Finding 261 (2021-003)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2023-10-17

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a material weakness in compliance due to misclassified federal program expenditures, leading to significant inaccuracies in the Schedule of Expenditures.
  • Impacted Requirements: All federal expenditures must be accurately recorded to reflect the correct amounts for each grant and grant year.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a tracking system for grant activity, ensure monthly reconciliations are conducted and reviewed by a different person, and document the review process.

Finding Text

Type of Finding: Material weakness over compliance Condition: During our testing over major federal program expenditures, we noted a number of expenditures misclassified between grants and grant years which caused material misstatements to the schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the “Schedule”). As a result, material adjustments were required in order to present the Schedule accurately. Criteria: All federal program expenditures should be recorded in such a way as to be able to readily determine the amount of expenditures related to a particular grant in a particular grant year. Cause: There are continued, lingering issues from the implementation of the new accounting system from the prior year that are still being corrected, combined with staff turnover that resulted in a lack of appropriate tracking of grant activity. Effect: There is the potential that balances related to the grants, including receivables, revenues, and expenses, could be materially misstated. Auditor’s Recommendation: We recommend that a system be implemented to track grant activity and compare grant expenditures to grant revenue along with a comparison of cash receipts to reimbursement requests. We also recommend that grant activity be reconciled on a monthly basis and that the reconciliations be reviewed by someone other than the preparer and that evidence of this review be documented. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan: Going forward, both grants and projects will be reconciled on a monthly basis. Per the detailed project activity listing, all project transactions will be reviewed to ensure that all expenses and reimbursements are posted in the correct fiscal year. In addition, reimbursement for all grants will be supported by corresponding documents to further guarantee that transactions are posted in the correct period. Reconciliations will be completed by the senior staff accountant and reviewed by the Director of Finance. Person Responsible: Donna Brumbaugh, Director of Finance dbrumbaugh@hrtransit.org (757) 222-6000 ext. 6611 Date of Corrective Action implementation: September 1, 2023

Categories

Cash Management Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 262 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 263 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 264 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 265 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 266 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 267 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 268 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 269 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 270 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 271 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 272 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 273 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 274 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 275 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 276 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576703 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576704 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576705 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576706 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576707 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576708 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576709 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576710 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576711 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576712 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576713 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576714 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576715 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576716 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576717 2021-003
    Material Weakness
  • 576718 2021-003
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.507 Federal Transit_formula Grants $26.05M
20.526 Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low Or No Emissions Programs $1.45M
20.516 Job Access and Reverse Commute Program $643,530
20.301 Railroad Safety $348,700
20.525 State of Good Repair Grants Program $150,530
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $111,063
20.521 New Freedom Program $53,223