Finding 480831 (2023-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-08-09
Audit: 316967
Organization: Lewisburg Borough (PA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Borough management prefers using auditors for drafting financial statements instead of hiring a qualified accountant.
  • Impacted Requirements: This approach may compromise the quality and accuracy of financial reporting.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should take responsibility for preparing the financial statements as advised by auditors.

Finding Text

2023-004 General - Financial Statement Preparation In connection with the audit of the Borough's financial statements, like most smaller local governmental entities, management has requested that the auditors assist in the drafting of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Effect: Borough management has determined that it is more cost-beneficial to utilize the services of its auditors to assist in drafting financial statements, as opposed to hiring a professional accountant trained in such matters. Population and Items Tested: N/A; Finding is based upon the understanding and review of the internal control system. Auditor's Recommendation: Management should prepare the financial statements and related notes. The Borough's planned corrective action is in its Corrective Action Plan at the end of this report.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2023-004 Grant Program/CFDA#: Community Development Block Grant Program, 14.228 Federal Agency/Pass-Through Entity: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development/Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Finding - General - Financial Statement Preparation: In connection with the audit of the Borough of Lewisburg’s financial statements, like most smaller local governmental entities, management has requested that its external auditors assist in the drafting of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Borough management has determined that it is more cost-beneficial to utilize the services of its auditors to assist in drafting the schedule of expenditures of federal awards, as opposed to hiring a professional accountant trained in such matters. While the Borough’s internal accounting personnel have the ability to interpret and understand its schedule of expenditures of federal awards, they do not have sufficient experience in preparing that schedule in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. It was recommended by the auditors that management should prepare its schedule of expenditures of federal awards. However, in evaluating this need, the Borough must weigh the cost of employing additional personnel against the benefits to be derived therefrom. Borough Response: The Borough will consider training staff to achieve these duties, but it does not expect to hire additional personnel to perform these duties.

Categories

Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 480832 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 480833 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 480834 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 480835 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 480836 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 480837 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 480838 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1057273 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1057274 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1057275 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1057276 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1057277 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1057278 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1057279 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1057280 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $2.81M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $28,552