Recommendation: The Organization should ensure that terms and conditions of grant awards are reviewed to identify unallowable activities. The Organization should also implement procedures to ensure that costs being charged to the grant program are reviewed and approved.
Views of Responsible Official...
Recommendation: The Organization should ensure that terms and conditions of grant awards are reviewed to identify unallowable activities. The Organization should also implement procedures to ensure that costs being charged to the grant program are reviewed and approved.
Views of Responsible Officials: Management of BGCCG acknowledges the finding and concurs with the recommendation.
Response of Responsible Officials: To continuously improve BGCCG’s Accounting and Financial Reporting, workflow, and internal controls, BGCCG has begun the process to transition the back-office accounting providers from part-time status to full-time status to sufficiently accommodate the needs of the Organization. BGCCG will employ a full-time Chief Finance & Administrative Officer (CFAO), preferably with CPA/CGMA certification, and strong analytical and financial modeling and forecasting skills as well as deep knowledge of GAAP for nonprofits. This pivotal role will provide strategic direction to ensure the financial health of the Organization while driving innovative financial solutions. The CFAO will oversee all financial and accounting operations of the Organization, including the creation and execution of sound financial policies, procedures and internal controls, budgeting, accounting, cash and debt management, audits, investments, tax compliance, and weekly Accounting and Finance reporting to the CEO and Board Finance Chair. The CFAO will report directly to the CEO. This position will be employed on or before December 31, 2024.
BGCCG will also employ a full-time Finance Manager (FM) with commensurate experience that demonstrates exemplary strategic and financial acumen. The FM will be responsible for intermediate-level finance and accounting functions such as general ledger/account maintenance, timely account reconciliation, accounts payable, accounts receivables, data processing, payroll processing, and reporting to the CFAO. The FM will report directly to the CFAO. This position will be employed on or before December 31, 2024.
Upon the hiring and on-boarding of the CFAO and FM, BGCCG will immediately begin the process of updating its Financial Management & Accounting Control Policies & Procedures to further strengthen BGCCG’s internal controls.
Corrective Action Plan: Upon the hiring and on-boarding of the new full-time CFAO and FM, management of BGCCG will work closely with the CFAO and FM to immediately implement a process to ensure that terms and conditions of state and/or federal grant awards are reviewed by the CFAO and FM to identify unallowable activities. Identification of unallowable activities will be conveyed to all relevant parties. BGCCG management will also work closely with the CFAO and FM to implement procedures for pre-reviewing and pre-approval of all recommended purchases/costs to be charged to state and/or federal grant programs.
Acknowledged,
Phillip Bryant
President & CEO