Finding 498394 (2019-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
Activities Allowed/Unallowed
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2019
Accepted
2024-09-26
Audit: 321137
Auditor: Wipfli LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a material weakness in internal controls over compliance with federal programs due to inaccurate and untimely account reconciliations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Management must ensure accurate financial reporting and maintain internal controls in line with GAAP.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen year-end reporting controls, conduct annual reconciliations, and ensure management reviews financial statements and disclosures.

Finding Text

Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs Finding Number 2019-001: Represents a material weakness in internal control over compliance with Community and Family Services, Inc.'s major federal programs. Repeat Finding: No Questioned Costs: None Funding Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development & Department of Health and Human Services Title: Section 8 and Head Start AL Numbers: 14.871 & 93.600 Award Year: Section 8: 01/01/19 - 12/31/19 Head Start: 11/1/2018 - 10/31/2019 Head Start: 11/1/2019 - 10/31/2020 condition - Throughout the course of the audit, Wipfli, LLP. noted that several significant accounts were not reconciled in an accurate or timely manner. As a result, material adjusting journal entries needed to be posted to the general ledger to accurately report account balances. Specifically, Wipfli LLP. proposed seven material journal entries including a prior period adjustment which changed grants receivable, inventory, property and equipment, deferred revenue, net assets, grant revenue and various expense accounts totaling $1,077,141. In addition, Wipfli,LLP prepared the financial statements due to management's inability to provide financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Criteria - Management is responsible for designing and implementing fiscal policies and procedures that result in accurate account balances that can be used to prepare financial statements. Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining internal controls and for the fair presentation of the financial statements including the related disclosures, in conformity with GAAP. Effect or Potential Effects - As a result of the material adjusting journal entries and Wipfli, LLP preparing the financial statements, the Organization has a material weakness in internal control and compliance over financial reporting. Cause - The Organization has had turnover and has limited staff working in the accounting office. Auditor's Recommendation - We recommend that the Organization strengthen their controls around year end close reporting. Management should review and reconcile all statement of financial position accounts at least annually. Management should continue to review and approve the annual financial statements and the related footnote disclosures. View of Responsible Official - The Organization agrees with the finding and will investigate if this can be addressed internally by management.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding No. 2019-001: Material Adjusting Journal Entries and Preparation of Financial Statements Corrective Action Plan: CFS was required to create a detailed Quality Improvement Plan to address financial management deficiencies. The plan was approved by IHCDA, CFS’ primary funder, and is monitored by the CSBG Program Manager via monthly meetings, progress reports, and file audits. The report is attached and illustrates the detailed steps CFS pledged to take, the status of each step, and corresponding national CSBG standards to ensure regulatory compliance and alignment with Standard Accounting Principles. Person(s) Responsible: Barbara Cowgill – past, Elizabeth Darby – active Timing for Implementation: Ongoing until all QIP tasks are completed and IHCDA approves ending the agency’s corrective action oversite.

Categories

Equipment & Real Property Management HUD Housing Programs Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 498395 2019-001
    Material Weakness
  • 498396 2019-001
    Material Weakness
  • 498397 2019-002
    Material Weakness
  • 498398 2019-002
    Material Weakness
  • 498399 2019-002
    Material Weakness
  • 498400 2019-003
    Material Weakness
  • 498401 2019-003
    Material Weakness
  • 498402 2019-003
    Material Weakness
  • 498403 2019-004
    Material Weakness
  • 498404 2019-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1074836 2019-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1074837 2019-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1074838 2019-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1074839 2019-002
    Material Weakness
  • 1074840 2019-002
    Material Weakness
  • 1074841 2019-002
    Material Weakness
  • 1074842 2019-003
    Material Weakness
  • 1074843 2019-003
    Material Weakness
  • 1074844 2019-003
    Material Weakness
  • 1074845 2019-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1074846 2019-004
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $1.34M
93.600 Head Start $526,921
93.569 Community Services Block Grant $325,593
81.042 Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons $278,977
17.235 Senior Community Service Employment Program $205,385
10.557 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children $137,605
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $29,852
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $19,623
93.568 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance $14,895