Finding 1157345 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30
Audit: 369634
Organization: Brighter Tomorrows, Inc. (NY)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization lacks updated written policies for federal award compliance, specifically regarding procurement and record retention.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR 200.317-327 and 24 CFR 578.103(c) weakens internal controls over federal expenditures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update the policies and procedures manual promptly to align with Uniform Guidance requirements and prevent repeat findings.

Finding Text

Significant Deficiencies 2024-001. Allowable Costs/Cost Principles United States Department of Justice, Passed through New York State, Office of Victims Services Crime Victim Assistance ALN: 16.575 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care Program ALN: 14.267 Criteria: Under the Uniform Guidance, federal award recipients must maintain updated written documentation of internal control policies and procedures, which include a procurement policy that complies with 2 CFR 200.317-327. Additionally, under Uniform Guidance, federal award recipients must maintain a written record retention policy that complies with 24 CFR 578.103(c). Condition: The Organization did not have written policies referencing these requirements. Cause: The Organization’s current written policies and procedures was to be updated during the year, but personnel changes impacted the timetable for completing this task. Effect: Not having the updated policies and procedures could weaken the internal controls over expenditures charged to the federal award. Identification of a Repeat Finding: This is a repeat finding from the prior year, 2023-001. Questioned Costs: Dollar amount undetermined. Recommendation: The Organization should update it’s policies and procedures manual to ensure compliance with the procurement requirements at 2 CFR 200.317-327, and the impact of 24 CFR 578.103(c). Views of Responsible Officials of Auditee: The Organization agrees with the finding and will update the written policies and procedures to comply with the Uniform Guidance requirements.

Corrective Action Plan

2024-001. Allowable Costs/Cost Principles United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care Program ALN: 14.267 United States Department of Justice, Passed through New York State, Office of Victims Services Crime Victim Assistance ALN: 16.575 Condition: The Organization did not have written policies referencing the Uniform Guidance requirements. Recommendation: The Organization should update their policies and procedures manual to ensure compliance with the procurement requirements at 2 CFR 200.317-327, and the impact of 24 CFR 578.103(c). Corrective Action: The Organization will update the written policies and procedures to comply with the Uniform Guidance requirements. Responsible Contact Person(s): Louis Bamonte, Director of Finance Brighter Tomorrows, Inc., - P.O. Box 706 – Shirley, New York 11967 Anticipated Completion Date: December 31, 2025.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1157343 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157344 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157346 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157347 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.267 Continuum of Care Program $717,481
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $635,207
16.736 Transitional Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, Or Sexual Assault $193,449
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $113,823
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $81,935
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $21,556
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $4,843
93.671 Family Violence Prevention and Services/domestic Violence Shelter and Supportive Services $3,907