Audit 364114

FY End
2024-12-31
Total Expended
$11.84M
Findings
2
Programs
13
Organization: Ouachita Parish Police Jury (LA)
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2025-08-12

Organization Exclusion Status:

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Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
573315 2024-003 Material Weakness - L
1149757 2024-003 Material Weakness - L

Contacts

Name Title Type
YA36JBKB9CH8 William Long Auditee
3183271340 Lori Woodard Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: General Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards is presented using the modified accrual basis of accounting, which is described in Note 1 to the Police Jury's primary government financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Police Jury did not elect to use the de minimis cost rate. The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards presents the activities of all Federal awards of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury (the Police Jury). The Police Jury primary government reporting entity is defined in Note 1 to the Police Jury's financial statements. All Federal awards received directly from Federal agencies as well as Federal awards passed through other government agencies are included on the schedule.
Title: Basis of Accounting Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards is presented using the modified accrual basis of accounting, which is described in Note 1 to the Police Jury's primary government financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Police Jury did not elect to use the de minimis cost rate. The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards is presented using the modified accrual basis of accounting, which is described in Note 1 to the Police Jury's primary government financial statements.
Title: Indirect Cost Rate Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards is presented using the modified accrual basis of accounting, which is described in Note 1 to the Police Jury's primary government financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Police Jury did not elect to use the de minimis cost rate. The Police Jury did not elect to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate.
Title: Loans Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards is presented using the modified accrual basis of accounting, which is described in Note 1 to the Police Jury's primary government financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Police Jury did not elect to use the de minimis cost rate. The Police Jury had no loan or loan guarantee programs outstanding as of the end of the audit.

Finding Details

Section III - Findings or questioned costs for Federal awards, including those specified by the Uniform Guidance. 2024-003 Compliance with Reporting Requirements for COVID-19 State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Program, Assistance Listing Number, Federal Award Year, Federal Agency COVID-19 State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds – American Rescue Plan Act, 21.027, 2024, U.S. Department of Treasury Criteria or Specific Requirement Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.328 and 31 CFR section 45.4(c) require accurate reporting for key line items within Federal performance reports. Condition Found Reports submitted to the Department of the Treasury for COVID-19 State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds did not include all expenditures applicable to the reporting period. Cause: After spending approximately 30 years with the Police Jury, the Treasurer retired in November 2024, and a new Treasurer was not hired until the end of May 2025. Additionally, two other accounting staff members (approximately 29% of accounting personnel) resigned/retired during the late 2024/early 2025 timeframe. A consulting CPA assisted with operations in the interim between Treasurers. The Treasurer is responsible for ensuring that internal controls are properly designed and operating effectively, and for managing most of the financial close processes. The limited staff exercised diligence to accomplish much of the financial close process, but timeliness was an issue as the staff was operating with an increased workload, and not all responsibilities handled by the Treasurer were fully addressed. Effect: Cumulative expenditures reported to the Department of the Treasury were understated by $382,277 of $10,254,543 total expenditures. Questioned Costs N/A Recommendations to Prevent Future Occurrences The Police Jury should ensure the new Treasurer is proactive in the next financial close process and reviews their policies and procedures and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s best practices to ensure that internal controls are properly designed, implemented, and maintained to ensure accurate and timely financial close and reporting. Management’s Response Refer to corrective action plan.
Section III - Findings or questioned costs for Federal awards, including those specified by the Uniform Guidance. 2024-003 Compliance with Reporting Requirements for COVID-19 State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Program, Assistance Listing Number, Federal Award Year, Federal Agency COVID-19 State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds – American Rescue Plan Act, 21.027, 2024, U.S. Department of Treasury Criteria or Specific Requirement Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.328 and 31 CFR section 45.4(c) require accurate reporting for key line items within Federal performance reports. Condition Found Reports submitted to the Department of the Treasury for COVID-19 State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds did not include all expenditures applicable to the reporting period. Cause: After spending approximately 30 years with the Police Jury, the Treasurer retired in November 2024, and a new Treasurer was not hired until the end of May 2025. Additionally, two other accounting staff members (approximately 29% of accounting personnel) resigned/retired during the late 2024/early 2025 timeframe. A consulting CPA assisted with operations in the interim between Treasurers. The Treasurer is responsible for ensuring that internal controls are properly designed and operating effectively, and for managing most of the financial close processes. The limited staff exercised diligence to accomplish much of the financial close process, but timeliness was an issue as the staff was operating with an increased workload, and not all responsibilities handled by the Treasurer were fully addressed. Effect: Cumulative expenditures reported to the Department of the Treasury were understated by $382,277 of $10,254,543 total expenditures. Questioned Costs N/A Recommendations to Prevent Future Occurrences The Police Jury should ensure the new Treasurer is proactive in the next financial close process and reviews their policies and procedures and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s best practices to ensure that internal controls are properly designed, implemented, and maintained to ensure accurate and timely financial close and reporting. Management’s Response Refer to corrective action plan.