Finding 1156603 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30
Audit: 368952
Organization: Bebashi - Transition to Hope (PA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Bebashi struggled with maintaining an accurate trial balance and general ledger, leading to material audit adjustments and delays.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with accounting principles and federal regulations regarding internal controls and financial reporting.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger review processes and internal controls for accounting records, establish clear deadlines, and enhance the finance team’s capacity.

Finding Text

Condition and Context Bebashi failed to maintain an accurate trial balance and general ledger to support certain account balances resulting in auditor journal entries at year-end which were material to the current year financial statements and audit delays due to support not reconciling and multiple versions of the trial balance being provided. Criteria Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and Government Auditing Standards require that the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting should allow management or employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions to prevent, or detect and correct, misstatements on a timely basis. 2 CFR 200.303 states, “The non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ‘Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government’ issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ‘Internal Control Integrated Framework,’ issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.” 2 CFR 200.302 states, “The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following… accurate, current, and complete disclosure of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in sections 200.328 and 200.329.” Cause As a result of financial constraints, and corresponding staffing challenges, the accounting and finance team at Bebashi was unable to prepare its accounting records on a timely and thorough basis. At the same time, the accounting and finance team was faced with other administrative and operational matters requiring immediate attention to help ensure Bebashi remained operational. The financial and staffing constraints resulted in lack of timely preparation and detailed review of accounting records and analysis which resulted in material audit adjustments. Effect or Potential Effect The accounting records of certain account balances and transactions provided to the auditors were inaccurate for a period of time during the fiscal year and for the year ended June 30, 2024. In certain instances, the related reconciliations and analysis were not performed on a timely basis. This caused adjustments proposed by the auditors that were material to the financial statements. Recommendation We recommend that management implements a more detailed and adequate review of the accounting records including strong processes and internal controls surrounding financial reporting. This process should identify the required accounting records and reconciliations, ensure the existence of preparer and reviewer requirements for the accounting records and reconciliations, and implement an appropriate time frame for the completion of accounting records and reconciliations. We recommend that management implements processes and procedures to identify the required financial reporting deadlines and controls to ensure compliance with the deadlines. Views of Responsible Officials Management agrees with the finding above. Management will review the existing accounting policies and procedures and implement additional steps and controls to incorporate the recommendations above. Subsequent to year-end, management of Bebashi hired a new Director of Finance. Management will review the operational resources available to further expand the finance team and do so accordingly.

Corrective Action Plan

On behalf of Bebashi – Transition to Hope, I am submitting this corrective action plan in response to the material weakness finding identified in our recent federal audit. The finding noted a lack of effective internal controls over the maintenance of accurate accounting records, including the trial balance, general ledger, and the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and state financial assistance. These deficiencies resulted in material audit adjustments to the current year’s financial statements, multiple versions of the trial balance due to reconciling issues, and audit delays related to unreconciled supporting documentation. We take these findings with the utmost seriousness. As stewards of federal funds, it is our fiduciary duty to maintain strict compliance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200), as well as applicable state financial requirements. Corrective Action Plan 1. Strengthening Internal Controls o We are implementing enhanced internal control procedures to ensure timely reconciliation of the trial balance and general ledger. o Monthly reconciliations will now be prepared by the Finance Department, reviewed by the Chief Operating Officer, and formally approved by the President & Chief Executive Officer prior to closing. o Quarterly oversight reporting will also be provided to the Bebashi Board of Directors. 2. Accounting System Improvements o We will establish a standardized process to ensure one official version of the trial balance is maintained, with all adjustments tracked and documented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). o We are upgrading our financial reporting system to include automated reconciliation checks, audit trails, and controls that will minimize the risk of discrepancies. 3. Staff Training and Accountability o Finance staff will undergo mandatory annual training on federal compliance, SEFA preparation, and reconciliation best practices. o Roles and responsibilities will be clearly defined, with a segregation of duties to prevent misstatements and errors. 4. Audit Readiness and Documentation o A comprehensive audit binder will be prepared and maintained to ensure that supporting documentation reconciles with the trial balance prior to submission. o A compliance calendar will be developed to track critical deadlines, reconciliation reviews, and reporting requirements. 5. Board and Executive Oversight o The Bebashi Board of Directors, through its Finance and Audit Committees, along with the President & CEO, will provide governance oversight of this corrective action plan. o Quarterly progress reports will be submitted to the Board, and the CEO and Board will formally document oversight in meeting minutes to ensure accountability and compliance. Responsible Party: The Finance Director, in collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer and with final accountability to the President & CEO as well as the Bebashi Board of Directors, will be responsible for implementing and monitoring this corrective action plan. Anticipated Completion Date: All corrective measures will be completed within ninety (90) days of the date of this letter, with ongoing monitoring and governance oversight by the CEO and Board of Directors to ensure sustainability. We regret the deficiencies that led to this finding and are committed to taking the corrective actions necessary to strengthen our financial management systems. Bebashi – Transition to Hope is dedicated to full compliance with federal and state requirements and to safeguarding the integrity of public funds entrusted to us. Respectfully submitted, Sincerely, Sebrina Tate President & Chief Executive Officer Bebashi – Transition to Hope On behalf of the Bebashi Board of Directors

Categories

Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1156599 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156600 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156601 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156602 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.939 Hiv Prevention Activities Non-Governmental Organization Based $758,585
93.217 Family Planning Services $92,437
93.153 Coordinated Services and Access to Research for Women, Infants, Children, and Youth $72,281
93.686 Ending the Hiv Epidemic: A Plan for America — Ryan White Hiv/aids Program Parts A and B $25,000
93.914 Hiv Emergency Relief Project Grants $18,816
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $11,223
93.918 Grants to Provide Outpatient Early Intervention Services with Respect to Hiv Disease $2,000
93.994 Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the States $1,236