Finding 1157504 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30
Audit: 369724
Organization: Public Health Advocates (CA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization is facing ongoing financial losses and has significant doubts about its ability to continue operations without management intervention.
  • Impacted Requirements: There is a failure to meet GAAP standards for going-concern assessments and internal controls, particularly in budget monitoring and liquidity documentation.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Develop a formal liquidity monitoring plan with board-approved cost containment triggers, monthly cash-flow forecasts, fundraising targets, and regular documentation of going-concern evaluations.

Finding Text

Criteria: Management is responsible for ongoing evaluation of financial condition and liquidity and for performing the GAAP-required going-concern assessment. Effective internal control over financial reporting includes robust budget-to-actual monitoring, timely corrective actions to align spending with available resources, and formal documentation of liquidity assessments. Condition/Context: The Organization incurred continuing losses in fiscal year 2024, primarily due to lower-than-budgeted recoveries of the 15% administrative allowance on the All Children Thrive award and insufficient cost reductions to offset revenue shortfalls. At December 31, 2024 and continuing into 2025, the Organization financed operating shortfalls using a $300,000 line of credit and extended vendor terms. These conditions were significant factors in the auditor’s conclusion that substantial doubt exists regarding the Organization’s ability to continue as a going concern (absent management’s plans). Cause: Heavy reliance on cost-reimbursable funding where subrecipients underspent, limited unrestricted fundraising, and delayed budget adjustments to reduce the cost structure. Effect/Possible Effect: Heightened risk of financial statement misstatement if required going-concern disclosures, or related measurement considerations, are incomplete or not timely. Continued strain on liquidity could impair the Organization’s ability to meet obligations as they come due. Questioned Costs: Not applicable (financial statement control finding). Recommendation: Formalize a liquidity and financial condition monitoring plan with (1) board-approved triggers for timely cost containment, (2) monthly cash-flow forecasts tied to grant billing reality, (3) specific targets for unrestricted fundraising/diversification, and (4) documentation of the going-concern evaluation each reporting period, including assessment of the feasibility and timing of management’s plans. Views of Responsible Officials: Management’s response and corrective action plan will be provided in the separate Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

We are taking immediate, multi-layered action to strengthen financial stability and restore a positive operating balance. The Board of Directors is establishing an emergency fundraising committee to raise $1 million over the next nine months. The committee is composed of current and former board members, as well as long-standing influential supporters, who have a provden ability to mobilize resources quickly. In parallel, we are convening a staff leadership committee composed of the organization's most experienced and innovative staff to design and advance high-quality proposals to private foundations, building on our strong track record of successful grant-making partnerships.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1157503 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.137 Community Programs to Improve Minority Health $679,013
93.738 Pphf: Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Program Financed Solely by Public Prevention and Health Funds $436,670