Finding Text
Grant No(s): 1505-0266 Criteria: Per the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s reporting guidelines for ALN 21.023, recipients are required to submit timely and complete quarterly reports and SF- 425 financial reports to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of federal funds. Condition: Of the reports selected for testing, Jefferson Parish did not submit the two SF- 425 Federal Financial Reports by the grantee submission deadlines. The SF- 425 Federal Financial Reports had submission deadlines of October 16, 2023 and January 15, 2024 and were submitted on November 16, 2023 and February 8, 2024, respectively. Of the reports selected for testing, Jefferson Parish did not submit the two quarterly reports by the grantee submission deadlines. The quarterly reports had submission deadlines of April 17, 2023 and July 17, 2023 and were submitted on May 17, 2023 and August 16, 2023, respectively. Universe/Population: The universe/population for Financial Reporting is four SF-425 Federal Financial Reports and four quarterly reports. EA selected two out of the four SF-425 Federal Financial Reports and two out of the four quarterly reports for testing of reporting compliance requirements applicable to the program. Cause: Jefferson Parish lacks an established control monitoring timely submission of Financial and Special Reports. Effect: Late and incomplete reporting may hinder the Treasury’s ability to monitor program performance and financial integrity, potentially impacting future funding decisions and compliance evaluations. Questioned Costs: None determined. Identification of a repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: Jefferson Parish should establish a formalized control to monitor timely submission of Financial and Special Reports. View of Responsible Officials: With the support of a new leadership team, Jefferson Parish is committed to strengthening grants and financial management and enhancing the reliability of grants reporting. The Parish has engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP as a consultant to assist in establishing regular review practices, policies, procedures, and internal controls with the goal of improving audit readiness, refine documentation procedures, and strengthen internal controls to support accurate and complete financial data going forward. As part of this effort Jefferson Parish and Deloitte are working across Departments to re-define organizational structure, to establish governance and oversight between finance, accounting, and programmatic departments. Jefferson Parish and Deloitte are also working to implement data quality improvement measures, including the establishment of quarterly grants reconciliation and review processes. Jefferson Parish has also engaged Infor in the implementation of new financial and reporting technology to support improved financial processing and controls.