Finding 1158174 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30
Audit: 370086
Organization: Washington Tourism Alliance (WA)
Auditor: Baker Tilly

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The first quarterly performance report was not submitted on time, indicating a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Federal regulations require timely filing of reports, which was not met due to inadequate segregation of duties in the reporting process.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a review control with a separate reviewer to catch errors and ensure timely submissions, along with maintaining supporting documentation.

Finding Text

FINDING 2024-002 – Reporting; Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Instance of Noncompliance Department of Commerce Assistance Listing Number: 11.307 Federal Program Names: Economic Adjustment Assistance Award Years: 2024 Criteria: Federal regulations and grant and contract conditions require that applicable reports be filed timely. Condition and context: We noted the first quarterly performance report was not submitted in accordance with the award agreement timeframe. Questioned costs: None. Effect: Without centralized controls that include monitoring of reporting due dates reports are not submitted timely. Cause: This occurred because of a lack of controls to segregate the duties between the preparer of the reports and supporting documentation and a reviewer to ensure timely reporting. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement a review control with someone separate then the preparer in the reporting process to identify any errors prior to submitting reports, maintain supporting documentation, and ensure timely submission. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: Management agrees with the assessment and has implemented corrective action. The Organization has implemented a review and documentation control surrounding the timely submission of all financial reports, special reports, and performance reports. Additionally, report backup and proof of timely submission must be retained.

Corrective Action Plan

FINDING 2024-002 – Reporting; Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Instance of Noncompliance The grant contract conditions require that applicable reports be filed quarterly. State of Washington Tourism initially submitted performance reports monthly, but in Q4 of 2024 adjusted the performance reports to quarterly in accordance with award agreement timeframe. The Accounting Manager will complete the report and provide documented support at the end of each quarter in the future. The reports will be reviewed, approved, and submitted by the Director of Strategic Partnership and Tourism Development. These changes took effect April 2025.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1158173 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance $1.90M