Finding 1148619 (2024-002)

Finding Number: 2024-002 - Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Criteria: The District should report federal grant expenditures on an accrual basis of accounting in order to be consistent with the District's financial statements. Per 2 CFR §200.328, recipients of federal awards must submit financial reports such as those required by the Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB). Timely and accurate submission of these reports is critical for demonstrating compliance, accountability, and program effectiveness. Condition Found: The District is currently reporting grant expenditures on a cash basis which is not consistent with the financial statements, which are prepared using the accrual basis of accounting. As a result, grant expenditures could be reported in improper periods. Cause and Effect: Having to adjust for accrual account balances resulted in errors that an ongoing accrual accounting process would have helped prevent or detect and correct timely. As a result of this condition, the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards had to be corrected to reflect expenditures that had been accrued in the District's financial statements. Recommendation: We recommend that the District implement policies and procedures to report grant expenditures on the accrual basis of accounting throughout the year. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable A repeat finding; See finding 2023-002 Questioned costs None Management response: Management agrees with the findings and recommendations.