Finding 1162749 (2023-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2025-11-20

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: CUAHSI failed to submit the required reporting package and DCF on time due to delays in financial closing.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR Section 200.512(a) regarding timely audit submissions.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should establish policies for timely financial reporting and complete audits to avoid future delays.

Finding Text

Federal agency name: U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Commerce & National Aeronautics and Space Administration Federal program title: Geosciences, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Office of International Science and Engineering, NOAA – Cooperative Institute & National Aeronautics and Space Administration AL No.: 47.050, 47.070, 47.079, 11.432 & 43.001 Federal Award Identification No. & Award Period: EAR-1849458 (06/01/2019 -05/31/2024), EAR-2012893 (10/01/2020 – 08/31/2025), OAC-1931278 (10/1/2019 – 09/30/2023), EAR- 2244446 (03/01/2023 – 02/28/2026), OAC-2209833 (01/01/2023 – 12/31/2026), OAC-1829744 (09/01/2018 – 08/31/2023), OAC-1835592 (01/01/2009 – 12/31/2022), OAC-1835818 (10/01/2018 – 09/30/2024), OAC-2103780 (10/01/2021 – 09/30/2026), OAC-2118329 (10/01/2021 – 09/30/2026), OISE-1855654 (05/15/2019 – 12/31/2023), A22NWS4320003 (08/01/2022 – 07/25/2025, 08/01/2022 – 07/25/2025, 04/01/2023 – 03/31/2024, 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2024, 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2026, 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2025, 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2025) & 80NSSC22k0965 (06/01/2023 – 05/31/2026) Pass Through Entity: University of Alabama & Ohio State University MW2023-001 REPORTING - DCF Material Weakness Criteria 2 CFR Section 200.512(a) requires the reporting package and DCF to be submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse the earlier of thirty calendar days after the reports are received from the auditor or nine months after the end of the audit period. Condition Due to the delay in financial close of CUAHSI’s books and records, a federal single audit for fiscal year 2023 was not performed in a timely manner and the DCF was not submitted by its due date of September 30, 2024. The UG requires the reporting package and DCF to be submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse the earlier of 30 calendar days after the reports are received from the auditor (October 30, 2025) or nine months after CUAHSI’s year end (September 30, 2024). Cause & Context CUAHSI did not have effective controls in place to allow for a timely year-end closing. This caused significant auditor delays which resulted in CUAHSI’s inability to meet the filing requirements under the UG. Effect CUAHSI is not in compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Questioned Costs None Prior Year Audit Finding Yes, previously reported as MW2022-004. Recommendation Management should implement policies to ensure timely financial reporting and ensure the timely completion of an audit. View of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action See accompanying Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Statement of Concurrence or Nonconcurrence: CUAHSI agrees with the finding and recommendation. CUAHSI Corrective Action: Action by CUAHS! impacting audit year 2023: NA Corrective actions to processes and responsibilities impacting subsequent years: CUAHSI is behind on submitting an audit for fiscal year (FY) 2023. Management has made clearing this backlog its highest priority. The schedule is to complete and file the FY 2023 package by fall 2025 and the FY 2024 package shortly thereafter, at which point CUAHSI expects to return to on-time Federal Audit Clearinghouse filings. Recent upgrades to the accounting system, the hiring of in-house finance staff, and revised closing procedures are designed to streamline and accelerate future audit preparation so that all subsequent audits are filed by the required deadlines. Name of Contact Person: • Maureen S. Ako, Director of Finance • Telephone: (339) 221-5400 • Email: msabino@cuahsi.org Projected Completion Date: 2026-09-30

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1162734 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162735 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162736 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162737 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162738 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162739 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162740 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162741 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162742 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162743 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162744 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162745 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162746 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162747 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162748 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
47.050 GEOSCIENCES $3.65M
11.432 NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) COOPERATIVE INSTITUTES $1.02M
47.070 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $376,326
47.079 OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $25,407
43.001 SCIENCE $13,006