Audit 6505

Information on the federal program - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, 21.027, Department of Treasury, 2021, passed through the City of Cincinnati, PSC 101 25x008 Criteria – A non-Federal entity that expends $750,000 or more during its fiscal year in Federal awards must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year and prepare a schedule of expenditures of federal awards for the period covered by its financial statements. Condition – Management did not identify that expenditures of federal awards had exceeded the $750,000 threshold nor prepared a schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Questioned costs - None Cause - Appropriate procedures were not in place to ensure appropriate reporting in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations. Context - The expenditures of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program were not included in the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Effect or potential effect - As a result of the aforementioned matter, a single or program-specific audit was not performed timely. Recommendation - We recommend management implement appropriate procedures to allow for an individual with appropriate knowledge of federal grant requirements to review all grant agreements to identify federal awards and ensure compliance with said requirements. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions – Like many organizations who partnered with government entities for the first time during COVID, the Chamber had not previously received or expended more than $750,000 in federal awards in any given year and, therefore, did not recognize the need for a Single Audit. However, in January 2023, the Chamber’s new controller identified the necessity of a Single Audit and promptly contacted the funder, the City of Cincinnati, to request a program-specific audit in lieu of a Single Audit. To ensure the appropriateness of the request, the City of Cincinnati communicated with the Department of Treasury via email, their sole available form of contact. Though there has been consistent follow-up by the Chamber with the City on a monthly basis, no response has been received from the Department of Treasury to date. Given the prolonged period between the initial discovery and the request to the Department of Treasury, the Chamber had a single audit performed. We are committed to addressing this issue promptly and in compliance with all necessary regulations.

Information on the federal program - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, 21.027, Department of Treasury, 2021, passed through the City of Cincinnati, PSC 101 25x008 Criteria – A non-Federal entity that expends $750,000 or more during its fiscal year in Federal awards must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year and prepare a schedule of expenditures of federal awards for the period covered by its financial statements. Condition – Management did not identify that expenditures of federal awards had exceeded the $750,000 threshold nor prepared a schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Questioned costs - None Cause - Appropriate procedures were not in place to ensure appropriate reporting in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations. Context - The expenditures of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program were not included in the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Effect or potential effect - As a result of the aforementioned matter, a single or program-specific audit was not performed timely. Recommendation - We recommend management implement appropriate procedures to allow for an individual with appropriate knowledge of federal grant requirements to review all grant agreements to identify federal awards and ensure compliance with said requirements. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions – Like many organizations who partnered with government entities for the first time during COVID, the Chamber had not previously received or expended more than $750,000 in federal awards in any given year and, therefore, did not recognize the need for a Single Audit. However, in January 2023, the Chamber’s new controller identified the necessity of a Single Audit and promptly contacted the funder, the City of Cincinnati, to request a program-specific audit in lieu of a Single Audit. To ensure the appropriateness of the request, the City of Cincinnati communicated with the Department of Treasury via email, their sole available form of contact. Though there has been consistent follow-up by the Chamber with the City on a monthly basis, no response has been received from the Department of Treasury to date. Given the prolonged period between the initial discovery and the request to the Department of Treasury, the Chamber had a single audit performed. We are committed to addressing this issue promptly and in compliance with all necessary regulations.