Finding 1235951 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
F
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-09-21
Audit: 411560
Organization: Town of Ashland (MA)
Auditor: CBIZ CPAS PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Town's equipment records are missing critical information required by federal guidelines, leading to compliance risks.
  • Impacted Requirements: 2 CFR §200.313 mandates complete equipment records and biennial physical inventory reconciliations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update records, implement tracking procedures, conduct a physical inventory, and ensure documentation is maintained every two years.

Finding Text

2024-002 Equipment Records and Physical Inventory Requirements Not Maintained Federal Program(s) Information Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Award Name: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Assistance Listing Number: 97.044 Award Year: 2022 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Type of Finding Compliance Internal Control over Compliance – Significant Deficiency Criteria or Specific Requirement In accordance with 2 CFR §200.313, entities must maintain equipment records that include, at a minimum: • Description of the property; • Serial number or other identification number; • Source of funding for the property, including the Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); • Who holds title; • Acquisition date; • Cost of the property; • Percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired; • Location, use, and condition of the property; and • Ultimate disposition data, including the date of disposal and sales price, if applicable. Additionally, 2 CFR §200.313 requires a physical inventory of federally funded equipment to be taken and the results reconciled to the equipment records at least once every two years. Condition and Context During testing of equipment purchased with grant funds, we noted the Town's equipment inventory records did not contain all elements required by Uniform Guidance. Specifically, the equipment listing was missing certain required information, such as acquisition date, federal award identification, source of funding, title held, percentage of federal participation, cost and condition. Additionally, the Town was unable to provide documentation demonstrating that a physical inventory of federally funded equipment had been conducted and reconciled to the inventory records within the required two-year period. Cause The Town had not established adequate procedures to ensure that equipment records contained all information required by Uniform Guidance. Furthermore, controls were not in place to monitor and document the completion of the required biennial physical inventory. Effect or Potential Effect Incomplete equipment records increase the risk that federally funded assets may not be properly identified, monitored, safeguarded, or disposed of in accordance with federal requirements. Failure to perform and document a physical inventory may result in undetected loss, theft, misuse, or inaccurate reporting of federally funded equipment. Questioned Costs No questioned costs are reported. Identification as a Repeat Finding This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation Management should update its equipment records to include all information required by 2 CFR §200.313, develop and implement written procedures governing the tracking and management of federally funded equipment, perform a comprehensive physical inventory of federally funded equipment and reconcile the results to the equipment records and establish a process to ensure physical inventories are performed and documented at least once every two years. Views of Responsible Official Management’s corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the Schedule of Prior Year Findings.

Corrective Action Plan

Audit Finding Reference: 2024-002 Equipment Records and Physical Inventory Requirements Not Maintained Planned Corrective Action: The Town acknowledges the finding regarding equipment records and physical inventory requirements and appreciates the opportunity to strengthen oversight in this area. The Town will reinforce applicable equipment tracking and physical inventory requirements with responsible departments. Moving forward, the Accounting Department will work with responsible departments to provide guidance regarding applicable equipment recordkeeping and inventory requirements and will increase oversight of compliance as part of its grant monitoring and review processes. Any issues identified through this oversight will be communicated to the appropriate department for follow-up and resolution. Planned Implementation Date of Corrective Action: September 2026 Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Stephanie Pemberton, Town Accountant Please consider this the Town’s official corrective action response to be included in the final audit report.

Categories

Equipment & Real Property Management Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1235948 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1235949 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1235950 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
97.044 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT $921,944
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $619,391
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $480,006
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $173,341
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $126,795
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $108,261
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $87,914
93.276 DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES SUPPORT PROGRAM GRANTS $76,942
97.083 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) $13,168
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $10,722
84.365 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STATE GRANTS $9,977
97.042 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANTS $4,600
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $1,575