Finding 1177682 (2024-015)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-03-10

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to submit the Data Collection Form by the March 31, 2025 deadline due to audit delays.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 2 CFR 200.512(a)(1), which mandates timely submission of audit reports and related forms.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Ensure timely completion of audits and submissions to prevent future compliance issues and potential funding loss.

Finding Text

2024-015 (2023-013) DATA COLLECTION FORM SUBMISSION (REPEATED AND MODIFIED) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Energy Federal Program Title and Assistance Listing Number: Student Financial Assistance Cluster of Programs; Federal Pell Grant Program 84.063, Federal Direct Student Loans 84.268, Higher Education Institutional Aid 84.031, Adult Education - Basic Grants to States, Environmental Remediation and Waste Processing and Disposal 81.104, Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Non-compliance Compliance Area: Reporting Federal Award Year: 2024 Questioned Costs: None Condition The College’s June 30, 2024 Data Collection Form was not submitted to the Federal Audit clearinghouse database timely, and was due by March 31, 2025. Criteria Per 2 CFR 200.512(a)(1), Report Submission, 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 must be submitted within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor's report(s), or nine months after the end of the audit period. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the reporting package is due the next business day. Cause The College did not file the data collection form as required due to the delay in completing the audit. Effect Not submitting the data collection form denies access to the public and grantor agencies which could lead in loss of funding needed

Corrective Action Plan

Recommendation The College should continue to work with the accounting department and accounting systems to assist its auditor to catch up its financial reporting and records to allow for the completion of future audits. Corrective Action Unfortunately, due to the untimely completion and release of the June 30, 2023 audit report (released on August 8, 2025 - over two years after the end of the June 30, 2023 fiscal year audit), the College did not have the opportunity to review and begin a timely process of addressing a majority of the audit findings until well after the end of the audit period. While the College is committed to corrective action, the delayed delivery of the June 30, 2023 audit limited the ability to implement corrective measures earlier. The College is working proactively to ensure that these issues are resolved going forward. It is important to note that Southeast New Mexico College was a newly established independent community college, having formally separated from New Mexico State University (NMSU) as of April 2022. During this transition period, many administrative processes, including federal grant compliance procedures, were in the process of being developed, transitioned, and implemented independently from NMSU systems. As a result, certain policies, procedures, and documentation processes were not yet fully established or operational at the time of the audit. To ensure timely future submissions, the following corrective actions have been implemented. Revised Timeline and Calendar Controls: • A compliance calendar has been developed and integrated into the Business Office workflow to monitor federal reporting deadlines, including the DCF due date. This calendar includes reminder notifications at 90, 60 and 30 days before the March deadline. Internal Review Process: • A designated compliance officer or fiscal services staff member has been assigned responsibility for tracking the DCF submission process and coordinating with the external auditors to ensure timely receipt of the final audit. Audit Planning Coordination: • Annual audit planning meetings now include a discussion of reporting deadlines, and the contract with the external audit firm will include a clause requiring delivery of the final audit in a timeframe that supports compliance with federal submission timelines. Training and Awareness: • Relevant staff will have completed training in Uniform Guidance reporting requirements, including DCF submission procedures and deadlines to ensure full understanding of the importance of timely compliance. Due of Completion: August 31, 2025 Responsible Party(ies) Vice President for Business and Finance (or appropriate official), Dean of Business and Finance, Director of Finance, Accounts Receivable Coordinator, Business Office Manager

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1177664 2024-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177665 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177666 2024-015
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177667 2024-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177668 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177669 2024-015
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177670 2024-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177671 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177672 2024-015
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177673 2024-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177674 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177675 2024-015
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177676 2024-014
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177677 2024-015
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177678 2024-014
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177679 2024-015
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177680 2024-015
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177681 2024-013
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONAL AID $1.01M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $830,018
81.104 ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION AND WASTE PROCESSING AND DISPOSAL $555,833
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $145,293
84.002A ADULT EDUCATION - BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $90,960