Finding 1157574 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30
Audit: 369807
Organization: Newton Housing Authority (MA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Significant discrepancies were found in reported Restricted Net Position and cash, totaling approximately $209,000 and $69,000, respectively.
  • Impacted Requirements: Monthly electronic submissions to HUD must accurately reflect underlying records to ensure proper funding calculations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish a reconciliation process to verify reported figures against accounting records before VMS submissions, with supervisory review for accuracy.

Finding Text

Criteria - Public Housing Authorities administering the Housing Voucher Cluster's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (Assistance Listing No. 14.871) are required to submit a Voucher for Payment of Annual Contributions and Operating Statement on a monthly basis to HUD electronically via the Voucher Management System (VMS). HUD relies on the audit of key line items to determine reasonableness of the data submitted for the purposes of calculating funding under the program. Condition - Restricted net position (RNP) and cash contained significant discrepancies between the reported amounts and the Authority's underlying records of approximately $209,000 and $69,000, respectively. Cause - The Authority's data input process was not sufficient to ensure accurate reporting. Effect - Inaccurate reporting of key line items such as RNP and cash may adversely affect HUD's funding determinations and program oversight. This increases the risk of under or over-funding and may result in compliance findings or corrective actions. Questioned Costs - None identified. Statistical Sampling - The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation - We recommend that management establish and implement a reconciliation process to ensure the reported figures on the VMS submission accurately reflect the underlying accounting records. Management's Response - (a) Comments on the finding and recommendation - The Authority agrees with the finding. The Authority also agrees with the recommendation. Please see below for additional comments and action taken. (b) Action taken - The Authority will review and verify key line items (including restricted net position, unrestricted net position and cash and investments) against the general ledger prior to VMS submission. Supervisory review will be required to confirm accuracy. ( c) Planned implementation date - The Authority plans to implement procedures during the year ending December 31, 2025 to resolve the reported finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Name of Auditee: Newton Housing Authority EFPR Group, CP As, PLLC December 31, 2024 Name of Audit Firm: Period Covered by the Audit: CAP Prepared by: Michael Lara, Executive Director Phone: (718) 382-5332 (A)Current Finding on the Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs and Recommendations (2) Finding 2024-002 (a) Comments on the finding and recommendation - The Authority agrees with the finding. The Authority also agrees with the recommendation. Please see below for additional comments and action taken. (b) Action taken - The Authority will review and verify key line items (including restricted net position, unrestricted net position and cash and investments) against the general ledger prior to VMS submission. Supervisory review will be required to confirm accuracy. ( c) Planned implementation date - The Authority plans to implement procedures during the year ending December 31, 2025 to resolve the reported finding.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Reporting

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $9.76M
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $3.70M
14.850 Public Housing Operating Fund $1.75M
14.195 Project-Based Rental Assistance (pbra) $1.22M
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $557,957
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $142,121
14.249 Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy $138,646
14.870 Resident Opportunity and Supportive Services - Service Coordinators $23,958