Finding 1217535 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-06-15
Audit: 403687
Organization: County of Norfolk (MA)
Auditor: CBIZ CPAS PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The County is missing deadlines for Single Audit filings due to delays in financial statement audits.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with OMB guidelines for timely audit completion and submission.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: County management should create formal policies for timely account reconciliations and accurate financial reporting to meet OMB requirements.

Finding Text

2024-002: Other Matters – Filing in Accordance with OMB Guidance Criteria or Specific Requirement: OMB guidelines require the Single Audit to be completed and submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse no later than nine months after fiscal year end. Condition: The failure to reconcile accounts promptly has resulted in delays in the completion of the County’s financial statement audits and single audit filings over multiple years. Cause: The County lacks effective internal controls and established procedures to ensure timely and accurate reconciliation of accounts, which has hindered the audit process and led to delays in meeting Single Audit reporting deadlines. Effect: The County is not in compliance with the OMB guidelines. Recommendation: We recommend that County management develop and implement formal policies and procedures to ensure timely account reconciliations and accurate financial reporting. These procedures should specifically address the requirements for the timely completion and submission of the Single Audit, in accordance with OMB guidelines. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management’s corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the Schedule of Prior Year Findings.

Corrective Action Plan

The County of Norfolk, Massachusetts respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended June 30, 2024 Name and address of the independent public accounting firm: CBIZ CPA’s 53 State Street, 17th Floor Boston, MA 02109 Audit Periods: July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 2024-002: Other Matters – Filing in Accordance with OMB Guidance Criteria or Specific Requirement: OMB guidelines require the Single Audit to be completed and submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse no later than nine months after fiscal year end. Condition: The failure to reconcile accounts promptly has resulted in delays in the completion of the County’s financial statement audits and single audit filings over multiple years. Cause: The County lacks effective internal controls and established procedures to ensure timely and accurate reconciliation of accounts, which has hindered the audit process and led to delays in meeting Single Audit reporting deadlines. Effect: The County is not in compliance with the OMB guidelines. Recommendation: We recommend that County management develop and implement formal policies and procedures to ensure timely account reconciliations and accurate financial reporting. These procedures should specifically address the requirements for the timely completion and submission of the Single Audit, in accordance with OMB guidelines. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The factors contributing to the delays in financial reporting have been resolved and the county plans on being in full compliance for the SEFA reporting by fiscal year 2026. If the Oversight Agency has questions regarding this plan, please call John Cronin at (781) 234-3435. Sincerely yours, John Cronin

Categories

Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $34.63M
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $193,121
94.006 AMERICORPS STATE AND NATIONAL 94.006 $138,972
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $91,988
84.425 COVID-19 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $14,976
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $13,179
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $7,176
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $2,620
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $1,100
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $825