Finding 1203069 (2025-006)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization failed to report unliquidated financial obligations on the SF-425, leading to inaccurate federal financial reporting.
  • Impacted Requirements: This non-compliance violates 2 CFR Section 200, which mandates accurate reporting for federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish a robust internal control structure to ensure compliance with federal reporting requirements and improve financial management practices.

Finding Text

Condition: The Organization did not report unliquidated financial obligations on the final federal financal report SF-425. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR Section 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, the Organization must file federal financial reports (Section 200.328). Effect: The Organization did not file accurate information on the federal financial report SF-425, and thus was not in compliance with reporting requirements under 2 CFR Section 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Cause: The Organization had no internal control structure in place to ensure accurate reporting under 2 CFR Section 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Recommendation: The Organization should create an internal control structure in place to ensure accurate reporting under 2 CFR Section 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and comply with such requirements. Repeat Finding: No Views of Responsible Officials: Management of Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana, Inc. acknowledges the findings identified in the audit and is in agreement with the condition as stated. We recognize that certain deficiencies were identified related to donor-restricted grants, and federal grant compliance requirements. As this was the Organization’s first experience managing federal funding, some compliance requirements were not fully understood at the time; however, all actions taken were in good faith and with the intent to appropriately steward funds. Management is committed to strengthening internal controls and ensuring full compliance moving forward. Corrective actions have already been initiated, including the liquidation of remaining federal funds in accordance with grant requirements and the development of formalized policies and procedures to address procurement, financial tracking, and documentation practices.

Corrective Action Plan

Condition: The Organization did not report unliquidated financial obligations on the final federal financial report SF-425, in violation of the federal financial reporting requirements under 2 CFR Section 200.328. Corrective Action Steps: Establish a written procedure for preparing and reviewing the SF-425 Federal Financial Report, including a checklist that specifically addresses the identification and reporting of unliquidated obligations. Prior to submission, require a preparatory review step in which finance staff identify all outstanding obligations and confirm they are correctly reflected on the SF-425. Implement a secondary review and approval of all final SF-425 reports by the Finance Director or equivalent prior to submission to the federal awarding agency. Provide training to finance staff responsible for federal reporting on the requirements of 2 CFR Section 200.328 and the correct completion of the SF-425. Retain copies of all submitted SF-425 reports along with the supporting workpapers used to prepare them, including documentation of the unliquidated obligations review. Responsible Party: CLC NWI Executive Director. Target Date: Executive Director Partially Completed. All funds have been liquidated as of 3/23/26. All other corrective action steps to be implemented by May 15, 2026.

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1203067 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1203068 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
43.009 MISSION SUPPORT $941,000