Finding 2022-001 Federal program: Education Stabilization Fund -Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF): COVID-19 CARES Act- Student Aid Portion AL #: 84.425E Award Year: 2021/2022 Type of finding: Deficiency and Noncompliance Compliance requirement: Reporting - Special Reporting Criteria: Under 2 CFR 200.328 and 200.329, Universities must publicly post certain information relating to Student Aid awards on their website no later than 30 days after award, and update that information within 10 days after the end of every calendar quarter by posting a new report. Condition: Due to the timing of the prior year finding being identified, the award notification report, and first and second quarter reports for FY 2022 were also not posted timely as required. No issues were noted with the accuracy of the disclosure, but the timing was past the required due date. Questioned costs: None Context: The Student Aid grant awards were not reported on the University?s website on a timely basis for the first and second quarters of FY22. Cause: The University established reporting processes according to the compliance supplement. However, in the process of assigning responsibility for each reporting requirement, this requirement of updating the HEERF award disclosures quarterly was missed. Effect: The HEERF Student Aid award information was not reported publicly on the University?s website. As a result, students and other interested parties did not have readily presented access to this data. Repeat finding: Yes ? 2021-001. The finding is limited to the HEERF Student Aid first and second quarter reporting of FY22. Recommendations: We recommend that the University have controls in place to ensure that all required reporting is performed timely. Views of responsible officials: HEERF was issued to institutions of higher education in the spring of 2020 to support students and campus operations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarterly reporting requirements were later established by the Department of Education. Student Aid grant award reporting was overlooked by the responsible official due to confusion of duty with the emergency relief program. When the prior-year finding was identified, a system of controls was established to ensure future compliance and timely reporting. Specifically, the responsible reporting officials for the institutional and student portions of HEERF funding combined report information into a single web posting request prior to the deadline each quarter. This single request provided another check for the posting official to confirm the quarterly report was comprehensive.
Criteria: Section 18004 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) ACT and Section 314(e) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSAA) Act directs institutions receiving funds to promptly and timely provide detailed accounting of the use and expenditures for HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds) I, HEERF II, and HEERF III funds. Each institution is required to share in an easily accessible public location quarterly reports (September 30, December 31, March 31, June 30). The reporting is required for both the Student Portion and the Institutional Portion. While the American Rescue Plan (ARP) does not explicitly identify procedures by which institutions submit a report to the Secretary, the Department exercises this reporting authority under 2 CFR 200.328 and 2 CFR 200.329. Condition/Context: The College did not post a report for the Student Portion of HEERF funds for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. This would have been the first quarter of HEERF III reporting and there were no funds disbursed to students during that quarter. The College posted to the website their quarterly report for September 30, 2021 with in the required timeframe. Upon review, it was noted that the report did not include the estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. Cause: The College missed the June 30th report as there were no expenditures from the Student Portion that quarter. The College also missed the requirement to report the estimated number of students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. Effect: The College did not provide all of the information required for the HEERF Student Aid Portion. Recommendation: The College should correct the reporting to include the missing pieces. Management's Response: The College will update the September 30, 2021 quarterly report currently posted on the website to include the estimated number of students eligible for HEERF funds. The College will post an additional report for the quarter ending June 30, 2021, indicating the receipt of funds and that no funds were distributed during the quarter.
Finding No. 2022-007 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.328 and applicable reporting requirements, the Program is required to submit an accurate SF-425, Federal Financial Report. Condition: For three (or 100%) SF-425 reports tested, the following variances were noted: 1. Grant Award H80CS31624 - 04/30/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 2. Grant Award H8DCS36429 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 3. Grant Award H8FCS41048 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: Finding No. 2022-007, continued Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Cause: KCHC did not effectively monitor the accuracy and completeness of the SF 425 report based on underlying accounting records. Effect: KCHC is in noncompliance with the SF-425 federal reporting requirements. No questioned costs are presented as the variances are due to reporting errors. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Finding No. 2021-007 Recommendation: Responsible personnel should take steps to monitor reports and determine that expenditures and program income reported on the SF-425 report are supported by underlying accounting reports. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has developed a plan to correct the finding. Refer to separate Corrective Action Plan.
Finding No. 2022-007 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.328 and applicable reporting requirements, the Program is required to submit an accurate SF-425, Federal Financial Report. Condition: For three (or 100%) SF-425 reports tested, the following variances were noted: 1. Grant Award H80CS31624 - 04/30/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 2. Grant Award H8DCS36429 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 3. Grant Award H8FCS41048 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: Finding No. 2022-007, continued Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Cause: KCHC did not effectively monitor the accuracy and completeness of the SF 425 report based on underlying accounting records. Effect: KCHC is in noncompliance with the SF-425 federal reporting requirements. No questioned costs are presented as the variances are due to reporting errors. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Finding No. 2021-007 Recommendation: Responsible personnel should take steps to monitor reports and determine that expenditures and program income reported on the SF-425 report are supported by underlying accounting reports. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has developed a plan to correct the finding. Refer to separate Corrective Action Plan.
Finding No. 2022-007 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.328 and applicable reporting requirements, the Program is required to submit an accurate SF-425, Federal Financial Report. Condition: For three (or 100%) SF-425 reports tested, the following variances were noted: 1. Grant Award H80CS31624 - 04/30/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 2. Grant Award H8DCS36429 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 3. Grant Award H8FCS41048 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: Finding No. 2022-007, continued Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Cause: KCHC did not effectively monitor the accuracy and completeness of the SF 425 report based on underlying accounting records. Effect: KCHC is in noncompliance with the SF-425 federal reporting requirements. No questioned costs are presented as the variances are due to reporting errors. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Finding No. 2021-007 Recommendation: Responsible personnel should take steps to monitor reports and determine that expenditures and program income reported on the SF-425 report are supported by underlying accounting reports. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has developed a plan to correct the finding. Refer to separate Corrective Action Plan.
Criteria: Section 18004 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) ACT and Section 314(e) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSAA) Act directs institutions receiving funds to promptly and timely provide detailed accounting of the use and expenditures for HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds) I, HEERF II, and HEERF III funds. Each institution is required to share in an easily accessible public location quarterly reports (September 30, December 31, March 31, June 30). The reporting is required for both the Student Portion and the Institutional Portion. While the American Rescue Plan (ARP) does not explicitly identify procedures by which institutions submit a report to the Secretary, the Department exercises this reporting authority under 2 CFR 200.328 and 2 CFR 200.329. Condition/Context: The College did not post a report for the Student Portion of HEERF funds for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. This would have been the first quarter of HEERF III reporting and there were no funds disbursed to students during that quarter. The College posted to the website their quarterly report for September 30, 2021 with in the required timeframe. Upon review, it was noted that the report did not include the estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. Cause: The College missed the June 30th report as there were no expenditures from the Student Portion that quarter. The College also missed the requirement to report the estimated number of students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. Effect: The College did not provide all of the information required for the HEERF Student Aid Portion. Recommendation: The College should correct the reporting to include the missing pieces. Management's Response: The College will update the September 30, 2021 quarterly report currently posted on the website to include the estimated number of students eligible for HEERF funds. The College will post an additional report for the quarter ending June 30, 2021, indicating the receipt of funds and that no funds were distributed during the quarter.
Finding No. 2022-007 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.328 and applicable reporting requirements, the Program is required to submit an accurate SF-425, Federal Financial Report. Condition: For three (or 100%) SF-425 reports tested, the following variances were noted: 1. Grant Award H80CS31624 - 04/30/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 2. Grant Award H8DCS36429 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 3. Grant Award H8FCS41048 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: Finding No. 2022-007, continued Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Cause: KCHC did not effectively monitor the accuracy and completeness of the SF 425 report based on underlying accounting records. Effect: KCHC is in noncompliance with the SF-425 federal reporting requirements. No questioned costs are presented as the variances are due to reporting errors. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Finding No. 2021-007 Recommendation: Responsible personnel should take steps to monitor reports and determine that expenditures and program income reported on the SF-425 report are supported by underlying accounting reports. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has developed a plan to correct the finding. Refer to separate Corrective Action Plan.
Finding No. 2022-007 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.328 and applicable reporting requirements, the Program is required to submit an accurate SF-425, Federal Financial Report. Condition: For three (or 100%) SF-425 reports tested, the following variances were noted: 1. Grant Award H80CS31624 - 04/30/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 2. Grant Award H8DCS36429 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 3. Grant Award H8FCS41048 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: Finding No. 2022-007, continued Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Cause: KCHC did not effectively monitor the accuracy and completeness of the SF 425 report based on underlying accounting records. Effect: KCHC is in noncompliance with the SF-425 federal reporting requirements. No questioned costs are presented as the variances are due to reporting errors. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Finding No. 2021-007 Recommendation: Responsible personnel should take steps to monitor reports and determine that expenditures and program income reported on the SF-425 report are supported by underlying accounting reports. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has developed a plan to correct the finding. Refer to separate Corrective Action Plan.
Finding No. 2022-007 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.328 and applicable reporting requirements, the Program is required to submit an accurate SF-425, Federal Financial Report. Condition: For three (or 100%) SF-425 reports tested, the following variances were noted: 1. Grant Award H80CS31624 - 04/30/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 2. Grant Award H8DCS36429 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: 3. Grant Award H8FCS41048 - 03/31/2022 Reporting Period End Date: Finding No. 2022-007, continued Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Program: 93.224 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) Federal Award No.: H8031624, H8F41048, H8D36529 Area: Reporting Questioned Costs: $-0- Cause: KCHC did not effectively monitor the accuracy and completeness of the SF 425 report based on underlying accounting records. Effect: KCHC is in noncompliance with the SF-425 federal reporting requirements. No questioned costs are presented as the variances are due to reporting errors. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Finding No. 2021-007 Recommendation: Responsible personnel should take steps to monitor reports and determine that expenditures and program income reported on the SF-425 report are supported by underlying accounting reports. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has developed a plan to correct the finding. Refer to separate Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2021-006 Program: Office for Coastal Management Federal Financial Assistance Listing: 11.473 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of Commerce Passed-through: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Award No. and Year: 0318.19.070225 (2020) Compliance Requirements: Reporting Type of Finding: Material Non-Compliance/Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.328 - Unless otherwise approved by OMB, the Federal awarding agency must solicit only the OMB-approved governmentwide data elements for collection of financial information (at time of publication the Federal Financial Report or such future, OMB-approved, governmentwide data elements available from the OMB-designated standards lead. This information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the Federal award, but no less frequently than annually nor more frequently than quarterly except in unusual circumstances, for example where more frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring of the Federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes, and preferably in coordination with performance reporting. 2 CFR 200.329(c)(1) -Requirements state that the non-Federal entity must submit performance reports at the interval required by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity to best inform improvements in program outcomes and productivity. Condition: For three of the four reports selected for testing, CFSC did not submit the reports to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation by the required date. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified as a result of our procedures. Context/Sampling: Sampling was not used. We selected all four reports filed during year. The condition noted above was identified during our procedures over the CFSC’s reporting provisions. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Effect: CFSC did not submit required reports in a timely manner, increasing the risk of noncompliance. Cause: CFSC’s procedures did not consistently ensure that the required reports were submitted on a timely basis. Recommendation: We recommend that CFSC modify and strengthen its current policies and procedures to ensure that all required reports are submitted on a timely basis to the appropriate Federal Agency or Pass-Through Entity. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: See Separate Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2021-007 Program: Office for Coastal Management Federal Financial Assistance Listing: 11.473 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of Commerce Passed-through: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Award No. and Year: 0318.19.070225 (2020) Compliance Requirements: Reporting Type of Finding: Material Non-Compliance/Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.302(b)(2) - Requirements state that there must be accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. Condition: Expenditures for one financial report that was selected for testing did not agree with the expenditures that were reported on the SEFA and recorded in the General Ledger (difference of $11,791), based on the dates requested in the report. CFSC did not include known operational expenses for the period that were program costs at the time the report was due, which resulted in underreporting expenditures by $11,791. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified as a result of our procedures. Context/Sampling: Sampling was not used. We selected all four reports filed during year. The condition noted above was identified during our procedures over CFSC’s reporting provisions. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Effect: CFSC did not include all known expenditures at the time the report was submitted to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, increasing the risk of noncompliance. Cause: CFSC’s procedures did not consistently ensure that all known expenditures at the time the report was submitted were included. Recommendation: We recommend that CFSC modify and strengthen its current policies and procedures to ensure that all known expenditures are included at the time reports are required to be submitted. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: See Separate Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2021-006 Program: Office for Coastal Management Federal Financial Assistance Listing: 11.473 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of Commerce Passed-through: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Award No. and Year: 0318.19.070225 (2020) Compliance Requirements: Reporting Type of Finding: Material Non-Compliance/Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.328 - Unless otherwise approved by OMB, the Federal awarding agency must solicit only the OMB-approved governmentwide data elements for collection of financial information (at time of publication the Federal Financial Report or such future, OMB-approved, governmentwide data elements available from the OMB-designated standards lead. This information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the Federal award, but no less frequently than annually nor more frequently than quarterly except in unusual circumstances, for example where more frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring of the Federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes, and preferably in coordination with performance reporting. 2 CFR 200.329(c)(1) -Requirements state that the non-Federal entity must submit performance reports at the interval required by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity to best inform improvements in program outcomes and productivity. Condition: For three of the four reports selected for testing, CFSC did not submit the reports to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation by the required date. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified as a result of our procedures. Context/Sampling: Sampling was not used. We selected all four reports filed during year. The condition noted above was identified during our procedures over the CFSC’s reporting provisions. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Effect: CFSC did not submit required reports in a timely manner, increasing the risk of noncompliance. Cause: CFSC’s procedures did not consistently ensure that the required reports were submitted on a timely basis. Recommendation: We recommend that CFSC modify and strengthen its current policies and procedures to ensure that all required reports are submitted on a timely basis to the appropriate Federal Agency or Pass-Through Entity. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: See Separate Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2021-007 Program: Office for Coastal Management Federal Financial Assistance Listing: 11.473 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of Commerce Passed-through: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Award No. and Year: 0318.19.070225 (2020) Compliance Requirements: Reporting Type of Finding: Material Non-Compliance/Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.302(b)(2) - Requirements state that there must be accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. Condition: Expenditures for one financial report that was selected for testing did not agree with the expenditures that were reported on the SEFA and recorded in the General Ledger (difference of $11,791), based on the dates requested in the report. CFSC did not include known operational expenses for the period that were program costs at the time the report was due, which resulted in underreporting expenditures by $11,791. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified as a result of our procedures. Context/Sampling: Sampling was not used. We selected all four reports filed during year. The condition noted above was identified during our procedures over CFSC’s reporting provisions. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Effect: CFSC did not include all known expenditures at the time the report was submitted to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, increasing the risk of noncompliance. Cause: CFSC’s procedures did not consistently ensure that all known expenditures at the time the report was submitted were included. Recommendation: We recommend that CFSC modify and strengthen its current policies and procedures to ensure that all known expenditures are included at the time reports are required to be submitted. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: See Separate Corrective Action Plan.
Lack of Documentation Related to Reporting (prior two years 2020-104 and 2019-106) (initially reported 2018) Assistance Listing Number: 93.224 and 93.527 Name of Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Program Title: Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) and Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program Compliance Requirement: Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: H80CS06452-15 (2020), H80CS06452-16 (2021) and COVID-19 ARP H8FCS40324 -01(2021) Finding Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Known Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The Organization did not maintain proper documentation in support of reporting requirements. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Also under compliance requirements for reporting 2 CFR 200.328 states that information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award for effective monitoring of the federal awards. Cause: Supporting records used to populate the Uniform Data System (UDS) report were not retained by the Organization. Effect: The Organization could submit incorrect information. Recommendation: Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the reporting. The documentation should clearly document who prepared the information, who reviewed the information, and that the reviewer considered whether the information was complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The Organization has hired a new Chief Financial Officer, as of March 2022, as well as additional supporting staff within the finance department. The Organization has reviewed and updated its grant drawdown procedures to included only actual cost and for the request to be reviewed and approved by someone other than the preparer prior to submission. The corrective action for this finding has been approved and implemented by the Organization
Lack of Documentation Related to Reporting (prior two years 2020-104 and 2019-106) (initially reported 2018) Assistance Listing Number: 93.224 and 93.527 Name of Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Program Title: Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) and Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program Compliance Requirement: Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: H80CS06452-15 (2020), H80CS06452-16 (2021) and COVID-19 ARP H8FCS40324 -01(2021) Finding Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Known Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The Organization did not maintain proper documentation in support of reporting requirements. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Also under compliance requirements for reporting 2 CFR 200.328 states that information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award for effective monitoring of the federal awards. Cause: Supporting records used to populate the Uniform Data System (UDS) report were not retained by the Organization. Effect: The Organization could submit incorrect information. Recommendation: Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the reporting. The documentation should clearly document who prepared the information, who reviewed the information, and that the reviewer considered whether the information was complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The Organization has hired a new Chief Financial Officer, as of March 2022, as well as additional supporting staff within the finance department. The Organization has reviewed and updated its grant drawdown procedures to included only actual cost and for the request to be reviewed and approved by someone other than the preparer prior to submission. The corrective action for this finding has been approved and implemented by the Organization
Lack of Documentation Related to Reporting (prior two years 2020-104 and 2019-106) (initially reported 2018) Assistance Listing Number: 93.224 and 93.527 Name of Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Program Title: Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) and Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program Compliance Requirement: Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: H80CS06452-15 (2020), H80CS06452-16 (2021) and COVID-19 ARP H8FCS40324 -01(2021) Finding Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Known Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The Organization did not maintain proper documentation in support of reporting requirements. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Also under compliance requirements for reporting 2 CFR 200.328 states that information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award for effective monitoring of the federal awards. Cause: Supporting records used to populate the Uniform Data System (UDS) report were not retained by the Organization. Effect: The Organization could submit incorrect information. Recommendation: Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the reporting. The documentation should clearly document who prepared the information, who reviewed the information, and that the reviewer considered whether the information was complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The Organization has hired a new Chief Financial Officer, as of March 2022, as well as additional supporting staff within the finance department. The Organization has reviewed and updated its grant drawdown procedures to included only actual cost and for the request to be reviewed and approved by someone other than the preparer prior to submission. The corrective action for this finding has been approved and implemented by the Organization
Lack of Documentation Related to Reporting (prior two years 2020-104 and 2019-106) (initially reported 2018) Assistance Listing Number: 93.224 and 93.527 Name of Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Program Title: Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) and Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program Compliance Requirement: Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: H80CS06452-15 (2020), H80CS06452-16 (2021) and COVID-19 ARP H8FCS40324 -01(2021) Finding Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Known Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The Organization did not maintain proper documentation in support of reporting requirements. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Also under compliance requirements for reporting 2 CFR 200.328 states that information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award for effective monitoring of the federal awards. Cause: Supporting records used to populate the Uniform Data System (UDS) report were not retained by the Organization. Effect: The Organization could submit incorrect information. Recommendation: Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the reporting. The documentation should clearly document who prepared the information, who reviewed the information, and that the reviewer considered whether the information was complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The Organization has hired a new Chief Financial Officer, as of March 2022, as well as additional supporting staff within the finance department. The Organization has reviewed and updated its grant drawdown procedures to included only actual cost and for the request to be reviewed and approved by someone other than the preparer prior to submission. The corrective action for this finding has been approved and implemented by the Organization
Lack of Controls Related to Filing Reports (initially reported 2021) Assistance Listing Number: 93.498 Name of Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Program Title: COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund Compliance Requirement: Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund (2020) Finding Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Known Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The Organization did not maintain proper documentation to support the review of the report prior to submission to the grantor, other than the review done by the preparer. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Also under compliance requirements for reporting 2 CFR 200.328 states that information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award for effective monitoring of the federal awards. Cause: The Organization did not have a process in place for review of the data being reported on the HRSA website for the funds being expensed under the Provider Relief Fund program. Effect: The Organization could submit incorrect information. Recommendation: The documentation should be kept that clearly documents who prepared the information, who reviewed the information, and that the reviewer considered whether the information was complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Organization has hired a new Chief Financial Officer as well as additional supporting staff within the finance department. The Organization has reviewed and updated its reporting policy and implemented the changes. The corrective action for this finding has been approved and implemented by the Organization.
Lack of Documentation Related to Reporting (prior two years 2020-104 and 2019-106) (initially reported 2018) Assistance Listing Number: 93.224 and 93.527 Name of Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Program Title: Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) and Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program Compliance Requirement: Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: H80CS06452-15 (2020), H80CS06452-16 (2021) and COVID-19 ARP H8FCS40324 -01(2021) Finding Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Known Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The Organization did not maintain proper documentation in support of reporting requirements. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Also under compliance requirements for reporting 2 CFR 200.328 states that information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award for effective monitoring of the federal awards. Cause: Supporting records used to populate the Uniform Data System (UDS) report were not retained by the Organization. Effect: The Organization could submit incorrect information. Recommendation: Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the reporting. The documentation should clearly document who prepared the information, who reviewed the information, and that the reviewer considered whether the information was complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The Organization has hired a new Chief Financial Officer, as of March 2022, as well as additional supporting staff within the finance department. The Organization has reviewed and updated its grant drawdown procedures to included only actual cost and for the request to be reviewed and approved by someone other than the preparer prior to submission. The corrective action for this finding has been approved and implemented by the Organization
Lack of Documentation Related to Reporting (prior two years 2020-104 and 2019-106) (initially reported 2018) Assistance Listing Number: 93.224 and 93.527 Name of Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Program Title: Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) and Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program Compliance Requirement: Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: H80CS06452-15 (2020), H80CS06452-16 (2021) and COVID-19 ARP H8FCS40324 -01(2021) Finding Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Known Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The Organization did not maintain proper documentation in support of reporting requirements. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Also under compliance requirements for reporting 2 CFR 200.328 states that information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award for effective monitoring of the federal awards. Cause: Supporting records used to populate the Uniform Data System (UDS) report were not retained by the Organization. Effect: The Organization could submit incorrect information. Recommendation: Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the reporting. The documentation should clearly document who prepared the information, who reviewed the information, and that the reviewer considered whether the information was complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The Organization has hired a new Chief Financial Officer, as of March 2022, as well as additional supporting staff within the finance department. The Organization has reviewed and updated its grant drawdown procedures to included only actual cost and for the request to be reviewed and approved by someone other than the preparer prior to submission. The corrective action for this finding has been approved and implemented by the Organization
Lack of Documentation Related to Reporting (prior two years 2020-104 and 2019-106) (initially reported 2018) Assistance Listing Number: 93.224 and 93.527 Name of Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Program Title: Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) and Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program Compliance Requirement: Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: H80CS06452-15 (2020), H80CS06452-16 (2021) and COVID-19 ARP H8FCS40324 -01(2021) Finding Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Known Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The Organization did not maintain proper documentation in support of reporting requirements. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Also under compliance requirements for reporting 2 CFR 200.328 states that information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award for effective monitoring of the federal awards. Cause: Supporting records used to populate the Uniform Data System (UDS) report were not retained by the Organization. Effect: The Organization could submit incorrect information. Recommendation: Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the reporting. The documentation should clearly document who prepared the information, who reviewed the information, and that the reviewer considered whether the information was complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The Organization has hired a new Chief Financial Officer, as of March 2022, as well as additional supporting staff within the finance department. The Organization has reviewed and updated its grant drawdown procedures to included only actual cost and for the request to be reviewed and approved by someone other than the preparer prior to submission. The corrective action for this finding has been approved and implemented by the Organization
Lack of Documentation Related to Reporting (prior two years 2020-104 and 2019-106) (initially reported 2018) Assistance Listing Number: 93.224 and 93.527 Name of Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Program Title: Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) and Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program Compliance Requirement: Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: H80CS06452-15 (2020), H80CS06452-16 (2021) and COVID-19 ARP H8FCS40324 -01(2021) Finding Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Known Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The Organization did not maintain proper documentation in support of reporting requirements. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Also under compliance requirements for reporting 2 CFR 200.328 states that information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award for effective monitoring of the federal awards. Cause: Supporting records used to populate the Uniform Data System (UDS) report were not retained by the Organization. Effect: The Organization could submit incorrect information. Recommendation: Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the reporting. The documentation should clearly document who prepared the information, who reviewed the information, and that the reviewer considered whether the information was complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The Organization has hired a new Chief Financial Officer, as of March 2022, as well as additional supporting staff within the finance department. The Organization has reviewed and updated its grant drawdown procedures to included only actual cost and for the request to be reviewed and approved by someone other than the preparer prior to submission. The corrective action for this finding has been approved and implemented by the Organization
Lack of Controls Related to Filing Reports (initially reported 2021) Assistance Listing Number: 93.498 Name of Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA Program Title: COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund Compliance Requirement: Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund (2020) Finding Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Known Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The Organization did not maintain proper documentation to support the review of the report prior to submission to the grantor, other than the review done by the preparer. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Also under compliance requirements for reporting 2 CFR 200.328 states that information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award for effective monitoring of the federal awards. Cause: The Organization did not have a process in place for review of the data being reported on the HRSA website for the funds being expensed under the Provider Relief Fund program. Effect: The Organization could submit incorrect information. Recommendation: The documentation should be kept that clearly documents who prepared the information, who reviewed the information, and that the reviewer considered whether the information was complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Organization has hired a new Chief Financial Officer as well as additional supporting staff within the finance department. The Organization has reviewed and updated its reporting policy and implemented the changes. The corrective action for this finding has been approved and implemented by the Organization.
Finding 2021-001 Federal Program Title – Airport Improvement Program and COVID-19 Airport Improvement Program Assistance Listing No. – 20.106 Federal Agency – U.S. Department of Transportation – Direct Program Federal Award Number – 30601270472020 Grant Award Periods – May 7, 2020 to May 6, 2024 Compliance Requirement – Reporting Criteria: As set forth in 2 CFR 200.328, the Federal Financial Report, SF 425, must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award, but no less frequently than annually nor more frequently than quarterly except in unusual circumstances. In addition, 2 CFR 200.303 requires nonfederal entities to, among other things, establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Conditions Found: The City did not have an effective system of internal control in place to ensure the reports that are required to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation were accurate. We selected a sample of nine reports and determined that one report omitted $18.4 million in payroll and payroll-related costs of which $3.6 million are costs incurred during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs. Context: The City is required to submit annual federal financial reports related to the Airport Improvement Program that include all disbursements for direct charges for property and services; the amount of indirect expense incurred; and the net increase or decrease in the amounts owed by the recipient for (1) goods and other property received; (2) services performed by employees, contractors, subrecipients, and other payees; and (3) programs for which no current services or performance are required. Cause and Effect: City management indicated that interpretation of the reporting requirements was that payments made to employees for services provided were required to be omitted from the SF 425 report. As a result, the reports submitted omitted $18.4 million in payroll and payroll-related costs. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior-year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendations: We recommend the City strengthen processes and internal controls to ensure the City has an effective internal control in place to ensure that reports are complete and accurate prior to submitting to the U.S. Department of Transportation as required. View of Responsible Official: The subject Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant for COVID-19 related funding was used solely for internal City payroll-related expenditures and debt service payments, which is different from other previous AIP grants received by the Airport Department. The misinterpretation of reporting requirements for the new grant led to an error on the Federal Financial Report SF 425. The Airport Department will be providing more training to staff that are involved with the preparation, review and approval of the reports to reduce the risk of misinterpreting reporting requirements. The Airport Department will also strengthen internal controls by requiring at least two levels of review for Federal Financial Report SF 425, prior to submission. These improvements to the process will ensure that reports are complete and accurate.
Finding 2021-001 Federal Program Title – Airport Improvement Program and COVID-19 Airport Improvement Program Assistance Listing No. – 20.106 Federal Agency – U.S. Department of Transportation – Direct Program Federal Award Number – 30601270472020 Grant Award Periods – May 7, 2020 to May 6, 2024 Compliance Requirement – Reporting Criteria: As set forth in 2 CFR 200.328, the Federal Financial Report, SF 425, must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the federal award, but no less frequently than annually nor more frequently than quarterly except in unusual circumstances. In addition, 2 CFR 200.303 requires nonfederal entities to, among other things, establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Conditions Found: The City did not have an effective system of internal control in place to ensure the reports that are required to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation were accurate. We selected a sample of nine reports and determined that one report omitted $18.4 million in payroll and payroll-related costs of which $3.6 million are costs incurred during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs. Context: The City is required to submit annual federal financial reports related to the Airport Improvement Program that include all disbursements for direct charges for property and services; the amount of indirect expense incurred; and the net increase or decrease in the amounts owed by the recipient for (1) goods and other property received; (2) services performed by employees, contractors, subrecipients, and other payees; and (3) programs for which no current services or performance are required. Cause and Effect: City management indicated that interpretation of the reporting requirements was that payments made to employees for services provided were required to be omitted from the SF 425 report. As a result, the reports submitted omitted $18.4 million in payroll and payroll-related costs. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior-year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendations: We recommend the City strengthen processes and internal controls to ensure the City has an effective internal control in place to ensure that reports are complete and accurate prior to submitting to the U.S. Department of Transportation as required. View of Responsible Official: The subject Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant for COVID-19 related funding was used solely for internal City payroll-related expenditures and debt service payments, which is different from other previous AIP grants received by the Airport Department. The misinterpretation of reporting requirements for the new grant led to an error on the Federal Financial Report SF 425. The Airport Department will be providing more training to staff that are involved with the preparation, review and approval of the reports to reduce the risk of misinterpreting reporting requirements. The Airport Department will also strengthen internal controls by requiring at least two levels of review for Federal Financial Report SF 425, prior to submission. These improvements to the process will ensure that reports are complete and accurate.
REPORTING, I DID NOT NOTE ANY OF THE REQUIRED QUARTERLY REPORTING FOR THE CARES ACT GRANT. I ALSO DID NOT NOTE ANY INTERIM OR ANNUAL REPORTS FILED FOR THE ARP GRANT. PER 2 CFR, SECTION 200.328 AND 200.329, THE NVT MUST COMPLY WITH ANY FINANCIAL AND PROGRAMMATIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. NO QUESTIONED COSTS. MANAGEMENT DID NOT HAVE CONTROLS IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT ALL GRANT REPORTS WERE FILED TIMELY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO REVIEW ANY OF THE 4 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL OR NARRATIVE REPORTS FOR THE CARES ACT GRANT. I WAS ALSO NOT ABLE TO REVIEW THE ANNUAL REQUIRED REPORT FOR THE ARP GRANT. THE NVT IS DELINQUENT IN ITS REPORTING FOR THESE TWO GRANTS. MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO ENSURE THAT ALL GRANT REPORTS ARE DONE AND SUBMITTED TIMELY AND RETAINED WITHIN THE GRANT FILES OF THE NVT. THIS FINDING WAS NOTED AS FINDING 2020-002.
OTHER, THE NVT DID NOT SUBMIT THE REPORTING PACKAGE TIMELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UNIFORM GUIDANCE REQUIREMENT OF SUBMITTING THE AUDIT WITHIN THE EARLIER OF 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE AUDIT REPORT, OR NINE MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE AUDIT PERIOD. PER 2 CFR, SECTION 200.328 AND 200.329, THE COUNCIL MUST COMPLY WITH ANY FINANCIAL AND PROGRAMATTIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. PER SECTION 200.501, THE NVT MUST HAEV AN AUDIT PERFORMED AND SUBMITTED WITHIN 9 MONTHS OF YEAR END. NO QUESTIONED COSTS. MANAGEMENT DID NOT ENSURE THAT THE AUDITS WERE PERFORMED TIMELY. LATE REPORTING COULD JEOPARDIZE GRANT FUNDING. I RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL ENSURE TIMELY AUDITS FOR FUTURE AUDITS. THIS FINDING WAS NOTED AS FINDING 2020-003
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AUTHORITY (A Component Unit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2021 Finding Number: 2021-003 Agency: Department of Homeland Security Federal Program: DISASTER GRANTS - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (Presidentially Declared Disasters) Assistant listing number: 97.036 Grant Number: All grants in SEFA Grant Period: July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Category: Significant Deficiency Criteria: As per § 200.328 Financial reporting. Unless otherwise approved by OMB, the Federal awarding agency must solicit only the OMB-approved governmentwide data elements for collection of financial information (at time of publication the Federal Financial Report or such future, OMB- approved, governmentwide data elements available from the OMB-designated standards lead. This information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the Federal award, but no less frequently than annually nor more frequently than quarterly except in unusual circumstances, for example where more frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring of the Federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes, and preferably in coordination with performance reporting. The Federal awarding agency must use OMB-approved common information collections, as applicable, when providing financial and performance reporting information. Condition: During the audit, we noted differences between quarterly reports amounts submitted to grantee agency and expense amounts accrued during the year. PW Number on large projects//Quarter//Quater ended//Deadline//Reported costs as per QPR//Costs as per SEFA 2021 PW-4339-2602 // 3 // 6-30-2021 // 7-31-2021 // - // 502,879 PW-4339-4206 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 1,290,050 PW-4339-5823 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 223,731 PW-4339-7235 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 259,085 PW-4339-8298 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 462,364 PW-4339-8314 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 251,917 PW-4339-8342 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 465,357 Cause: Missing of supporting documentation and underlying data. Effect: Wrong reported amounts could significantly affect program outcomes. Recommendation: To keep, document, file and trace supporting data to support quarterly reports Questioned Costs: None Perspective of the information: The information was not drawn from a statistical sample. Prior Year Finding: No Management response: A specialized funds firm was hired that is working on internal controls to improve the method of accounting of federal funds that meet accounting and FEMA requirements. Responsible Officer: Mr. José R. González De la Vega Estimated Completion Date: To work it on or before December 2023.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
Criteria 2 CFR Part 200, Section 302 and 45 CFR Part 75, Section 302- Financial management and standards for financial management systems state that (a) Each state must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with state laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the state's own funds. In addition, the state's and the other non-Federal entity's financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by general and program-specific terms and conditions; and the tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that such funds have been used according to the Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, (b) The financial management system of each non- Federal entity must provide for the following: (1) Identification, in its accounts, of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received. (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. (3) Records that identifies adequately the source and application of funds for federally funded activities. These records must contain information pertaining to Federal awards, authorizations, obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income, and interest and be supported by source documentation. (4) Effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property, and other assets, and (5) Comparison of expenditures with budget amounts for each Federal award. Act Number 230 of July 23, 1974, Puerto Rico Government Accounting Law, as amended, states that the accounting system of the instrumentalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should be designed to reflect or provide complete and clear information related to their financial results of operations. Condition The Department has a weakened financial reporting system, brought on by several deficiencies related to the accounting and financial reporting practices of the Department. The deficiencies noted as part of our procedures are summarized as follows: • The Department's procedure manuals contain outdated procedures which do not necessarily reflect the current tasks and operations of the Department. • The Department does not prepare monthly closings on a recurring and periodic basis. • The Single Audit Report has not been submitted in a timely manner and audit procedures are significantly delayed due to a lack of reconciliations and monthly closing procedures. • Multiple transactions are recognized retroactively several months after occurring, as a result of the significant delays brought forth by a weak financial reporting system. • The Department does not have adequate procedures to reconcile, in a timely manner, financial transactions recorded in the accounting system of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department with the accounting records maintained by the Department. Effect Deficiencies in the financial reporting and accounting practices of the Department may result in the following: • Financial Reports which are required as part of compliance with federal programs may be prepared with inaccurate or incomplete financial information and may not be submitted in a timely and compliant manner. • Sanctions, reduced funding, return of monies to federal agencies, cancellation of grants, among other potential sanctions. • Inconsistency between the financial information registered in the Department with financial transactions recognized in the records of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department. • Difficulties in accurately assessing program performance and monitoring of expenses in line with budgeted amounts to actual amounts expended as part of program activities. Inefficiencies and additional effort incurred by employee's part as a result of outdated or inaccurate procedure manuals. This also results in confusion as to the proper procedures to follow and the relevant approval and revision tasks to be performed. • Non-compliance with federal program requirements brought forth as a result of financial information which is inaccurate. Cause The Department has not implemented a uniform internal accounting process that allows all the Department's administrations (5) to consolidate accounting information for both fiscal and program periods and reconcile with financial information with the Treasury Department. In addition, the Department lacks uniform internal accounting software and applications between the administrations of the Department, which precludes them from timely and accurate consolidation of financial information. Recommendation The Department needs to implement a formal monthly closing of its accounting records and financial reporting with the purpose of ensuring accurate and timely financial information. Monthly closing procedures would be carried out most efficiently by developing a logical order for closing procedures and assigning responsibility for completing the procedures to specific personnel. As the Department is composed of various administrations, a task force should be assigned to develop procedures which detail the data-gathering information process to accumulate financial data of the administrations in a consistent manner. In addition, financial information should be consolidated at the Department level in order to reconcile with the financial records of the Treasury Department. Procedures should include, at a minimum, the following: the month-end period, a list of monthly closing tasks (post sub ledger balances to general ledgers, post journal entries, reconcile financial records with those of the Treasury Department, etc.), and the due date of each task (2 weeks after month end, etc.) It is recommended that the closing and reconciliation procedures be documented in a checklist that indicates the responsible individual who will perform each procedure and when completion of each procedure is due. Following are recommendations regarding the required closing procedures and suggestions to improve the financial reporting system: • Determine that all transactions have been recorded and posted. Transactions should be reviewed for completeness by scanning accounts to determine any unusual balances or fluctuations from expectations. • Reconcile general ledger accounts to underlying records and compareireconcile this information with the records of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department. Any differences observed during this process should be followed up in a timely manner in order to clarify and clear any reconciling items between the two sets of financial records. • Accumulate pertinent information necessary for the preparation of federal reports (financial and performance reports). In addition, a proper flowchart of procedures and revisions should be prepared to ensure that federal reports are filed and certified within established deadlines. • Perform a budgetary analysis by comparing expected amounts of expenditure with actual results. This will provide a more accurate measure of performance for federal programs and the overall efficiency in the use of funds of the Department. This will enhance the monitoring of program performance to ensure compliance with federal regulations and State Plan objectives. • Proper storage and backup of Department data files as part of the closing procedure. All files should be properly backed up before monthly closing is determined to be complete. • Differences observed during the reconciliation and closing procedure need to be discussed with the management personnel responsible for providing oversight over each respective area of the financial reporting cycle. Any adjustments necessary as a result of these procedures should be posted in a timely manner and before the closing is completed. Internal control manuals should be evaluated to ensure that they provide a clear and descriptive flowchart which details personnel involved, flow of information, estimated time frames for deliverables, and other control procedures relevant to the Department's operations. The Department should also evaluate its existing manuals to determine if they are updated and accurately reflect the procedures the Department currently carries out and ensure that these are in compliance with federal requirements. Updated written procedures and instructions will prevent or reduce misunderstandings, errors, inefficiencies or wasted efforts, enhancing the efficiency of the operations of the Department. Questioned Costs None Management's Response Refer to Grantee's Corrective Action Plan.
Criteria 2 CFR Part 200, Section 302 and 45 CFR Part 75, Section 302- Financial management and standards for financial management systems state that (a) Each state must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with state laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the state's own funds. In addition, the state's and the other non-Federal entity's financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by general and program-specific terms and conditions; and the tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that such funds have been used according to the Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, (b) The financial management system of each non- Federal entity must provide for the following: (1) Identification, in its accounts, of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received. (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. (3) Records that identifies adequately the source and application of funds for federally funded activities. These records must contain information pertaining to Federal awards, authorizations, obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income, and interest and be supported by source documentation. (4) Effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property, and other assets, and (5) Comparison of expenditures with budget amounts for each Federal award. Act Number 230 of July 23, 1974, Puerto Rico Government Accounting Law, as amended, states that the accounting system of the instrumentalities of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should be designed to reflect or provide complete and clear information related to their financial results of operations. Condition The Department has a weakened financial reporting system, brought on by several deficiencies related to the accounting and financial reporting practices of the Department. The deficiencies noted as part of our procedures are summarized as follows: • The Department's procedure manuals contain outdated procedures which do not necessarily reflect the current tasks and operations of the Department. • The Department does not prepare monthly closings on a recurring and periodic basis. • The Single Audit Report has not been submitted in a timely manner and audit procedures are significantly delayed due to a lack of reconciliations and monthly closing procedures. • Multiple transactions are recognized retroactively several months after occurring, as a result of the significant delays brought forth by a weak financial reporting system. • The Department does not have adequate procedures to reconcile, in a timely manner, financial transactions recorded in the accounting system of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department with the accounting records maintained by the Department. Effect Deficiencies in the financial reporting and accounting practices of the Department may result in the following: • Financial Reports which are required as part of compliance with federal programs may be prepared with inaccurate or incomplete financial information and may not be submitted in a timely and compliant manner. • Sanctions, reduced funding, return of monies to federal agencies, cancellation of grants, among other potential sanctions. • Inconsistency between the financial information registered in the Department with financial transactions recognized in the records of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department. • Difficulties in accurately assessing program performance and monitoring of expenses in line with budgeted amounts to actual amounts expended as part of program activities. Inefficiencies and additional effort incurred by employee's part as a result of outdated or inaccurate procedure manuals. This also results in confusion as to the proper procedures to follow and the relevant approval and revision tasks to be performed. • Non-compliance with federal program requirements brought forth as a result of financial information which is inaccurate. Cause The Department has not implemented a uniform internal accounting process that allows all the Department's administrations (5) to consolidate accounting information for both fiscal and program periods and reconcile with financial information with the Treasury Department. In addition, the Department lacks uniform internal accounting software and applications between the administrations of the Department, which precludes them from timely and accurate consolidation of financial information. Recommendation The Department needs to implement a formal monthly closing of its accounting records and financial reporting with the purpose of ensuring accurate and timely financial information. Monthly closing procedures would be carried out most efficiently by developing a logical order for closing procedures and assigning responsibility for completing the procedures to specific personnel. As the Department is composed of various administrations, a task force should be assigned to develop procedures which detail the data-gathering information process to accumulate financial data of the administrations in a consistent manner. In addition, financial information should be consolidated at the Department level in order to reconcile with the financial records of the Treasury Department. Procedures should include, at a minimum, the following: the month-end period, a list of monthly closing tasks (post sub ledger balances to general ledgers, post journal entries, reconcile financial records with those of the Treasury Department, etc.), and the due date of each task (2 weeks after month end, etc.) It is recommended that the closing and reconciliation procedures be documented in a checklist that indicates the responsible individual who will perform each procedure and when completion of each procedure is due. Following are recommendations regarding the required closing procedures and suggestions to improve the financial reporting system: • Determine that all transactions have been recorded and posted. Transactions should be reviewed for completeness by scanning accounts to determine any unusual balances or fluctuations from expectations. • Reconcile general ledger accounts to underlying records and compareireconcile this information with the records of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department. Any differences observed during this process should be followed up in a timely manner in order to clarify and clear any reconciling items between the two sets of financial records. • Accumulate pertinent information necessary for the preparation of federal reports (financial and performance reports). In addition, a proper flowchart of procedures and revisions should be prepared to ensure that federal reports are filed and certified within established deadlines. • Perform a budgetary analysis by comparing expected amounts of expenditure with actual results. This will provide a more accurate measure of performance for federal programs and the overall efficiency in the use of funds of the Department. This will enhance the monitoring of program performance to ensure compliance with federal regulations and State Plan objectives. • Proper storage and backup of Department data files as part of the closing procedure. All files should be properly backed up before monthly closing is determined to be complete. • Differences observed during the reconciliation and closing procedure need to be discussed with the management personnel responsible for providing oversight over each respective area of the financial reporting cycle. Any adjustments necessary as a result of these procedures should be posted in a timely manner and before the closing is completed. Internal control manuals should be evaluated to ensure that they provide a clear and descriptive flowchart which details personnel involved, flow of information, estimated time frames for deliverables, and other control procedures relevant to the Department's operations. The Department should also evaluate its existing manuals to determine if they are updated and accurately reflect the procedures the Department currently carries out and ensure that these are in compliance with federal requirements. Updated written procedures and instructions will prevent or reduce misunderstandings, errors, inefficiencies or wasted efforts, enhancing the efficiency of the operations of the Department. Questioned Costs None Management's Response Refer to Grantee's Corrective Action Plan.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Title: Child Care and Development Block Grant Assistance Listing Number: 93.575 Award Period: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matter Criteria: Financial reporting requirements are identified in 2 CFR section 200.328. Monitoring and reporting program performance requirements are identified in 2 CFR section 200.329. Recipients of federal funds are required to establish and maintain effective internal controls over federal funds received, per 2 CFR section 200.303. Condition: 1) There was no evidence of date of timely submission for 11 reports tested; 2) There was no evidence of review for five reports tested; 3) Five reports tested did not tie to the underlying support by an immaterial amount. Context: There was a total of 28 financial reports and four performance reports. Questioned Costs: N/A Cause: Internal controls surrounding reporting were not properly designed and implemented and an audit trail for timely submission and approval of reports was not maintained. Effect: The lack of evidence for audit trail and lack of effective internal controls over reporting requirements provides an opportunity for noncompliance and errors. Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization design, implement, and monitor internal controls over reporting as well as maintain source documentation to support amounts reported. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Title: Child Care and Development Block Grant Assistance Listing Number: 93.575 Award Period: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matter Criteria: Financial reporting requirements are identified in 2 CFR section 200.328. Monitoring and reporting program performance requirements are identified in 2 CFR section 200.329. Recipients of federal funds are required to establish and maintain effective internal controls over federal funds received, per 2 CFR section 200.303. Condition: 1) There was no evidence of date of timely submission for 11 reports tested; 2) There was no evidence of review for five reports tested; 3) Five reports tested did not tie to the underlying support by an immaterial amount. Context: There was a total of 28 financial reports and four performance reports. Questioned Costs: N/A Cause: Internal controls surrounding reporting were not properly designed and implemented and an audit trail for timely submission and approval of reports was not maintained. Effect: The lack of evidence for audit trail and lack of effective internal controls over reporting requirements provides an opportunity for noncompliance and errors. Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization design, implement, and monitor internal controls over reporting as well as maintain source documentation to support amounts reported. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Title: Child Care and Development Block Grant Assistance Listing Number: 93.575 Award Period: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matter Criteria: Financial reporting requirements are identified in 2 CFR section 200.328. Monitoring and reporting program performance requirements are identified in 2 CFR section 200.329. Recipients of federal funds are required to establish and maintain effective internal controls over federal funds received, per 2 CFR section 200.303. Condition: 1) There was no evidence of date of timely submission for 11 reports tested; 2) There was no evidence of review for five reports tested; 3) Five reports tested did not tie to the underlying support by an immaterial amount. Context: There was a total of 28 financial reports and four performance reports. Questioned Costs: N/A Cause: Internal controls surrounding reporting were not properly designed and implemented and an audit trail for timely submission and approval of reports was not maintained. Effect: The lack of evidence for audit trail and lack of effective internal controls over reporting requirements provides an opportunity for noncompliance and errors. Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization design, implement, and monitor internal controls over reporting as well as maintain source documentation to support amounts reported. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Title: Child Care and Development Block Grant Assistance Listing Number: 93.575 Award Period: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matter Criteria: Financial reporting requirements are identified in 2 CFR section 200.328. Monitoring and reporting program performance requirements are identified in 2 CFR section 200.329. Recipients of federal funds are required to establish and maintain effective internal controls over federal funds received, per 2 CFR section 200.303. Condition: 1) There was no evidence of date of timely submission for 11 reports tested; 2) There was no evidence of review for five reports tested; 3) Five reports tested did not tie to the underlying support by an immaterial amount. Context: There was a total of 28 financial reports and four performance reports. Questioned Costs: N/A Cause: Internal controls surrounding reporting were not properly designed and implemented and an audit trail for timely submission and approval of reports was not maintained. Effect: The lack of evidence for audit trail and lack of effective internal controls over reporting requirements provides an opportunity for noncompliance and errors. Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization design, implement, and monitor internal controls over reporting as well as maintain source documentation to support amounts reported. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Title: Child Care and Development Block Grant Assistance Listing Number: 93.575 Award Period: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matter Criteria: Financial reporting requirements are identified in 2 CFR section 200.328. Monitoring and reporting program performance requirements are identified in 2 CFR section 200.329. Recipients of federal funds are required to establish and maintain effective internal controls over federal funds received, per 2 CFR section 200.303. Condition: 1) There was no evidence of date of timely submission for 11 reports tested; 2) There was no evidence of review for five reports tested; 3) Five reports tested did not tie to the underlying support by an immaterial amount. Context: There was a total of 28 financial reports and four performance reports. Questioned Costs: N/A Cause: Internal controls surrounding reporting were not properly designed and implemented and an audit trail for timely submission and approval of reports was not maintained. Effect: The lack of evidence for audit trail and lack of effective internal controls over reporting requirements provides an opportunity for noncompliance and errors. Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization design, implement, and monitor internal controls over reporting as well as maintain source documentation to support amounts reported. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Reporting - Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance and Noncompliance (Repeat of Finding 2020-004) Criteria: Per CFR Section 200.328, nonfederal entities may be required to submit performance reports at least annually as required by the terms of the federal award. The Title III program requires annual performance reports which includes a section on expenditures incurred during the reporting period. Condition: The College did not submit annual performance reports on time. Cause: The College did not have sufficient procedures in place to ensure that the annual performance report is completed on time. Effect: The performance report was submitted after the required time. Questioned Costs: None Context: The annual performance report was requested for the program and the report that was provided covered October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021, and was not submitted until January 2024. Recommendation: The College should ensure that all grant reports are prepared in a timely manner and should be submitte prior to the due date. View of Responsible Officials: The College will ensure that all grant reports are reviewed in detaiul and information reported will be traced to the source reports by the reviewer. The College also implemented policies and procedures to ensure all grant reports are submitted prior to the due date.
Reporting - Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance and Noncompliance (Repeat of Finding 2020-004) Criteria: Per CFR Section 200.328, nonfederal entities may be required to submit performance reports at least annually as required by the terms of the federal award. The Title III program requires annual performance reports which includes a section on expenditures incurred during the reporting period. Condition: The College did not submit annual performance reports on time. Cause: The College did not have sufficient procedures in place to ensure that the annual performance report is completed on time. Effect: The performance report was submitted after the required time. Questioned Costs: None Context: The annual performance report was requested for the program and the report that was provided covered October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021, and was not submitted until January 2024. Recommendation: The College should ensure that all grant reports are prepared in a timely manner and should be submitte prior to the due date. View of Responsible Officials: The College will ensure that all grant reports are reviewed in detaiul and information reported will be traced to the source reports by the reviewer. The College also implemented policies and procedures to ensure all grant reports are submitted prior to the due date.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AUTHORITY (A Component Unit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2021 Finding Number: 2021-003 Agency: Department of Homeland Security Federal Program: DISASTER GRANTS - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (Presidentially Declared Disasters) Assistant listing number: 97.036 Grant Number: All grants in SEFA Grant Period: July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Category: Significant Deficiency Criteria: As per § 200.328 Financial reporting. Unless otherwise approved by OMB, the Federal awarding agency must solicit only the OMB-approved governmentwide data elements for collection of financial information (at time of publication the Federal Financial Report or such future, OMB- approved, governmentwide data elements available from the OMB-designated standards lead. This information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the Federal award, but no less frequently than annually nor more frequently than quarterly except in unusual circumstances, for example where more frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring of the Federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes, and preferably in coordination with performance reporting. The Federal awarding agency must use OMB-approved common information collections, as applicable, when providing financial and performance reporting information. Condition: During the audit, we noted differences between quarterly reports amounts submitted to grantee agency and expense amounts accrued during the year. PW Number on large projects//Quarter//Quater ended//Deadline//Reported costs as per QPR//Costs as per SEFA 2021 PW-4339-2602 // 3 // 6-30-2021 // 7-31-2021 // - // 502,879 PW-4339-4206 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 1,290,050 PW-4339-5823 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 223,731 PW-4339-7235 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 259,085 PW-4339-8298 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 462,364 PW-4339-8314 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 251,917 PW-4339-8342 // 3 // 6/30/2021 // 7/31/2021 // - // 465,357 Cause: Missing of supporting documentation and underlying data. Effect: Wrong reported amounts could significantly affect program outcomes. Recommendation: To keep, document, file and trace supporting data to support quarterly reports Questioned Costs: None Perspective of the information: The information was not drawn from a statistical sample. Prior Year Finding: No Management response: A specialized funds firm was hired that is working on internal controls to improve the method of accounting of federal funds that meet accounting and FEMA requirements. Responsible Officer: Mr. José R. González De la Vega Estimated Completion Date: To work it on or before December 2023.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.
CLAYTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES AUTHORITY, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Financial Statement Findings and Questioned Costs June 30, 2021 Comment #2021-001 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, PROPER APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED REGULATORY REPORTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD IMPROVED GENERAL (Repeat Finding) As part of our auditing procedures, we assisted in the preparation of the financial statements, related disclosures, and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards of the Authority. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, is the responsibility of the grantee. The authoritative and regulatory standards state in summary, that management should authorize, process, reconcile and close-out each grant and contract in a timely manner to ensure proper accounting and reporting of such activity in accordance with the specific professional standards and regulatory requirements. The closeout process is designed to help to reduce the risk of errors, fraud, material misstatement of financial and compliance reporting and recognition of expenditures (or revenue) in the proper period. We noted that the current system of internal controls over financial statements and compliance is not designed to ensure that the objectives are achieved. Further, the capacity of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, other internal shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, allocation of indirect costs and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. Various regulatory reports were not filed accurately and in a timely manner (i.e., SF-425's for the Head Start Programs and DHS’s State budget reports for the LIHEAP programs). Specifically, revenue was recorded in excess of expenditures for the LIHEAP programs. Therefore, the risk exists that grant receivables and/or cash from the various programs are not recorded properly during the reporting period (interim and annually), which is consistent with our audit findings for the year ended June 30, 2020. The systemic cause appears to be a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of accounting controls, monitoring and policies and procedures not followed consistently. Context: Review of internal control structure of the organization in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Criteria: Controls should be in place to ensure that financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The auditee shall prepare financial statements that reflect its financial position, results of operations or changes in net assets, and, where appropriate, cash flows for the fiscal year audited. The auditee shall also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements. [2 CFR §200.510(a) and (b)] Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§200.327 Financial reporting and 200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance. [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)] Effect: Management may not be able to obtain complete and accurate financial statements on an interim or fiscal year basis to be used for internal or external reporting purposes. Cause: Limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. The implementation of a new accounting system without an adequate close-out of the old system. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency is determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Authority has a chief financial officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. The workload on the CFO is overwhelming. New staff hired should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. We believe that the CFO with the grant accountant and general ledger accountant should have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner so as to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules should be an integral part of the grant accountant’s basic responsibilities. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocation and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. New policies and procedures should be established that conforms to the Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The management of Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. has reviewed the above referenced finding and fully agrees with the need for improved internal controls over financial statement preparation. Management believes that the proper approval of disbursements was adhered to during the reporting period with minimal deviation and continues to ensure proper policies are followed. Federal reports (SF425’s, LIHEAP) were filed during this period and may not have been properly reviewed during the course of this audit. For example, the LIHEAP reports were reconciled with the assistance of the State Program Specialist to ensure proper return of funds as requested by the funding agency. Management reserves the right to discuss this further as needed for the purpose of this finding. Adequate fiscal personnel staff has continued to be a challenge for the agency as management has done an exhaustive search for additional fiscal personnel and made job offers to qualified individuals only to have them decline the offer at the last moment. We have just offered the position of General Ledger Accountant to an individual and they are expected to start in two weeks. This will assist the CFO in the area of financial controls and reporting. It should also be noted that all bank reconciliations are current and being completed in a timely manner as dictated by our policies and procedures. Management continues to ensure all federal, state, and local and local regulatory reports and completed and submitted in a timely manner. As stated previously, the CFO worked directly with the State LIHEAP Program Staff to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation before returning unused funds.