Finding 1224361 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-07-22

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization missed the federal deadline for submitting the final audited reporting package and data collection form.
  • Impacted Requirements: This delay affects timely assurance of financial results and compliance, potentially jeopardizing funding opportunities.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Continue collaborating with the new accounting service to develop written procedures that address these compliance issues.

Finding Text

Condition: The Organization has not been able to meet the federal requirement to submit a final audited reporting package and completed data collection form (DCF) to the federal audit clearing house by the required due date. Effect: Timely assurance to federal program administrators and Organization board of directors that financial results and compliance with federal program requirements are not currently provided, which may also affect the Organization’s ability to obtain desired or adequate funding. Cause: The complexity of the contracts undertaken by the Organization had a significant learning curve to properly administer them. Criteria: Federal audits with financial reports in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are to be filed within thirty days after receiving the auditor’s report or nine months after the Organization’s fiscal year, whichever date comes first. Recommendation: The Organization has procured a new accounting service in the past fiscal year that is helping the Organization improve their accounting and contract administration procedures and ability to monitor them. We recommend the Organization to continue to work with the new accounting staff to adopt written procedures that will remedy this situation.

Corrective Action Plan

"Management concurs with this finding and appreciates the opportunity to provide additional context regarding the circumstances that contributed to the delayed audit reporting. During the audit period, Ability1st experienced an unprecedented transition in its financial management infrastructure. The Organization unexpectedly lost its long-term accounting support, engaged multiple accounting providers during the transition period, and ultimately retained a new accounting firm while simultaneously completing two fiscal years of audit activity. Despite these significant administrative challenges, the Organization continued uninterrupted delivery of critical independent living, housing, mental health, disaster recovery, youth transition, and accessibility services throughout its seven-county service area. Staff remained focused on meeting contractual obligations and serving individuals with disabilities while rebuilding financial systems. Since that time, Ability1st has implemented substantial improvements, including: • engaging a permanent external accounting firm; • strengthening month-end closing procedures; • improving reconciliations and financial reporting; • establishing regular fiscal monitoring meetings; • improving coordination among management, accounting personnel, and auditors; • developing standardized financial schedules for grant reporting; • improving documentation supporting accounting transactions; and • implementing earlier audit preparation timelines. Management believes these improvements have significantly strengthened the Organization's financial reporting process and will greatly improve future compliance with federal reporting deadlines. Responsible Official: Executive Director Implementation Date: Substantially complete; ongoing monitoring throughout FY2026 and beyond."

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1224357 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1224358 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1224359 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1224360 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1224362 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.267 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM $537,537
93.432 ACL CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING $257,173
93.958 BLOCK GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES $160,865
93.369 ACL INDEPENDENT LIVING STATE GRANTS $152,070
14.231 EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM $104,641