Finding 1219600 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-06-26
Audit: 405182
Organization: The Trust for Tomorrow (NC)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Limited staff prevents proper separation of functions, risking internal control effectiveness.
  • Impacted Requirements: Essential internal control measures are compromised, despite compensating controls like outsourced reviews and director-level oversight.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Consider hiring additional staff or redistributing responsibilities to enhance internal controls and reduce reliance on the Executive Director for bookkeeping tasks.

Finding Text

Limited number of staff prevents separation of functions necessary to assure adequate internal control structure. Over the past few years, management has implemented several compensating controls to limit the severity of the deficiency, including: hiring an outsourced accountant who performs quarterly reviews, implementing a director-level review of expense reimbursements and purchase requests prior to disbursement, etc. However, the Executive Director remains responsible for performing substantially all bookkeeping and accounting functions, including having the ability to print and sign checks.

Corrective Action Plan

As noted above, The Trust for Tomorrow continues to add compensating controls each year when possible. For example, beginning in fiscal year 2026, the Organization’s outsourced accountant is slated to pick up additional responsibilities, such as preparation of bank reconciliations. We will continue to review our processes to determine where duties can be segregated amongst existing staff and/or outsourced accountant further. Lastly, the board will continue to provide close oversight of the Organization and evaluate that oversight on a consistent basis.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Cash Management Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1219599 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.924 CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM $61,381
10.912 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM $11,936
10.902 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION $6,820
10.931 AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM $5,115