Finding 1170476 (2023-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2026-01-23

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Restoration missed the deadline for submitting the Single Audit reporting for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program due to delays in completing their financial audit.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with the Uniform Guidance requires timely submission of audit reports for organizations receiving over $750,000 in federal assistance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Restoration should prioritize the audit process and address readiness issues, particularly regarding new lease standards, to ensure future compliance.

Finding Text

Single Audit Reporting for June 30, 2023 Information on the Federal Program U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Passed through the State of New York Division of Housing and Community Renewal – Federal Assistance Listing Number 93.568, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Criteria Pursuant to the Uniform Guidance, organizations expending federal assistance in excess of $750,000 in a fiscal year are required to submit the data collection form and reporting package by the earlier of either 30 days after receipt of the auditor's report, or nine months after the end of fiscal year end date. Condition The Restoration did not follow the process in place for ensuring that the Single Audit reporting requirements were satisfied on a timely manner. The audit of the Restoration’s basic financial statements was not completed prior to the Single Audit reporting deadlines. Cause Delay in completing the audit process due to delay in the Restoration’s readiness and other accounting matters such as the adoption of new lease standards that required discussion with management. Effect Restoration is non-compliant with the reporting requirements applicable to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Questioned Costs None. Context Single Audit reporting requirement was not submitted by Restoration on time. Identification as a Repeat Finding Not a repeat finding from the prior year. Recommendation We recommend that Restoration takes the necessary steps to assure compliance with this requirement in the future. Views of Responsible Official Restoration has gone through several administrative transitions within the last three years. These transitions have put great hardship on Restoration as a whole. Restoration understands the importance of timely audit and has a plant to put the audit process first and foremost. Restoration’s team is working on catching up with the audit and plan to maintain current audit status thereafter (once caught up). Additionally, Restoration’s delayed readiness especially with significant accounting matters, mainly the adoption of new lease standards, has impacted the ability to complete the audit sooner than expected. Implementing ASC 842 is challenging because of the herculean effort required for data collection and management. This is especially true for an entity that has many equipment leases and more so for an entity that deals in real estate leases as well as for an agency with multiple entities that must be consolidated in order to complete the audit.

Corrective Action Plan

Single Audit Reporting for June 30, 2023 Finding: The Restoration did not follow the process in place for ensuring that the Single Audit reporting requirements were satisfied on a timely manner. The audit of the Restoration’s basic financial statements was not completed prior to the Single Audit reporting deadlines. Contact Person: Leah M. Sparrow, WAP Director Marrolin Beauzile, Accountant Corrective Actions Taken or Planned: Restoration has implemented changes in staff that will lead the audit and lead the reporting of the program activities and program management. We are determined to complete the next two audit years (FY24 and FY25) expeditiously. We believe that these changes will lead to positive results within the next year. Anticipated completion date: December 31, 2026

Categories

Reporting Equipment & Real Property Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1170473 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1170474 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1170475 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.568 LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE $934,000
81.042 WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS $521,565
59.059 CONGRESSIONAL GRANTS $174,289
93.569 COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT $99,999
14.252 SECTION 4 CAPACITY BUILDING FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING $36,408