Audit 360421

FY End
2021-12-31
Total Expended
$1.78M
Findings
48
Programs
7
Organization: City of Cortland (NY)
Year: 2021 Accepted: 2025-06-27

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
568038 2021-004 - - L
568039 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
568040 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
568041 2021-004 - - L
568042 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
568043 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
568044 2021-004 - - L
568045 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
568046 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
568047 2021-004 - - L
568048 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
568049 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
568050 2021-004 - - L
568051 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
568052 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
568053 2021-004 - - L
568054 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
568055 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
568056 2021-004 - - L
568057 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
568058 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
568059 2021-004 - - L
568060 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
568061 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
1144480 2021-004 - - L
1144481 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
1144482 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
1144483 2021-004 - - L
1144484 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
1144485 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
1144486 2021-004 - - L
1144487 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
1144488 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
1144489 2021-004 - - L
1144490 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
1144491 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
1144492 2021-004 - - L
1144493 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
1144494 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
1144495 2021-004 - - L
1144496 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
1144497 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
1144498 2021-004 - - L
1144499 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
1144500 2021-007 Material Weakness - L
1144501 2021-004 - - L
1144502 2021-005 Material Weakness - ABHJLN
1144503 2021-007 Material Weakness - L

Contacts

Name Title Type
ZV5LERJCPXP5 Elizabeth Greenwood Auditee
6077588373 Duane Shoen Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Matching Costs Accounting Policies: Basis of Presentation The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards presents the activity of all federal awards programs administered by the City, an entity as defined in Note 1 to the City’s basic financial statements. Federal awards received directly from federal agencies, as well as federal awards passed through from other government agencies, are included on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Basis of Accounting The basis of accounting varies by federal program consistent with the underlying regulations pertaining to each program. The information is presented in accordance with the requirements of Uniform Guidance, Audits of State and Local Governments, and Non-Profits Organizations. Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in, preparation of the financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Indirect Cost Rates Indirect costs are included in the reported expenditures to the extent they are included in the federal financial reports used as the source for the data presented. The City has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate. Matching costs, such as the City’s share of certain program costs, are not included in the reported expenditures.
Title: Subrecipients Accounting Policies: Basis of Presentation The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards presents the activity of all federal awards programs administered by the City, an entity as defined in Note 1 to the City’s basic financial statements. Federal awards received directly from federal agencies, as well as federal awards passed through from other government agencies, are included on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Basis of Accounting The basis of accounting varies by federal program consistent with the underlying regulations pertaining to each program. The information is presented in accordance with the requirements of Uniform Guidance, Audits of State and Local Governments, and Non-Profits Organizations. Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in, preparation of the financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Indirect Cost Rates Indirect costs are included in the reported expenditures to the extent they are included in the federal financial reports used as the source for the data presented. The City has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate. No amounts were provided to subrecipients.
Title: Other Disclosures Accounting Policies: Basis of Presentation The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards presents the activity of all federal awards programs administered by the City, an entity as defined in Note 1 to the City’s basic financial statements. Federal awards received directly from federal agencies, as well as federal awards passed through from other government agencies, are included on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Basis of Accounting The basis of accounting varies by federal program consistent with the underlying regulations pertaining to each program. The information is presented in accordance with the requirements of Uniform Guidance, Audits of State and Local Governments, and Non-Profits Organizations. Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in, preparation of the financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Indirect Cost Rates Indirect costs are included in the reported expenditures to the extent they are included in the federal financial reports used as the source for the data presented. The City has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate. No insurance is carried specifically to cover equipment purchased with Federal Funds. Any equipment purchased with Federal Funds has only a nominal value and is covered by the City’s casualty insurance policies.
Title: Revolving Loan Programs Accounting Policies: Basis of Presentation The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards presents the activity of all federal awards programs administered by the City, an entity as defined in Note 1 to the City’s basic financial statements. Federal awards received directly from federal agencies, as well as federal awards passed through from other government agencies, are included on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Basis of Accounting The basis of accounting varies by federal program consistent with the underlying regulations pertaining to each program. The information is presented in accordance with the requirements of Uniform Guidance, Audits of State and Local Governments, and Non-Profits Organizations. Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in, preparation of the financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Indirect Cost Rates Indirect costs are included in the reported expenditures to the extent they are included in the federal financial reports used as the source for the data presented. The City has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate. The City operates a revolving loan program utilizing federal financial assistance received under current and prior Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Loans outstanding at December 31, 2021 under these programs, as reported in the City's basic financial statements, are as follows: Loans Receivable - CDBG $ 872,901 (Less) Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts (172,218) Net Loans Receivable $ 700,683 The City disbursed new loans in the amount of $-0- from Community Development Block Grant program income. The City received program income from the repayment of loan principal in the amount of $225,032 during the year.

Finding Details

Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.
Issue: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance Late Filing of Single Audit Reporting Package Federal Agency: Not applicable. Federal Program: Not applicable. Assistance Listing Number: Not applicable. Pass-Through Agency: Not applicable. Criteria: Under the Single Audit Act of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), §200.512, Report Submission, the Single audit reporting package is required to be filed within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors' report, or 9 months after the end of the audit period. Condition: This deadline was not met on a timely basis for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration departments, which has caused delays in financial reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: The entity is not in compliance with §200.512 of the Uniform Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: This year's Single Audit reporting package was filed on September 27, 2023, approximately 12 months after the required filing date. This compares with the prior year, when the Single audit reporting package was filed on November 22, 2021, approximately 2 months after the required filing date. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the requirements of §200.512 of the Uniform guidance be adhered to by striving to have all information required for the audit available on a timely basis. This will help to ensure timely audit report issuance and compliance with the filing deadline. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies and learn prior practices and financial systems in order to prepare timely information for the auditor. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Lack of Controls Surrounding Oversight of Federal Expenditures Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: Internal controls over financial reporting should be properly designed, implemented, and monitored to ensure all material transactions are recorded properly. Condition: No controls could be derived related to funding that was expneded by another organization after being passed through the City. Cause: The City experienced significant turnover within key positions of the Finance and Administration department, which caused controls for oversight of funds distributed to be overlooked, including proper recording and retention of supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Adjustments were recorded in several funds, as discussed below under "Context", as a result of audit procedures. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Audit adjustments, as summarized below, were recorded in the noted funds as a result of our audit procedures. These audit adjustments have also been communicated separately in our required communications letter. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement processes to monitor and reconcile account balances and record transactions in the proper period. Adjustments that are necessary should be recorded and supporting documentation should be retained when available. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City experienced substantial turnover in 2021 including the departure of both the Finance Director and Deputy Director, followed by additional retirements over the next fiscal year. With the multiple vacancies and limited succession planning, it made it challenging for new staff to meet the demands of current operations with vacancies. Prior practices relied heavily on institutional knowledge, year-end adjustments and audit journal entries to identify federal grant expenditures. In addition, there remains a lack of centralized grant and contract awards which contributed to the lack of detailed tracking of information and timely reporting of information requested by the auditor, in order to complete financial statements for submission deadlines outlined in Uniform Guidance, §200.512.
Issue: Identification of Federal Awards and Preparation of a Complete and Accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Classification: Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Community Development Block Grants/States Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.228 Pass-Through Agency: NYS Office of Community Renewal Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statement. It is the responibility of the auditee's management to design and implement internal controls that provide reasonable assurance over the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. The SEFA is the basis for the auditor's identification of major programs. Condition: The City's initial SEFA provided for the audit was incomplete and contained inaccurate program expenditure amounts. In particular, there were multiple federal programs that were materially misstated; including the following major federal program for the year under audit: ALN 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii In addition, there were multiple federal programs that were not identified, or had inaccurate amounts reported, on the initial SEFA for the year under audit: ALN 10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance - not identified ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) - inaccurate amounts reported ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - inaccurate amounts reported Cause: The City does not have a method to accurately track the related expenditures for reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: A Uniform Guidance compliance audit is based on the premise that management must comply with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal awards it received. Without identifying the funds as federal, the auditee may not have complied with those requirements. In addition, there is increased risk regarding the accurate reporting of grant expenditures and noncompliance with policies and procedures surrounding the recording of federal awards. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The City was aware of the requirement to prepare a SEFA prior to the audit; however, they were not able to accumulate the appropriate records to correctly identify the source of funding for all ongoing projects. In addition, management was unable to accurately determine the amounts to be reported on the SEFA in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The adjustments to the SEFA amounted to an increase in Total Federal Expenditures reported of $366,330. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the City develop and implement procedures to ensure that information related to all federal awards is accumulated to assist in the preparation of the SEFA. In addition, we recommend management of the City verify the completeness and accuracy of the amounts reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The City agrees with the finding.