Finding 403243 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-06-27
Audit: 310399
Organization: Horizons Unlimited, Inc. (WI)
Auditor: Kerberrose Sc

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Limited staff size prevents proper segregation of duties, risking unauthorized transactions and undetected errors.
  • Impacted Requirements: Internal controls are inadequate as one employee handles both physical assets and accounting records.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Separate duties as much as possible and implement compensating controls; the Board should leverage its operational knowledge to address these gaps.

Finding Text

Condition: Due to the size of the Organization, various functions are performed by the same person. Criteria: The size of the office staff precludes a proper segregation of functions to assure adequate internal control. The basic premise is that no one employee should have access to both physical assets and the related accounting records or to all phases of a transaction. Cause: Limited staff is avaialble to segregate duties. Effect: Because of the lack of segregation duties, unauthorized transactions could occur in the Organization’s operations and errors could be undetected. Recommendation: The duties should be separated as much as possible and compensating controls should be used to compensate for the lack of separation of duties. The Board should rely on its knowledge of the operations of the Organization. Management's Response: The Organization is aware of the lack of segregation of duties caused by the limited size of its staff, and will continue to use other controls, where practical to compensate for this limitation.

Corrective Action Plan

#2023-001 – Segregation of Duties – The Organization is aware of the lack of segregation of duties caused by the limited size of its staff, and will continue to use other controls, where practical to compensate for this limitation. Responsible Official: Jenna Van Den Wildenberg, Executive Director Anticipated Completion Date: This finding will not completely resolve itself given the cost/benefits basis the Organization continues to base this decision on.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties HUD Housing Programs

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 403244 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 979685 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 979686 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $784,397