Finding Text
2022-001 ? Accounting for Notes Payable Condition: In 2016 the Agency closed on a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (?USDA-RD?) loan. In 2018 and 2019 the Agency borrowed a total of $143,098 under this loan. The liability associated with this note payable was not recorded in the Agency?s financial records. Internal controls over financial reporting should be in place to provide reasonable assurance that notes payable are recorded in the Agency?s financial books and records at inception and are reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Criteria: Generally accepted accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Cause: There appears to have been a lack of communication between the Agency?s administrative and financial management when the Agency entered into the note agreement with USDA-RD, and financial management did not receive the note documentation needed to record the obligation in the financial records. Effect: As a result of this condition, the Agency?s financial records did not include the liability associated with this loan. It was necessary for the external auditors to make significant adjustments to the Agency?s accounting records so that the financial statements would be presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards. Recommendation: The Agency should ensure that there is strong communication between administrative and financial management so as to identify all transactions requiring recording in the financial books and records. Response: The Agency is committed to presenting its financial statement in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and will emphasize the importance of regular, ongoing communication of all financial transactions.