Audit 332596

FY End
2024-06-30
Total Expended
$1.94M
Findings
26
Programs
6
Organization: Alpha One (ME)
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2024-12-16
Auditor: One River CPAS

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
514316 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
514317 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
514318 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
514319 2024-002 Significant Deficiency - B
514320 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
514321 2024-002 Significant Deficiency - B
514322 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
514323 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
514324 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
514325 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
514326 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
514327 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
514328 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090758 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090759 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090760 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090761 2024-002 Significant Deficiency - B
1090762 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090763 2024-002 Significant Deficiency - B
1090764 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090765 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090766 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090767 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090768 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090769 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1090770 2024-003 Material Weakness - P

Programs

Contacts

Name Title Type
XNFQFK4JBKF8 Thomas Newman Auditee
2075446327 Heather Browne Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: BASIS OF PRESENTATION Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: Alpha One has elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal award activity of Alpha One under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2024. The information in this 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). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of Alpha One, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of Alpha One.
Title: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: Alpha One has elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement.
Title: INDIRECT COST RATE Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: Alpha One has elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. Alpha One has elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance.
Title: DONATED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: Alpha One has elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. Alpha One did not receive any donated Personal Protective Equipment purchased with federal funding during the year ended June 30, 2024.

Finding Details

2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-002 Internal Controls over Expenditures Charged to Federal Award for U.S. DHHS 93.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2201MEILCL-00 (Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls over expenditures charged to federal award programs. Condition and Context: Through audit procedures testing internal controls over cash disbursements charged to major federal award programs, one expense lacked readily available support and 2 expenses did not have documented approval. Cause: There is shortage of staffing in the finance department and lack of sufficiently documenting procedures to save employees’ time. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the federal award program were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Expenses charged to major federal award programs for which there was not readily available support or approval of expenditures was not documented totaled $558. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented requiring documentation be maintained to support every expense charged to federal programs including documentation of approval of expenditures. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the audit findings and has already taken immediate corrective action by re-training accounting staff on the importance of maintaining all supporting documentation and obtaining the necessary approvals before processing any cash disbursements. To further strengthen internal controls, management is exploring the implementation of a system upgrade that would automate the documentation and approval process for expenditures charged to federal award programs.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-002 Internal Controls over Expenditures Charged to Federal Award for U.S. DHHS 93.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2201MEILCL-00 (Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls over expenditures charged to federal award programs. Condition and Context: Through audit procedures testing internal controls over cash disbursements charged to major federal award programs, one expense lacked readily available support and 2 expenses did not have documented approval. Cause: There is shortage of staffing in the finance department and lack of sufficiently documenting procedures to save employees’ time. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the federal award program were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Expenses charged to major federal award programs for which there was not readily available support or approval of expenditures was not documented totaled $558. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented requiring documentation be maintained to support every expense charged to federal programs including documentation of approval of expenditures. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the audit findings and has already taken immediate corrective action by re-training accounting staff on the importance of maintaining all supporting documentation and obtaining the necessary approvals before processing any cash disbursements. To further strengthen internal controls, management is exploring the implementation of a system upgrade that would automate the documentation and approval process for expenditures charged to federal award programs.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-002 Internal Controls over Expenditures Charged to Federal Award for U.S. DHHS 93.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2201MEILCL-00 (Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls over expenditures charged to federal award programs. Condition and Context: Through audit procedures testing internal controls over cash disbursements charged to major federal award programs, one expense lacked readily available support and 2 expenses did not have documented approval. Cause: There is shortage of staffing in the finance department and lack of sufficiently documenting procedures to save employees’ time. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the federal award program were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Expenses charged to major federal award programs for which there was not readily available support or approval of expenditures was not documented totaled $558. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented requiring documentation be maintained to support every expense charged to federal programs including documentation of approval of expenditures. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the audit findings and has already taken immediate corrective action by re-training accounting staff on the importance of maintaining all supporting documentation and obtaining the necessary approvals before processing any cash disbursements. To further strengthen internal controls, management is exploring the implementation of a system upgrade that would automate the documentation and approval process for expenditures charged to federal award programs.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-002 Internal Controls over Expenditures Charged to Federal Award for U.S. DHHS 93.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2201MEILCL-00 (Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls over expenditures charged to federal award programs. Condition and Context: Through audit procedures testing internal controls over cash disbursements charged to major federal award programs, one expense lacked readily available support and 2 expenses did not have documented approval. Cause: There is shortage of staffing in the finance department and lack of sufficiently documenting procedures to save employees’ time. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the federal award program were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Expenses charged to major federal award programs for which there was not readily available support or approval of expenditures was not documented totaled $558. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented requiring documentation be maintained to support every expense charged to federal programs including documentation of approval of expenditures. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the audit findings and has already taken immediate corrective action by re-training accounting staff on the importance of maintaining all supporting documentation and obtaining the necessary approvals before processing any cash disbursements. To further strengthen internal controls, management is exploring the implementation of a system upgrade that would automate the documentation and approval process for expenditures charged to federal award programs.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.