Finding 479373 (2023-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-07-24
Audit: 315878
Organization: Spyglass Ridge (OR)
Auditor: Grimstad & Assoc

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a material weakness in internal controls, meaning the system failed to prevent or detect significant errors in financial reporting.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal program requirements is at risk due to deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Hire a qualified accountant or CPA to ensure accurate preparation of financial statements in line with U.S. GAAP.

Finding Text

Material Weakness - Internal Control - Accounting Corrections Criteria According to Government Auditing Standards and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) a deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis. A material weakness in internal control over compliance is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over compliance, such that there is a reasonable possibility that material noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program will not be prevented or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. Condition The auditor calculated, and NWCH approved recording a material adjustment to the financial statements in order for the audited financial statements to be materially correct. Context Developer fees totaling $818,257 were not recorded as receivables, revenue, deferred revenue, and a liability payable to a consultant, and was corrected with an audit adjustment to agree to Golden Eagle Apartments Limited Partnership's 2023 audit. Cause The transaction discussed above did not go through NWCH's bank accounts and, accordingly, was not recorded by the bookkeeper. Effect The audited change in net assets for all adjustments decreased $121,311, assets decreased $42,166, liabilities increased $28,663 after audit adjustments. Accordingly, total adjustments were not material to the financial statements in 2023. Questioned Costs None. Recommendation A college degreed accountant, CPA, or CPA firm is needed to oversee the accounting function for NWCH to properly prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Corrective Action Plan

Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions We agree with this finding. NWCH was successful in adding needed staff in 2023, but was unable to hire a degreed accountant or controller, or to contract with an accounting firm for oversight of the accounting function. Bookkeeper training was provided from Shelter Resources Financial Manager in February 2023. NWCH is researching CPA firms in order to contract a qualified controller with expertise in real estate holdings relevant to NWCH. NWCH has been actively searching for a qualified CPA to hire or contract with since 2021, however, due to capacity constraints and overwhelmed CPA firms, NWCH has been unsuccessful. Efforts to hire experienced accounting personnel continues.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 479374 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 479375 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 479376 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 479377 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 479378 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1055815 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1055816 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1055817 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1055818 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1055819 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1055820 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.142 Property Improvement Loan Insurance for Improving All Existing Structures and Building of New Nonresidential Structures $2.70M
10.780 Rural Development; Rural Housing Service, Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Direct Load $1.80M
14.251 Economic Development Initiative, Community Project Funding, and Miscellaneous Grants $372,570
97.024 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program $14,770
93.912 Rural Health Care Services Outreach, Rural Health Network Development and Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement $12,500
14.252 Section 4 Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing $11,981