Finding 1182176 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-24
Audit: 393553
Organization: City of Amesbury (MA)
Auditor: CBIZ CPAS PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance, specifically regarding the lack of independent review for reports submitted to grantors.
  • Impacted Requirements: The City must comply with 2 CFR 200.303, which mandates effective internal controls to ensure compliance with federal award regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement formal policies for separation of duties and require a second individual to review reporting processes to enhance oversight.

Finding Text

2025-001 Improve Controls Over Reporting (Significant Deficiency) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Program: COVID-19 - State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund AL Number: 21.027 Award Year: 2025 Type of Finding Internal Control over Compliance – Significant Deficiency Criteria In accordance with 2 CFR 200.303 Internal controls, management of the City is responsible for establishing, documenting, and maintaining effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the City is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis. Condition and Context Reports submitted to grantors were not independently reviewed by a person other than the preparer. Cause Weaknesses in the design of internal controls. Effect or Potential Effect There are no questioned costs as a result of this finding as there are no costs directly associated with the finding. Recommendation The City should implement formal policies and procedures regarding separation of duties and the requirement of a second individual being involved in the reporting process. Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action Management’s views and Corrective Action Plan are included at the end of this report.

Corrective Action Plan

Audit Finding Reference: 2025-001 Planned Corrective Action: The City will implement formal policies and procedures regarding separation of duties and the requirement of a second individual being involved in the reporting process. This year was atypical due to staff turnover, which impacted normal operations. Planned Implementation Date of Corrective Action: Immediate Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Marisa Batista, CFO

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $2.68M
97.083 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) $632,696
14.228 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/STATE'S PROGRAM AND NON-ENTITLEMENT GRANTS IN HAWAII $321,869
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $304,852
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $282,715
93.276 DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES SUPPORT PROGRAM GRANTS $126,849
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $110,508
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $94,643
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $42,880
20.600 STATE AND COMMUNITY HIGHWAY SAFETY $32,382
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $13,245
97.044 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT $10,355
93.048 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE IV, AND TITLE II, DISCRETIONARY PROJECTS $10,000
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $5,268
16.607 BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM $2,909
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $1,016