Finding 21719 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-06-08

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The annual federal financial report (FFR) was submitted late, violating the 90-day deadline after the reporting period.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200 mandates timely submission of financial and performance reports.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish procedures to ensure timely submission of all required reports to avoid future delays.

Finding Text

Significant Deficiency Finding 2022-001: Reporting Identification of federal program: Program Title: Agriculture Research Basic and Applied Research Assistance Listing Number: 10.001 Award Identification: CA 59-8082-0-001 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service Criteria or Specific Requirement: As described in the Fund?s award with the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s, Agriculture Research Service, the Fund is required to submit annual and final financial and performance reports as required by 2 CRF 200. The annual federal financial report (FFR) (SF-425) shall be submitted no later than 90 days after the end of each reporting period. Final federal financial report shall be submitted no later than 90 days after the project or grant period end date. Condition: In testing compliance over reporting, we noted that the annual federal financial report (FFR) (SF-425) was not submitted timely. The annual SF-425 for the reporting period ending March 31, 2022, was submitted on March 14, 2023, which was more than 90 days after the end of the reporting period. Cause: There was turnover in accounting and program staff during the grant period. This resulted in delays in timely financial report submission. Effect: In accordance with 2 CRF 200, section 200.328, the Fund should implement procedures and policies for monitoring and reporting on financial and program performance using the necessary standard reporting forms. Reporting that is required in accordance with the criteria described above was not submitted timely. Questioned Costs: None Context: The Fund did not comply with the annual and final financial and performance reports as required by 2 CRF 200. Repeat finding: No Recommendation: Implement procedures and policies for timely submission of the required financial and performance reports within the required timeframe. Views of responsible individuals: Management concurs with and will implement the recommendation. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2022-001: Reporting Audit Finding: In testing our compliance over reporting, we noted that the annual federal financial report (FFR) (SF-425) was not submitted timely. The annual SF-425 for the reporting period ending March 31, 2022, was submitted on March 14, 2023, which was more than 90 days after the end of the reporting period. Corrective Action Plan: The Conservation Fund is committed to timely submission of the required financial and performance reports and will implement additional procedures in May 2023 to ensure that reports are submitted within the required timeframe. Person(s) responsible for implementation of the corrective action plan: Monica A. Garrison, Senior Vice President Finance & Treasurer. Hillina Fetehawoke, Director of Accounting & Financial Reporting.

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 21720 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 598161 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 598162 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.001 Agricultural Research Basic and Applied Research $2.77M
12.610 Community Economic Adjustment Assistance for Compatible Use and Joint Land Use Studies $677,863
10.912 Environmental Quality Incentives Program $163,008
15.630 Coastal Program $156,959
10.932 Regional Conservation Partnership Program $117,448
10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (afri) $55,668
15.664 Fish and Wildlife Coordination and Assistance Programs $53,672
10.890 Rural Development Cooperative Agreement Program $53,111
11.438 Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Pacific Salmon Treaty Program $36,870
15.658 Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Restoration and Implementation $28,489
15.930 Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network $18,923
15.657 Endangered Species Recovery Implementation $13,675
10.676 Forest Legacy Program $10,976
11.417 Sea Grant Support $9,673
23.011 Appalachian Research, Technical Assistance, and Demonstration Projects $8,000
10.902 Soil and Water Conservation $7,352
81.089 Fossil Energy Research and Development $943