costs and Cost Principles Repeat Findings: Yes Criteria: Except where otherwise authorized by statute, a cost must be adequately documented in order to be allowable under Federal awards. Condition and Context: The allocation rate of the employees to the Housing Choice Voucher program was unsubstantiated. The City has no documentation, time study, or time sheets to prove that the 80% allocation is accurate. The rate being used was based on a discussion with the employee once they were hired and has not been updated since then. Cause: The City does not have an official policy to document or determine allocation rates of employees to funds other than informal discussions. The City also does not complete time studies of employees. Effect or Potential Effect: Payroll costs could be charged to the program at an improper allocation rate. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City does annual time studies or an annual review of timesheets to determine accurate allocation rates and then document this within employee personnel files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-003 Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Depository Agreement Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: Public Housing Authorities are required to enter into depository agreements with their financial institutions in the form required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreements serve as safeguards for federal funds and provide third party rights to HUD. Among the terms in many agreements are requirements for funds to be placed in an interest-bearing account (24 CFR section 982.156). Condition and Context: The City has not entered into a depository agreement with their financial institution since January 2020 which expired in January 2021. There was no depository agreement active for fiscal year 2023. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to track their HUD depository agreement expiration. Effect or Potential Effect: HUD funds are not properly deposited or safeguarded. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City enters into a depository agreement with their HUD funds financial institution immediately and implements a system to track the expiration of the agreement to avoid lapses in HUD requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-003 Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Depository Agreement Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: Public Housing Authorities are required to enter into depository agreements with their financial institutions in the form required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreements serve as safeguards for federal funds and provide third party rights to HUD. Among the terms in many agreements are requirements for funds to be placed in an interest-bearing account (24 CFR section 982.156). Condition and Context: The City has not entered into a depository agreement with their financial institution since January 2020 which expired in January 2021. There was no depository agreement active for fiscal year 2023. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to track their HUD depository agreement expiration. Effect or Potential Effect: HUD funds are not properly deposited or safeguarded. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City enters into a depository agreement with their HUD funds financial institution immediately and implements a system to track the expiration of the agreement to avoid lapses in HUD requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.