Finding 1217217 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-06-09

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a material weakness in the internal controls of the financial reporting system, leading to potential undetected errors and delays in financial statement preparation.
  • Impacted Requirements: The organization must adhere to GAAP for timely and accurate financial reporting; this finding is a repeat from last year.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Management should enhance the monthly accounting closing process to ensure all transactions are accurately recorded and reconciled with accounting records.

Finding Text

Requirement: Financial Reporting System Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control Criteria The Organization must maintain a financial reporting system that provides for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United State of America on Effect of Condition The Organization may not be able to detect errors or irregularities on a timely basis. Financial statements may not present its financial position and results for operations in a timely manner. Identification of a Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediate previous year’s audit (Finding No. 2023-001). Recommendation Management should improve the monthly analysis of the accounting closing process to assure that all transactions are recognized in the financial statements in accordance with GAAP and reconcile with the accounting records. Views of Responsible Officials Management of the Organization agrees with this finding. For details of the actions to be taken, refer to the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) section in this report. Responsible Person José Carrasquillo Delgado Finance Director a timely basis. Condition We found that internal controls are not in place to ensure that all required journal entries to prepare the financial statements are posted on time. During the audit procedures, we identified differences between the subsidiaries records and trial balances, resulting in eighteen (18) adjusting entries to confirm the financial statements to GAAP. Some of the significant adjustments were as follows: • To correct accounts receivable by $120,903. • To recognize deferred revenues by $201,229. • To correct revenues by $107,933. • To recognize vacation leave accrual by $168,977. The total amount of these adjustments was $1,360,170 and the net effect on the net income was a decrease of $254. Cause of Condition Management did not perform a proper accounting closing analysis to assure that all transactions and adjusting entries are recognized in the financial statements.

Corrective Action Plan

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN: Management will strengthen internal controls over financial reporting by implementing a formal financial close and reporting process to ensure all required journal entries are identified, reviewed, approved, and recorded on a timely basis. Planned Actions Develop a Formal Close Checklist Implement a detailed month-end and year-end close checklist that identifies all key accounting procedures, reconciliations, and required journal entries. Assign responsibility and due dates for each task. Enhance Journal Entry Controls Require all significant manual journal entries to be supported by appropriate documentation and reviewed and approved by the Finance Director before posting. Maintain a journal entry log to monitor preparation, approval, and posting status. Management Review and Certification The Finance Director will certify completion of all close procedures and confirm that the consolidated trial balance agrees to the financial statements prior to issuance

Categories

Material Weakness Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1217218 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1217219 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.228 Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) $5.67M
10.890 RURAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAM $87,119
66.306 nviromental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program $85,981
10.446 Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)-Rural Business Service $12,420