Finding 1081024 (2023-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-11-04

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Sierra Institute lacks necessary policies and procedures for preparing accurate financial statements and disclosures in line with GAAP.
  • Impacted Requirements: Reliance on auditors for footnote disclosures and adjusting entries increases the risk of inaccuracies in financial reporting.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement robust accounting policies and upgrade the accounting system to generate reliable reports for management and grant management.

Finding Text

Similar to many other Nonprofit Organizations, Sierra Institute does not have policies and procedures in place to ensure that complete and accurate financial statements, and footnote disclosures are prepared in accordance with GAAP prior to the annual audit. Management relies upon the auditor to recommend footnote disclosures for the financial statements and to prepare adjusting journal entries to convert the Organization’s cash-basis general ledger to accrual in order to report financial information in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, the current accounting system cannot produce meaningful reports to Management and the Board of Directors. To provide the information needed for grant management, the finance office must produce it from customized spreadsheets, which increases the risk of error.

Categories

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Other Findings in this Audit

  • 504582 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
66.818 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements $499,733
15.944 Natural Resource Stewardship $176,599
99.999 Nfwf Green Island Lake $48,010
15.554 Cooperative Watershed Management $47,599