Finding 1173236 (2022-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2026-02-11
Audit: 386730
Organization: New Space Nexus (NM)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Management failed to provide completed Form I-9s for all selected employees, violating federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with I-9 retention rules can lead to fines and weakens internal controls over HR and payroll.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a documented I-9 compliance process and review personnel records to address missing forms.

Finding Text

Type of Finding: (C) Finding that Does Not Rise to the Level of a Significant Deficiency (Other Matters) Involving Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Condition During our review of personnel documentation, we selected 5 employee personnel files for testing from a population of 8 employees for the year ended December 31, 2022. For 5 of 5 employees selected, management was unable to provide a completed Form I-9 (or evidence of compliant electronic completion/retention) upon request. NEW SPACE NEXUS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 37 Criteria Federal regulations require employers to complete and retain Form I-9 for each individual hired for employment in the United States and to make Forms I-9 available for inspection. Forms I-9 must generally be retained for three years after the date of hire or one year after employment is terminated, whichever is later. Effect Not properly completing and retaining Form I-9s may result in noncompliance with federal employment eligibility requirements and could expose the organization to potential fines, penalties, or sanctions. Additionally, inadequate personnel records weaken internal controls over human resources and payroll. Cause Staff responsible for onboarding were not trained on I-9 requirements, and management did not implement compensating review controls. Recommendation Management should implement a documented I-9 compliance process that requires Form I-9 completion within required timeframes for all new hires. Management should also review current personnel records to identify missing I-9s and remediate where permissible, retaining documentation of remediation actions. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action Management concurs and will implement a documented employee onboarding process requiring timely completion and retention of Form I-9 for all new hires. Existing personnel files will be reviewed and missing I-9s will be remediated where permissible. Management will retain evidence of completion and periodic compliance review. Owned by: Financial Analyst By: January 31, 2023.

Corrective Action Plan

Response: Management concurs with the finding. Corrective Action Plan: Management will implement and document a formal employee onboarding procedure that requires timely completion and retention of Form I-9 for all new hires. Existing personnel files will be reviewed for completeness and missing I-9 forms will be remediated where permissible. Management will retain evidence of completion and conduct periodic compliance reviews to ensure ongoing adherence. Designation of Employee Position Responsible for Meeting Deadline: Financial Analyst — by January 31, 2023.

Categories

Eligibility Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1173237 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173238 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173239 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173240 2022-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173241 2022-006
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
12.599 CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED ASSISTANCE $1.96M
12.300 BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH $39,996