Finding 1216171 (2022-008)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2026-05-29
Audit: 402648
Organization: Virgin Islands Port Authority (VI)
Auditor: BDO USA PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to submit required reports accurately and on time, with multiple instances of missing approvals and late submissions.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation reporting requirements and internal control standards as per 2 CFR Section 200.303.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should improve its reporting policies and procedures to ensure timely and accurate submissions, including proper review by designated officials.

Finding Text

Finding Number: 2022-008 Prior Year Finding Number: 2021-009 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Program: U.S. Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Program ALN: 20.106 Award #: Various Award Year: Various Criteria – Each non-Federal entity must file various financial, programmatic, and special reports. Additionally, the requirements necessitate that all submitted reports should be supported by the underlying performance records and presented in accordance with program requirements. Further, the Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires that non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition – We reviewed 15 (10 financial and 5 performance) out of the 38 (23 financial and 15 performance) reports required to be submitted during the fiscal year and noted the following: • 4 performance reports and 1 financial report did not contain evidence of review and approval. • 1 performance report was not available for review. • 5 performance reports did not contain evidence of submission. • 1 financial report was not submitted in a timely manner (1,248 days late). Cause – It appears that policies and procedures, including review over reporting procedures, were not functioning as intended. Effect or Potential Effect – The Authority is not in compliance with the stated provisions and inaccurate information may have been reported to the Federal government. Failure to submit required reports could result in reduction or disallowance of Federal funding. Questioned Costs – None. Context – We tested a sample of 15 reports and found 12 exceptions as noted in the condition. This is a condition identified per review of the Authority’s compliance with the specified requirements not using a statistically valid sample. Recommendation – We recommend that the Authority reevaluate its policies and procedures to ensure proper monitoring and review of the required reports by an appropriate official who would ensure the information submitted is complete, accurate, consistent, and submitted within the required timeframe. Views of Responsible Officials - The Authority concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. The Authority will implement measures to ensure proper monitoring and review of the required reports by an appropriate official. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Authority’s Corrective Action Plan, which is attached as Appendix B.

Corrective Action Plan

The Director of Engineering will sign reports submitted to the FAA to confirm that the items have been reviewed. The Senior Compliance Officer serves as the recordkeeper for documents filed between the Authority, the FAA, and other institutions, ensuring that the Authority submits the required filings and maintains a working spreadsheet of items sent. In addition, Accounting has implemented a tickler system to remind staff to submit financial reports to Engineering or the grantor.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Special Tests & Provisions

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1216167 2022-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216168 2022-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216169 2022-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216170 2022-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216172 2022-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216173 2022-010
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $12.25M
11.307 ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE $6.81M
20.106 AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT PROGRAMS, AND COVID-19 AIRPORTS PROGRAMS $2.28M
20.933 NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS $1.97M
97.090 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT PROGRAM $204,280
97.072 NATIONAL EXPLOSIVES DETECTION CANINE TEAM PROGRAM $151,500