FAC Explorer

Audit 330285

FY End
2024-06-30
Total Expended
$1.05M
Findings
12
Programs
3
Organization: Transit Authority of Warren County (PA)
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2024-12-02
Auditor: Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro PC

Organization Exclusion Status:

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
512501 2024-005 Material Weakness Yes P
512502 2024-005 Material Weakness Yes P
512503 2024-005 Material Weakness Yes P
512504 2024-006 Significant Deficiency Yes P
512505 2024-006 Significant Deficiency Yes P
512506 2024-006 Significant Deficiency Yes P
1088943 2024-005 Material Weakness Yes P
1088944 2024-005 Material Weakness Yes P
1088945 2024-005 Material Weakness Yes P
1088946 2024-006 Significant Deficiency Yes P
1088947 2024-006 Significant Deficiency Yes P
1088948 2024-006 Significant Deficiency Yes P

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
20.509 Federal Section 5311, Capital Funding $718,977 Yes 2
93.778 Medical Assistance Transportation Program $221,242 - 2
20.509 Federal Section 5311, Rural Operating Assistance Program $111,000 Yes 2

Contacts

Name Title Type
WNAJXH7KLZN1 Wendy Hollabaugh Auditee
8147231874 James C. Alexander, CPA Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Note 1 - Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies: Note 1 - Basis of Presentation - The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards includes the federal grant activity of Transit Authority of Warren County and is presented on the accrual basis of accounting. The information in the schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation of the financial statements. Note 2 - Basis of Accounting - The basis of accounting varies by Federal program consistent with underlying regulations pertaining to each program. The amounts reported as Federal expenditures generally were obtained from the appropriate Federal financial reports for the applicable programs and periods. The amounts reported in these Federal financial reports are prepared from records maintained for each program, which are periodically reconciled with the Transit Authority's financial reporting system. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Transit Authority has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance in the current year. The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards includes the federal grant activity of Transit Authority of Warren County and is presented on the accrual basis of accounting. The information in the schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation of the financial statements.
Title: Note 2 - Basis of Accounting Accounting Policies: Note 1 - Basis of Presentation - The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards includes the federal grant activity of Transit Authority of Warren County and is presented on the accrual basis of accounting. The information in the schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation of the financial statements. Note 2 - Basis of Accounting - The basis of accounting varies by Federal program consistent with underlying regulations pertaining to each program. The amounts reported as Federal expenditures generally were obtained from the appropriate Federal financial reports for the applicable programs and periods. The amounts reported in these Federal financial reports are prepared from records maintained for each program, which are periodically reconciled with the Transit Authority's financial reporting system. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Transit Authority has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance in the current year. The basis of accounting varies by Federal program consistent with underlying regulations pertaining to each program. The amounts reported as Federal expenditures generally were obtained from the appropriate Federal financial reports for the applicable programs and periods. The amounts reported in these Federal financial reports are prepared from records maintained for each program, which are periodically reconciled with the Transit Authority's financial reporting system.
Title: Note 3 - Indirect Cost Rate Accounting Policies: Note 1 - Basis of Presentation - The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards includes the federal grant activity of Transit Authority of Warren County and is presented on the accrual basis of accounting. The information in the schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation of the financial statements. Note 2 - Basis of Accounting - The basis of accounting varies by Federal program consistent with underlying regulations pertaining to each program. The amounts reported as Federal expenditures generally were obtained from the appropriate Federal financial reports for the applicable programs and periods. The amounts reported in these Federal financial reports are prepared from records maintained for each program, which are periodically reconciled with the Transit Authority's financial reporting system. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Transit Authority has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance in the current year. The Transit Authority has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance in the current year.

Finding Details

Finding 2024-005
Adjusting Journal Entries, Required Disclosures and Draft Financial Statements (material weakness) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: During the current year, adjusting journal entries, along with footnote disclosures were proposed by the auditors and accepted by the Authority to properly reflect the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Some of the adjustments and footnote disclosures were related to recording receivables, payroll expense and payroll accruals, deferred revenue, capital assets and depreciation. In addition, a draft of the financial statements was prepared by the auditors and reviewed and accepted by the Authority. The inability of the Authority to prepare financial statements with full disclosures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is a material weakness in the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Effect: AU-C Section 265, entitled Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit, issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) considers the need for significant adjusting journal entries and assistance when preparing the financial statements to be indicative of an internal control deficiency. Without this assistance, the potential risk exists of the Authority’s financial statements not conforming to generally accepted accounting principles. Auditors’ Recommendation: Although auditors may continue to provide such assistance both now and in the future, under the new pronouncement, the Authority should continue to review and accept both proposed adjusting journal entries and footnote disclosures, along with the draft financial statements. Grantee Response: Transit Authority of Warren County has received, reviewed and accepted all journal entries, footnote disclosures and draft financial statements proposed for the current year audit and will continue to review similar information in future years. Further, we acknowledge our responsibility for the financial statements and have the ability to make informed judgments on those financial statements. Management expects that it will continue to outsource the preparation of the annual financial statements to its audit firm as this is the most cost effective manner to produce this information.
Finding 2024-005
Adjusting Journal Entries, Required Disclosures and Draft Financial Statements (material weakness) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: During the current year, adjusting journal entries, along with footnote disclosures were proposed by the auditors and accepted by the Authority to properly reflect the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Some of the adjustments and footnote disclosures were related to recording receivables, payroll expense and payroll accruals, deferred revenue, capital assets and depreciation. In addition, a draft of the financial statements was prepared by the auditors and reviewed and accepted by the Authority. The inability of the Authority to prepare financial statements with full disclosures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is a material weakness in the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Effect: AU-C Section 265, entitled Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit, issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) considers the need for significant adjusting journal entries and assistance when preparing the financial statements to be indicative of an internal control deficiency. Without this assistance, the potential risk exists of the Authority’s financial statements not conforming to generally accepted accounting principles. Auditors’ Recommendation: Although auditors may continue to provide such assistance both now and in the future, under the new pronouncement, the Authority should continue to review and accept both proposed adjusting journal entries and footnote disclosures, along with the draft financial statements. Grantee Response: Transit Authority of Warren County has received, reviewed and accepted all journal entries, footnote disclosures and draft financial statements proposed for the current year audit and will continue to review similar information in future years. Further, we acknowledge our responsibility for the financial statements and have the ability to make informed judgments on those financial statements. Management expects that it will continue to outsource the preparation of the annual financial statements to its audit firm as this is the most cost effective manner to produce this information.
Finding 2024-005
Adjusting Journal Entries, Required Disclosures and Draft Financial Statements (material weakness) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: During the current year, adjusting journal entries, along with footnote disclosures were proposed by the auditors and accepted by the Authority to properly reflect the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Some of the adjustments and footnote disclosures were related to recording receivables, payroll expense and payroll accruals, deferred revenue, capital assets and depreciation. In addition, a draft of the financial statements was prepared by the auditors and reviewed and accepted by the Authority. The inability of the Authority to prepare financial statements with full disclosures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is a material weakness in the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Effect: AU-C Section 265, entitled Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit, issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) considers the need for significant adjusting journal entries and assistance when preparing the financial statements to be indicative of an internal control deficiency. Without this assistance, the potential risk exists of the Authority’s financial statements not conforming to generally accepted accounting principles. Auditors’ Recommendation: Although auditors may continue to provide such assistance both now and in the future, under the new pronouncement, the Authority should continue to review and accept both proposed adjusting journal entries and footnote disclosures, along with the draft financial statements. Grantee Response: Transit Authority of Warren County has received, reviewed and accepted all journal entries, footnote disclosures and draft financial statements proposed for the current year audit and will continue to review similar information in future years. Further, we acknowledge our responsibility for the financial statements and have the ability to make informed judgments on those financial statements. Management expects that it will continue to outsource the preparation of the annual financial statements to its audit firm as this is the most cost effective manner to produce this information.
Finding 2024-006
Segregation of Duties (significant deficiency) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: Transit Authority of Warren County is a small office with only three or four full time employees, two of which are typically involved in the record keeping and financial reporting functions. In such an environment, it is difficult, if not impossible, to segregate duties of the general accounting, general ledger and journal entry functions from custody and control over assets such as cash. Effect: A fundamental element of an effective internal control system is the proper segregation of duties. Proper segregation of duties provides for a system of checks and balances and entails assigning the responsibilities for authorizing and recording transactions among different people in the Organization. A lack of segregation of duties increases the potential risk of errors or fraud. Auditors’ Recommendation: The Authority should continue to obtain involvement from its Board of Directors in reviewing monthly financial reports and approving expenditures. Grantee Response: The Authority has tried to maintain as much segregation of duties as physically possible and in instances of not being able to achieve such segregation, has implemented detective procedures as recommended by our external auditors. The Authority believes these procedures will reduce to a relatively low level the risk that errors or irregularities in amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements may occur and not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. The Authority will continue to review how accounting functions are assigned and consider implementing further detective internal control procedures to help mitigate the risk.
Finding 2024-006
Segregation of Duties (significant deficiency) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: Transit Authority of Warren County is a small office with only three or four full time employees, two of which are typically involved in the record keeping and financial reporting functions. In such an environment, it is difficult, if not impossible, to segregate duties of the general accounting, general ledger and journal entry functions from custody and control over assets such as cash. Effect: A fundamental element of an effective internal control system is the proper segregation of duties. Proper segregation of duties provides for a system of checks and balances and entails assigning the responsibilities for authorizing and recording transactions among different people in the Organization. A lack of segregation of duties increases the potential risk of errors or fraud. Auditors’ Recommendation: The Authority should continue to obtain involvement from its Board of Directors in reviewing monthly financial reports and approving expenditures. Grantee Response: The Authority has tried to maintain as much segregation of duties as physically possible and in instances of not being able to achieve such segregation, has implemented detective procedures as recommended by our external auditors. The Authority believes these procedures will reduce to a relatively low level the risk that errors or irregularities in amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements may occur and not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. The Authority will continue to review how accounting functions are assigned and consider implementing further detective internal control procedures to help mitigate the risk.
Finding 2024-006
Segregation of Duties (significant deficiency) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: Transit Authority of Warren County is a small office with only three or four full time employees, two of which are typically involved in the record keeping and financial reporting functions. In such an environment, it is difficult, if not impossible, to segregate duties of the general accounting, general ledger and journal entry functions from custody and control over assets such as cash. Effect: A fundamental element of an effective internal control system is the proper segregation of duties. Proper segregation of duties provides for a system of checks and balances and entails assigning the responsibilities for authorizing and recording transactions among different people in the Organization. A lack of segregation of duties increases the potential risk of errors or fraud. Auditors’ Recommendation: The Authority should continue to obtain involvement from its Board of Directors in reviewing monthly financial reports and approving expenditures. Grantee Response: The Authority has tried to maintain as much segregation of duties as physically possible and in instances of not being able to achieve such segregation, has implemented detective procedures as recommended by our external auditors. The Authority believes these procedures will reduce to a relatively low level the risk that errors or irregularities in amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements may occur and not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. The Authority will continue to review how accounting functions are assigned and consider implementing further detective internal control procedures to help mitigate the risk.
Finding 2024-005
Adjusting Journal Entries, Required Disclosures and Draft Financial Statements (material weakness) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: During the current year, adjusting journal entries, along with footnote disclosures were proposed by the auditors and accepted by the Authority to properly reflect the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Some of the adjustments and footnote disclosures were related to recording receivables, payroll expense and payroll accruals, deferred revenue, capital assets and depreciation. In addition, a draft of the financial statements was prepared by the auditors and reviewed and accepted by the Authority. The inability of the Authority to prepare financial statements with full disclosures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is a material weakness in the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Effect: AU-C Section 265, entitled Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit, issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) considers the need for significant adjusting journal entries and assistance when preparing the financial statements to be indicative of an internal control deficiency. Without this assistance, the potential risk exists of the Authority’s financial statements not conforming to generally accepted accounting principles. Auditors’ Recommendation: Although auditors may continue to provide such assistance both now and in the future, under the new pronouncement, the Authority should continue to review and accept both proposed adjusting journal entries and footnote disclosures, along with the draft financial statements. Grantee Response: Transit Authority of Warren County has received, reviewed and accepted all journal entries, footnote disclosures and draft financial statements proposed for the current year audit and will continue to review similar information in future years. Further, we acknowledge our responsibility for the financial statements and have the ability to make informed judgments on those financial statements. Management expects that it will continue to outsource the preparation of the annual financial statements to its audit firm as this is the most cost effective manner to produce this information.
Finding 2024-005
Adjusting Journal Entries, Required Disclosures and Draft Financial Statements (material weakness) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: During the current year, adjusting journal entries, along with footnote disclosures were proposed by the auditors and accepted by the Authority to properly reflect the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Some of the adjustments and footnote disclosures were related to recording receivables, payroll expense and payroll accruals, deferred revenue, capital assets and depreciation. In addition, a draft of the financial statements was prepared by the auditors and reviewed and accepted by the Authority. The inability of the Authority to prepare financial statements with full disclosures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is a material weakness in the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Effect: AU-C Section 265, entitled Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit, issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) considers the need for significant adjusting journal entries and assistance when preparing the financial statements to be indicative of an internal control deficiency. Without this assistance, the potential risk exists of the Authority’s financial statements not conforming to generally accepted accounting principles. Auditors’ Recommendation: Although auditors may continue to provide such assistance both now and in the future, under the new pronouncement, the Authority should continue to review and accept both proposed adjusting journal entries and footnote disclosures, along with the draft financial statements. Grantee Response: Transit Authority of Warren County has received, reviewed and accepted all journal entries, footnote disclosures and draft financial statements proposed for the current year audit and will continue to review similar information in future years. Further, we acknowledge our responsibility for the financial statements and have the ability to make informed judgments on those financial statements. Management expects that it will continue to outsource the preparation of the annual financial statements to its audit firm as this is the most cost effective manner to produce this information.
Finding 2024-005
Adjusting Journal Entries, Required Disclosures and Draft Financial Statements (material weakness) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: During the current year, adjusting journal entries, along with footnote disclosures were proposed by the auditors and accepted by the Authority to properly reflect the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Some of the adjustments and footnote disclosures were related to recording receivables, payroll expense and payroll accruals, deferred revenue, capital assets and depreciation. In addition, a draft of the financial statements was prepared by the auditors and reviewed and accepted by the Authority. The inability of the Authority to prepare financial statements with full disclosures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is a material weakness in the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Effect: AU-C Section 265, entitled Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit, issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) considers the need for significant adjusting journal entries and assistance when preparing the financial statements to be indicative of an internal control deficiency. Without this assistance, the potential risk exists of the Authority’s financial statements not conforming to generally accepted accounting principles. Auditors’ Recommendation: Although auditors may continue to provide such assistance both now and in the future, under the new pronouncement, the Authority should continue to review and accept both proposed adjusting journal entries and footnote disclosures, along with the draft financial statements. Grantee Response: Transit Authority of Warren County has received, reviewed and accepted all journal entries, footnote disclosures and draft financial statements proposed for the current year audit and will continue to review similar information in future years. Further, we acknowledge our responsibility for the financial statements and have the ability to make informed judgments on those financial statements. Management expects that it will continue to outsource the preparation of the annual financial statements to its audit firm as this is the most cost effective manner to produce this information.
Finding 2024-006
Segregation of Duties (significant deficiency) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: Transit Authority of Warren County is a small office with only three or four full time employees, two of which are typically involved in the record keeping and financial reporting functions. In such an environment, it is difficult, if not impossible, to segregate duties of the general accounting, general ledger and journal entry functions from custody and control over assets such as cash. Effect: A fundamental element of an effective internal control system is the proper segregation of duties. Proper segregation of duties provides for a system of checks and balances and entails assigning the responsibilities for authorizing and recording transactions among different people in the Organization. A lack of segregation of duties increases the potential risk of errors or fraud. Auditors’ Recommendation: The Authority should continue to obtain involvement from its Board of Directors in reviewing monthly financial reports and approving expenditures. Grantee Response: The Authority has tried to maintain as much segregation of duties as physically possible and in instances of not being able to achieve such segregation, has implemented detective procedures as recommended by our external auditors. The Authority believes these procedures will reduce to a relatively low level the risk that errors or irregularities in amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements may occur and not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. The Authority will continue to review how accounting functions are assigned and consider implementing further detective internal control procedures to help mitigate the risk.
Finding 2024-006
Segregation of Duties (significant deficiency) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: Transit Authority of Warren County is a small office with only three or four full time employees, two of which are typically involved in the record keeping and financial reporting functions. In such an environment, it is difficult, if not impossible, to segregate duties of the general accounting, general ledger and journal entry functions from custody and control over assets such as cash. Effect: A fundamental element of an effective internal control system is the proper segregation of duties. Proper segregation of duties provides for a system of checks and balances and entails assigning the responsibilities for authorizing and recording transactions among different people in the Organization. A lack of segregation of duties increases the potential risk of errors or fraud. Auditors’ Recommendation: The Authority should continue to obtain involvement from its Board of Directors in reviewing monthly financial reports and approving expenditures. Grantee Response: The Authority has tried to maintain as much segregation of duties as physically possible and in instances of not being able to achieve such segregation, has implemented detective procedures as recommended by our external auditors. The Authority believes these procedures will reduce to a relatively low level the risk that errors or irregularities in amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements may occur and not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. The Authority will continue to review how accounting functions are assigned and consider implementing further detective internal control procedures to help mitigate the risk.
Finding 2024-006
Segregation of Duties (significant deficiency) Year ended June 30, 2024 Condition and Criteria: Transit Authority of Warren County is a small office with only three or four full time employees, two of which are typically involved in the record keeping and financial reporting functions. In such an environment, it is difficult, if not impossible, to segregate duties of the general accounting, general ledger and journal entry functions from custody and control over assets such as cash. Effect: A fundamental element of an effective internal control system is the proper segregation of duties. Proper segregation of duties provides for a system of checks and balances and entails assigning the responsibilities for authorizing and recording transactions among different people in the Organization. A lack of segregation of duties increases the potential risk of errors or fraud. Auditors’ Recommendation: The Authority should continue to obtain involvement from its Board of Directors in reviewing monthly financial reports and approving expenditures. Grantee Response: The Authority has tried to maintain as much segregation of duties as physically possible and in instances of not being able to achieve such segregation, has implemented detective procedures as recommended by our external auditors. The Authority believes these procedures will reduce to a relatively low level the risk that errors or irregularities in amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements may occur and not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. The Authority will continue to review how accounting functions are assigned and consider implementing further detective internal control procedures to help mitigate the risk.