Finding 1157917 (2024-007)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to submit Single Audit reports for fiscal years 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 on time, violating federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with 2 CFR § 200.512(a) regarding timely submission of audits, risking severe penalties from federal agencies.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement strong internal controls and clear responsibilities to ensure audits are completed and submitted on time, with regular progress monitoring.

Finding Text

2024-007 Late Single Audit Submissions Compliance Requirement Reporting Category Material weakness in Internal Control and Material Noncompliance ALN 12.607 Program Community Economic Adjustment of Establishment, Expansion, Realignment, or Closure of a Military Installation Federal Agency US Department of Defense ALN 10.770 Program Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants (Section 306C) (NOT A MAJOR PROGRAM) Agency US Department of Agriculture (Rural Development) ALN 97.036 Program Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) (NOT A MAJOR PROGRAM) Federal Agency US Department of Homeland Security ALN 21.027 (COVID-19) Program Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Agency US Department of Treasury Criteria Per 2 CFR § 200.512(a), non-federal entities that expend $750,000 or more in federal awards during a fiscal year must submit the single audit report to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor’s report or nine months after the end of the audit period. Condition The Authority did not submit its Single Audit reports for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) within the required timeframe. Specifically, the Single Audit reports for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023 were submitted in July 2025, well beyond the nine-month deadline established under federal regulations. The report for fiscal year 2024 had also not been submitted as of the date of this audit. Cause The delay in submission was due to a lack of effective management control activities to ensure the timely completion and submission of the Single Audit reports in accordance with federal requirements. This includes insufficient oversight, inadequate planning, and lack of accountability mechanisms within the Authority’s financial reporting process. Effect If the Federal awarding agency or passthrough entity determines that noncompliance cannot be remedied by imposing additional conditions, the Federal awarding agency or passthrough entity may take one or more of the following actions, as appropriate in the circumstances: (a) Temporarily withhold cash payments pending correction of the deficiency by the non-Federal entity or more severe enforcement action by the Federal awarding agency or passthrough entity. (b) Disallow (that is, deny both use of funds and any applicable matching credit for) all or part of the cost of the activity or action not in compliance. (c) Wholly or partly suspend or terminate the Federal award. (d) Initiate suspension or debarment proceedings as authorized under 2 CFR part 180 and Federal awarding agency regulations (or in the case of a passthrough entity, recommend such a proceeding be initiated by a Federal awarding agency). (e) Withhold further Federal awards for the project or program. (f) Take other remedies that may be legally available. Questioned Costs None Repeat Finding Disclosure This is a repeat finding. The same condition was reported in the prior year’s audit. Although corrective action was anticipated, the Authority did not implement effective measures to ensure timely submission of the Single Audit reports. As a result, the issue remains unresolved. Refer to item 2023-001. Recommendation The Authority should implement robust internal controls and oversight procedures to ensure timely completion and submission of Single Audit reports. This includes assigning clear responsibilities, establishing internal deadlines aligned with federal requirements, and monitoring progress throughout the audit cycle. Views of Responsible Official (Unaudited) Refer to Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan

, 2024-007 Community Economic Adjustment of Establishment, Expansion, Realignment, or Closure of a Military Installation/ Finance / Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants (Section 306C) (Not A Major Program) / Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters (Not A Major Program) Late Single Audit Submissions Starting in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 management will perform the following actions: Management audit contracts will be followed up directly by the Financial Affair Director to ensure timely execution to ensure audits are timely completed and planned. Management enhancements to the finance function, such as accounting closing checklists, accounting closing meetings and reconciliation processes, among other actions, should improve the timing of audit results. To ascertain that basic and recurrent information requested by auditors is ready, management will prepare an updated list of information normally requested and will prepare a OneDrive (cloud backup storage) where all information will be archived and ready to be delivered to the auditors as requested. This should provide efficiency and agility to response to auditors in a timely manner. Management expects to achieve full compliance with pending Single Audit reports’ issuance on or before March 30, 2026. Jamille E Muriente Díaz, Financial Affair Director Telephone: 787-705-7188 Email: Jamille.muriente@lra.pr.gov Target Completion Date - 3/30/2026

Categories

Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1157910 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157911 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157912 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157913 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157914 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157915 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157916 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
12.607 Community Economic Adjustment Assistance for Realignment Or Closure of A Military Installation $1.19M
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $313,481
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $4,542
10.770 Water and Waste Grants and Loans and Loan Guarantees (section 306c) $0