Finding 1214470 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-05-12

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Accounting records are not updated quickly enough, causing delays in financial closings and audits.
  • Impacted Requirements: Timely adjustments, reconciliations, and compliance with financial reporting for federal assistance are compromised.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Address staffing limitations and improve processes to ensure timely financial reporting and reduce audit complexity.

Finding Text

Although the accounting records are maintained using an integrated accounting system and transactions are substantially recorded on a daily basis by fund, the accounting function is not maintained sufficiently current to ensure that all necessary adjusting entries, classifications, reconciliations, and closing procedures are completed on a timely basis throughout the fiscal year. As a result, interim and annual financial closings are not completed within a reasonable period after year-end, and the accounting records are not fully adjusted and reconciled for audit purposes until several months after fiscal year-end. This condition delays the preparation and availability of reliable financial information and significantly prolongs the annual audit process. The delays in completing the accounting close increase the complexity of the audit engagement, require substantial post year-end adjustments and reconciliations, and hinder timely compliance with financial reporting requirements applicable to governmental entities receiving federal financial assistance. In addition, due to the limited staffing within the finance and accounting department, a substantial portion of the accounting, reconciliation, financial reporting, and oversight responsibilities rests with a single individual. This concentration of responsibilities may create incompatibility of duties and increases the risk of errors, omissions, or conflicts in internal control functions. It is noted, however, that the Company ultimately records and properly classifies expenditures and transactions within the accounting records and adequately segregates and identifies transactions by the applicable funds and grants. Furthermore, the accounting software utilized by the Company is considered robust and capable of supporting a timely and effective accounting and financial reporting process.

Corrective Action Plan

Management acknowledges the finding and recognizes that the year-end financial closing and reconciliation process was not completed within the desired timeframe during the audit period. The delays were primarily attributable to limited staffing resources within the finance and accounting department and the concentration of significant accounting and reporting responsibilities among limited personnel. Management notes, however, that the Company maintains its accounting records in an integrated accounting system capable of supporting timely financial reporting and that transactions are substantially recorded, classified, reconciled, and segregated by fund and grant throughout the year. In addition, all material adjustments and reconciliations were ultimately completed as part of the audit and financial reporting process. To address this matter, management has implemented and continues to enhance several corrective measures designed to improve the timeliness, efficiency, and overall effectiveness of the financial reporting and closing process, including: Strengthening internal accounting procedures and closing processes; Implementing enhanced monthly and year-end reconciliation procedures; Redistributing and segregating accounting responsibilities to the extent practicable; Increasing the use of the accounting system’s reporting and reconciliation capabilities; Establishing internal timelines and schedules for interim and annual closing procedures; Evaluating additional accounting and administrative support resources. Management will continue working to further strengthen the financial reporting process and improve the timeliness of future financial closings and related reporting requirements.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1214471 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214472 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
97.036 DISASTER GRANTS - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTERS) $568,072
94.006 AMERICORPS STATE AND NATIONAL 94.006 $191,957
14.269 HURRICANE SANDY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY GRANTS (CDBG-DR) $152,686
16.575 CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE $132,786
66.458 CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND $48,969