Finding 1208804 (2024-008)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-04-24

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Metra failed to submit the 2024 federal reporting package on time, violating 2 CFR 200.512(a)(1).
  • Impacted Requirements: This noncompliance affects Metra's eligibility as a low-risk auditee, impacting future audit scopes for the next two fiscal years.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Metra should implement procedures for timely audits and develop contingency plans to address delays, ensuring compliance with reporting deadlines.

Finding Text

2024-008 –Noncompliance and Significant Deficiency, Data Collection Form Federal award agency: Federal Transit Administration Program name and ALN: Federal Transit Cluster ALN 20.507 Federal Transit Formula Grants, ALN 20.525 State of Good Repair Grants Federal award identification number: IL-90-X717, IL-90-X726, IL-90-X743, IL-2016-021-01, IL-2017-028-02, IL-2018-024-01, IL-2019-022-02, IL-2021-002-02, IL-2020-050-02, IL-2021-002-01, IL-2020-018-01, IL-2021-050-02, IL-2021-024-01, IL-2022-032-02, IL-2022-005-01, IL-2023-036-02, IL-2023-036-04, IL-2024-025-02, IL-54-0002, IL-54-0003, IL-54-0006, IL-2016-020-01, IL-2017-028-01, IL-2018-024-02, IL-2019-022-01, IL-2020-050-01, IL-2021-050-01, IL-2022-032-01, IL-2022-032-03, IL-2023-036-01, IL-2023-036-03, IL-2024-025-01 Federal award year: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Criteria: 2 CFR 200.512(a)(1) requires that Metra’s annual audit be completed and the annual audit, reporting package and data collection form be submitted to the federal audit clearinghouse with the earlier of 30 days after receipt of the auditor’s reports or 9 months after the end of Metra’s fiscal year (September 30, 2025). Condition: Metra did not submit the 2024 federal reporting package with the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the required timeline stated in the criteria above. Cause: Ongoing capital asset reviews delayed the issuance of the basic financial statements. Effect or potential effect: Failure to submit the annual audit, reporting package and data collection form to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse in a timely manner will result in Metra not being eligible to be considered a low-risk auditee. This will effect the scope of the Uniform Guidance audit for the next two fiscal years. Questioned costs: None noted. Context: Systemic in nature. Recommendation: We recommend that Metra establish and implement procedures to ensure the timely completion and issuance of its annual audit, including proactive monitoring of reporting deadlines and coordination across departments involved in audit‑related activities. Management should develop contingency plans to address delays in complex audit areas, such as capital asset reviews, to ensure future reporting packages and data collection forms are submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the timeframes required by 2 CFR 200.512(a)(1). Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding and agrees that remediation is necessary. Management will implement the recommendations that it has defined within the corrective action plan required by Title 2 CFR 200.511(c) executed on April 16, 2026.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding Reference: 2024-008 Finding Title: Noncompliance and Significant Deficiency, Data Collection Form CAP Contact Persons: • John Morris, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Affairs, (312) 322-6420 • Joseph Psioda, Controller, Financial Affairs, (312) 322-6346 Planned Corrective Actions: 1. Submission of Federal Reporting Package: Management will implement procedures to ensure the timely completion and submission of the annual audit, reporting package, and data collection form. This will include establishing a detailed audit timeline with interim milestones, strengthening coordination among departments responsible for required data and information, and proactively monitoring federal reporting deadlines. Management will also develop contingency plans to address delays in complex audit areas to minimize the risk of future reporting delays. These procedures will be implemented for the 2025 audit cycle to ensure timely submission to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Anticipated Completion Date: 06/30/2026

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1208796 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1208797 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1208798 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1208799 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1208800 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1208801 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1208802 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1208803 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.507 COVID-19 FEDERAL TRANSIT FORMULA GRANTS $493.43M
20.525 STATE OF GOOD REPAIR GRANTS PROGRAM $146.68M
20.507 FEDERAL TRANSIT FORMULA GRANTS $71.47M
20.326 FEDERAL-STATE PARTNERSHIP FOR INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL $4.19M
20.513 ENHANCED MOBILITY OF SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES $943,758
20.533 ALL STATIONS ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM $916,788
20.319 HIGH-SPEED RAIL CORRIDORS AND INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE €“ CAPITAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS $489,160
17.289 COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING $324,312
20.321 RAILROAD SAFETY TECHNOLOGY GRANTS $321,300