Finding 396045 (2021-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2024-05-07
Audit: 305670
Organization: Orutsararmiut Native Council (AK)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a material weakness in internal controls related to compliance with investment requirements for advance funds.
  • Impacted Requirements: Advance funds must be invested in U.S. obligations or insured accounts; current practices do not meet these criteria.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure adherence to internal control policies to comply with investment regulations and safeguard advance funds.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: US Department of the Interior Federal Program: BIA Compact Assistance Listing Number: 15.022 Award Number: GT-OSGT043-16 Award Year: 2021 Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over compliance and material noncompliance. Criteria: Funds received in advance are required to be (1) invested only in obligations of the United States or in obligations or securities that are guaranteed or insured by the United States, or mutual (or other) funds registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which only invest in obligations of the United States or securities that are guaranteed or insured by the United States; or (2) deposited only in accounts that are insured by an agency or instrumentality of the United States, or are fully collateralized to ensure protection of the advance funds, even in the event of bank failure. Condition and Context: During our testing of special tests and provisions, management was unable to provide sufficient documentation to indicate that advance funds were being held in allowable investment securities or within fully insured and/or collateralized bank accounts. Cause: Lack of internal control over compliance and material noncompliance with the special tests and provisions requirement of the program. Effect: The lack of internal control over advance funds resulted in material noncompliance with the special tests and provisions requirements of the program. Questioned Costs: None noted. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Council adheres to its internal control policies to ensure compliance requirements are met. Management’s Response: Management concurs with the finding. See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Agency: US Department of the Interior Federal Program: BIA Compact Assistance Listing Number: 15.022 Award Number: GT-OSGT043-16 Award Year: 2021 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in internal control over compliance and material noncompliance. Name of Contact: Brian Henry, Executive Director Corrective Action Plan: Due to miscommunication and turnover of accounting personnel, a misunderstanding arose regarding the collateralization of the Council’s general checking account to which federal awards are deposited. The financial institution utilizes a repurchase agreement by which the daily remaining collected balance in the checking account is invested by the bank, acting as agent of the Council. Securities purchased are exclusively obligations of the U.S. government and/or its agencies, or municipal bonds rated A or better. Proposed Completion Date: This finding is presently resolved.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 396042 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 396043 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 396044 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 396046 2021-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 396047 2021-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 396048 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 972484 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 972485 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 972486 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 972487 2021-004
    Material Weakness
  • 972488 2021-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 972489 2021-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 972490 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $3.80M
14.862 Indian Community Development Block Grant Program $537,082
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $385,044
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $302,266
93.568 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance $282,144
14.867 Indian Housing Block Grants $247,993
93.047 Special Programs for the Aging_title Vi, Part A, Grants to Indian Tribes_part B, Grants to Native Hawaiians $242,084
15.022 Tribal Self-Governance $237,393
16.841 Voca Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program $196,932
15.636 Alaska Subsistence Management $181,366
93.045 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part C_nutrition Services $128,091
16.587 Violence Against Women Discretionary Grants for Indian Tribal Governments $127,450
66.926 Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (gap) $110,071
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $72,870
93.612 Native American Programs $65,044
12.116 Department of Defense Appropriation Act of 2003 $64,995
93.933 Demonstration Projects for Indian Health $64,089
93.054 National Family Caregiver Support, Title Vi, Part C, Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiians $49,790
45.311 Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services $9,873