Finding 1180822 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
ABP
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-03-18
Audit: 392484
Organization: Porchlight, Inc. (WI)
Auditor: WIPFLI LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Porchlight, Inc. has significant deficiencies in internal controls and compliance over financial reporting, leading to a material weakness.
  • Impacted Requirements: Inadequate reconciliation of accounts, lack of proper documentation for expenses, and inaccurate financial reports presented to the Board.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should enhance finance department operations and establish timely closing procedures for accurate reconciliations and reviews.

Finding Text

Condition – During our audit, Wipfli, LLP identified several deficiencies related to Porchlight, Inc.'s internal controls and compliance over financial reporting. Wipfli noted deficiencies in both the design and the execution of the fiscal policies and procedures. Matters identified were as follows: Management was unable to provide individual profit and loss statements for each specific grant award that could be used to verify the accuracy of the information provided on the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Expenses were recorded to the program expense categories identified in the Statement of Activities but management was unable to provide sufficient audit evidence to identify the specific expenses to specific grant awards. Management was unable to provide adequate audit evidence to substantiate how indirect expenses were allocated to specific expense categories. Proper review and approval of reconciliation's and journal entries in accordance with fiscal policies and procedures was not evident. Essentially all significant general ledger accounts were not reconciled in a timely manner throughout the year. Proper authorizations of cash disbursement transactions was not evident. Financial reports provided to the Board of Directors did not provide an accurate presentation of Porchlight, Inc's financial results based on material adjustments made to significant account balances during the audit. Material adjusting journal entries to cash, investments, certificates of deposit, promises to give, prepaid expenses, property and equipment, deferred loans payable, and net assets were proposed by the auditor and recorded by management during the audit. The financial statements and schedule of expenditures of federal awards were prepared by Wipfli, LLP as the audit information provided did not provide an accurate presentation of Porchlight, Inc's financial results. The primary cause of these deficiencies was the turnover experienced in the prior year and beginning of the current year in the finance department. Porchlight, Inc. did hire a new finance director, an outside contractor, as well as additional finance team members to reconcile accounts in preparation of the financial audit. Based on the items noted above, a material weakness exists in Porchlight, Inc.’s internal control and compliance over financial reporting. Criteria – Proper design and execution of Internal controls are essential to ensure effective control over, and accountability for all funds, property and other assets for all programs operated by Porchlight, Inc. Cause – There was turnover in Porchlight, Inc.’s finance department which contributed to the lack of timely and accurate reconciliations. Porchlight, Inc. is working on streamlining and implementing processes to address the deficiencies noted in the condition paragraph. Effect – As a result of the financial reporting matters identified in the condition paragraph, a material weakness exists in Porchlight, Inc.'s internal control and compliance over financial reporting. Recommendation – We recommend management and those charged with governance evaluate the operation of the finance department and implement adequate and timely closing procedures to ensure that financial statement amounts are being reconciled appropriately and all reconciliations/purchases/reports are being reviewed. View of Responsible Officials – Management agrees with the assessment and has committed to a corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Management agrees with the finding and has implemented several corrective actions to strengthen internal controls and financial reporting processes. Porchlight implemented new accounting software in 2025, Sage Intacct, which includes a grants dimension that allows the organization to track financial activity by individual grant and sub‐grant at the transaction level. This system enables the preparation of detailed grant‐level financial reports, including profit and loss statements for individual grants. Internal accounting working papers further document detailed line‐item tracking instructions of grant revenues and expenditures. These processes provide improved transparency and audit support for grant expenditures. Indirect costs are now allocated using a nights‐of‐shelter allocation methodology, which is consistent with guidance provided by Porchlight’s government partner organizations. This methodology has been documented and is applied consistently across applicable programs. Monthly reconciliations of significant general ledger accounts are now performed and documented on a regular basis. These reconciliations are reviewed by the Executive Director, who is currently completing additional training in our new accounting processes to further support this oversight function. Management will continue monitoring the reconciliation process to ensure it is completed in a timely and consistent manner. Journal entries will be reviewed on a monthly basis during scheduled meetings between the Executive Director and the Finance Director to ensure proper documentation and approval. Cash disbursement controls have also been strengthened. Accounts Payable staff prepare a weekly payment list, which is reviewed and approved by the Finance Director. The Executive Director then performs a secondary review and signs checks or approves payments. ACH transactions are submitted to the bank by the AP accountant, and require final authorization through the bank’s online system by either the Executive Director, or the Finance Director when the Executive Director is unavailable. These procedures provide documented authorization of cash disbursements. Consistent financial reporting to the Board is in the final processes. The reporting component of the Sage Intacct implementation has required additional refinement, and we are working with outside consultants who are familiar with our specific system setup to ensure reporting processes operate effectively. Financial reports will be presented to the Board of Directors Finance Committee, which meets with the Executive Director and Finance Director every two months to review financial performance and discuss financial results. Financial statements will be prepared internally prior to the audit, which improves management oversight and reduces the need for audit adjustments. Additionally, Porchlight has significantly strengthened its finance department staffing. A new Finance Director began full‐time employment in June 2024. New Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable accountants, as well as accounting assistants, have been hired and trained on Porchlight’s financial procedures and Sage Intacct. External accounting consultants have also been engaged to assist with audit preparation, reconciliations, and other accounting functions when additional capacity is needed. Management will continue to evaluate internal controls and financial reporting processes to ensure compliance with applicable financial reporting and grant requirements. Person(s) Responsible: Halle Pollay Timing for Implementation: In Process

Categories

Reporting Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Material Weakness Equipment & Real Property Management Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1180823 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180824 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $1.83M
14.267 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM $672,043
14.231 EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM $6,183