Finding 1181488 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-19
Audit: 392724
Organization: Next Step Housing, Inc. (MD)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: One required deposit to the replacement reserve was missed due to a disrupted automatic transfer process.
  • Impacted Requirements: The regulatory agreement mandates monthly payments to fund the replacement reserve, resulting in an underfunding of $458.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should ensure timely funding of the reserve and improve internal controls for automatic monthly transfers to prevent future issues.

Finding Text

Finding No. 2025-001 – Replacement Reserve Funding Federal Assistance Listing Number Name of Federal Program or Cluster 14.181 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Information on the Universe Population Size Twelve (12) monthly payments. Sample Size Information Twelve (12) monthly payments Identification of Repeat Finding Reference Number N/A Criteria The regulatory agreement requires monthly payments to fund the replacement reserve. Statement of Condition The Entity did not make one required replacement reserve deposit in accordance with the regulatory agreement and related reserve funding requirements. The missing deposit was identified during the audit and was subsequently remitted prior to issuance of the financial statements. Cause During the year, the automatic or routine transfer process was disrupted, which resulted in the required replacement reserve deposit being missed. Effect or Potential Effect The replacement reserve fund is underfunded by a total of $458. Auditor Non-Compliance Code N – Reserve for Replacements Deposits Questioned Costs There were no known questioned costs. Reporting Views of Responsible Officials The auditee agrees with this finding and will make the required deposits timely going forward. FHA/Contract Number 000-HD031-CMI Questioned Costs $0 Context The finding represents an instance of management oversight. An unknown error occurred which prevented the automatic transfer for June to be made to the accounts. Recommendations We recommend that management fund the reserve immediately to make it current and create a better system of internal controls allowing for automatic debits to be made monthly from the operating account to fund the replacement reserve and ensure no future underfunding. Auditors’ Summary of the Auditee’s Comments on the Findings and Recommendations Management agrees with the finding. The missed replacement reserve deposit was made in July 2025, prior to issuance of the financial statements. Management determined that the exception resulted from a missed bank transfer. Management has since reviewed recurring transfer settings, confirmed reserve funding requirements, and implemented an additional monthly review control to verify that all required reserve deposits are made timely. Response Indicator Agree Completion Date July 2025 Response Management agrees with the finding and has made a deposit to the replacement reserve account to fund the shortfall prior to the issuance of the financial statements and have established a system in order to ensure no future occurrences.

Corrective Action Plan

A. Comments on Finding and Recommendations Management agrees with the audit finding related to the untimely replacement reserve deposit. The missed deposit resulted from a transfer omission during the conversion to new accounting software. Upon identification of the issue, management remitted the required deposit in full prior to issuance of the audited financial statements. B. Actions Taken or Planned To address the matter and prevent similar exceptions in the future, management has taken the following corrective actions: 1. Reviewed the reserve deposit requirements and confirmed the required transfer amount and timing. 2. Updated the recurring transfer configuration within the new accounting software. 3. Implemented a monthly verification control to confirm that required replacement reserve deposits are processed timely and accurately. 4. Assigned management oversight responsibility for review of monthly reserve funding activity. C. Status of Corrective Action on Prior Findings No prior findings noted. Responsible Party: Managing Agent Planned Completion Date: Corrective action was completed prior to issuance of the audited financial statements, with ongoing monthly monitoring thereafter.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Reporting

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.181 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities $82,453