CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
• CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not utilize a formal general ledger system of accounting to track the financial activity (financial position and results of operations) for several ‘Funds’ held at the City. The activity of these funds is either 1) maintained in spreadsheet fashion similar to a checkbook used in personal finances, 2) recorded partially (expenses only with no revenue), or 3) not tracked at all. As these funds are not maintained using the City’s accounting software package, management does not have the ability to efficiently generate financial reports necessary to provide management with the proper fiscal oversight. This condition included the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. However, it should be noted that City personnel were able to prepare spreadsheets to document which expenditures were utilized to prepare the necessary quarterly reporting requirements to the Department of Treasury. This is a repeat finding (2021-002) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include maintaining a formal general ledger system of accounting to track the activity of all ‘Funds’ maintained by the City. In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the maintaining of a formal general ledger system of accounting for all ‘Funds’ of the City.
EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for maintaining a formal general ledger system of accounting for all ‘Funds’ of the City 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: The City began the process during calendar year 2019 of creating general ledgers on the computer accounting software system for all funds of the City, however due to changes in business office personnel, and other workload responsibilities, the City has not been able to fully complete this process. RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the City continue the process of making sure the financial activity for all funds individually is entered into the software accounting system. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: The City of McKeesport contracted four (4) vendors for the purchase of seven separate purchases of equipment for the City. These contracts individually exceeded the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000, but did not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000. All of these purchases were procured through a cooperative purchasing group (COSTARS). The City was unable to 1) provide records sufficient to detail the history of procurement for these contracts and 2) provide documentation to verify that price or rate quotations were obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. This is a repeat finding (2021-005) for the prior year.
CRITERIA: Section 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) of the Uniform Guidance prescribes the bidding requirements for equipment, supplies, and work of any nature made by a non-federal entity whereby the cost exceeds certain dollar thresholds as adjusted periodically. In instances where the cost incurred exceeds the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000 but does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. In addition, as specified in 2 CFR 200. 318(i) of the Uniform Guidance, the City must maintain sufficient records to detail the history of procurement. CAUSE: City personnel directly responsible for the oversight and execution of these procurements were not fully familiar with the procurement requirements as prescribed by Sections 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) and 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance.
EFFECT: The City of McKeesport did not comply with the requirements of Sections 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) and 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance with regard to maintaining sufficient records to detail the history of procurement and conducting a cost or price analysis for a procurement in instances where the procurement cost incurred for goods and/or services exceeds the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000 but does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000.
QUESTIONED COST: A&H Equipment (Park Truck) $166,869, Del-Val International (Dump Truck) $175,629, Stephenson Equipment (Asphalt Roller, Backhoe, Leeboy Paver)) $424,240, Laurel Ford (Police Vehicle) $38,625. Total - $805,363
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that City management implement, review and update annually as necessary, City federal financial policies and procedures, similar to those developed for use in the City’s Community Development Program to ensure In instances where the procurement cost incurred for goods and/or services exceeds the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000 but does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000, that 1) price or rate quotations are obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources, and 2) sufficient records are maintained to detail the history of procurement. These measures will enable the City to comply with the procurement requirements as prescribed Sections 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) and 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: The City of McKeesport contracted with a third-party vendor (A&H Equipment for the purchase of a street sweeper. The contract with the third-party vendor, which was procured through a cooperative purchasing group (COSTARS), exceeded the threshold for competitive procurement. The City was unable to provide documentation to verify that the third-party procurement contract was competitively procured, such as a bid evaluation and public solicitation. In addition, the City did not conduct a cost or price analysis for this procurement, which was in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000.
CRITERIA: Section 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance prescribes the bidding requirements for equipment, supplies, and work of any nature made by a non-federal entity whereby the cost exceeds the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. The cost of the street sweeper exceeded the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000. As specified in 2 CFR 200. 318(i) of the Uniform Guidance, the City must maintain sufficient records to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. In addition, Section 2 CFR 200.324(a) of the Uniform Guidance requires the performance of a cost or price analysis in connection with every procurement in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.
CAUSE: City personnel directly responsible for the oversight and execution of these procurements were not fully familiar with the procurement requirements as prescribed by Sections 2 CFR 200.318(i) and 2 CFR 200.324(a) of the Uniform Guidance.
EFFECT: The City of McKeesport did not comply with the requirements of Sections 2 CFR 200.318(i) and 2 CFR 200.324(a) of the Uniform Guidance with regard to maintaining sufficient records to detail the history of procurement for the construction project and conducting a cost or price analysis for a procurement in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.
QUESTIONED COST: $268,975 RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that City management implement, review and update annually as necessary, City federal financial policies and procedures, similar to those developed for use in the City’s Community Development Program to ensure In instances where the procurement cost incurred for goods and/or services exceeds the Uniform Guidance Simplified Acquisition, including such instances whereby the City is using a contract vehicle from a cooperative purchase network, that the City is in compliance with all applicable sections of the Uniform Guidance, in specific, Section 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance. In addition, I recommend that the City conduct a cost or price analysis for all procurement in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000 before receiving bids or proposals in accordance with Section 2 CFR 200.324(a) of the Uniform Guidance.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not record the necessary adjustments to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers of the City to properly reconcile the balance sheet accounts, such as cash, receivables, payables, and payroll-related liabilities to the underlying supporting documentation available at the City (which includes reconciliations of cash prepared independently by City personnel but do not agree to amounts reported in the various general ledgers). This included ‘Funds” containing significant federal funding such as the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. As a result, the financial position and results of operations as shown throughout the calendar year were inaccurately stated. However, it should be noted that the Community Development Department of the City and other City personnel maintain separate financial reporting for these federal funds, independent of the aforementioned ‘Fund’ general ledgers sufficient to ascertain the revenues and expenditures of the federal programs. This is a repeat finding (2021-001) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include the reconciliation of all general ledger account balances to underlying supporting documentation monthly with independent oversight and approval as part of the process.
In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the applicable general ledgers of the City. EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for reconciling balance sheet accounts throughout the calendar year, with independent oversight, 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. Had these reconciliations been performed, issues such as non-postings, and inaccurate postings to the City’s various general ledgers could have been detected and corrected in a timely manner to enhance internal controls and financial reporting in this important area of financial management. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: City business office personnel perform a variety of duties such as accounting for deposits, invoice processing, reconciliation of cash (but not to the various general ledger accounts of the City), preparation of payroll, and posting of financial transactions to the City’s general ledgers. However, no one individual is responsible for managing and reconciling all of the aforementioned procedures to the various ‘Fund’ general ledgers at the City.
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the management of the City establish written procedures for all accounting functions, but most notably for recording the necessary adjustments to the City’s general ledgers throughout the calendar year (monthly) to ensure that all balance sheet account balances are supported by the underlying documentation available at the City. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
• CONDITION: During the calendar year 2022, the City did not utilize a formal general ledger system of accounting to track the financial activity (financial position and results of operations) for several ‘Funds’ held at the City. The activity of these funds is either 1) maintained in spreadsheet fashion similar to a checkbook used in personal finances, 2) recorded partially (expenses only with no revenue), or 3) not tracked at all. As these funds are not maintained using the City’s accounting software package, management does not have the ability to efficiently generate financial reports necessary to provide management with the proper fiscal oversight. This condition included the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. However, it should be noted that City personnel were able to prepare spreadsheets to document which expenditures were utilized to prepare the necessary quarterly reporting requirements to the Department of Treasury. This is a repeat finding (2021-002) from the prior year.
CRITERIA: Prudent internal control procedures in the areas of general ledger management and financial reporting include maintaining a formal general ledger system of accounting to track the activity of all ‘Funds’ maintained by the City. In specific as it relates to federal programs, Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance requires that federal costs must be adequately documented which would include the maintaining of a formal general ledger system of accounting for all ‘Funds’ of the City.
EFFECT: The lack of procedures in place for maintaining a formal general ledger system of accounting for all ‘Funds’ of the City 1) reduces the City’s internal control over the financial reporting processes, 2) exposes the City to inaccurate financial reporting to management for decision-making purposes, and 3) increases the potential for irregularities that may result (unintentional or otherwise) that are not detected in a timely manner. As a result, the City is not incompliance with Section 2 CFR 200.403(g) of the Uniform Guidance which requires federal costs to be adequately documented in the applicable general ledgers of the City.
CAUSE: The City began the process during calendar year 2019 of creating general ledgers on the computer accounting software system for all funds of the City, however due to changes in business office personnel, and other workload responsibilities, the City has not been able to fully complete this process. RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that the City continue the process of making sure the financial activity for all funds individually is entered into the software accounting system. It is anticipated that additional training will be required for in-house personnel to perform this function, or the City may want to consider contracting these services to a third-party professional with the expertise to perform these functions for the City on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. These procedures should significantly enhance the internal control over the financial accounting and reporting process relative to the City’s general ledgers for each Fund.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: The City of McKeesport contracted four (4) vendors for the purchase of seven separate purchases of equipment for the City. These contracts individually exceeded the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000, but did not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000. All of these purchases were procured through a cooperative purchasing group (COSTARS). The City was unable to 1) provide records sufficient to detail the history of procurement for these contracts and 2) provide documentation to verify that price or rate quotations were obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. This is a repeat finding (2021-005) for the prior year.
CRITERIA: Section 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) of the Uniform Guidance prescribes the bidding requirements for equipment, supplies, and work of any nature made by a non-federal entity whereby the cost exceeds certain dollar thresholds as adjusted periodically. In instances where the cost incurred exceeds the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000 but does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. In addition, as specified in 2 CFR 200. 318(i) of the Uniform Guidance, the City must maintain sufficient records to detail the history of procurement. CAUSE: City personnel directly responsible for the oversight and execution of these procurements were not fully familiar with the procurement requirements as prescribed by Sections 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) and 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance.
EFFECT: The City of McKeesport did not comply with the requirements of Sections 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) and 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance with regard to maintaining sufficient records to detail the history of procurement and conducting a cost or price analysis for a procurement in instances where the procurement cost incurred for goods and/or services exceeds the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000 but does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000.
QUESTIONED COST: A&H Equipment (Park Truck) $166,869, Del-Val International (Dump Truck) $175,629, Stephenson Equipment (Asphalt Roller, Backhoe, Leeboy Paver)) $424,240, Laurel Ford (Police Vehicle) $38,625. Total - $805,363
RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that City management implement, review and update annually as necessary, City federal financial policies and procedures, similar to those developed for use in the City’s Community Development Program to ensure In instances where the procurement cost incurred for goods and/or services exceeds the Uniform Guidance micro purchase threshold of $10,000 but does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000, that 1) price or rate quotations are obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources, and 2) sufficient records are maintained to detail the history of procurement. These measures will enable the City to comply with the procurement requirements as prescribed Sections 2 CFR 200.320(a)(2)(i) and 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.
CONDITION: The City of McKeesport contracted with a third-party vendor (A&H Equipment for the purchase of a street sweeper. The contract with the third-party vendor, which was procured through a cooperative purchasing group (COSTARS), exceeded the threshold for competitive procurement. The City was unable to provide documentation to verify that the third-party procurement contract was competitively procured, such as a bid evaluation and public solicitation. In addition, the City did not conduct a cost or price analysis for this procurement, which was in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000.
CRITERIA: Section 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance prescribes the bidding requirements for equipment, supplies, and work of any nature made by a non-federal entity whereby the cost exceeds the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. The cost of the street sweeper exceeded the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000. As specified in 2 CFR 200. 318(i) of the Uniform Guidance, the City must maintain sufficient records to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. In addition, Section 2 CFR 200.324(a) of the Uniform Guidance requires the performance of a cost or price analysis in connection with every procurement in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.
CAUSE: City personnel directly responsible for the oversight and execution of these procurements were not fully familiar with the procurement requirements as prescribed by Sections 2 CFR 200.318(i) and 2 CFR 200.324(a) of the Uniform Guidance.
EFFECT: The City of McKeesport did not comply with the requirements of Sections 2 CFR 200.318(i) and 2 CFR 200.324(a) of the Uniform Guidance with regard to maintaining sufficient records to detail the history of procurement for the construction project and conducting a cost or price analysis for a procurement in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.
QUESTIONED COST: $268,975 RECOMMENDATION: I am recommending that City management implement, review and update annually as necessary, City federal financial policies and procedures, similar to those developed for use in the City’s Community Development Program to ensure In instances where the procurement cost incurred for goods and/or services exceeds the Uniform Guidance Simplified Acquisition, including such instances whereby the City is using a contract vehicle from a cooperative purchase network, that the City is in compliance with all applicable sections of the Uniform Guidance, in specific, Section 2 CFR 200.318(i) of the Uniform Guidance. In addition, I recommend that the City conduct a cost or price analysis for all procurement in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $250,000 before receiving bids or proposals in accordance with Section 2 CFR 200.324(a) of the Uniform Guidance.
VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: The City concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.