Finding 565974 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-06-24
Audit: 359630
Organization: Taylor County, Texas (TX)
Auditor: Eide Bailly LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The County failed to have a separate review and approval process for reports submitted to the Department of Treasury, leading to a significant deficiency in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding violates 2 CFR 200.303(a), which mandates effective internal controls for managing federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a robust control process that includes a secondary review and approval of all reports before submission to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-001: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Financial Assistance Listing 21.027 COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Compliance Requirement: Reporting Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and conditions of the federal award. Condition: The County’s reports submitted to the Department of Treasury were not reviewed and approved by a separate individual outside of the preparer. Cause: Originally, the County did not have an internal control process in place to ensure a secondary review and approval of the reports submitted to the Department of Treasury were performed by someone other than the preparer of the report. An updated secondary review process was put in place in early 2024. Effect: Without a secondary review and approval, there is a possibility that the report may not be accurately completed. Questioned Costs: None. Context / Sampling: For the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, a nonstatistical sample of 2 out of 4 reports were tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: Yes, prior year finding 2023-001 Recommendation: We recommend the County implement a control process which includes a secondary review and approval of the required reports to be submitted to the federal agency. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the noted finding. Refer to Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-001 Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of the Treasury Program Name: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Finding Summary: The County’s quarterly performance reports submitted to the Department of Treasury were not reviewed and approved by a separate individual outside of the preparer. Responsible Individuals: Elijah Anderson, County Auditor Corrective Action Plan: Taylor County implemented a control process for the last quarter of fiscal year 2024 to have the County Auditor prepare the performance reports, with a mechanical review of the report performed by an individual within the Auditor’s Office. Anticipated Completion Date: Completed

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 565975 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1142416 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1142417 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $4.46M
93.658 Foster Care_title IV-E $544,085
97.046 Fire Management Assistance Grant $414,698
93.563 Child Support Enforcement $113,501
10.555 National School Lunch Program $43,681
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $22,133