Finding 1153479 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-19
Audit: 366729
Organization: Ecostudies Institute (WA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls, resulting in a late submission of a quarterly performance report.
  • Impacted Requirements: The organization failed to comply with 2 CFR 200.329(c)(1) and the contract terms requiring timely report submissions.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger controls, such as a monthly checklist, to ensure timely filing of required reports.

Finding Text

Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Instance of Noncompliance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Defense Federal Program Name: Conservation and Rehabilitation of Natural Resources on Military Installations Assistance Listing Number: 12.005 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H79TI083313 - 2020 Award Period: September 28, 2020 through September 27, 2025 Criteria or specific requirement: 2 CFR 200.329(c)(1) states that “the non-federal entity must submit performance reports at the interval required by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity to best inform improvements in program outcomes and productivity”. Per the award agreement for contract W912DW-20-2-0003, "Recipient shall submit to the Agreement Administrator progress reports on a quarterly basis. Reports are due no later than 30 days following the end of each reporting period”. Condition: One of two quarterly performance progress reports (SF-PPR) tested was not submitted timely. The report was due within 30 days of June 30, 2024, but was not submitted until August 14, 2024. Questioned costs: None. Context: CLA tested two of four SF-PPRs due during the audit period. One of these reports was submitted 14 days after the submission due date. Cause: Late filing is due to a lack of adherence to the due dates as defined within the contract terms. The Organization does not have adequate controls in place to ensure timely report submissions. Effect: Not filing reports on a timely basis can present risks, such as outdated and unreliable information or the inability to detect potential fraud or irregularities. In addition, delayed reports can impede regulatory authorities' ability to monitor compliance, detect patterns or trends, and assess risks in a timely manner. Repeat finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediate prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-004. Recommendation: CLA recommends for the Organization to place emphasis on stronger controls around the timely filing of required reports, such as retaining a monthly checklist of required reconciliations and reports. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Conservation and Rehabilitation of Natural Resources on Military Installations – Assistance Listing No. 12.005 Recommendation: CLA recommends for the Organization to place emphasis on stronger controls around the timely filing of required reports, such as retaining a monthly checklist of required reconciliations and reports. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Previous corrective actions were completed in October 2024 following FY 2022 & 2023 Audits, including creating a calendar of required reconciliations and reports for all agreements. We also updated our procedure for review, approval, and documentation of Federal Financial Reports. We intend to add an additional and stronger control by adding performance and financial report schedules as part of our internal project software (Asana). Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Gary Slater Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 10/1/2025

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring HUD Housing Programs Reporting Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1153480 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1153481 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
12.005 Conservation and Rehabilitation of Natural Resources on Military Installations $2.26M
12.630 Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering $574,960
12.017 Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (repi) Program $212,664
12.632 Legacy Resource Management Program $122,672
15.634 State Wildlife Grants $89,684
10.931 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program; Wetlands Reserve Program $88,431
10.723 Community Project Funding - Congressionally Directed Funding $87,033
15.944 Natural Resource Stew Ardship $71,616
15.631 Partners for Fish and Wildlife $57,883
12.017 Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (repi) Program $29,842
15.657 Migratory Bird Joint Ventures $19,056
15.234 Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination $5,527
15.660 Action Funds $1,815