Finding 1157117 (2024-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Association submitted its Single Audit Reporting Package late for 2023 and did not file for 2022.
  • Impacted Requirements: Timely submission to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse is mandatory within nine months post fiscal year end or 30 days after audit finalization.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish clear policies and assign responsible personnel to ensure timely report submissions; management has already taken steps to improve processes.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-003: Material Weakness - Reporting - Late or No Submission of the Single Audit Reporting Package to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Agency: Department of Justice ALN: 16.027, 16.053, 16.526, 16.560, 16.582 Condition and Context: The Association submitted their Single Audit Reporting Package late for the year ended December 31, 2023, to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. In addition, the Single Audit submission for the year ended December 31, 2022, was not filed. Criteria: The Association is required to adhere to reporting deadlines. The single audit submission to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse is due the earlier of nine months after fiscal year end or 30 days after the audit report is finalized. Cause: Due to employee fraud and lack of communication, coordination, and follow-up between the Association and their previous auditors, the single audit submission to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse was not filed on time for 2023 and not filed at all for 2022. Effect: This resulted in the single audit submission to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse being filed late or not at all. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendation: Appropriate written policies and procedures should be established to ensure timely filing of reports and the assignment of responsible personnel. Management Response: Management has implemented the following measures to address the issues and prevent future occurrences: The Association has implemented the steps outlined in the 2023 audit relative to this finding. In 2025, the Association hired a full-time Senior Finance Director, whose responsibilities regarding the timely filing of the annual audit are clearly outlined in the job description. Further, the third-party accounting firm has been eliminated, thereby eliminating some of the communication and coordination challenges previously experienced. Finally, steps have been taken to improve communication with our current auditors to ensure timely filing.

Corrective Action Plan

Action Taken: The Association has eliminated the third-party accounting firm, which has eliminated challenges related to communication and follow-up. The Association has restructured its staff finance team to ensure appropriate segregation of duties and greater efficiency and accuracy in managing financial processes. Further, the Association has implemented standardized monthly reconciliation procedures for all accounts. These procedures create opportunities for the timely identification and resolution of discrepancies. There is a documented monthly close, review and approval process that involves an initial review by the finance team, including the Senior Finance Director. In addition, team leads, who are responsible for overseeing departmental budgets, also conduct a monthly review and note discrepancies that require correction. Finally, the COO and CEO conduct a review of monthly departmental reports and monthly financial statements prior to them being presented to the Association Board’s Finance Committee for further review.

Categories

Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1157102 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157103 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157104 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157105 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157106 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157107 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157108 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157109 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157110 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157111 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157112 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157113 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157114 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157115 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157116 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
16.560 National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants $581,107
16.526 Ovw Technical Assistance Initiative $504,247
16.053 Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations $246,345
16.027 National Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault of American Indian and Alaska Native Women $157,866
16.582 Crime Victim Assistance/discretionary Grants $47,964