Finding 1170215 (2024-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-01-21
Audit: 383181
Organization: Averett University (VA)
Auditor: BROWN EDWARDS

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University missed the deadline for filing the Data Collection Form for fiscal year 2023-2024 with the Federal Audit Clearinghouse.
  • Impacted Requirements: This filing is required within 30 days of receiving the auditor's report or nine months after the audit period ends, which was not met.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures to ensure timely filing and address staffing issues to prevent future delays.

Finding Text

2024-003 – Lack of Timely Filing of Data Collection Form to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Department of Education, SFA Cluster; Compliance Requirement Affected. Condition: The University did not file the Data Collection Form for fiscal year 2023-2024 to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the required timeline. Criteria: A Single Audit requires the submission of the Data Collection Form to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of an auditor’s report, or nine months after the end of the audit period, unless a different period is specified in a program-specific audit guide. Cause: Staff turnover contributed to the late filing. Effect: The University did not complete it’s required submission to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse by the Deadline of March 31, 2025. Repeat Finding: Yes, see 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the University put procedures in place to ensure timely filing of the Data Collection Form. Management Response: The issues from fiscal year 22-23 related to ERM implementation and lack of resources continue to plague the University. Some of the decisions related to last year’s corrective action plan created additional delays in reconciling and submitting 23-24 for audit. As of October 2024, the University was able to bring in an additional staff resource and an experienced CFO in January 2025. The additional resources, along with the dedicated existing staff and experienced consultants have worked to focus on accuracy, process improvement, and validation of the latest stage of the ERM implementation. Although the financial results of 23-24 are disappointing and have resulted in additional distractions, the expectations for 24-25 are much improved in process and results.

Corrective Action Plan

2024-003 – Lack of Timely Filing of Data Collection Form for fiscal year 2023-2024 to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the required timeline. Condition: The University did not file the Data Collection Form for fiscal year 2023-2024 to teh Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the required timeframe. Repeat Finding: Yes, see 2023-001. Management Response: The issues from fiscal year ended 2023 related to the ERM implementation and lack of resources continue to plague the University. Some of the decisions related to last year’s corrective action plan created additional delays in reconciling and submitting the fiscal year 2024 audit. As of October 2024, the University was able to hire a Controller/Director of Finance. An experienced Chief Financial Officer was hired in January 2025. THese additional resources, along with dedicated existing staff and experienced consultants worked to focus on accuracy, process improvement, and validation of the latest stages of the ERM implementation.

Categories

No categories assigned yet.

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $12.88M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $2.87M
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $159,586
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $110,294
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $11,266