Finding 1237957 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-09-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Key duties are not properly segregated, increasing the risk of errors or fraud in financial transactions.
  • Impacted Requirements: Segregation of duties is essential for cash management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and journal entries.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement better segregation of duties and ensure the Board reviews monthly financial activities for accuracy.

Finding Text

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil and Water Conservation Program CFDA 10.902 2020-01: Segregation of Duties Criteria: The assignment of responsibilities should be segregated so that one person is not responsible for the authorization and recording of a transaction and the custody of the related asset. There needs to be a reconciliation or control activity to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are handled appropriately. Condition: Key duties and functions are not segregated among Association personnel. This is especially a concern in the cash management, account receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and journal entry functions. Effect: Transactions could be mishandled, due to errors or fraud, that could lead to loss of assets or the reporting of misleading financial information. Cause: There are a limited number of personnel for certain functions and lack of board oversight. Identification of a repeat finding: This is a repeat finding from the immediate previous audit. Recommendation: We recommend that duties be segregated as best as possible with the people available. The Board should oversee these areas as much as possible. Monthly financial activity such as journal entries, detail of significant asset and liability balances, bank statements, canceled check images, and reconciliations should be reviewed by the Treasurer for reasonableness. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: The Association agrees with this finding and will adhere to the corrective action plan on page 27 in this audit report.

Corrective Action Plan

2020-01: Segregation of Duties Name of contact person: Katie Sponberger, Executive Director Corrective Action: Duties and functions will be reviewed to determine where segregation needs to occur. The duties will be separated as much as possible and alternative controls will be implemented to compensate for lack of segregation. The costs of segregating certain duties exceeds the benefit and therefore, nonfinancial employees will be trained to provide some assistance in these areas. Proposed completion date: The Board will implement the above procedure immediately.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Cash Management Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1237949 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1237950 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1237951 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1237952 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1237953 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1237954 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1237955 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1237956 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1237958 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.912 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM $95,584
10.902 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION $52,899
10.924 CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM $45,800