Finding Text
2024-004 – Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance and Noncompliance (Reporting)
Criteria – Financial reports should be submitted in accordance with the requirements of Federal Grant – Standard Financial Report, 30 days following the end of each calendar quarter. The Organization has not complied with this requirement.
Condition – The Organization did not have controls or processes in place to ensure accurate and timely Federal Grant – Standard Financial Reports were filed. As a result, reports for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 were either not filed or filed late.
Cause – A significant amount of employee turnover in the finance department of the Organization at year-end.
Effect – Reimbursement of expenses is made upon receipt of quarterly reports. Late filings of reports could result in delay in cash flow to the Organization. In addition, reports filed after the end of the grant period could result in reimbursements being denied and grant funds lost.
Recommendation – The Organization should implement controls to be able to accurately report and file any required reports timely, based on requirements of a Federal agreement. A quarterly checklist of open grants should be maintained to ensure all required reports are filed.
Management response and Corrective Action Plan: Management and Board of Directors agree with the finding and have begun assessing its internal control systems and procedures related to this matter. New policies and procedures have been implemented for Federal grant report filings to enforce a strong system of internal controls. An updated accounting procedures manual is in process as well.