Finding 1061836 (2023-003)

Material Weakness
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-08-29
Audit: 318117
Organization: Cvfiber (VT)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There was a material weakness in internal controls, leading to misstated expenditures in the 2023 Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
  • Impacted Requirements: Expenditures from 2022 were incorrectly recorded in 2023, affecting compliance with GAAP and federal reporting standards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish new policies for accurate reporting of federal awards and implement additional reviews of the SEFA to prevent future errors.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Award Name: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program Year: 2023 Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Compliance: Activities Allowed and Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Costs Principles Finding Type: Material weakness in internal controls over compliance.Criteria: Management is responsible for maintaining its accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Condition: During compliance testing, it was noted that expenditures were recorded in the incorrect period. Context: There were 17 transactions noted from 2022 that were included in the 2023 Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. The 17 transactions totaled approximately $165,000 which had previously been included in the 2022 audited SEFA. The costs were appropriately not included in final reporting to the State. Cause of condition: Accrued expenditures from 2022 were not identified when preparing the 2023 Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Effect of Condition: As a result of this condition, the District had internal controls over compliance issues and the 2023 SEFA were initially misstated by amounts that were material to the financial statements. Recommendation: It is recommended that the District establish additional policies and procedures to ensure that all Federal awards are identified and reported accurately on the SEFA and are recorded in the correct period. There should be additional review after the preparation of the SEFA. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The SEFA was modified several times as a result of receiving vendor invoices up to May, 2024 for work completed in the audit period. In addition, vendors refunded make-ready costs which had been invoiced to a closed grant. We sought guidance from the grantor regarding proper accounting treatment of those refunds and, receiving none, recognized those refunds as revenue to be tracked against grant expenses. Corrective action includes approving invoices through the audit period and submitting the SEFA based on this information. Planned Implementation Date of Corrective Action: Ongoing Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Jennille Smith, Executive Director.

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 485392 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 485393 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 485394 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 1061834 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1061835 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $11.36M