Audit 32166

FY End
2022-12-31
Total Expended
$26.46M
Findings
2
Programs
3
Year: 2022 Accepted: 2023-05-29
Auditor: Bdo USA LLP

Organization Exclusion Status:

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Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
34365 2022-001 Significant Deficiency Yes L
610807 2022-001 Significant Deficiency Yes L

Programs

Contacts

Name Title Type
FJHWGN95WDA7 Robin Odland Auditee
2024571989 Leslie Pine Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Loan/loan guarantee outstanding balances Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal grant and contract activity of Building Hope Finance (Finance) and is presented on the accrual basis of accounting which conforms to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and is consistent with Finances basic financial statements. The information in the Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of Finance, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, change in net assets, or cash flows of Finance. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such 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, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Finance has elected not to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The auditee did not use the de minimis cost rate. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS BOND GUARANTEE PROGRAM (21.014) - Balances outstanding at the end of the audit period were 15409160. COMMUNITY FACILITIES LOANS AND GRANTS (10.766) - Balances outstanding at the end of the audit period were 2090405.
Title: Funds Held in Reserve Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal grant and contract activity of Building Hope Finance (Finance) and is presented on the accrual basis of accounting which conforms to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and is consistent with Finances basic financial statements. The information in the Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of Finance, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, change in net assets, or cash flows of Finance. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such 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, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Finance has elected not to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The auditee did not use the de minimis cost rate. At December 31, 2022, Finance holds cash, cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, and investments funded by the federal government (Charter Schools Financing Demonstration Program -CFDA #84.354). These funds are held under the terms of a federal grant and may be used both for program costs and to pay claims under Finances guarantees. The following schedule provides an accounting for the changes in the reserve account for the year ended December 31, 2022:Beginning balance of reserve account $8,243,548 Add: earnings on the reserve account 126,103 Less: federal expenditures (14,913) Ending balance of reserve account $8,354,738
Title: Other Reporting Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal grant and contract activity of Building Hope Finance (Finance) and is presented on the accrual basis of accounting which conforms to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and is consistent with Finances basic financial statements. The information in the Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of Finance, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, change in net assets, or cash flows of Finance. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such 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, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Finance has elected not to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The auditee did not use the de minimis cost rate. Included in expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are federal expenditures of $12,822. In addition, there are funds held under the terms of a federal grant totaling $6,196,822. Both the expenses and the reserve fund are reported to the awarding federal agency and Federal Audit Clearinghouse in a separate report, under Americas Charter School Finance Corporation (Americas Charter).

Finding Details

2022-001 Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Reporting Information on the Major Federal Program: U.S. Department of Education Name of Program: Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Assistance Listing Number: 84.354 Grant Award Number: U354A170013 Grant Award Period: September 27, 2017 until the Federal funds and earnings on those funds have been expended for the grant purposes or until financing facilitated by the grant has been retired, whichever is later. Criteria or Specific Requirement: In accordance with ?200.303(a), Internal Controls, a non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. ?200.328, Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance, documents that the non-federal entity is required to submit performance reports at the interval required by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity to best inform improvements in program outcomes and productivity. Intervals must be not less frequent than annually, nor more frequent than quarterly except in unusual circumstances, for example where more frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring of the federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes. The reports submitted to the federal awarding agency should be accurate. The grant agreement section 5 requires the grantee to submit an annual performance report (with such information and at such time as the Secretary may require) and audited financial statements to the Department of Education (ED) for each fiscal year that the grantee?s obligation to the Federal Government remains in effect. (The grantee?s commitment continues for the duration of time that reserve funds and earnings are used to achieve the specified grant purposes.). Condition: During our testing over reporting requirements, we noted that the required annual performance report (APR) as prepared and submitted in accordance with the terms of the award did not reconcile to underlying accumulated records. Cause: The Organization has documented monitoring policies and procedures; however, as identified above, the implementation of these policies and procedures did not detect or prevent the instance of noncompliance with the reporting criteria contained within the Uniform Guidance. Effect: While there are no known questioned costs that resulted from the condition identified above, the improper implementation of established internal control policies and procedures can lead to noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of grant agreements which could ultimately lead to disallowed costs or reserve funds being required to be returned for the major federal program. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs as the item outlined above is an internal control related matter related to compliance requirements not met in accordance with the grant agreement. Context: This is a condition identified during our testing over the reporting requirements. Any samples selected as part of the overall SEFA review and testing of reporting were performed using a non-statistical method. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat finding of 2021-002. Recommendation: In order to facilitate accurate and timely reporting and compliance with the terms and conditions of federal awards, we recommend management ensure all reporting requirements are documented, maintained and updated as necessary. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Management has identified the underlying calculation causing the reporting error and will use the proper calculation going forward as well as implementing a second review to ensure that the summarized data agrees to the underlying data.
2022-001 Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Reporting Information on the Major Federal Program: U.S. Department of Education Name of Program: Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Assistance Listing Number: 84.354 Grant Award Number: U354A170013 Grant Award Period: September 27, 2017 until the Federal funds and earnings on those funds have been expended for the grant purposes or until financing facilitated by the grant has been retired, whichever is later. Criteria or Specific Requirement: In accordance with ?200.303(a), Internal Controls, a non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. ?200.328, Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance, documents that the non-federal entity is required to submit performance reports at the interval required by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity to best inform improvements in program outcomes and productivity. Intervals must be not less frequent than annually, nor more frequent than quarterly except in unusual circumstances, for example where more frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring of the federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes. The reports submitted to the federal awarding agency should be accurate. The grant agreement section 5 requires the grantee to submit an annual performance report (with such information and at such time as the Secretary may require) and audited financial statements to the Department of Education (ED) for each fiscal year that the grantee?s obligation to the Federal Government remains in effect. (The grantee?s commitment continues for the duration of time that reserve funds and earnings are used to achieve the specified grant purposes.). Condition: During our testing over reporting requirements, we noted that the required annual performance report (APR) as prepared and submitted in accordance with the terms of the award did not reconcile to underlying accumulated records. Cause: The Organization has documented monitoring policies and procedures; however, as identified above, the implementation of these policies and procedures did not detect or prevent the instance of noncompliance with the reporting criteria contained within the Uniform Guidance. Effect: While there are no known questioned costs that resulted from the condition identified above, the improper implementation of established internal control policies and procedures can lead to noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of grant agreements which could ultimately lead to disallowed costs or reserve funds being required to be returned for the major federal program. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs as the item outlined above is an internal control related matter related to compliance requirements not met in accordance with the grant agreement. Context: This is a condition identified during our testing over the reporting requirements. Any samples selected as part of the overall SEFA review and testing of reporting were performed using a non-statistical method. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat finding of 2021-002. Recommendation: In order to facilitate accurate and timely reporting and compliance with the terms and conditions of federal awards, we recommend management ensure all reporting requirements are documented, maintained and updated as necessary. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Management has identified the underlying calculation causing the reporting error and will use the proper calculation going forward as well as implementing a second review to ensure that the summarized data agrees to the underlying data.