Finding Text
Section III – Major Federal Award Program Findings and Questioned Costs Finding Reference 2025-005 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Pass-through Agency: P.R. Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3) Program: Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters (Assistance Listing No. 97.036) Compliance Requirement: Reporting (L) Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls (SD), Instance of Noncompliance (NC) Statement of Condition In our Reporting Test, we evaluated the Quarterly Progress Reports of a total of seven (7) projects for two quarters of fiscal year 2024-2025. During our audit procedures, we identified that the reports did not agree with the accounting records. During our audit procedures, we identified that the reports noted that the reports did not agree with the accounting records. Criteria 2 CFR 200.302 (a) states that the states’ and other non-Federal entities’ financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by general and program-specific terms and conditions; and the tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that such funds have been used according to the Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Also, 2 CFR 200.302 (b) (2) states that the financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. Cause of Condition The Municipality’s accounting controls and procedures fail to ensure accurate, current and complete disclosure of the financial results of federal assisted activities. Effect of Condition The expenses reported in the Quarterly Progress Reports do not agree with the accounting records. Recommendation We recommend the Program Administrators reconcile the differences between the quarterly report and the accounting records before the following submissions to the pass-through entity. Questioned Cost None. Prior Year Finding No. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action We concur with the finding. Adopted Measures • Expense Synchronization: A protocol will be implemented requiring contracted consultants to record and report incurred expenses only when a validated disbursement voucher is available, thereby ensuring the integrity of the financial flow. • Reconciliation: The office will conduct a detailed comparison between the draft quarterly report and the general ledger to identify and correct any discrepancies prior to final submission. • Compliance Timeline: An internal deadline will be established for the submission of the report, ensuring attainment of the minimum percentage required under the Quality Activities category through accurate financial data. Expected Outcome To ensure that all financial information submitted is complete, accurate, and fully aligned with the Municipality’s accounting records, thereby eliminating the risk of audit findings. Implementation Date: March 2026. Responsible persons: • Person responsible for the implementation: Mr. Carlos Flores, Federal Program’s Subdirector • Person responsible for the supervision: Mrs. Yolanda Maldonado, Federal Program’s Director