Finding 1170173 (2025-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-01-21
Audit: 383143
Organization: Jefferson East, Inc. (PA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Significant deficiency in internal controls led to improper recording of related party vendor invoices, causing an overstatement of gas expenses by $7,857.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with the Uniform Guidance requires that only legitimate expenditures be included in project costs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen review and approval processes for project expenses to ensure they are reasonable and necessary, with training for relevant personnel.

Finding Text

Compliance Requirement: HAP project funds may be used only for expenses that are reasonable and necessary to the operation of the project as provided for in the HAP contract. Type of Finding: Significant deficiency in Internal Control and Instance of Noncompliance Criteria: The Uniform Guidance Compliance Supplement requires only expenditures of the entity be included in project costs. Condition: Internal controls over payables were not implemented to detect that vendor invoices of a related party were recorded to the books of the entity which resulted in an overstatement of gas expense. Context: Expenses for gas expense billings of a related party were posted to the books and records of Jefferson East, Inc. And gas expense billings of Jefferson East, Inc. were not recorded. Effect: This resulted in an overstatement of gas expense of $7,857. Cause: Lack of attention to the vendor invoice as it related to the entity’s gas expenses, and not investigating with the gas company when the expenses posted averaged three times the normal monthly charges before the energy provider switch. Recommendation: We recommend controls over review and approval process surrounding allowable costs that are reasonable and necessary for the operation of the project should be emphasized with appropriate personnel. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees. The Accounting Manager and Executive Director for the year ended June 30, 2025 were terminated in October 2025, and the former Executive Director has returned to assist in implementing necessary controls and processes and train property level staff.

Corrective Action Plan

The Accounting Manager and Executive Director for the year ended June 30, 2025 were terminated in October 2025, and the former Executive Director has returned to assist in implementing necessary controls and processes and train property level staff.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles HUD Housing Programs Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1170171 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1170172 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.155 MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR THE PURCHASE OR REFINANCING OF EXISTING MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS $1.81M
14.195 SECTION 8 HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM $254,348
14.191 MULTIFAMILY HOUSING SERVICE COORDINATORS $11,446