FINDING – FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2024-001 Financial Statement Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement the necessary internal controls to ensure that accruals are properly recorded and the associated expenses and revenues are recorded in the proper period. Explanation of disagreemen...
FINDING – FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2024-001 Financial Statement Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement the necessary internal controls to ensure that accruals are properly recorded and the associated expenses and revenues are recorded in the proper period. Explanation of disagreement with audit findings: Management concurs with the finding and will implement effective internal controls to ensure that financial information is reported in accordance with GAAP. Action Plan: The Finance & Administration Director has updated the Accounting protocol guide and Grants Internal Control guide instructing staff how to identify accrual expense invoices. These policies establish procedures for recording accrual expense invoices to ensure that all expenses are properly recognized in the correct accounting period in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This policy applies to all accounting and grant management staff responsible for processing and recording expense transactions, including accounts payable, month-end closing and journal entries, and other financial reporting activities. In addition, on Sept. 11, 2025, a training program was developed and administered to accounting staff to ensure they understand this policy. The Finance & Administration Director will conduct quarterly internal reconciliations and reviews to audit compliance and identify areas of error. This process is tracked in the Asana project management tool. The Finance Director will review all invoices for appropriate invoice dates so that accrued expenses will be posted to the correct period. And lastly, the Grants Finance Manager and Finance & Administration Director will review journal entries, financial statements, and key estimates (such as allowances for doubtful accounts or depreciation methods) further ensure accuracy. Name(s) of the contact people responsible for correction action: Renee Kempka, Finance & Administration Director U.S. Department of Agriculture 2024-002 Assistance Lising #10.163 – Market Protection Program Recommendation: The Organization should establish written policies and procedures regarding the contracting and monitoring of subrecipients that are in line with Uniform Guidance requirements, as well as establish organizational controls to ensure that such policies and procedures are being followed. Explanation of disagreement with audit findings: Management concurs with the finding and will implement effective internal controls to ensure that subrecipient monitoring is properly done and documented appropriately. Action taken in response to finding: Upon discovery of the initial audit finding, an accrual journal entry was created to correct the subrecipient invoicing between 2025 and 2024. The adjusting journal entries and updated financial statements were submitted to Kern & Thompson, who we engaged to conduct the financial audits. This altered previous financial statements for 2024 and 2025, and the SEFA. Action Plan: The late reporting was primarily due to delays in receiving invoices from the subrecipient after the fiscal year end closing. The Education and Advocacy Director will send out quarterly reminders to partners informing them of the invoice due dates. Subrecipient partners will be expected to submit the invoice within the allotted time of 30 days after the closing of the reporting period. The Grant Finance Manger will conduct a review of all active subrecipient partners to ensure invoices have been received and recorded in the corresponding fiscal period for which the activity was conducted. If the invoice is not received, a courtesy reminder email and/or phone call will be sent to let the partner know that if the invoice is received outside of the 30 days, it will no longer be allowable. 21 days after the close of a quarter, the Finance Director and the Grants Finance Manager will meet and audit the sub-recipient budget against what has been submitted for payables. A list of partners who have not submitted invoices will be created with subsequent intent to contact the organization. This task will be tracked for completion according to timelines in the Grant Internal Control Asana project. Name(s) of the contact people responsible for correction action: Abigail Soto, Grants Finance Manager, Ben Bowell, Education & Advocacy Director and Renee Kempka, Finance & Administration Director Plan completion date for corrective action plan: 09/11/25