Finding 1174220 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-02-18

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: CUAHSI failed to submit the required reporting package and DCF on time due to delays in financial closing.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with 2 CFR Section 200.512(a) regarding timely submission of audit reports.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should establish policies for timely financial reporting and audit completion to prevent future delays.

Finding Text

Federal agency name: U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Commerce & National Aeronautics and Space Administration Federal program title: Geosciences, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Office of Integrative Activities, NOAA – Cooperative Institute & National Aeronautics and Space Administration AL No.: 47.050, 47.070, 47.083, 11.432 & 43.001 Federal Award Identification No. & Award Period: EAR-1849458 (05/21/2019 - 07/21/2026), EAR-2012893 (07/17/2020 – 07/22/2024), EAR-2244446 (03/01/2023 – 02/28/2026), EAR-2322510 (11/15/2023 – 10/31/2026), EAR-2121108 (10/01/2022 – 09/30/2024), OAC-2209833 (01/01/2023 – 12/31/2026), OAC-1835592 (01/01/2019 – 12/31/2024), OAC-1835818 (10/01/2018 – 09/30/2024), OAC-2103780 (10/01/2021 – 09/30/2026), OAC-2118329 (10/01/2021 – 09/30/2026), OAC-2320979 (01/01/2024 – 12/31/2027), OAC-2410992 (09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026), OIA-1937099 (09/01/2020 – 08/31/2024), A22NWS4320003 (08/01/2022 – 07/25/2025, 08/01/2022 – 07/25/2025, 04/01/2023 – 03/31/2024, 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2024, 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2025, 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2026, 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2025, 04/01/2024 – 03/31/2026, 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025, 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2026, 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025) & 80NSSC22k0965 (04/22/2022 – 04/24/2025) Pass Through Entity: University of Alabama & Ohio State University MW2024-001 REPORTING - DCF Material Weakness Criteria 2 CFR Section 200.512(a) requires the reporting package and DCF to be submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse the earlier of thirty calendar days after the reports are received from the auditor or nine months after the end of the audit period. Condition Due to the delay in financial close of CUAHSI’s books and records, a federal single audit for fiscal year 2024 was not performed in a timely manner and the DCF was not submitted by its due date of September 30, 2025. The UG requires the reporting package and DCF to be submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse the earlier of 30 calendar days after the reports are received from the auditor (February 10, 2026) or nine months after CUAHSI’s year end (September 30, 2025).Cause & Context CUAHSI did not have effective controls in place to allow for a timely year-end closing. This caused significant auditor delays which resulted in CUAHSI’s inability to meet the filing requirements under the UG. Effect CUAHSI noncompliance could result in financial or programmatic consequences to CUAHSI. Questioned Costs None Prior Year Audit Finding Yes, previously reported as MW2023-001. Recommendation Management should implement policies to ensure timely financial reporting and ensure the timely completion of an audit. View of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action See accompanying Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding Reference Number: MW2024-001 Statement of Concurrence or Nonconcurrence: CUAHSI agrees with the finding and recommendation. CUAHSI Corrective Action: CUAHSI is behind on submitting an audit for fiscal year (FY) 2024. Management has made clearing this backlog its highest priority and the FY 2025 package will be filed on or before the deadline of September 30th, 2026. Recent upgrades to the accounting system, the hiring of inhouse finance staff, and revised closing procedures are designed to streamline and accelerate future audit preparation so that all subsequent audits are filed by the required deadlines. Name of Contact Person: • Maureen S. Ako, Director of Finance • Telephone: (339) 221-5400 • Email: msabino@cuahsi.org Projected Completion Date: 2026-09-30

Categories

Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1174216 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174217 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174218 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174219 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
47.050 GEOSCIENCES $3.10M
11.432 NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) COOPERATIVE INSTITUTES $1.23M
47.070 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $158,418
43.001 SCIENCE $122,846
47.083 INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITIES $120