Finding 1167125 (2024-010)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-12-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: PFI submitted its Data Collection Form (DCF) and reporting package about 6 months late, violating compliance requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: This delay breaches 2 CFR §200.512(a), which mandates timely submission of audit reports to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: PFI should create a detailed timeline for audit preparation and seek more support from outsourced accountants to ensure timely information gathering.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-010: Late Filing of Data Collection Form Program Title: Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research Assistance Listing Number: 81.113 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Energy Direct Award Identifying Numbers: DE-NA003862, DE-NA004179, DE-NA0004177 Federal Award Year: Year ended September 30, 2024 Program Title: Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance Listing Number: 19.901 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of State Direct Award Identifying Number: SAQMIP23CA0153 Pass-Through Entity Name, Pass-Through Identifying Number: The Research Foundation for SUNY, University at Albany, 3-98939 Federal Award Year: Year ended September 30, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Other Matter Compliance Finding Criteria: Per 2 CFR §200.512(a), non-Federal entities must submit the DCF and reporting package to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the earlier of 30 days after receipt of the auditor’s report or nine months after the end of the audit period. Condition: PFI will submit its Data Collection Form (DCF) and Single Audit reporting package to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse approximately 6 months past the required deadline. The delay occurred because the audit was not completed within the nine-month timeframe following the fiscal year-end, as required by Uniform Guidance. Cause: The audit was not completed timely due to delays in receiving requested information, follow-ups for additional information, the identification of several potential audit adjustments, the audit team’s need to extend sample sizes due to identified audit adjustments and internal control deficiencies, and extended review processes as a result of identified audit findings. Effect or Potential Effect: Late submission of the DCF and reporting package results in noncompliance with Uniform Guidance requirements and may impact PFI’s eligibility for future Federal funding or trigger additional oversight. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The DCF was filed after the nine-month timeframe following PFI’s fiscal year end. Recommendation: We recommend that PFI establish a timeline for audit preparation and obtain more assistance from their outsourced accountants to ensure that requests for information are completed timely and accurately.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding: Significant deficiency in internal control for late submission of data control form and Single Audit report package. Corrective action: Pacific Forum has authorized its outsourced accounting service to take on a larger role in fulfilling auditor requests to ensure the information submitted is accurate and complete. PFI has also consolidated financial management policies and other required documentation in a secure cloud network. PFI has also adopted more features available through Bill.com, which has enhanced documentation of expenditures and management reviews. Procedures for filing documents and utilizing financial management procedures available through Bill.com will be integrated into PFI financial management policy guidelines. Completion Date: February 1, 2026 Responsible Individual: Executive Director

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Subrecipient Monitoring Eligibility Reporting Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1167090 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167091 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167092 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167093 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167094 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167095 2024-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167096 2024-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167097 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167098 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167099 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167100 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167101 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167102 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167103 2024-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167104 2024-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167105 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167106 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167107 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167108 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167109 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167110 2024-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167111 2024-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167112 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167113 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167114 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167115 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167116 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167117 2024-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167118 2024-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167119 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167120 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167121 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167122 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167123 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167124 2024-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167126 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167127 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167128 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167129 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167130 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
19.017 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS $150,926
19.033 GLOBAL THREAT REDUCTION $127,861
19.040 PUBLIC DIPLOMACY PROGRAMS $77,334
19.901 EXPORT CONTROL AND RELATED BORDER SECURITY $59,798
81.113 DEFENSE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION RESEARCH $44,160
19.402 PROFESSIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS - INTERNATIONAL VISITOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM $1,829