Finding 2023-003 – Fiscal Management System (Material Weakness)
Criteria: CFR Part 200.302.b Auditee Responsibilities includes the requirement that the financial management system of each non-Federal entity provide the following: Identification, in its accounts, of all Federal awards received and e...
Finding 2023-003 – Fiscal Management System (Material Weakness)
Criteria: CFR Part 200.302.b Auditee Responsibilities includes the requirement that the financial management system of each non-Federal entity provide the following: Identification, in its accounts, of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received. Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program.
Condition: The District prepared reimbursement calculations according to an internally developed spreadsheet tool, rather than using amounts directly obtained from the general ledger and supporting documentation. The reimbursement reports were to be reviewed by the District Manager prior to submission. Approval of the reimbursement requests and supporting reports by the District Manager were often delayed.
Cause: General ledger data used to prepare spreadsheets, then used to complete reimbursement requests added unnecessary complexity and potential for errors in the reimbursement and request and grant reporting process. Internal control procedures assuring timely review of reports and filing of the reimbursement requests were not designed or implemented.
Effect or Potential Effect: The lack of effective internal control activities over financial reporting could allow for inadvertent errors, such as calculation errors, payments for unauthorized purposes, and result in improper financial reporting. Lack of timely filing of reimbursement requests could result in overstating accounts receivable balances and critical revenues lost due to cutoff terms of the grant award.
Questioned Cost: No
Context: Delays in filing reimbursement claims and internal disputes regarding grant reimbursement request procedures were evident. The weak or nonexistent controls over the reimbursement request procedures resulted in lost revenues and delayed recognition of revenue, which required adjustments to correct the financial statements.
Repeat of a Prior-Year Finding: Yes, Financial Statement Findings 2022-001
Recommendation: The District should establish a more simplified and effective process for the review and approval of GAAP basis reporting and grant reimbursement requests and grant reporting. As part of this process, supporting general ledger reports and supporting data should be subject to a qualified individual to review and approval on a timely basis. Monitoring of the control procedures related to the grant accounting and reimbursement request should be performed regularly to ensure reports are filed accurately and timely. Information and communication regarding identified weaknesses and opportunities to improve the policies and procedures should occur among management and the individual performing the monitoring of the procedures.
District's Response: The District’s Finance Manager and District Manager are working towards using general ledger reporting exclusively for reimbursement request reporting. General ledger activity became more timely as improvements were implemented based on prior year findings. Management acknowledges delays in that process that continued as a result, to some extent, of the use of the self-developed spreadsheet reports then used for completing grant reimbursement requests.
Corrective Action Plan: The District’s Finance Manager will continue to make improvements in general ledger recording and reporting systems so that those reports can then be used without intermediary report methods to prepare reimbursement request forms. Review of the reimbursement requests will take place within data reports generated directly from the general ledger. The district will engage an individual or firm to ensure that the timing and overall processes related to grant reimbursement and reporting does not result in reporting errors or omissions.
Planned Implementation Date: September 30, 2024
Responsible Person: General Manager, Umpqua Public Transit District