SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs July 31, 2024 Comment # 2024-002 INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION, GRANT CLOSE OUT AND COMPLIANCE WITH RELATED PROVISIONS OF GRANTS AND CONTRACTS SHOULD BE IMPROVED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START, LIHEAP, LIHWAP, CSBG, ASTHO, CACFP and CSLFRF FAL # 93.600, 93.568, 93.499, 93.569, 93.185, 10.558, 21.027 (Questioned Costs - Undetermined) Condition: 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 Agency. 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 states 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 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 and experience of the current staff does not allow for adequate analysis of grants and contracts, proper allocations of shared costs and support services provided, grantor receivables, deferred revenue, and the reconciliation of bank accounts accurately and in a timely manner. This resulted in adjustments necessary to present the financial statements and disclosures of the Agency as of July 31, 2024. We also noted significant weaknesses in internal controls over personnel payroll and the processing, maintaining and reconciling payroll activity to the general ledger and external regulatory reporting (IRS Form 941's, state filings, etc.). 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). This condition also makes it difficult to prepare accurate external reports required by the various funding sources in a timely manner (i.e. SF-425, DHS’s reports for LIHEAP, etc.). Accordingly, the Agency is not in compliance with federal and state reporting as specified by grants and contracts and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. The systemic cause appears to be the untimely resignation of key personnel, a change in the accounting system, a lack of personnel with the skills, knowledge, and experience with grant accounting and a weakness in the overall system of internal accounting controls and monitoring. Policies and procedures are not followed consistently throughout the year. 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 §200.328 Financial reporting and §200.329. (Continued) Effect: Monitoring and reporting program performance [2 CFR §200.302(b)(2)]. 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: Turnover of key staff, change in the accounting system, limited personnel with knowledge and/or the ability to assist and provide needed information to aid in financial statement preparation. Recommendation: The degree to which the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures are prepared by the independent auditor is a control deficiency as determined by the knowledge, skills and experience of those in the organization who are charged with the responsibility of its financial reporting. The Agency has hired a new fiscal officer (CFO) and should hire additional staff (grant accountant and a general ledger accountant) to assist the new fiscal officer. New staff should have the adequate skills, knowledge and experience to oversee and/or perform the necessary accounting functions each month. Policies and procedures should be updated to adequately address the challenges and dynamics of the community action agency. We believe that the CFO with the supporting staff 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. Program directors should be involved in the closing process. We further recommend that training be provided to all staff engaged in the financial reporting, allocations and reconciliation functions to ensure that a complete and accurate financial statements close-out process is achieved each month and annually. Accounting policies and procedures must be updated and implemented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management is in the process of assessing the organizational structure and capacity to provide adequate financial reporting. With Board review and approval of the Agency’s financial funding sources, the Agency will hire additional fiscal clerk to further support financial requirements and segregation of duties to ensure adequate internal controls are fully implemented. The CFO will have the overall responsibility of properly reconciling and closing out the accounting system and grant activity each month in an efficient and timely manner to eliminate the risk of significant errors occurring. Budget-to-actual schedules will be an integral part of the grant accountant analyst’s basic responsibilities. The fiscal policies and procedures will be updated with the enhancements implemented within the fiscal department. Staff will be trained on revised policies and procedures and Uniform Guidance regulations. The new automated financial systems, will support financial reporting to meet GAAP requirements and to provide informative reports for Board and Management. All enhancements will be implemented by December 31, 2025.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development #14.251 Economic Development Initiative, Community Project Funding, and Miscellaneous Grants 2024-003 Inaccurate Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Criteria: Per 2 CFR §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA that includes the total federal awards expended, the name of the federal agency, the Assistance Listing Number, the pass-through entity identifying number (if applicable), and other relevant details to ensure complete and accurate reporting. Condition: During our audit of the federal awards received by the Organization, we noted that the SEFA was not prepared. Cause: The failure to prepare the SEFA was due to a lack of formal procedures and oversight in Single Audit requirements. Effect: Errors in the preparation of the SEFA could lead funding agencies to misinterpret the level of spending for a particular program for the period under audit. Additionally, the identification of major federal award programs chosen for specific compliance testing could be erroneous, depending on the misstatement in the total amount of federal expenditures for the year. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendation: We recommend that staff responsible for federal grant reporting receive additional training on Single Audits and SEFA preparation. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees and has adopted a SEFA tracking template. Corrective Action: Track federal expenditures monthly by funding source and Assistance Listing Number (ALN), reconcile SEFA totals to the general eldger, and train staff on Uniform Guidance.
Assistance Listing Number: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 – Child Nutrition Cluster Pass-through Entity: Michigan Department of Education Finding Type: Material weakness in internal controls over compliance. Repeat Finding: No Criteria: 2CFR 200.510(b) requires organizations to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements, which must include the total of federal awards as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Condition: The original SEFA provided by the School District was not complete and accurate. The audit team identified numerous errors throughout the course of our procedures which were brought to management’s attention. Questioned Costs: None Cause: Controls and processes in place to prepare the SEFA did not ensure that the SEFA was complete and accurate. Effect: The School District accumulates the financial data and other required information to complete the SEFA. The original SEFA provided by the School District to the audit team included several inaccuracies, including missing or incomplete expenditure amounts. The SEFA most significantly included the following inaccuracies: - $18,063 spent under ALN 10.553 (National School Breakfast Program) was improperly excluded from the SEFA. - $41,653 spent under ALN 10.555 (National School Lunch Program) was improperly excluded from the SEFA. Recommendation: The School District’s process for preparing the SEFA should be adjusted to ensure that accounting records are closed timely, internal accounts are reconciled (the SEFA should reconcile to the federal revenues recorded), and appropriate workpapers are prepared to support the SEFA balances. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procedures to ensure the SEFA is prepared accurately in the future.
Assistance Listing Number: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 – Child Nutrition Cluster Pass-through Entity: Michigan Department of Education Finding Type: Material weakness in internal controls over compliance. Repeat Finding: No Criteria: 2CFR 200.510(b) requires organizations to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements, which must include the total of federal awards as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Condition: The original SEFA provided by the School District was not complete and accurate. The audit team identified numerous errors throughout the course of our procedures which were brought to management’s attention. Questioned Costs: None Cause: Controls and processes in place to prepare the SEFA did not ensure that the SEFA was complete and accurate. Effect: The School District accumulates the financial data and other required information to complete the SEFA. The original SEFA provided by the School District to the audit team included several inaccuracies, including missing or incomplete expenditure amounts. The SEFA most significantly included the following inaccuracies: - $18,063 spent under ALN 10.553 (National School Breakfast Program) was improperly excluded from the SEFA. - $41,653 spent under ALN 10.555 (National School Lunch Program) was improperly excluded from the SEFA. Recommendation: The School District’s process for preparing the SEFA should be adjusted to ensure that accounting records are closed timely, internal accounts are reconciled (the SEFA should reconcile to the federal revenues recorded), and appropriate workpapers are prepared to support the SEFA balances. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procedures to ensure the SEFA is prepared accurately in the future.
Assistance Listing Number: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 – Child Nutrition Cluster Pass-through Entity: Michigan Department of Education Finding Type: Material weakness in internal controls over compliance. Repeat Finding: No Criteria: 2CFR 200.510(b) requires organizations to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements, which must include the total of federal awards as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Condition: The original SEFA provided by the School District was not complete and accurate. The audit team identified numerous errors throughout the course of our procedures which were brought to management’s attention. Questioned Costs: None Cause: Controls and processes in place to prepare the SEFA did not ensure that the SEFA was complete and accurate. Effect: The School District accumulates the financial data and other required information to complete the SEFA. The original SEFA provided by the School District to the audit team included several inaccuracies, including missing or incomplete expenditure amounts. The SEFA most significantly included the following inaccuracies: - $18,063 spent under ALN 10.553 (National School Breakfast Program) was improperly excluded from the SEFA. - $41,653 spent under ALN 10.555 (National School Lunch Program) was improperly excluded from the SEFA. Recommendation: The School District’s process for preparing the SEFA should be adjusted to ensure that accounting records are closed timely, internal accounts are reconciled (the SEFA should reconcile to the federal revenues recorded), and appropriate workpapers are prepared to support the SEFA balances. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procedures to ensure the SEFA is prepared accurately in the future.
Assistance Listing Number: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 – Child Nutrition Cluster Pass-through Entity: Michigan Department of Education Finding Type: Material weakness in internal controls over compliance. Repeat Finding: No Criteria: 2CFR 200.510(b) requires organizations to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements, which must include the total of federal awards as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Condition: The original SEFA provided by the School District was not complete and accurate. The audit team identified numerous errors throughout the course of our procedures which were brought to management’s attention. Questioned Costs: None Cause: Controls and processes in place to prepare the SEFA did not ensure that the SEFA was complete and accurate. Effect: The School District accumulates the financial data and other required information to complete the SEFA. The original SEFA provided by the School District to the audit team included several inaccuracies, including missing or incomplete expenditure amounts. The SEFA most significantly included the following inaccuracies: - $18,063 spent under ALN 10.553 (National School Breakfast Program) was improperly excluded from the SEFA. - $41,653 spent under ALN 10.555 (National School Lunch Program) was improperly excluded from the SEFA. Recommendation: The School District’s process for preparing the SEFA should be adjusted to ensure that accounting records are closed timely, internal accounts are reconciled (the SEFA should reconcile to the federal revenues recorded), and appropriate workpapers are prepared to support the SEFA balances. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procedures to ensure the SEFA is prepared accurately in the future.
Assistance Listing Number: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 – Child Nutrition Cluster Pass-through Entity: Michigan Department of Education Finding Type: Material weakness in internal controls over compliance. Repeat Finding: No Criteria: 2CFR 200.510(b) requires organizations to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements, which must include the total of federal awards as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Condition: The original SEFA provided by the School District was not complete and accurate. The audit team identified numerous errors throughout the course of our procedures which were brought to management’s attention. Questioned Costs: None Cause: Controls and processes in place to prepare the SEFA did not ensure that the SEFA was complete and accurate. Effect: The School District accumulates the financial data and other required information to complete the SEFA. The original SEFA provided by the School District to the audit team included several inaccuracies, including missing or incomplete expenditure amounts. The SEFA most significantly included the following inaccuracies: - $18,063 spent under ALN 10.553 (National School Breakfast Program) was improperly excluded from the SEFA. - $41,653 spent under ALN 10.555 (National School Lunch Program) was improperly excluded from the SEFA. Recommendation: The School District’s process for preparing the SEFA should be adjusted to ensure that accounting records are closed timely, internal accounts are reconciled (the SEFA should reconcile to the federal revenues recorded), and appropriate workpapers are prepared to support the SEFA balances. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procedures to ensure the SEFA is prepared accurately in the future.
2024-001 – Reporting - Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Identification of the Federal Program – Department of Housing and Urban Development - 14.128 Mortgage Insurance Hospitals - FHA Section 242 Mortgage Insurance Program Loan Criteria – CFR Section §200.510(b) states in part: “The auditee must also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards (Schedule) for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502”. Also, in accordance with CFR Section §200.302, a 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. Condition – We noted that there were adjustments needed to the Schedule to include initial debt issuance costs incurred and drawn during the period in connection with the new HUD mortgage secured during January 2024. Cause – Internal controls over review of the completeness of the Schedule were not properly implemented during the period of additional mortgages secured. Such internal controls were designed to require timely review of the completeness of the Schedule by appropriate personnel. Effect – The Schedule for the year ended June 30, 2024 inappropriately excluded $845,273 of related expenditures against the latest HUD mortgage established during January 2024. Questioned costs – none Context – Internal controls did not operate as intended to ensure the Schedule captured nonrecurring expenditures. In connection with securing the January 2024 HUD mortgage, certain debt issuance costs were charged against the mortgage upon closing. These expenditures were not part of the routine expenditure and draw processes and controls in place at the Authority due to their unique nature and infrequency. Therefore, management did not identify such initial closing costs for capture on the Schedule. Repeat finding – No Recommendation – We recommend the Schedule to be reviewed timely and with sufficient precision by the appropriate level of personnel and reconciliation of new HUD mortgage closing documents. View of Responsible Officials - Management agrees with the Federal Award Finding regarding the determination of when a Federal award is expended. As part of the Corrective Action Plan, management will validate mortgage activity against HUD mortgage provided information.
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.510(b) requires the auditee to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (“SEFA”) that must contain all federal awards expended during the period. 2 CFR section 200.502 requires proper tracking and accounting of federal expenditures incurred under the same basis of accounting as the basic financial statements to ensure proper cutoff and reporting. Condition: The School failed to timely prepare a complete and accurate SEFA. Cause: The School did not have an adequate process to track expenditures of federal awards for which purchases were made on the School’s behalf by the pass-through grantor. This resulted in the School’s initial draft of their SEFA not including all federal expenditures made by the School. Effect: Failure to adequately track all expenditures of federal awards could result in the SEFA being prepared inaccurately or in an untimely manner. Recommendation: Marshall Jones recommends that the School establish a process to track the expenditures of federal awards during the year, including awards for which purchases are made on the School’s behalf by the pass-through grantor. This will better enable the School to timely prepare a complete and accurate SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials: Management of the School concurs with the finding. Please refer to the Corrective Action Plan.
Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance Information on the Federal Programs: Assistance Listing Number 14.157 – Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistance Listing Number 14.218 – Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistance Listing Number 14.239 – HOME Investments Partnership Program, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Criteria: The regulations in 2 CFR 200.510 requires the auditee to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards which includes the Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program and in total. Condition: For the year June 30, 2024, the unadjusted schedule of expenditures of Federal awards did not report the correct Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program or in total. Cause: Management does not have internal control over preparation of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards or reconciliation of the reported expenditures to source documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Material misstatements of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards could be undetected and determination of major program(s) could be based on inaccurate information. Questioned Costs: None Context: This finding relates to all aspects of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Recommendation: We recommend that management develop and implement internal controls over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards. At a minimum, they should require identification of Federal award source documentation and documentation of how the expenditure amount reported for each was calculated. Views of Responsible Official: Management will develop internal controls and oversight over the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards.
Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance Information on the Federal Programs: Assistance Listing Number 14.157 – Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistance Listing Number 14.218 – Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistance Listing Number 14.239 – HOME Investments Partnership Program, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Criteria: The regulations in 2 CFR 200.510 requires the auditee to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards which includes the Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program and in total. Condition: For the year June 30, 2024, the unadjusted schedule of expenditures of Federal awards did not report the correct Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program or in total. Cause: Management does not have internal control over preparation of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards or reconciliation of the reported expenditures to source documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Material misstatements of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards could be undetected and determination of major program(s) could be based on inaccurate information. Questioned Costs: None Context: This finding relates to all aspects of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Recommendation: We recommend that management develop and implement internal controls over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards. At a minimum, they should require identification of Federal award source documentation and documentation of how the expenditure amount reported for each was calculated. Views of Responsible Official: Management will develop internal controls and oversight over the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards.
Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance Information on the Federal Programs: Assistance Listing Number 14.157 – Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistance Listing Number 14.218 – Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistance Listing Number 14.239 – HOME Investments Partnership Program, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Criteria: The regulations in 2 CFR 200.510 requires the auditee to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards which includes the Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program and in total. Condition: For the year June 30, 2024, the unadjusted schedule of expenditures of Federal awards did not report the correct Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program or in total. Cause: Management does not have internal control over preparation of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards or reconciliation of the reported expenditures to source documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Material misstatements of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards could be undetected and determination of major program(s) could be based on inaccurate information. Questioned Costs: None Context: This finding relates to all aspects of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Recommendation: We recommend that management develop and implement internal controls over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards. At a minimum, they should require identification of Federal award source documentation and documentation of how the expenditure amount reported for each was calculated. Views of Responsible Official: Management will develop internal controls and oversight over the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards.
Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance Information on the Federal Programs: Assistance Listing Number 14.157 – Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistance Listing Number 14.218 – Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistance Listing Number 14.239 – HOME Investments Partnership Program, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Criteria: The regulations in 2 CFR 200.510 requires the auditee to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards which includes the Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program and in total. Condition: For the year June 30, 2024, the unadjusted schedule of expenditures of Federal awards did not report the correct Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program or in total. Cause: Management does not have internal control over preparation of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards or reconciliation of the reported expenditures to source documentation. Effect or Potential Effect: Material misstatements of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards could be undetected and determination of major program(s) could be based on inaccurate information. Questioned Costs: None Context: This finding relates to all aspects of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Recommendation: We recommend that management develop and implement internal controls over the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards. At a minimum, they should require identification of Federal award source documentation and documentation of how the expenditure amount reported for each was calculated. Views of Responsible Official: Management will develop internal controls and oversight over the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
2024-003 Internal Controls over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance)—All Awards) Criteria: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, £200.508 (b) The auditee must prepare appropriate statements including an accurate Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in accordance with £200.510, Financial Statements. Condition and Context: The following errors were noted and corrected as a result of auditing procedures on the SEFA: • CRA program federal expenditures (CFDA #14.228) were understated by $23,893. • ACL Independent Living State Grants federal expenditures (CFDA #93.369) were overstated by $21,856 due to errors in SEFA preparation. • Several presentational errors including incorrect identifying numbers listed, incorrect award terms listed, and incorrect CFDA #’s listed for multiple awards. Cause: Insufficient internal controls over the preparation, review, and documentation process for the SEFA and supporting documents. Effect: Errors on reporting can lead to issues in reconciling and tracking of awards earned and recognized in the financial statements. The above corrections, if not made, would have led to the SEFA being materially misstated. They could also lead to findings and corrective action with funders. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should continue to seek additional training for the fiscal department on preparation of the SEFA and reporting standards. In addition, review processes over the SEFA and supporting reports should be strengthened. Both the preparer and reviewer should have a clear understanding of the required minimum elements and instructions. As part of the review, all required minimum elements should be vouched to original source documents including copies of awards, grant reporting, and the trial balance profit and loss reports. Steps should be taken to prevent further adjustment of supporting profit and loss reports once reconciled without the express review and approval of the Fiscal Director. Review of the standards for supporting grant reports should be strengthened to prevent errors in reporting leading to errors on the SEFA. Any inconsistencies should be resolved before beginning the audit. Management has taken steps to identify and seek training in areas they have identified as needing improvement. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management acknowledges the audit findings and the material weakness related to the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). The errors identified stemmed from insufficient internal controls over the preparation and review process. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in how the SEFA was prepared in previous years, compounded by a quick turnover to a new controller at year-end, which disrupted continuity and contributed to the lack of clear guidance in the SEFA preparation process. To address these challenges, management has implemented immediate corrective actions, including enhanced training for all staff involved in the SEFA preparation to ensure a thorough understanding of federal reporting standards and the required minimum elements. Furthermore, all SEFA components will be reconciled with original source documents, such as grant awards and trial balances, prior to submission for audit. Management believes that, with the new internal control measures and training in place, these errors are not expected to occur in future years.
Finding 2024-002: Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Significant Deficiency) Information on the Federal Program: 93.243 - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. See Finding 2024-001. Finding 2024-002 is a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance in addition to non-compliance related to the Reporting compliance area. There were no questioned costs as a result of excluding the awards provided by pass-through entities.Criteria or Specific Requirement: Management is responsible for the complete and fair presentation of the financial statements, including any supplementary information that is presented in relation to the financial statements, such as the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). Also, in accordance with 2 CFR Section 200.510 (b)(2), the Council is required to include all direct and pass-through Federal awards expended during the fiscal year in the SEFA. Condition: During the audit management noted that several pass-through awards totaling $278,811 for the year ended June 30, 2024, had not been included on the SEFA. As a result, management provided a revised SEFA after audit testing had begun. Cause: The Council has not received pass-through awards in prior years and the omission appears to be due to a misunderstanding of the SEFA reporting requirements for pass-through awards. Effect or Potential Effect: The SEFA was missing federal expenditures of $278,811 at the start of the audit. When the SEFA is not accurately prepared, it could have an effect on the auditor's determination of major programs and on the auditor's sample selections. Recommendation: We recommend that the Council enhance its procedures related to the preparation of the SEFA to ensure all required amounts are included. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding.
Finding 2024-002: Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Significant Deficiency) Information on the Federal Program: 93.243 - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. See Finding 2024-001. Finding 2024-002 is a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance in addition to non-compliance related to the Reporting compliance area. There were no questioned costs as a result of excluding the awards provided by pass-through entities.Criteria or Specific Requirement: Management is responsible for the complete and fair presentation of the financial statements, including any supplementary information that is presented in relation to the financial statements, such as the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). Also, in accordance with 2 CFR Section 200.510 (b)(2), the Council is required to include all direct and pass-through Federal awards expended during the fiscal year in the SEFA. Condition: During the audit management noted that several pass-through awards totaling $278,811 for the year ended June 30, 2024, had not been included on the SEFA. As a result, management provided a revised SEFA after audit testing had begun. Cause: The Council has not received pass-through awards in prior years and the omission appears to be due to a misunderstanding of the SEFA reporting requirements for pass-through awards. Effect or Potential Effect: The SEFA was missing federal expenditures of $278,811 at the start of the audit. When the SEFA is not accurately prepared, it could have an effect on the auditor's determination of major programs and on the auditor's sample selections. Recommendation: We recommend that the Council enhance its procedures related to the preparation of the SEFA to ensure all required amounts are included. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding.
Finding 2024-002: Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Significant Deficiency) Information on the Federal Program: 93.243 - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. See Finding 2024-001. Finding 2024-002 is a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance in addition to non-compliance related to the Reporting compliance area. There were no questioned costs as a result of excluding the awards provided by pass-through entities.Criteria or Specific Requirement: Management is responsible for the complete and fair presentation of the financial statements, including any supplementary information that is presented in relation to the financial statements, such as the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). Also, in accordance with 2 CFR Section 200.510 (b)(2), the Council is required to include all direct and pass-through Federal awards expended during the fiscal year in the SEFA. Condition: During the audit management noted that several pass-through awards totaling $278,811 for the year ended June 30, 2024, had not been included on the SEFA. As a result, management provided a revised SEFA after audit testing had begun. Cause: The Council has not received pass-through awards in prior years and the omission appears to be due to a misunderstanding of the SEFA reporting requirements for pass-through awards. Effect or Potential Effect: The SEFA was missing federal expenditures of $278,811 at the start of the audit. When the SEFA is not accurately prepared, it could have an effect on the auditor's determination of major programs and on the auditor's sample selections. Recommendation: We recommend that the Council enhance its procedures related to the preparation of the SEFA to ensure all required amounts are included. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding.
Finding 2024-002: Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Significant Deficiency) Information on the Federal Program: 93.243 - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. See Finding 2024-001. Finding 2024-002 is a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance in addition to non-compliance related to the Reporting compliance area. There were no questioned costs as a result of excluding the awards provided by pass-through entities.Criteria or Specific Requirement: Management is responsible for the complete and fair presentation of the financial statements, including any supplementary information that is presented in relation to the financial statements, such as the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). Also, in accordance with 2 CFR Section 200.510 (b)(2), the Council is required to include all direct and pass-through Federal awards expended during the fiscal year in the SEFA. Condition: During the audit management noted that several pass-through awards totaling $278,811 for the year ended June 30, 2024, had not been included on the SEFA. As a result, management provided a revised SEFA after audit testing had begun. Cause: The Council has not received pass-through awards in prior years and the omission appears to be due to a misunderstanding of the SEFA reporting requirements for pass-through awards. Effect or Potential Effect: The SEFA was missing federal expenditures of $278,811 at the start of the audit. When the SEFA is not accurately prepared, it could have an effect on the auditor's determination of major programs and on the auditor's sample selections. Recommendation: We recommend that the Council enhance its procedures related to the preparation of the SEFA to ensure all required amounts are included. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding.
Finding 2024-002: Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Significant Deficiency) Information on the Federal Program: 93.243 - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. See Finding 2024-001. Finding 2024-002 is a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance in addition to non-compliance related to the Reporting compliance area. There were no questioned costs as a result of excluding the awards provided by pass-through entities.Criteria or Specific Requirement: Management is responsible for the complete and fair presentation of the financial statements, including any supplementary information that is presented in relation to the financial statements, such as the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). Also, in accordance with 2 CFR Section 200.510 (b)(2), the Council is required to include all direct and pass-through Federal awards expended during the fiscal year in the SEFA. Condition: During the audit management noted that several pass-through awards totaling $278,811 for the year ended June 30, 2024, had not been included on the SEFA. As a result, management provided a revised SEFA after audit testing had begun. Cause: The Council has not received pass-through awards in prior years and the omission appears to be due to a misunderstanding of the SEFA reporting requirements for pass-through awards. Effect or Potential Effect: The SEFA was missing federal expenditures of $278,811 at the start of the audit. When the SEFA is not accurately prepared, it could have an effect on the auditor's determination of major programs and on the auditor's sample selections. Recommendation: We recommend that the Council enhance its procedures related to the preparation of the SEFA to ensure all required amounts are included. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding.
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.510 (b) requires an entity to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements. The schedule must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502 (a), which states that determination of when a Federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the Federal award occurs. Condition: During the FY2024 Uniform Guidance audit, we noted that there were $1.2 million of funds from this program that had underlying transaction dates from FY2023. These expenditures were not reported on the FY2023 SEFA but rather were included in the FY2024 SEFA. The omission in the prior year did not result in a change to the major program determination for the 2023 or 2024 audits. Cause: In April 2023, Drexel received a subaward for the SNAP Cluster and a new active fund account was created in the accounting system to track expenses after the subaward was signed. This was set up as a new active award in the system, however there was already an existing advance fund account set up in pre-award status prior to the subaward being executed. The FY2023 expenditures were recorded in pre-award fund account and not the new active fund account. Management included the new active fund account in the population for FY2023 SEFA reporting which had no expenditures and excluded the pre-award fund account with the $1.2 million of charges. This accounting for the FY2023 expenditures was corrected in July 2023 (FY2024) but not in time for SEFA reporting purposes. Effect: FY2023 SEFA expenditures for the SNAP cluster were understated by $1.2 million. This amount has been reported in the FY2024 SEFA. Questioned Costs: None; Recommendation: Management should enhance the control in place to perform a more precise review of award status and other reconciling items when preparing and reviewing the SEFA reconciliation to the financial statements. Management's View and Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the finding. Refer to the Management Corrective Action Plan on page 81.
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.510 (b) requires an entity to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements. The schedule must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502 (a), which states that determination of when a Federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the Federal award occurs. Condition: During the FY2024 Uniform Guidance audit, we noted that there were $1.2 million of funds from this program that had underlying transaction dates from FY2023. These expenditures were not reported on the FY2023 SEFA but rather were included in the FY2024 SEFA. The omission in the prior year did not result in a change to the major program determination for the 2023 or 2024 audits. Cause: In April 2023, Drexel received a subaward for the SNAP Cluster and a new active fund account was created in the accounting system to track expenses after the subaward was signed. This was set up as a new active award in the system, however there was already an existing advance fund account set up in pre-award status prior to the subaward being executed. The FY2023 expenditures were recorded in pre-award fund account and not the new active fund account. Management included the new active fund account in the population for FY2023 SEFA reporting which had no expenditures and excluded the pre-award fund account with the $1.2 million of charges. This accounting for the FY2023 expenditures was corrected in July 2023 (FY2024) but not in time for SEFA reporting purposes. Effect: FY2023 SEFA expenditures for the SNAP cluster were understated by $1.2 million. This amount has been reported in the FY2024 SEFA. Questioned Costs: None; Recommendation: Management should enhance the control in place to perform a more precise review of award status and other reconciling items when preparing and reviewing the SEFA reconciliation to the financial statements. Management's View and Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the finding. Refer to the Management Corrective Action Plan on page 81.
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.510 (b) requires an entity to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements. The schedule must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502 (a), which states that determination of when a Federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the Federal award occurs. Condition: During the FY2024 Uniform Guidance audit, we noted that there were $1.2 million of funds from this program that had underlying transaction dates from FY2023. These expenditures were not reported on the FY2023 SEFA but rather were included in the FY2024 SEFA. The omission in the prior year did not result in a change to the major program determination for the 2023 or 2024 audits. Cause: In April 2023, Drexel received a subaward for the SNAP Cluster and a new active fund account was created in the accounting system to track expenses after the subaward was signed. This was set up as a new active award in the system, however there was already an existing advance fund account set up in pre-award status prior to the subaward being executed. The FY2023 expenditures were recorded in pre-award fund account and not the new active fund account. Management included the new active fund account in the population for FY2023 SEFA reporting which had no expenditures and excluded the pre-award fund account with the $1.2 million of charges. This accounting for the FY2023 expenditures was corrected in July 2023 (FY2024) but not in time for SEFA reporting purposes. Effect: FY2023 SEFA expenditures for the SNAP cluster were understated by $1.2 million. This amount has been reported in the FY2024 SEFA. Questioned Costs: None; Recommendation: Management should enhance the control in place to perform a more precise review of award status and other reconciling items when preparing and reviewing the SEFA reconciliation to the financial statements. Management's View and Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the finding. Refer to the Management Corrective Action Plan on page 81.