Audit 336931

FY End
2023-12-31
Total Expended
$5.69M
Findings
2
Programs
4
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2025-01-09
Auditor: Marcum LLP

Organization Exclusion Status:

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Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
518474 2023-002 Material Weakness - AB
1094916 2023-002 Material Weakness - AB

Programs

Contacts

Name Title Type
PUJSCBJ4UUD8 Molly Allard Auditee
4019340840 Erica Olobri 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: Rhode Island Association of Conservation Districts has elected to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal award activity of Rhode Island Association of Conservation Districts under programs of the federal government for the year ended December 31, 2023. 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 Rhode Island Association of Conservation Districts, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of Rhode Island Association of Conservation Districts.

Finding Details

Criteria Uniform Guidance requires management to provide reasonable assurance that federal awards are expended only for allowable activities, that the cost of goods and services charged to federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the specific cost principles, and to ensure expenditures were incurred and paid prior to requesting for reimbursement. Condition The Organization lacked controls over purchasing and payments to vendors. More specifically, there was no formal process for approving invoices before payment to vendors. There is inadequate segregation of duties among those who: (1) Initiate routine transactions and (2) Review, evaluate, or approve routine transactions. There is also a lack of documentation of reviews performed and closing and reconciliation procedures. Cause The board and management of the Organization did not have adequate financial expertise to exercise effective oversight or design and implement a control environment or control activities sufficient to carry out the objectives of the Organization during the fiscal year. Effect The Organization cannot ensure that its activities and costs charged to the federal award program were allowable during the audit period conducted. Recommendation We recommend the Organization design and implement written accounting policies and procedures to formally approve invoices before payment to vendors to ensure proper segregation of duties.
Criteria Uniform Guidance requires management to provide reasonable assurance that federal awards are expended only for allowable activities, that the cost of goods and services charged to federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the specific cost principles, and to ensure expenditures were incurred and paid prior to requesting for reimbursement. Condition The Organization lacked controls over purchasing and payments to vendors. More specifically, there was no formal process for approving invoices before payment to vendors. There is inadequate segregation of duties among those who: (1) Initiate routine transactions and (2) Review, evaluate, or approve routine transactions. There is also a lack of documentation of reviews performed and closing and reconciliation procedures. Cause The board and management of the Organization did not have adequate financial expertise to exercise effective oversight or design and implement a control environment or control activities sufficient to carry out the objectives of the Organization during the fiscal year. Effect The Organization cannot ensure that its activities and costs charged to the federal award program were allowable during the audit period conducted. Recommendation We recommend the Organization design and implement written accounting policies and procedures to formally approve invoices before payment to vendors to ensure proper segregation of duties.