Finding 1164240 (2021-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2021
Accepted
2025-12-09

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A significant deficiency in internal controls was found, as one out of 40 files lacked proper supporting documentation for a disbursement.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Authority did not comply with its own Internal Control Policy, which mandates that check signers review all supporting documents before signing.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should enhance its internal controls to ensure all documentation is reviewed and maintained before expenses are paid.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Name: Housing Voucher Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 14.871/14.879 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: VA001, 2021 Award Period: 1/1/2021-12/31/2021 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: According to the Authority's Internal Control Policy, check signers should examine all original supporting documentation to ensure that each item has been properly reviewed prior to signing a check. After checks are printed, the Director of Finance or designee should review all documentation for accuracy. (24 CFR sections 982.151 through 982.155). Condition: Of the 40 files tested: - 1 instance where the disbursement did not have an invoice/supporting documentation that was approved/reviewed by proper personnel. Questioned costs: $226 Context: Of the 40 files tested, 1 file contained exceptions. Cause: The Authority did not follow internal controls designed to ensure that supporting documentation was properly reviewed in accordance with the Authority's policies. Effect: The Authority does not have controls in place to ensure compliance with allowable costs requirements. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority review its internal controls over allowable costs to ensure all documentation is maintained at the time expenses are paid. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Housing Choice Voucher Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 14.871 Recommendation: We recommend the Authority review its internal controls over allowable costs to ensure all documentation is maintained at the time expenses are paid. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The Authority is prioritizing completion of outstanding audits to ensure records can be located promptly when requested. All invoices will continue to require proper approval signatures prior to payment, and payment authorization will serve as an additional layer of verification to confirm compliance with internal control procedures. This instance involved only one of forty (40) accounts payable items that was not available in the document imaging system at the time of review so it needed to be recreated by printing off the invoice and it was paid online. The payment would have had to be pre-approved by CFO prior to payment. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Shannon Sterling, CFO Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 12/1/25

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1164226 2021-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164227 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164228 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164229 2021-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164230 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164231 2021-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164232 2021-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164233 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164234 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164235 2021-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164236 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164237 2021-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164238 2021-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164239 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164241 2021-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164242 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164243 2021-007
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $19.13M
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $3.67M
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $3.54M
14.895 JOBS-PLUS PILOT INITIATIVE $375,424
84.287 TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS $187,857
14.896 FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM $185,918
14.879 MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS $164,918
14.879 EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER $83,771
14.870 RESIDENT OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - SERVICE COORDINATORS $64,624