Audit Finding: 2024-001 Non-Material Non-Compliance – Allowable Costs and Activities; 2024-002 Revenue Recognition – Material Weakness Corrective Actions: This plan outlines the steps to address the staffing shortage and implement necessary controls to ensure financial statement accuracy and complia...
Audit Finding: 2024-001 Non-Material Non-Compliance – Allowable Costs and Activities; 2024-002 Revenue Recognition – Material Weakness Corrective Actions: This plan outlines the steps to address the staffing shortage and implement necessary controls to ensure financial statement accuracy and compliance. Phase 1: Immediate Actions Prioritize Key Hires: The immediate priority is to recruit and hire a Controller with significant non-profit accounting experience. This individual will be crucial in designing and implementing the necessary internal controls. 1. Interim Support (If Needed): While searching for permanent staff, explore options for interim accounting support through a consulting firm or temporary staffing agency specializing in non-profit organizations. This can provide immediate assistance with critical tasks and help bridge the gap until permanent staff are in place and sufficiently trained. 2. Documented Job Descriptions: Develop detailed job descriptions for the Controller, Senior Accountant, and Staff Accountant positions. These descriptions should clearly outline the required qualifications, responsibilities, and reporting lines. Emphasis should be placed on experience with non-profit accounting principles (GAAP), fund accounting, and relevant regulations. 3. Recruitment Strategy: Implement a robust recruitment strategy that includes: ○ Posting job openings on relevant job boards (e.g., Idealist, LinkedIn, specialized non-profit job sites). ○ Networking with professional organizations (e.g., state non-profit associations, accounting professional groups). ○ Partnering with recruitment agencies specializing in non-profit finance. Phase 2: Staffing and Implementation 1. Hire Controller: Complete the recruitment process and hire a qualified Controller with proven non-profit accounting experience. 2. Hire Senior Accountant: Once the Controller is in place, begin the recruitment process for a Senior Accountant to support the Controller and manage day-to-day accounting operations. Experience with fund accounting and grant management is highly desirable. 3. Hire Staff Accountants: Recruit and hire the necessary number of Staff Accountants to handle transaction processing, reconciliations, and other accounting tasks. 4. Control Design and Implementation: The Controller, in collaboration with the Senior Accountant, will be responsible for designing and implementing the necessary internal controls. This includes: ○ Segregation of duties (e.g., authorization, custody, recording). ○ Approval processes for expenditures and journal entries. ○ Regular reconciliations of bank accounts and other key accounts. ○ Documentation of accounting policies and procedures. Phase 3: Review and Monitoring (Ongoing) 1. Training: Provide comprehensive training to all finance staff on non-profit accounting principles, internal controls, and the organization's specific policies and procedures. 2. External Review (Optional): Consider engaging an external accounting firm to review the implemented controls and provide recommendations for improvement. This can provide an independent assessment of the effectiveness of the controls. 3. Regular Monitoring: The Controller will be responsible for regularly monitoring the effectiveness of the internal controls and reporting any deficiencies to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. 4. Policy Updates: The Controller will ensure that accounting policies and procedures are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in regulations and best practices. Responsible Parties: ● Executive Director (Todd Hixson) : Overall responsibility for implementation of the plan. ● Board of Directors: Oversight and approval of the plan and budget. ● Controller: Responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring internal controls. Timeline: Phases 1 and 2 were completed as of January 2025. As noted above, phase 3 is an ongoing process. Regular progress updates have been and will continue to be provided to the Executive Director, Finance Steering Committee, and the Board of Directors as appropriate. This Corrective Action Plan demonstrates Safe Harbor Crisis Center’s commitment to addressing the identified control deficiencies and strengthening its financial management practices. By implementing this plan, the agency will be better positioned to ensure financial accountability, transparency, and compliance in service of the mission.