Finding 563859 (2024-001)

Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.510(b), a recipient of federal awards is required to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the entity’s financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200 502. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 requires non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards to establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure federal expenditures are accurately reported on the SEFA and information provided for audit purposes is complete and accurate. Condition Found: The Borough did not have adequate internal controls related to the reporting of expenditures on the SEFA for the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund. Specifically, the Borough’s did not have a control in place to review expenditures that were incurred, but not yet reported to the grantor, to ensure proper reporting on the SEFA. As a result, $4,187,325 of Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund expenditures had been excluded from the SEFA for the year ended June 30, 2024. Cause: In discussing these conditions with the Borough, they stated that the Borough consistently followed a policy to report expenditures when expenditures are reported to the grantor. Management did not have a control in place to review the unreported expenditures for proper inclusion in the SEFA, if material. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to establish effective internal controls regarding financial reporting for the preparation of the SEFA may result in inappropriate application of audit requirements. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit.Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the Borough establish internal controls to ensure expenditures are accurately reported on the SEFA and information provided for audit purposes is complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Management has implemented additional controls to ensure the completeness and accuracy of amounts reported in the schedule of federal awards.