Finding 302 (2022-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-09-29
Audit: 566
Auditor: Pbmares LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Central Piedmont Community Action, Inc. failed to make timely payroll tax payments, leading to significant IRS penalties and noncompliance with state tax debt requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with Internal Revenue Code and G.S. 105-243.1 regarding overdue tax debts, resulting in $6,750 in current penalties and $56,625 owed from previous years.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Improve communication with grantors for timely reimbursements and explore additional funding sources to enhance cash flow, preventing future penalties.

Finding Text

Noncompliance Material to the Financial Statements and Material Weakness in Internal Control - Community Services Block Grant Finding: 2022-003 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Passed-through NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) Program Name: Community Services Block Grant AL #: 93.569 Award Year: 2022 Criteria: According to Internal Revenue Code Sections 6601 and 6651(a)(2), interest and late payment penalties are assessed on employers when payroll tax withholdings are not paid in full or on time. Additionally, as defined by G.S. 105-243.1 the grantee should not have any overdue tax debts; these are defined on the statute as: "Any part of a tax debt that remains unpaid 60 days or more after it becomes collectible under G.S. 105-241.22. The term does not include a tax debt for which the taxpayer entered into an agreement for the tax debt under G.S. 105-237 within 60 days after the tax debt became collectible, if the taxpayer has not failed to make any payments due under the installment agreement." Tax debt defined as "The total amount of tax, penalty, and interest collectible under G.S. 105-241.22." The certification and test for no overdue tax debts is a required Special Test and Provision of the CSBG Program Compliance Supplement issued by NC DHHS Division of Social Services Office of Economic Opportunity. Condition and context: Central Piedmont Community Action, Inc. failed to make timely payroll tax withholding payments resulting in significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) penalties and interest incurred by the Agency. Additionally, as a result the Agency is non-compliant with G.S. 105-243.1 regarding the non- overdue tax debt requirement. Effect: As a result of failure to make timely payroll tax withholding payments, Central Piedmont Community Action, Inc. incurred $6,750 in penalties and interest in current year and still owed $56,625 from previous years. Also, as a result of failure fo make the timely payroll tax withholding payments, Central Piedmont Community Action, Inc. is non-compliant with the non-overdue tax debt as defined under G.S. 105-243.1. Cause: Insufficient planning for delayed cash flow, due to grantor reimbursements not being made timely to Central Piedmont Community Action, Inc., prevented the Agency from being able to make timely payments. Identification of a Repeated Finding: This is a repeated finding 2021-002 from the immediate previous audit. Recommendation: We recommend that Central Piedmont Community Action, Inc. work closely with their grantors in order to communicate the importance of timely reimbursements from them as well as recommending that the Agency seek out additional funding sources in order to strengthen cash flow and assist with their administrative expenses. Additionally, we recommend the Agency work with vendors to explore other options in delayed reimbursement situations as to not incur significant penalties from the IRS. Views of Responsible Management: See management's corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Central Piedmont Community Action, Inc. (CPCA) will continue to submit requests for reimbursements before the 10th day of the month to help ensure timely payments from funding agencies. CPCA management staff will have a negative impact. CPCA’s Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Executive Director, will continue to stress the importance of timely payments to funding agencies and how those untimely payments have a negative impact. CPCA’s Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Executive Director, will continue to raise funding and apply for unrestricted funding to maintain a steady cash flow and assist with administrative costs.

Categories

Cash Management Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 576744 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.568 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance $522,415
93.569 Community Services Block Grant $462,117
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $250,699
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $12,347
81.042 Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons $4,679