Audit 376427

Compliance and Other Matters Year Ended December 31, 2023 Untimely Single Audit Filing Condition and criteria: The Borough did not submit their Single Audit Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 within nine months of the fiscal year end, as required by the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR § 200.512), resulting in a delinquent submission. Cause and Effect: There were inadequate internal controls in place regarding the audit process to ensure that timely submissions of the Single Audit report would be met. The delinquency may lead to the suspension or termination of federal funding, as well as potential penalties or corrective actions from the funding agency. Auditor’s Recommendations: The Borough should establish a system to closely monitor Single Audit deadlines, designate clear responsibilities for the audit process, and proactively communicate with the auditor to ensure timely completion and submission of the report. Borough’s Response: Eldred Borough was unable to contract a CPA to perform the single audit. This process included months of phone calls and emails to over 30 CPA and Accounting Forms across the State of Pennsylvania. The Borough has since contracted with a CPA firm to perform the 2024 single audit and do not anticipate it being delayed in submission.

Compliance and Other Matters Year Ended December 31, 2023 Untimely Single Audit Filing Condition and criteria: The Borough did not submit their Single Audit Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 within nine months of the fiscal year end, as required by the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR § 200.512), resulting in a delinquent submission. Cause and Effect: There were inadequate internal controls in place regarding the audit process to ensure that timely submissions of the Single Audit report would be met. The delinquency may lead to the suspension or termination of federal funding, as well as potential penalties or corrective actions from the funding agency. Auditor’s Recommendations: The Borough should establish a system to closely monitor Single Audit deadlines, designate clear responsibilities for the audit process, and proactively communicate with the auditor to ensure timely completion and submission of the report. Borough’s Response: Eldred Borough was unable to contract a CPA to perform the single audit. This process included months of phone calls and emails to over 30 CPA and Accounting Forms across the State of Pennsylvania. The Borough has since contracted with a CPA firm to perform the 2024 single audit and do not anticipate it being delayed in submission.

Internal Control over Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Year Ended December 31, 2023 Segregation of Duties Condition and criteria: During our audit of the Borough’s Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards, we noted that the Borough does not have adequate segregation of duties in place. Specifically, the same individual is responsible for initiating and recording journal entries and disbursements and reconciling the bank accounts. In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Cause and Effect: The Borough is a small entity with limited administrative and accounting staff, which makes it difficult to achieve a complete segregation of duties. Due to resource constraints, individual staff members are assigned multiple roles that overlap key financial processes. Without proper segregation of duties, there is an increased risk that errors or irregularities, including potential misappropriation of assets or fraud, could occur and remain undetected. This condition could lead to noncompliance with applicable federal requirements and inaccuracies in financial reporting. Auditor’s Recommendations: We recommend that Eldred Borough assess the current structure and implement compensating controls where full segregation of duties is not feasible due to staffing limitations. These may include enhanced supervisory review, periodic oversight by the board or executive leadership, documentation of independent reviews, and rotation of duties when possible. Borough’s Response: Eldred Borough has board oversight and will continue to do so. The Borough employees do cover duties of the other employee when necessary and will continue to do so. Bank Reconciliations will be signed by Council. Pay Requisitions are signed by Council and will continue to do so.