Finding Text
Compliance with Reporting Under the Uniform Guidance. Information on Federal Program: U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistance Listing No. 14.871. Criteria: According to the code of federal regulations section § 200.520 (a), single audits must be performed on an annual basis, including submitting the data collection form and the reporting package to the FAC within the timeframe specified in §200.512 which is the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor’s report or nine months after the end of the audit period. Statement of Condition: The data collection forms for the years 2018 through 2021 have not been submitted timely. Statement of Cause: Due to significant turnover in key positions within the Town’s fiscal office, the financial audits are currently behind. The results of the financial audits are required as part of the submission with the data collection form to the FAC, therefore, the data collection forms cannot be completed and submitted until the completion of the financial audits. Statement of Effect: The Town was not in compliance with federal guidelines. Questioned Cost: None. Repeat Finding: Yes. Perspective Information: As part of testing the compliance with the Uniform Guidance, the dates of the submissions to the FAC are reviewed. Recommendation: The Town should follow federal guidelines by submitting the data collection form to the FAC in a timely manner. Views of responsible officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Town of Guilderland Comptroller’s Office suffered significant turnover in key positions during the fiscal years of 2019 and 2021 including the retirement of the Town Comptroller and Fiscal Officer. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact to the Town, particularly during 2020 when remote work was encouraged. This combination and sequence of events made it impossible to meet the required external audit reporting deadlines. Since these events, the Town has filled the vacant positions and has scheduled all remaining audits. The auditors are working as expeditiously as possible to complete the remaining audits. The required reporting noted in the guidelines above cannot be completed until each prior year audit is finished, therefore causing a delay in each fiscal year’s reporting.