Finding 571926 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-07-24

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Insufficient staff for accounting and bookkeeping leads to inadequate segregation of duties.
  • Impacted Requirements: Proper assignment of duties is necessary to safeguard assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Increase awareness among staff and the Board about this internal control deficiency, despite limited resources.

Finding Text

Repeat Finding from Prior Year Yes Condition The number of employees performing accounting and bookkeeping duties is not sufficient to provide an adequate segregation of duties. Criteria Circumstances permitting, accounting and bookkeeping duties should be assigned to different individuals to promote safeguarding of assets and accuracy of financial information. Cause The Association has limited resources that minimize the possibility to segregate the functions within the business office. Effect Because of the limited number of individuals involved in the accounting and bookkeeping functions, there is a greater risk that assets will not be properly safeguarded and that errors in financial information will occur and not be detected in a timely manner. Questioned Costs Not applicable Sampling Method Not applicable Recommendation Although it is not cost efficient to increase the number of employees performing accounting and bookkeeping functions, all employees either supervising or performing the duties, and the Board of Directors of the Association should constantly be aware of this deficiency in internal controls. Response and Views of Responsible Officials See Corrective Action Plan and Response to Findings.

Corrective Action Plan

Classes of financial transactions have been segregated to the extent possible among the existing employees. However, due to the limited number of individuals involved in the accounting and bookkeeping functions, a corrective action plan to fully remedy the lack of segregation of duties is not cost justified. Instead, each level of management, the Board of Directors, and the Administrator remain aware of the principles of segregation of duties and the potential risks that exist when full segregation is not achievable. Because of this awareness, management is responsible for ongoing review and follow-up on any transactions or circumstances that appear unusual. This oversight is considered a mitigating control to reduce the risk of undetected errors or irregularities. Contact person: Tim Nichols Anticipated completion date: Unknown

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1148368 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.509 Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program $723,895
93.569 Community Services Block Grant $242,946
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $1,658