Audit 302366

FY End
2022-12-31
Total Expended
$1.64M
Findings
4
Programs
4
Organization: Forth (OR)
Year: 2022 Accepted: 2024-04-02

Organization Exclusion Status:

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Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
392161 2022-002 Material Weakness - M
392162 2022-003 Material Weakness - L
968603 2022-002 Material Weakness - M
968604 2022-003 Material Weakness - L

Contacts

Name Title Type
FJP6LQHZ5KH9 Gina Avalos-Limardo Auditee
5037248670 Cheryl Morgan Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards includes the federal grant activity of Forth. The information in this schedule is presented in accordance with therequirements of Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles,and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amountspresented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation ofthe basic financial statements. Federal award program titles are reported as presented in theAssistance Listings (AL) and are based on beta.sam.gov. Federal Award program titles notpresented in AL are identified by Federal Agency number followed by (.xxx). De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Forth has not used the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate under the Uniform Guidance Basis of Presentation
Title: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards includes the federal grant activity of Forth. The information in this schedule is presented in accordance with therequirements of Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles,and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amountspresented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation ofthe basic financial statements. Federal award program titles are reported as presented in theAssistance Listings (AL) and are based on beta.sam.gov. Federal Award program titles notpresented in AL are identified by Federal Agency number followed by (.xxx). De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Forth has not used the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate under the Uniform Guidance The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards includes the federal grant activity of Forth. The information in this schedule is presented in accordance with therequirements of Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles,and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amountspresented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation ofthe basic financial statements. Federal award program titles are reported as presented in theAssistance Listings (AL) and are based on beta.sam.gov. Federal Award program titles notpresented in AL are identified by Federal Agency number followed by (.xxx).
Title: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards includes the federal grant activity of Forth. The information in this schedule is presented in accordance with therequirements of Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles,and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amountspresented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation ofthe basic financial statements. Federal award program titles are reported as presented in theAssistance Listings (AL) and are based on beta.sam.gov. Federal Award program titles notpresented in AL are identified by Federal Agency number followed by (.xxx). De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Forth has not used the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate under the Uniform Guidance Basis of Accounting
Title: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards includes the federal grant activity of Forth. The information in this schedule is presented in accordance with therequirements of Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles,and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amountspresented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation ofthe basic financial statements. Federal award program titles are reported as presented in theAssistance Listings (AL) and are based on beta.sam.gov. Federal Award program titles notpresented in AL are identified by Federal Agency number followed by (.xxx). De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Forth has not used the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate under the Uniform Guidance The expenditures for each federal financial assistance programs are presented in the scheduleon the accrual basis of accounting.
Title: CONTINGENCIES Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards includes the federal grant activity of Forth. The information in this schedule is presented in accordance with therequirements of Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles,and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amountspresented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation ofthe basic financial statements. Federal award program titles are reported as presented in theAssistance Listings (AL) and are based on beta.sam.gov. Federal Award program titles notpresented in AL are identified by Federal Agency number followed by (.xxx). De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Forth has not used the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate under the Uniform Guidance The amounts expended by Forth under federal programs are subject to audit by governmental agencies. Forth believes that any liabilities arising from such audits will not have a material impact on Forth financial position.
Title: LOAN PROGRAMS Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards includes the federal grant activity of Forth. The information in this schedule is presented in accordance with therequirements of Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles,and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amountspresented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation ofthe basic financial statements. Federal award program titles are reported as presented in theAssistance Listings (AL) and are based on beta.sam.gov. Federal Award program titles notpresented in AL are identified by Federal Agency number followed by (.xxx). De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Forth has not used the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate under the Uniform Guidance The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued a note to Forth in connection with Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The note has 30-year terms and bears interest and requires monthly payments. The balance of loan outstanding on December 31, 2022 consists of the following: FederalALOutstandingNumberProgram NameBalance59.008Disaster Assistance Loan$500,000

Finding Details

2022-002 Finding – Federal Award Type: Subrecipient Monitoring –Material Non-Compliance and Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance. Identification of Federal Program: Research and Development Cluster: AL Number: 81.086 Conservation Research and Development Program Criteria / Requirement: The 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. In accordance with 2CFR§200.331, a pass-through entity must clearly identify to the subrecipient the award as a subaward by providing the required federal information related to the award, all requirements imposed by the pass-through entity on the subrecipient so that the federal award is used in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of contracts and grants agreements. The pass-through entity must evaluate risk of non-compliance of each subrecipient, monitoring the subrecipient and ensuring accountability of for-profit subrecipients. Condition / Context: Forth passed through $75,170 in funding to subrecipients under Assistance Listing 81.086. During our audit, we noted that Forth did not have documented written procedures or controls in place to ensure compliance with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Per review of subaward contracts, required federal contract information was not clearly identified. Further, subrecipients were not evaluated for risk of non-compliance, were not monitored, and there were no procedures in place to ensure the accountability of for-profit subrecipients. Cause: Procedures are not in place to ensure that Forth is providing adequate subaward
2022-003 Finding – Federal Award Type: Cash Management (Invoices) – Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance. Reporting (Federal Form 425 & FSRS) – Material Non-Compliance and Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance. Identification of Federal Program: Research and Development Cluster: AL Number: 81.086 Conservation Research and Development Program Criteria / Requirement: The 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Under the requirements of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (Pub. L. No. 109-282), as amended by Section 6202 of Pub. L. No. 110-252, that are codified in 2 CFR Part 170, recipients (i.e., direct recipients) of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). The subawards meeting the above definition are to be reported no later than the last day of the month following the month in which the subaward/subaward amendment obligation was made or the subcontract award/subcontract modification was made. Condition / Context: It was noted during the audit that there were insufficient internal controls over invoices submitted for cost reimbursement related to federal grants as invoices were created and approved by one individual. While the internal controls were insufficient, our sample of invoices did not contain errors or undocumented amounts. It was noted during the audit that there were insufficient internal controls over required federal financial reports as federal financial reports were created and approved by the one individual. While the internal controls were insufficient, our sample of federal financial reports did not contain errors or undocumented amounts. It was also noted that there were three first-tier subawards entered into during 2022 greater than $30,000 that were not reported to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System. Cause: Procedures are not in place to ensure that Forth is maintaining adequate internal controls over compliance in regards to federal financial reporting and cash management requirements. Key duties and functions are not segregated among organization personnel and internal control policies and procedures are inadequate to properly define the roles and responsibilities of accounting personnel performing key functions. Procedures are not in place to track and report first-tier subawards. Effect: Failure to maintain sufficient internal controls over federal financial reporting and invoices submitted for cost reimbursement related to federal grants may result in the wrongful use of federal funds and/or non-compliance with the provisions of applicable requirements. Failure to maintain sufficient internal controls and proper procedures, including tracking over reporting first-tier subawards may result in wrongful use of federal funds and non-compliance with federal awards. Questioned Costs: none.
2022-002 Finding – Federal Award Type: Subrecipient Monitoring –Material Non-Compliance and Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance. Identification of Federal Program: Research and Development Cluster: AL Number: 81.086 Conservation Research and Development Program Criteria / Requirement: The 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. In accordance with 2CFR§200.331, a pass-through entity must clearly identify to the subrecipient the award as a subaward by providing the required federal information related to the award, all requirements imposed by the pass-through entity on the subrecipient so that the federal award is used in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of contracts and grants agreements. The pass-through entity must evaluate risk of non-compliance of each subrecipient, monitoring the subrecipient and ensuring accountability of for-profit subrecipients. Condition / Context: Forth passed through $75,170 in funding to subrecipients under Assistance Listing 81.086. During our audit, we noted that Forth did not have documented written procedures or controls in place to ensure compliance with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Per review of subaward contracts, required federal contract information was not clearly identified. Further, subrecipients were not evaluated for risk of non-compliance, were not monitored, and there were no procedures in place to ensure the accountability of for-profit subrecipients. Cause: Procedures are not in place to ensure that Forth is providing adequate subaward
2022-003 Finding – Federal Award Type: Cash Management (Invoices) – Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance. Reporting (Federal Form 425 & FSRS) – Material Non-Compliance and Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance. Identification of Federal Program: Research and Development Cluster: AL Number: 81.086 Conservation Research and Development Program Criteria / Requirement: The 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Under the requirements of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (Pub. L. No. 109-282), as amended by Section 6202 of Pub. L. No. 110-252, that are codified in 2 CFR Part 170, recipients (i.e., direct recipients) of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). The subawards meeting the above definition are to be reported no later than the last day of the month following the month in which the subaward/subaward amendment obligation was made or the subcontract award/subcontract modification was made. Condition / Context: It was noted during the audit that there were insufficient internal controls over invoices submitted for cost reimbursement related to federal grants as invoices were created and approved by one individual. While the internal controls were insufficient, our sample of invoices did not contain errors or undocumented amounts. It was noted during the audit that there were insufficient internal controls over required federal financial reports as federal financial reports were created and approved by the one individual. While the internal controls were insufficient, our sample of federal financial reports did not contain errors or undocumented amounts. It was also noted that there were three first-tier subawards entered into during 2022 greater than $30,000 that were not reported to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System. Cause: Procedures are not in place to ensure that Forth is maintaining adequate internal controls over compliance in regards to federal financial reporting and cash management requirements. Key duties and functions are not segregated among organization personnel and internal control policies and procedures are inadequate to properly define the roles and responsibilities of accounting personnel performing key functions. Procedures are not in place to track and report first-tier subawards. Effect: Failure to maintain sufficient internal controls over federal financial reporting and invoices submitted for cost reimbursement related to federal grants may result in the wrongful use of federal funds and/or non-compliance with the provisions of applicable requirements. Failure to maintain sufficient internal controls and proper procedures, including tracking over reporting first-tier subawards may result in wrongful use of federal funds and non-compliance with federal awards. Questioned Costs: none.