Finding 1162643 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-11-18

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The finance department's capacity issues led to delays in submitting the Audit Reporting Package and SEFA, risking noncompliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Timely submission of the SEFA is required by 2 CFR § 200.510(b) and § 200.512(a) to qualify as a low-risk auditee under § 200.520.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should improve finance capacity and adhere to the year-end closing schedule to ensure timely submissions and compliance.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-002: Submission of the Audit Reporting Package and Data Collection Form Federal Agency: Various Assistance Listing Number: Multiple Compliance Requirement: Reporting Criteria: Per 2 CFR § 200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements. Per §200.512(a), the SEFA must be submitted to the Federal Audit Clearing House (FAC) within the required deadline. Cause: The delay was due to a lack of capacity in the finance department and not following the year-end closing schedule. Effect: To qualify as a low-risk auditee, 2 CFR section 200.520 requires the audit reporting package and data collection form to be submitted to the FAC by the due date for each of the previous two years. Late filing will result in noncompliance with timely submission of financial information to the grantor agencies. Recommendation: Management should address the lack of capacity in the finance department and monitor the year-end closing schedule for a timely audit reporting package and data collection form to ensure compliance with federal deadlines. Questioned costs: None Responsible Official's Response Management concurs with the finding. The Council recognizes the importance of timely submission of the SEFA and related audit documentation to maintain compliance with federal requirements. To address this issue, the Council has engaged an outside provider to assist with process improvements that will streamline financial reporting and ensure timely preparation and submission of all required audit materials. These enhancements will strengthen internal controls and support continued compliance in future reporting periods.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-002: Submission of the Reporting Package and Data Collection Form Management Response: Agreement with Finding: Management acknowledges and concurs with the finding. Root Cause: The agency experienced unanticipated delays in the preparation and submission processes for the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and related audit documentation, resulting in the audit reporting package and Data Collection Form not being submitted within the required timeframe. Management Plan: Lakes and Pines has engaged a professional accounting firm to assist with comprehensive process improvements for financial reporting. The agency will work with the firm to establish enhanced procedures and internal controls for the timely preparation of the SEFA and all required audit materials. New processes will include earlier preparation timelines and milestone checkpoints to ensure submission deadlines are met Responsible Party: Dawn van Hees, Fiscal Controller Implementation Timeline: Improvements will be implemented during the 2025/2026 fiscal year, with the enhanced processes fully operational for the next audit cycle reviewing that fiscal year. Current Status (as of November 5, 2025): The professional accounting firm has been engaged and process improvement work is underway.

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1162636 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162637 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162638 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162639 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162640 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162641 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162642 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.568 LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE $4.15M
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $111,615
21.009 VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM $60,608
10.558 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM $42,262
14.228 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/STATE'S PROGRAM AND NON-ENTITLEMENT GRANTS IN HAWAII $30,025
93.600 HEAD START $28,139
93.569 COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT $26,183
14.267 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM $11,082
93.052 NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT, TITLE III, PART E $1,384
10.561 STATE ADMINISTRATIVE MATCHING GRANTS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $121
81.042 WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS $61