Finding 1175345 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-02-25
Audit: 389043
Auditor: WHITTLESEY PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, Inc. has a material weakness in internal controls, leading to inaccurate financial reporting.
  • Impacted Requirements: The organization failed to meet GAAP standards and compliance criteria due to ineffective accounting processes.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement monthly monitoring and financial statement reviews to improve accuracy and timeliness in financial reporting.

Finding Text

Type of Finding: • Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting • Significant Deficiency in Major Federal Program and Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: An accounting system and effective internal control environment should support the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and grant reports in accordance with compliance requirements, including a robust financial close process at year end. Condition: In fiscal year 2024, Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, Inc.’s accounting processes and internal controls over financial reporting were not functioning timely to generate complete and accurate financial information. Numerous adjustments to the trial balances were made, necessitating repeated revisions to significant account reconciliations, and grant schedules. In addition, several accounting adjustments were needed throughout the audit process. Context: Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, Inc’s accounting processes and internal controls over financial reporting were not functioning properly. Effect: The books and records required various adjustments to properly reflect materially correct financial statements. Cause: Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, Inc. did not have the necessary assistance in the accounting department. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, Inc. maintain an adequate level of monitoring and financial statement review monthly. This will help ensure that the accounting processes and internal controls over financial reporting will function properly, and that the financial close process will be complete, accurate, and timely. Management’s Response/View of Responsible Officials: Management concurs with the finding. See separate corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

The Center is in process of implementing monthly close procedures with their third-party bookkeeper. Procedures will include monthly monitoring and supervisory review of reconciliations.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Subrecipient Monitoring Material Weakness Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1175335 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175336 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175337 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175338 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175339 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175340 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175341 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175342 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175343 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175344 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $402,004
14.537 EVICTION PROTECTION GRANT PROGRAM $161,916
64.056 LEGAL SERVICES FOR VETERANS GRANTS $150,000
93.044 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE III, PART B, GRANTS FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND SENIOR CENTERS $50,000