Finding 524186 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-02-21
Audit: 343360
Auditor: Wipfli LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. has not reconciled all account balances, leading to a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting.
  • Impacted Requirements: This situation violates federal regulation 2 CFR 200.302(4), which mandates effective control and accountability for all funds and assets.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Monthly reconciliations should be conducted, and adjustments posted promptly to ensure accurate financial information for decision-making.

Finding Text

2024-001: Reconciliations and Material Adjustments Questioned Costs: None How the questioned costs were computed: N/A Grant Funding Source Grant Period Head Start U.S. Department of Health 06/01/2023 - 05/31/2024 10CH010945-05 and Human Services Early Head Start U.S. Department of Health 07/01/2023 - 06/30/2024 Child Care Partnerships and Human Services 10HP000422-04 Condition: At the time of audit fieldwork, Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. had not reconciled all account balances. As a result, Wipfli, LLP proposed and management posted adjusting journal entries to contributions receivable, grants receivable, refundable advance, accrued liabilities, operating right of use assets and lease obligations, property and equipment, grant revenue, in-kind, and net assets with donor restrictions. As Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc.’s internal controls did not discover these adjustments prior to our audit, a material weakness exists in Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc.’s internal controls over financial reporting. Criteria: Federal Regulation 2 CFR 200.302(4) requires that an organization have…Effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property, and other assets. Cause: During the audit year, Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. experienced turnover in its business office which contributed to the lack of timely reconciliations, review of reconciliations performed, and subsequent adjustments to account balances. Repeat: Yes - Years as repeat finding: Five 2023-001 Effect: As a result of the lack of segregation of duties surrounding bank reconciliations and not reconciling all account balances resulting in subsequent adjustments to accounts, a material weakness exists in internal controls over financial reporting. Recommendation: Accounts should be reconciled monthly with the adjustments posted timely so that management is relying on accurate financial information to make decisions. We recommend management and those charged with governance evaluate the operation of the business office and implement adequate and timely closing procedures to ensure that financial statement amounts are being reconciled, reviewed, and adjusted in a timely manner. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the assessment and subsequent to year end, steps were taken to correct the matter.

Corrective Action Plan

Reconciliations and Material Adjustments Corrective Action Plan Umatilla Morrow Head Start, Inc. recently added capacity and experience to the finance department by hiring two new staff members, a Payroll Specialist and an AP and Procurement Specialist. In addition, best practices and reconciliation timelines and guidance are being captured in financial policies and procedures being updated at this time. UMHS has also implemented new software tools that will assist in automating the department, providing additional time for staff members to implement a monthly review that includes reconciliations and tracking. This "internal auditing" process is relatively new to the department and will add a layer of accountability and accuracy in the recording and processing of the organization's financial activity. In addition, UMHS initiated recruitment for a permanent Director of Finance in summer 2024 and the search to hire for this position is open and ongoing. To supplement and support the current staff, UMHS will continue to provide additional training and guidance to the finance team to stay ahead of changes to federal and state guidelines, and to build on the knowledge and experience of the team. Adding a permanent Director of Finance will be essential as that staff member will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and working in supporting and staffing the monthly Finance Committee meetings and supporting the UMHS Board of Directors' Treasurer. UMHS Senior Leadership Team will review and approve year-end financial schedules being provided to the auditors, as well as provide additional oversight and approval of year-end entries and closing processes. Timing for Implementation: Immediate and Ongoing Person(s) Responsible: Executive Director, Director of Finance, or Designee

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Material Weakness Reporting Equipment & Real Property Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 524187 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1100628 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1100629 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.600 Head Start $6.54M
10.557 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children $651,536
93.596 Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development Fund $528,426
93.870 Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant $348,252
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $268,942
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $-2,201