Finding 521048 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
ABIL
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2025-02-03

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Institute failed to submit the Data Collection form on time for federal grants, indicating a significant deficiency in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with single audit reporting requirements was not met, as forms were submitted late for 2022 and 2023.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal controls and processes to ensure timely completion of audits and adherence to federal deadlines.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-001: Reporting – significant deficiency in internal control over compliance and compliance finding. All federal grants Criteria: Grantees who are subject to single audit requirements are required to submit their Data Collection form to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors’ report or 9 months after the audit period. Condition: The Institute’s Data Collection form was late for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. Cause: Delays in completing the audits resulted in the Data Collection forms being submitted after 9 months from the end of the audit report. Effect: The Institute was not in compliance with single audit reporting requirements. Recommendation: Internal controls and processes should be implemented to ensure audits are completed in a timely manner to meet federal reporting deadlines. Management’s response: See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas (the Institute) respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended December 31, 2023. Audit period: 01/01/2023 – 12/31/2023 The findings from the Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs identified in the December 05, 2024, audit report are discussed below. Findings are numbered consistently with the numbers assigned in the schedule. Findings – Federal Awards Audit Significant Deficiency Federal Awards Program Audit Findings and Recommendations Finding 2023-001: Reporting – significant deficiency in internal control over compliance and compliance finding. All federal grants. Criteria: Grantees who are subject to single audit requirements are required to submit their Data Collection form to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors’ report or 9 months after the audit period. Condition: The Institute’s Data Collection form was late for the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2023. Cause: Delays in completing the audits resulted in the Data Collection forms being submitted after 9 months from the end of the audit report. Effect: The Institute was not in compliance with single audit reporting requirements. Recommendation: Internal controls and processes should be implemented to ensure audits are completed in a timely manner to meet federal reporting deadlines. Institute Action Plan: • Hire new finance and accounting senior management [completed November 2024]. o Hired new CFO (October 2024; started January 02, 2025) o Hired new Controller (November 2024; starts February 17, 2025) Establish timeline for review and acceptance of 2024 audit [initiated December 2024]. o By May 01, 2025: Institute submits 2024 General Ledger and Trial Balance to auditor o May 01, 2025 – May 11, 2025: Auditor sends sample and other requests for information o May 12, 2025 – May 23, 2025: Audit fieldwork o Week of July 07, 2025: Auditor sends draft audit report to Institute management for review. o Week of July 21, 2025: Institute management reviews draft audit report and notes areas needing clarification and/or corrections. o By Week of August 11, 2025: Auditor provides a final revised audit report to Institute management. o Week of August 18, 2025: Institute management sends audit report to the Institute Board’s Audit and Finance Committee for review. o By week of September 1, 2025: The Audit and Finance Committee meets to review and accept final audit report on behalf of the Board. o By September 15, 2025: Data Collection Form is submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (i.e., well in advance of the September 30, 2025, submission due date for the Data Collection Form). o October 29, 2025: The Institute Board ratifies the Audit and Finance Committee’s acceptance of final audit report. • Q1-Q2 2025: Perform gap analysis evaluation of existing Accounting staff and address any gaps in coverage and provide access to and training on financial systems and historical data archives [initiated and ongoing]. Corrective Action Contact Person(s): Maryana Geller, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Planned Completion Date for Corrective Action Plan: September 15, 2025

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 521049 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 521050 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 521051 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 521052 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 521053 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 521054 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1097490 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1097491 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1097492 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1097493 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1097494 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1097495 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1097496 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $812,910
93.268 Immunization Cooperative Agreements $802,515
93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (stlt) Health Department Response to Public Health Or Healthcare Crises $518,145
93.958 Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services $123,374
93.630 Developmental Disabilities Basic Support and Advocacy Grants $75,413
93.104 Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances (sed) $35,893