Audit 407357

Finding 2024-001 - Cash Management Federal Agency: United States Agency for International Development Federal Program: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability through Investigative Reporting in Europe and Eurasia Assistance Listing Numbers: 98.001 Award Identification Number and Year: N/A Criteria or Specific Requirement: In accordance with §200.305, Federal Payment, for non- Federal entities other than States, payment methods must minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the United States Treasury or the pass-through entity and the disbursement by the non-Federal entity whether the payment is made by electronic funds transfer, or issuance or redemption of checks, warrants, or payment by other means. Specifically, §200.305(b)(1), Federal Payment, indicates: Advance payments to a non-Federal entity must be limited to the minimum amounts needed and be timed to be in accordance with the actual, immediate cash requirements of the non-Federal entity in carrying out the purpose of the approved program or project. The timing and amount of advance payments must be as close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by the non-Federal entity for direct program or project costs and the proportionate share of any allowable indirect costs. In accordance with the 2024 OMB Compliance Supplement, when the reimbursement payment method is used, program costs must be incurred before submitting a payment request to the Federal awarding agency. Condition: During our testing of advance payments received for major program AL# 98.001, management did not minimize the amount of time between the Federal advance payments and the actual disbursements for direct program expenditures and related indirect costs. Cause: IJD's programmatic and finance teams did not comply with 2 CFR 200.305 in order to establish funds necessary to establish programmatic activities in the first year of operations. Effect or Potential Effect: Failure to perform timely cash management procedures could result in obtaining funds from the U.S. Government in advance of actual expenditures incurred thus resulting in non-compliance with contractual agreements. Questioned Costs: None noted Context: Federal funds were drawn down in excess of actual, immediate cash requirements of the non-Federal entity. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if Applicable: This finding is a repeat of prior year finding 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that management be more mindful of the U.S. Government regulations with respect to drawing down Federal funds. Procedures should be developed and implemented to ensure that adequate controls are in place around cash management.

Finding Number: 2024-002 – Late Single Audit Report Submission Federal Agency: United States Agency for International Development Federal Program: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability through Investigative Reporting in Europe and Eurasia Assistance Listing Numbers: 98.001 Award Identification Number and Year: N/A Criteria or Specific Requirement: Per 2 CFR §200.512(a), non-Federal entities that expend $750,000 or more in Federal awards during their fiscal year are required to complete and submit their Single Audit report to the FAC within nine months of the end of their fiscal year or within 30 days of receiving the auditor’s report, whichever is earlier. Condition: IJD did not submit its Single Audit report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) within the required nine-month deadline. Cause: The late submission was due to a number of factors, including turnover in key positions on the finance team, accounting system changes and overall lack of resources available dedicated to completing the annual audit in a timely manner. Effect or Potential Effect: Failure to submit the Single Audit report by the required deadline results in noncompliance with Federal regulations, potentially delaying Federal oversight and impacting IJD’s ability to access Federal funding in the future. Questioned Costs: None. Context: This finding is considered systemic rather than isolated. The entity has not had prior findings related to late submissions in recent years. However, the combination of new financial system implementation and staff turnover created unusual circumstances that delayed preparation of accurate financial information and completion of the audit. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if Applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend that IJD implement controls to ensure timely submission of the Single Audit report, such as: 1. Establishing internal timelines that allow for adequate review and submission well before the due date. 2. Enhancing oversight of the audit process to monitor compliance with Uniform Guidance deadlines. 3. Providing training to relevant personnel on Federal reporting requirements.