Finding 1227456 (2025-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-08-20
Audit: 409492
Organization: The Institute of World Politics (DC)
Auditor: RSM US LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Institute failed to perform monthly reconciliations between its internal records and the COD system, leading to potential inaccuracies in reporting.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding violates 2 CFR Part 200, which mandates regular reconciliations to ensure data accuracy for federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should establish a monthly reconciliation process and maintain documentation to support these activities.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-004: Reconciliation Between Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System and The Institute’s Internal Records Material Weakness Federal Program: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Award Year: August 1, 2024–July 31, 2025 Criteria: Auditee requirements contained in 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, requires the auditee to comply with Federal statues, regulations, terms, and conditions of Federal awards that may have a direct and material effect on each of its major programs. Under the Student Financial Assistance Cluster, Institutions are expected to perform regular reconciliations between institutional records and COD data to ensure completeness and accuracy of reported information. Condition: During our testing of the Student Financial Assistance Cluster, we noted that the Institute did not perform monthly reconciliations between its internal records and COD system data. Cause: The cause is due to a lack of sufficient internal control procedures in place to ensure compliance. Effect:. The Institute is at risk of inaccurate or unsupported COD reporting, as discrepancies may not be identified and corrected in a timely manner without reconciliation procedures. In addition, the lack of reconciliations increases the risk that errors or additional instances of noncompliance may not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. Repeat finding: No. Questioned costs: None. Context: The condition was identified through testing of reporting (COD submission) compliance requirements where there was no evidence that could be provided of monthly reconciliations between the COD system data and the Institute’s internal records. Recommendation: We recommend that management: • Implement a process to perform monthly reconciliations between institutional records, general ledger activity, and COD system data. • Maintain documentation evidencing preparation and review of reconciliations and COD reporting activities. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Identifying Number: 2025-004: Reconciliation Between Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System and The Institute’s Internal Records Finding: - During our testing of the Student Financial Assistance Cluster, we noted that the Institute did not perform monthly reconciliations between its internal records and COD system data. Corrective Actions Taken or Planned: Management agrees with the finding and has implemented, or is in the process of implementing, the following corrective actions to strengthen controls over COD reporting and reconciliation activities. 1. Implementation of Monthly Reconciliation Procedures • The Institute will establish formal monthly reconciliation procedures requiring comparison of: o COD system data to internal financial aid records; o Student financial aid records to the student information system; and o COD activity to the general ledger and related financial reporting records. • The reconciliation process will be designed to verify that all aid originated, disbursed, adjusted, and reported to the Department of Education is complete and accurate. 2. Development of Written Policies and Procedures • Management will develop and maintain formal written policies and procedures governing COD reconciliation activities. These procedures will identify responsible personnel, reconciliation timelines, required documentation, review expectations, and procedures for investigating and resolving discrepancies. 3. Timely Investigation and Resolution of Differences • Any discrepancies identified during the reconciliation process will be reviewed, documented, and resolved timely. Management will maintain documentation explaining the nature of reconciling items, corrective actions taken, and the date of resolution. 4. Documentation and Retention Requirements • The Institute will maintain completed reconciliation workpapers each month, including supporting reports, reconciliations performed, explanations of variances, and documentation of corrective actions taken. Reconciliation records will be retained in accordance with federal record retention requirements. 5. Management Review and Approval • Completed reconciliations will be reviewed by supervisory personnel independent of the preparation process. Evidence of review will be documented through signed and dated approvals, electronic workflow approvals, or other documentation demonstrating that reconciliations were reviewed for completeness and accuracy. 6. Staff Training • Financial Aid and Finance personnel responsible for COD reporting and reconciliation activities will receive training regarding Department of Education requirements, reconciliation procedures, documentation standards, and internal control responsibilities. 7. Ongoing Monitoring and Compliance Oversight • Management will perform periodic monitoring of reconciliation activities to ensure procedures are operating effectively and reconciliations are completed on a timely basis. Compliance results and any significant reconciliation issues will be communicated to senior management and tracked through resolution. Identifying Number: 2025-004: Reconciliation Between Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System and The Institute’s Internal Records (Continued) Responsible Officials: • Director of Financial Aid 0 Dr Thelbert Snowden • Controller/Outsourced Accounting Partner – YPTC Associates Melissa McGuire & Samantha Glass • Executive Vice President – Ariane Sweeney Anticipated completion date: Formal reconciliation procedures, documentation standards, and management review controls will be fully implemented by December 31, 2026. Monthly reconciliations will be performed and documented on an ongoing basis thereafter.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Material Weakness Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1227454 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227455 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227457 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227458 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227459 2025-007
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $1.20M