Finding 1180758 (2023-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2026-03-17
Audit: 392439
Organization: FREEDOM HOUSE DETROIT (MI)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The audit report and data collection form for CFDA # 21.027 and # 93.604 were not submitted by the required deadline of September 30, 2024.
  • Impacted Requirements: This delay results in noncompliance with federal requirements and affects the timely issuance of financial statements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should implement procedures to ensure timely completion and submission of all financial reports, despite challenges faced with the previous audit firm.

Finding Text

CFDA Number, Federal Agency/Pass-Through Agency and Program Name - CFDA # 21.027 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds CFDA # 93.604 – Assistance for Torture Victims Repeat Finding - No Questioned Costs - None Criteria - The audit must be completed and the data collection form 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. Condition - The audit report and data collection form were not submitted within nine months of the year end; specifically, no later than September 30, 2024. Cause - The audit was not completed within the due date of September 30, 2024. Effect - Untimely issuance of financial statements and noncompliance with Federal requirements. Recommendation - We recommend that management implement procedures to ensure timely completion and submission of all financial reports. View of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Planned - Freedom House Detroit (FHD) acknowledges that per the grant terms of CDFA# 21.027 - COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and 93.604 - Assistance for Torture Victims the 2023 audit was to be completed by 09/30/2024. The circumstances surrounding the late submission were based on issues outside of FHD's full control. FHD had issues with its last audit firm, which it is currently still trying to resolve. This resulted in contracting with a new firm, Glen Olivache CPA PC, to assist with the 2023 audit in 2025. These issues were documented in writing to the former firm. FHD could not finish the 2023 audit because the 2022 audit took so long with the former auditing firm. In turn, Glen Olivache CPA PC had to also do its due diligence as a new auditor and review all aspects of the organization's operations which would normally have been taken care of by a long standing auditor but under a new auditor took longer. The switch to a new auditor, while the correct choice, caused the 2023 audit to be significantly delayed. No matter the procedures FHD would have put in place to ensure timely submission, these extenuating circumstances would not have been avoided. FHD has now contracted with Glen Olivache CPA PC and will immediately begin its 2024 audit. This audit will also be out of date but should take substantially less time as Glen Olivache CPA PC will be a continuing auditor. The FHD team is currently preparing for the next audit and plans to be back on track by the end of 2026 with all audit timelines and submissions.

Corrective Action Plan

Criteria: The audit must be completed and the data collection form 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. Condition: The audit report and data collection form were not submitted within nine months of the year end; specifically, no later than September 30, 2024. Corrective Action Plan: Freedom House Detroit (FHD) acknowledges that per the grant terms of CDFA# 21.027 - COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and 93.604 - Assistance for Torture Victims the 2023 audit was to be completed by 09/30/2024. The circumstances surrounding the late submission were based on issues outside of FHD's full control. FHD had issues with its last audit firm, which it is currently still trying to resolve. This resulted in contracting with a new firm, Glen Olivache CPA PC, to assist with the 2023 audit in 2025. These issues were documented in writing to the former firm. FHD could not finish the 2023 audit because the 2022 audit took so long with the former auditing firm. In turn, Glen Olivache CPA PC had to also do its due diligence as a new auditor and review all aspects of the organization's operations which would normally have been taken care of by a long standing auditor but under a new auditor took longer. The switch to a new auditor, while the correct choice, caused the 2023 audit to be significantly delayed. No matter the procedures FHD would have put in place to ensure timely submission, these extenuating circumstances would not have been avoided. FHD has now contracted with Glen Olivache CPA PC and will immediately begin its 2024 audit. This audit will also be out of date but should take substantially less time as Glen Olivache CPA PC will be a continuing auditor. The FHD team is currently preparing for the next audit and plans to be back on track by the end of 2026 with all audit timelines and submissions. Name(s) of Contact Person(s) Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Name: Elizabeth Orozco Vasquez, CEO Name: Erin Decker, Director of Finance

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1180757 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.604 ASSISTANCE FOR TORTURE VICTIMS $300,920
93.268 IMMUNIZATION COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS $179,047
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $173,801
14.231 EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM $88,541
14.218 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/ENTITLEMENT GRANTS $72,239
93.558 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES $43,421