Audit 55006

FY End
2022-12-31
Total Expended
$1.33M
Findings
10
Programs
3
Year: 2022 Accepted: 2023-09-27

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
59284 2022-001 Material Weakness - P
59285 2022-001 Material Weakness - P
59286 2022-001 Material Weakness - P
59287 2022-002 Significant Deficiency - C
59288 2022-001 Material Weakness - P
635726 2022-001 Material Weakness - P
635727 2022-001 Material Weakness - P
635728 2022-001 Material Weakness - P
635729 2022-002 Significant Deficiency - C
635730 2022-001 Material Weakness - P

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
10.309 Specialty Crop Research Initiative $833,841 Yes 2
10.601 Market Access Program $444,105 - 1
10.001 Agricultural Research_basic and Applied Research $19,304 Yes 1

Contacts

Name Title Type
Y83EMGMC2D55 Mike Miyahira Auditee
8089878328 Rozanne Connell Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Note A. BASIS OF PRESENTATION Accounting Policies: Basis of Accounting: Expenditures reported on this schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Indirect Cost Rate: The Organization has elected not to use the 10% de minimus cost rate. Matching Requirements: Certain Federal Programs require Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council to contribute non-Federal matching funds to support the Federally-funded programs. The Organization has met the matching requirements. The Schedule does not include the expenditure of non-Federal matching funds. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The auditee did not use the de minimis cost rate. The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards includes the federal grant activity of Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council programs of the federal government for the year ended December 31, 2022. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations 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 Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council.
Title: Note C. SUBRECIPIENT PASS THROUGH AWARDS Accounting Policies: Basis of Accounting: Expenditures reported on this schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Indirect Cost Rate: The Organization has elected not to use the 10% de minimus cost rate. Matching Requirements: Certain Federal Programs require Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council to contribute non-Federal matching funds to support the Federally-funded programs. The Organization has met the matching requirements. The Schedule does not include the expenditure of non-Federal matching funds. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The auditee did not use the de minimis cost rate. A total of $673,637 in Federal awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture were passed through to subrecipients listed below: Ag Research Service; Pacific Basin Ag Research Center $342,992, Ag Research Service Tropical Ag Research Service $30,173, Michigan State University $85,494, University of Hawaii at Hilo $70,250, University of Hawaii at Manoa CTAHR $73,790, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences $31,605, University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras $39,333.

Finding Details

Finding 2022-001 ? Materially Misstated Financial Statements and Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards, Assistance Listing 10.601, Market Access Program and Assistance Listing 10.309, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Criteria: Part 200. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart F. Audit Requirements subgroup 47. Auditees Section 200.510, Financial statements: The auditee must prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with ? 200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended. Condition: Audit adjustments of over $134,000 were required to correct the Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA) and eight audit adjustments were required to correct financial statement account balances due the lack of proper accrual accounting. Cause of Condition: Accrual accounting was not performed and there was a lack of oversight by management over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards to ensure proper reporting. Potential Effect: As a result of the condition above, the financial reports and the SEFA required significant adjustments at year end. These conditions may provide opportunities for errors or fraud to occur and cause material misstatements of the financial statements. Questioned Costs: None Context: There was a lack of oversight and lack of grant accounting knowledge to ensure complete and accurate financial statements and SEFA preparation. Recommendation: Recommend procedures be put into place to ensure the financial statements and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards are being prepared and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We further recommend the accountant receive training in the purpose and use of accrual accounting and its application in the QuickBooks accounting system. Due to the material adjustments required to 2021 and 2022 expenditures, we recommend re-submission of both years? Federal Financial Reports to accurately reflect adjusted expenditures and matching requirements.
Finding 2022-001 ? Materially Misstated Financial Statements and Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards, Assistance Listing 10.601, Market Access Program and Assistance Listing 10.309, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Criteria: Part 200. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart F. Audit Requirements subgroup 47. Auditees Section 200.510, Financial statements: The auditee must prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with ? 200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended. Condition: Audit adjustments of over $134,000 were required to correct the Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA) and eight audit adjustments were required to correct financial statement account balances due the lack of proper accrual accounting. Cause of Condition: Accrual accounting was not performed and there was a lack of oversight by management over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards to ensure proper reporting. Potential Effect: As a result of the condition above, the financial reports and the SEFA required significant adjustments at year end. These conditions may provide opportunities for errors or fraud to occur and cause material misstatements of the financial statements. Questioned Costs: None Context: There was a lack of oversight and lack of grant accounting knowledge to ensure complete and accurate financial statements and SEFA preparation. Recommendation: Recommend procedures be put into place to ensure the financial statements and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards are being prepared and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We further recommend the accountant receive training in the purpose and use of accrual accounting and its application in the QuickBooks accounting system. Due to the material adjustments required to 2021 and 2022 expenditures, we recommend re-submission of both years? Federal Financial Reports to accurately reflect adjusted expenditures and matching requirements.
Finding 2022-001 ? Materially Misstated Financial Statements and Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards, Assistance Listing 10.601, Market Access Program and Assistance Listing 10.309, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Criteria: Part 200. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart F. Audit Requirements subgroup 47. Auditees Section 200.510, Financial statements: The auditee must prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with ? 200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended. Condition: Audit adjustments of over $134,000 were required to correct the Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA) and eight audit adjustments were required to correct financial statement account balances due the lack of proper accrual accounting. Cause of Condition: Accrual accounting was not performed and there was a lack of oversight by management over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards to ensure proper reporting. Potential Effect: As a result of the condition above, the financial reports and the SEFA required significant adjustments at year end. These conditions may provide opportunities for errors or fraud to occur and cause material misstatements of the financial statements. Questioned Costs: None Context: There was a lack of oversight and lack of grant accounting knowledge to ensure complete and accurate financial statements and SEFA preparation. Recommendation: Recommend procedures be put into place to ensure the financial statements and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards are being prepared and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We further recommend the accountant receive training in the purpose and use of accrual accounting and its application in the QuickBooks accounting system. Due to the material adjustments required to 2021 and 2022 expenditures, we recommend re-submission of both years? Federal Financial Reports to accurately reflect adjusted expenditures and matching requirements.
Finding 2022-002 ? Lack of Subrecipient Monitoring, Assistance Listing 10.309, Specialty Crop Research Initiative - Cash Management Criteria: 2 CFR Section 200.305(b)(1) Pass through entities must monitor cash drawdowns by their subrecipients to ensure that the time elapsing between the transfer of federal funds to the subrecipient and their disbursement for program purposes is minimized as required by the applicable cash management requirements in the federal award to the recipient. Pass through entities are also required to monitor the activities of the subrecipients as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves the performance goals. Condition: Subrecipients were advanced funds according to an approved budget with semi-annual reporting requirements per their subaward agreements. Of the about $359,700 at December 31, 2022 in outstanding advances made to sub-recipients during the year, a significant amount of approximately $223,500 remains unspent as of July 2023. Cause of Condition: Sub-award agreements only require semi-annual reporting which does not provide the Organization the ability to adequately monitor and determine if funds have been expended timely on allowable costs and activities by the sub-recipients. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the labor force, and difficulties of hiring qualified persons, funds advanced for salary expenses remain unspent. Potential Effect: As a result of the condition above, use of funds passed to subrecipients cannot be monitored timely which could result in unallowable costs, waste and abuse. These conditions may provide opportunities for errors, fraud or waste and abuse to occur and cause material misstatements of the financial statements and SEFA. Questioned Costs: None Context: Management lacks a full understanding of all federal compliance requirements. Recommendation: Recommend Management include in subaward agreements and conduct regular monitoring of subrecipients for timely spending of federal awards and adherence with federal cost principles and compliance requirements. We further recommend one of the reporting periods coincide with the Organization?s fiscal year end to ensure a complete and accurate schedule of expenditures of federal awards.
Finding 2022-001 ? Materially Misstated Financial Statements and Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards, Assistance Listing 10.601, Market Access Program and Assistance Listing 10.309, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Criteria: Part 200. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart F. Audit Requirements subgroup 47. Auditees Section 200.510, Financial statements: The auditee must prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with ? 200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended. Condition: Audit adjustments of over $134,000 were required to correct the Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA) and eight audit adjustments were required to correct financial statement account balances due the lack of proper accrual accounting. Cause of Condition: Accrual accounting was not performed and there was a lack of oversight by management over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards to ensure proper reporting. Potential Effect: As a result of the condition above, the financial reports and the SEFA required significant adjustments at year end. These conditions may provide opportunities for errors or fraud to occur and cause material misstatements of the financial statements. Questioned Costs: None Context: There was a lack of oversight and lack of grant accounting knowledge to ensure complete and accurate financial statements and SEFA preparation. Recommendation: Recommend procedures be put into place to ensure the financial statements and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards are being prepared and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We further recommend the accountant receive training in the purpose and use of accrual accounting and its application in the QuickBooks accounting system. Due to the material adjustments required to 2021 and 2022 expenditures, we recommend re-submission of both years? Federal Financial Reports to accurately reflect adjusted expenditures and matching requirements.
Finding 2022-001 ? Materially Misstated Financial Statements and Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards, Assistance Listing 10.601, Market Access Program and Assistance Listing 10.309, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Criteria: Part 200. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart F. Audit Requirements subgroup 47. Auditees Section 200.510, Financial statements: The auditee must prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with ? 200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended. Condition: Audit adjustments of over $134,000 were required to correct the Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA) and eight audit adjustments were required to correct financial statement account balances due the lack of proper accrual accounting. Cause of Condition: Accrual accounting was not performed and there was a lack of oversight by management over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards to ensure proper reporting. Potential Effect: As a result of the condition above, the financial reports and the SEFA required significant adjustments at year end. These conditions may provide opportunities for errors or fraud to occur and cause material misstatements of the financial statements. Questioned Costs: None Context: There was a lack of oversight and lack of grant accounting knowledge to ensure complete and accurate financial statements and SEFA preparation. Recommendation: Recommend procedures be put into place to ensure the financial statements and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards are being prepared and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We further recommend the accountant receive training in the purpose and use of accrual accounting and its application in the QuickBooks accounting system. Due to the material adjustments required to 2021 and 2022 expenditures, we recommend re-submission of both years? Federal Financial Reports to accurately reflect adjusted expenditures and matching requirements.
Finding 2022-001 ? Materially Misstated Financial Statements and Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards, Assistance Listing 10.601, Market Access Program and Assistance Listing 10.309, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Criteria: Part 200. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart F. Audit Requirements subgroup 47. Auditees Section 200.510, Financial statements: The auditee must prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with ? 200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended. Condition: Audit adjustments of over $134,000 were required to correct the Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA) and eight audit adjustments were required to correct financial statement account balances due the lack of proper accrual accounting. Cause of Condition: Accrual accounting was not performed and there was a lack of oversight by management over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards to ensure proper reporting. Potential Effect: As a result of the condition above, the financial reports and the SEFA required significant adjustments at year end. These conditions may provide opportunities for errors or fraud to occur and cause material misstatements of the financial statements. Questioned Costs: None Context: There was a lack of oversight and lack of grant accounting knowledge to ensure complete and accurate financial statements and SEFA preparation. Recommendation: Recommend procedures be put into place to ensure the financial statements and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards are being prepared and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We further recommend the accountant receive training in the purpose and use of accrual accounting and its application in the QuickBooks accounting system. Due to the material adjustments required to 2021 and 2022 expenditures, we recommend re-submission of both years? Federal Financial Reports to accurately reflect adjusted expenditures and matching requirements.
Finding 2022-001 ? Materially Misstated Financial Statements and Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards, Assistance Listing 10.601, Market Access Program and Assistance Listing 10.309, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Criteria: Part 200. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart F. Audit Requirements subgroup 47. Auditees Section 200.510, Financial statements: The auditee must prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with ? 200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended. Condition: Audit adjustments of over $134,000 were required to correct the Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA) and eight audit adjustments were required to correct financial statement account balances due the lack of proper accrual accounting. Cause of Condition: Accrual accounting was not performed and there was a lack of oversight by management over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards to ensure proper reporting. Potential Effect: As a result of the condition above, the financial reports and the SEFA required significant adjustments at year end. These conditions may provide opportunities for errors or fraud to occur and cause material misstatements of the financial statements. Questioned Costs: None Context: There was a lack of oversight and lack of grant accounting knowledge to ensure complete and accurate financial statements and SEFA preparation. Recommendation: Recommend procedures be put into place to ensure the financial statements and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards are being prepared and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We further recommend the accountant receive training in the purpose and use of accrual accounting and its application in the QuickBooks accounting system. Due to the material adjustments required to 2021 and 2022 expenditures, we recommend re-submission of both years? Federal Financial Reports to accurately reflect adjusted expenditures and matching requirements.
Finding 2022-002 ? Lack of Subrecipient Monitoring, Assistance Listing 10.309, Specialty Crop Research Initiative - Cash Management Criteria: 2 CFR Section 200.305(b)(1) Pass through entities must monitor cash drawdowns by their subrecipients to ensure that the time elapsing between the transfer of federal funds to the subrecipient and their disbursement for program purposes is minimized as required by the applicable cash management requirements in the federal award to the recipient. Pass through entities are also required to monitor the activities of the subrecipients as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves the performance goals. Condition: Subrecipients were advanced funds according to an approved budget with semi-annual reporting requirements per their subaward agreements. Of the about $359,700 at December 31, 2022 in outstanding advances made to sub-recipients during the year, a significant amount of approximately $223,500 remains unspent as of July 2023. Cause of Condition: Sub-award agreements only require semi-annual reporting which does not provide the Organization the ability to adequately monitor and determine if funds have been expended timely on allowable costs and activities by the sub-recipients. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the labor force, and difficulties of hiring qualified persons, funds advanced for salary expenses remain unspent. Potential Effect: As a result of the condition above, use of funds passed to subrecipients cannot be monitored timely which could result in unallowable costs, waste and abuse. These conditions may provide opportunities for errors, fraud or waste and abuse to occur and cause material misstatements of the financial statements and SEFA. Questioned Costs: None Context: Management lacks a full understanding of all federal compliance requirements. Recommendation: Recommend Management include in subaward agreements and conduct regular monitoring of subrecipients for timely spending of federal awards and adherence with federal cost principles and compliance requirements. We further recommend one of the reporting periods coincide with the Organization?s fiscal year end to ensure a complete and accurate schedule of expenditures of federal awards.
Finding 2022-001 ? Materially Misstated Financial Statements and Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards, Assistance Listing 10.601, Market Access Program and Assistance Listing 10.309, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Criteria: Part 200. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart F. Audit Requirements subgroup 47. Auditees Section 200.510, Financial statements: The auditee must prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with ? 200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended. Condition: Audit adjustments of over $134,000 were required to correct the Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA) and eight audit adjustments were required to correct financial statement account balances due the lack of proper accrual accounting. Cause of Condition: Accrual accounting was not performed and there was a lack of oversight by management over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards to ensure proper reporting. Potential Effect: As a result of the condition above, the financial reports and the SEFA required significant adjustments at year end. These conditions may provide opportunities for errors or fraud to occur and cause material misstatements of the financial statements. Questioned Costs: None Context: There was a lack of oversight and lack of grant accounting knowledge to ensure complete and accurate financial statements and SEFA preparation. Recommendation: Recommend procedures be put into place to ensure the financial statements and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards are being prepared and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We further recommend the accountant receive training in the purpose and use of accrual accounting and its application in the QuickBooks accounting system. Due to the material adjustments required to 2021 and 2022 expenditures, we recommend re-submission of both years? Federal Financial Reports to accurately reflect adjusted expenditures and matching requirements.