Finding 567014 (2024-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-06-25

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The annual project and expenditure report lacked a documented review by someone other than the preparer before submission.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding violates 2 CFR section 200.303, which mandates internal controls for managing federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a procedure to ensure the report includes the date and signature of both the preparer and the reviewer.

Finding Text

2024-001 Lack of Documented Review of Annual Project and Expenditure Report Assisted Listing Number: 21.027 Program Title: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Compliance Requirement: Reporting- Performance Reporting Pass-through Entity: N/A Federal Grant/Contract Number and Grant Year: COVID-19 Y5258 2021 Finding Type: Material Weakness in Internal Control Questioned Costs: $0 Condition: The annual project and expenditure report required by the grant related to the status of projects was prepared by the grant administrator and there was no documented review of the report by someone other than the preparer prior to submission. The recipient is required to file annually a project and expenditure report with the U.S. Treasury. Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Effect: Annual report could include potential errors and cause the City to be out of compliance with the requirement of the grant. Cause: The City has not implemented procedures to formally document their review of the annual project and expenditures report prior to submission to the U.S. Treasury. Perspective: The one report required to be filed did not have documentation of review. Recommendation: A copy of the report should be kept which includes both the date and signature of the preparer and the reviewer. View of responsible officials and planned corrective action: See attached corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

City of Panama City Beach, Florida Management’s Corrective Action Plan For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2024 Finding Numbers: 2024-001 Finding 2024-001 Lack of Documented Review of Annual Project and Expenditure Report The City acknowledges the importance of maintaining strong internal controls. While the report was prepared with diligence and care, we recognize that the absence of documented independent review poses a risk for potential errors and noncompliance with federal requirements. To address this issue, the City has established a formal process to ensure that future reports undergo an independent review before submission. A qualified staff member who is not involved in preparing the report will conduct the review, and both the preparer and the reviewer will sign and date the report to provide evidence of oversight. This documentation will be retained in the grant file for compliance and audit purposes. Staff involved in the reporting process have been informed of these new procedures to ensure consistency moving forward. The revised procedures have been adopted and will be applied to the next reporting cycle. Documentation of the review process will be retained and made available for future audits. The City is committed to maintaining compliance with all applicable federal regulations and improving internal controls to ensure the integrity and accuracy of all grant-related reporting. Anticipated Completion Date: June 2025 Responsible Contact Person: Debra Gibson

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Material Weakness Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1143456 2024-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Covid-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $3.80M
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $2.02M
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $113,542
97.044 Assistance to Firefighters Grant $54,285
97.039 Hazard Mitigation Grant $33,263
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $14,768
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $11,510
16.607 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program $4,377