Audit 365230

FY End
2024-06-30
Total Expended
$1.11M
Findings
6
Programs
1
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2025-08-29

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
575145 2024-001 Material Weakness - I
575146 2024-002 Material Weakness - L
575147 2024-003 Material Weakness - P
1151587 2024-001 Material Weakness - I
1151588 2024-002 Material Weakness - L
1151589 2024-003 Material Weakness - P

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.11M Yes 3

Contacts

Name Title Type
Z73FMLGT9TE3 Sundeep Kohli Auditee
4102441030 Lisa Johnson Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Organization has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal grant activity of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Inc. (the Organization under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2024. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Uniform Guidance”). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Organization, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the Organization.

Finding Details

Condition: During our testing of internal controls, we found that there were no documented policies and procedures over procurement, suspension and debarment in place during the fiscal year. We reviewed the Organization’s procurement policy, however noted it was not effective until July 1, 2024. The Organization was operating without a formal procurement policy during fiscal year 2024. Additionally, a sample of one (1) contractor was selected for testing procurement, suspension, and debarment. Our test work indicated that there was no documentation for the verification of suspension and debarment for the contractor selected for testing. Criteria: The Organization is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective procurement internal control policies and procedures which are paramount to protecting an organization’s assets. Suspension and debarment regulations under 2 CFR should be followed. Cause: The Organization has had significant turnover in the Finance Department for the last three years, which resulted in failure to timely establish procurement internal control policies and procedures. Procedures have not been established to verify if vendors contracted with the Organization related to the federal program in excess of $25,000 are not suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from doing business. Effect: As a result of the internal control matters noted above, the Organization’s personnel did not have clear instructions on how and when procurement procedures should occur. Noncompliance with the federal award program’s suspension and debarment compliance requirements could occur and not be detected and corrected timely. Recommendation: We noted the Organization has a procurement policy in place effective July 1, 2024 and recommend the Organization continue to use the policy for any future procurement transactions. We further recommend that the Organization establish and document suspension and debarment reviews for all contracts entered into using federal awards. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Organization has recently hired an outside consultant and adopted a new Procurement policy as of July 2024. The Organization has adopted a Procurement policy, which includes procedures on how to document suspension and debarment reviews for all contracts entered into using federal awards.
Condition: Our test work over the reporting compliance requirement included a sample of monthly financial and performance reports. We noted that five of the eight reports were not submitted by the required dates. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires organizations to establish internal controls to detect potential noncompliance. Cause: Overall significant turnover and lack of policies and procedures regarding report submission. Effect: Non-compliance with submission of required financial and program reports. Recommendation: We recommend that management establish procedures for timely submission of required financial and performance reports. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Organization has recently hired an outside consultant and is working on documenting their internal controls to ensure timely submission of required financial and program reports.
Condition: The annual financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, were not filed by the required due date of March 30, 2025 to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance requirements, the audited financial statements must be completed and submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse by March 30, 2025. Cause: Overall significant turnover in the Finance Department caused the audit to be delayed. Effect: The annual financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 were not submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse in a timely manner. Recommendation: We recommend that management ensure the Finance Department is comprised of individuals with the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience required to perform the accounting and finance duties on a timely basis. We also recommend that the Organization’s established accounting procedures are consistently followed to ensure the Organization’s accounts are reconciled timely and accurately. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Organization has recently hired an outside consultant and is working on getting the Finance Department back on track.
Condition: During our testing of internal controls, we found that there were no documented policies and procedures over procurement, suspension and debarment in place during the fiscal year. We reviewed the Organization’s procurement policy, however noted it was not effective until July 1, 2024. The Organization was operating without a formal procurement policy during fiscal year 2024. Additionally, a sample of one (1) contractor was selected for testing procurement, suspension, and debarment. Our test work indicated that there was no documentation for the verification of suspension and debarment for the contractor selected for testing. Criteria: The Organization is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective procurement internal control policies and procedures which are paramount to protecting an organization’s assets. Suspension and debarment regulations under 2 CFR should be followed. Cause: The Organization has had significant turnover in the Finance Department for the last three years, which resulted in failure to timely establish procurement internal control policies and procedures. Procedures have not been established to verify if vendors contracted with the Organization related to the federal program in excess of $25,000 are not suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from doing business. Effect: As a result of the internal control matters noted above, the Organization’s personnel did not have clear instructions on how and when procurement procedures should occur. Noncompliance with the federal award program’s suspension and debarment compliance requirements could occur and not be detected and corrected timely. Recommendation: We noted the Organization has a procurement policy in place effective July 1, 2024 and recommend the Organization continue to use the policy for any future procurement transactions. We further recommend that the Organization establish and document suspension and debarment reviews for all contracts entered into using federal awards. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Organization has recently hired an outside consultant and adopted a new Procurement policy as of July 2024. The Organization has adopted a Procurement policy, which includes procedures on how to document suspension and debarment reviews for all contracts entered into using federal awards.
Condition: Our test work over the reporting compliance requirement included a sample of monthly financial and performance reports. We noted that five of the eight reports were not submitted by the required dates. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires organizations to establish internal controls to detect potential noncompliance. Cause: Overall significant turnover and lack of policies and procedures regarding report submission. Effect: Non-compliance with submission of required financial and program reports. Recommendation: We recommend that management establish procedures for timely submission of required financial and performance reports. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Organization has recently hired an outside consultant and is working on documenting their internal controls to ensure timely submission of required financial and program reports.
Condition: The annual financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, were not filed by the required due date of March 30, 2025 to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance requirements, the audited financial statements must be completed and submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse by March 30, 2025. Cause: Overall significant turnover in the Finance Department caused the audit to be delayed. Effect: The annual financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024 were not submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse in a timely manner. Recommendation: We recommend that management ensure the Finance Department is comprised of individuals with the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience required to perform the accounting and finance duties on a timely basis. We also recommend that the Organization’s established accounting procedures are consistently followed to ensure the Organization’s accounts are reconciled timely and accurately. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Organization has recently hired an outside consultant and is working on getting the Finance Department back on track.