Finding 1176174 (2021-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2026-03-03
Audit: 389991
Organization: City of Chester (PA)
Auditor: CBIZ CPAS PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to submit its audit data collection form and reporting package on time, missing the September 30, 2021 deadline and submitting it instead on July 19, 2024.
  • Impacted Requirements: This delay violates the Uniform Guidance, affecting compliance with federal reporting requirements and potentially jeopardizing future federal funding.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should ensure that all audit documentation is prepared, reconciled, and reviewed promptly to facilitate timely submissions in the future.

Finding Text

2021-003: Timeliness of Annual Audit Material Weakness U.S. Department of Treasury ALN #: 21.027 – American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Criteria: The Uniform Guidance Part 200.512(a)(1) states: “The audit must be completed and the data collection form described in paragraph (b) of this section and reporting package described in paragraph (c) of this section shall be submitted within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor’s report, or nine months after the end of the audit period.” Condition: The City did not submit its data collection form and reporting package for the year ended December 31, 2020 timely. The form was due September 30, 2021 and was not submitted until July 19, 2024. Cause: The City did not close its accounting records timely in order to produce sufficient evidence for its financial and single audits to be conducted timely. The City’s financial statement audit was issued November 25, 2025. Effect: As a result of not submitting the Data Collection Form to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the required timeframe, the City is not in compliance with federal reporting requirements. This noncompliance may delay the availability of the City’s single audit information to federal agencies and the public, potentially affecting the City’s eligibility for future federal funding and increasing the risk of additional federal oversight or sanctions. Prior Year Finding: Yes, repeated from finding 2020-003. Recommendation: We recommend that management ensure documentation for the audit is readily available, reconciled and properly reviewed for accuracy and completion, to enable timely audit submission to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse and funding agencies. Views of responsible officials and Planned Corrective Action: See management’s corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

The City agrees with the finding. Starting in the summer of 2024, procedures were implemented to begin monthly financial statements leading to being prepared for more timely year-end closings. These procedures included expenditure and revenue reports being prepared and reviewed, as well as checklists and reconciliations being prepared and reviewed. Retroactive review processes are underway regarding 2022 and 2023 years to be audited.

Categories

Eligibility Material Weakness Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $2.22M
97.044 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT $223,503
97.083 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) $196,114
21.019 CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND $108,094
20.205 HIGHWAY PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION $23,654
97.029 FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE $10,404
10.559 SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN $6,991
16.034 CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING PROGRAM $1,646