Finding 392079 (2021-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
ABEN
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2024-04-02
Audit: 302211
Organization: Lss Housing Jamestown, Inc. (ND)
Auditor: Eide Bailly LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization lacks a proper internal control system for retaining documentation related to federal awards, leading to the destruction of important records.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with CFR Section 200.334, which mandates retaining financial and eligibility records for three years.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should establish and enforce robust controls over document retention to prevent future compliance issues.

Finding Text

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Financial Assistance Listing # 14.157 Supportive Housing for the Elderly (Section 202) Project Rental Assistance Contract Number: ND99S091001 Project Number: 094-EE008-NP-WAH Activities Allowed/Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles/Eligibility/Special Tests and Provisions Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria – CFR Section 200.334 indicates that financial records, supporting documentation, and all other entity records pertinent to federal awards must be retained for a period of three years. Condition – The Organization does not have an internal control system designed to provide for the appropriate retention of documentation supporting the transactions of the Organization and eligibility determinations of tenants at the project. As a result, through the transition of management, supporting documentation for expense transactions and tenant eligibility were destroyed and not able to be recreated. Cause – Due to a lack of control policies and proper enforcement, documents were inadvertently destroyed. Effect – Inadequate controls over document retention for the Organization could result in inaccurate transactions being recorded within the Organization’s financial statements or ineligible tenants occupying the units, which could result in non-compliance. Questioned Costs – None Reported. Context/Sampling – Not Applicable. Repeat Finding from Prior Year(s) – No. Recommendation – It is the responsibility of management and those charged with governance to develop and enforce proper controls and monitoring over document retention policies. Views of Responsible Officials – Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

US Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Financial Assistance Listing #14.157 Supportive Housing for the Elderly (Section 202) Finding Summary: As a result of management transition, supporting documentation for expense transactions and tenant eligibility were destroyed and were unable to be recreated. The organization was lacking appropriate internal controls to ensure records were retained for the required period of time. Responsible Individual: Dawn Helmowski, Finance Director Corrective Action Plan: Subsequent to the audit period under review, the affiliated entity of Luther Social Services of North Dakota has been replaced with Beyond Shelter, Inc. Upon this change, the new LSS Jamestown Housing, Inc. Board of Directors, implemented a Document Retention and Destruction Policy that includes retention or required documents for the required time periods that will ensure documents are retained. This policy was put into place on April 19, 2023. Anticipated Completion Date: April 2023

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Eligibility Special Tests & Provisions Subrecipient Monitoring Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 392080 2021-004
    Material Weakness
  • 968521 2021-004
    Material Weakness
  • 968522 2021-004
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.157 Supportive Housing for the Elderly $47,060