Finding Text
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance - Inadequate Controls Over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Federal Program: All Federal Programs Criteria: Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Condition: The Authority did not establish effective internal controls over compliance related to the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Context: During our audit, we identified that the Authority did not properly record the financial activity associated with a grant funded capital project for which it was responsible under the terms of its funding agreements. Although an external party administered the project and paid the contractors directly, the Authority was the accountable subrecipient and beneficiary of project funds. The Authority did not recognize the associated capital asset additions, expenditures, or related grant activity in its general ledger. This resulted in a material audit adjustment to the Authority’s schedule of expenditures of federal awards for the year ended December 31, 2024. Effect: As a result of the control deficiency, the Authority’s schedule of expenditures of federal awards for the year ended December 31, 2024 was materially misstated prior to audit adjustment. Cause: The Authority did not have adequate internal control processes in place to identify and monitor financial activity related to the grant funded capital project administered by an external party. The Authority relied on the external party’s administration of the project without implementing procedures to ensure that all related transactions were recorded in its own accounting records in the proper period. Repeat finding: No Auditor Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority implement strengthened internal controls to ensure that all grant funded activities and major capital projects are appropriately identified, monitored, and recorded in the Authority’s accounting records. This should include procedures for reviewing grant agreements to determine financial reporting responsibilities, coordination with external parties and any consultants involved in project administration, and periodic reconciliation and monitoring procedures to ensure all activity is accurate and captured timely. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and intends to take corrective action to address the identified deficiencies.