Finding 572547 (2023-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2025-08-05

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: NIWHRC missed the audit reporting deadline due to leadership changes and challenges in securing a qualified audit firm.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Uniform Guidance for financial statements and timely audit completion.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with federal award obligations.

Finding Text

2023-02 Expenditures of Federal Awards Internal Control and Compliance AL/CFDA#: 93.243 Federal Program: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance Criteria: The Uniform Guidance-2CFR 200.508(b) and 2 CFR 200.508(d)-state: “The auditee must:…(b) Prepare appropriate financial statements, including the schedule of Federal awards in accordance with §200.510…(d) Provide the auditor with access to personnel, accounts, books, records, supporting documentation, and other information as needed for the auditor to perform the audit required by this part.” Also, the Uniform Guidance §200.512 requires “the audit be completed and the data collection form described in paragraph (b) of this section must be submitted within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipts of the auditor’s report(s), or nine months after the end of the audit period.” Condition: The NIWHRC experienced a change in the Executive Director and also in their accounting firm during the period under audit. The NIWHRC also experienced difficulty in finding a qualified audit firm to perform the audit. Cause and Effect: NIWHRC is out of compliance with the reporting deadline for the audit. Recommendation: I recommend the NIWHRC develop policy and procedures to ensure the organization remains in compliance with federal award obligations. Responsible Official's Response: The Executive Director has returned from sabbatical and has resumed duties and the NIWHRC has engaged a CPA audit firm.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-02 Expenditures of Federal Awards Corrective Action Plan: Develop and implement procedures to maintain adequate accounting records that accurately track expenditures by individual Federal programs, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and transparency in fund utilization. 1. Immediate Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of current accounting practices and records to identify deficiencies in tracking expenditures by Federal programs. Determine the scope and extent of inaccuracies or gaps in documentation. 2. Engage Accounting Expertise: Engage a third-party CPA firm experienced in governmental accounting and Federal grant compliance to assist in resolving the issue. 3. Review Federal Program Requirements: Review the requirements of each Federal program under which funds are received. Identify specific reporting and expenditure tracking requirements mandated by each program. 4. Develop Chart of Accounts: Develop or revise a detailed chart of accounts that clearly distinguishes expenditures by each Federal program. Assign unique codes or identifiers to transactions associated with each program. 5. Implement Segregation of Expenditures: Implement procedures to segregate expenditures by Federal program at the time of recording. Ensure all transactions are allocated accurately to the appropriate program based on the chart of accounts. 6. Document Expenditure Allocation: Document the allocation of expenditures to specific Federal programs clearly and comprehensively. Maintain supporting documentation such as invoices, receipts, and payroll records that substantiate the allocation. 7. Training and Capacity Building: Conduct training sessions for accounting staff involved in recording and reporting expenditures. Train them on the new procedures, chart of accounts, and the importance of accurately tracking expenditures by Federal program. 8. Regular Reconciliation and Reporting: Implement a process for regular reconciliation of expenditures with Federal program requirements. Ensure reconciliation is performed monthly or quarterly to identify discrepancies promptly. 9. Internal Controls and Monitoring: Strengthen internal controls to prevent future inaccuracies in expenditure tracking. Assign responsibility for oversight and monitoring of compliance with the new procedures. Timeline for Implementation: Ongoing: Maintain vigilance over compliance and adjust as needed. Conclusion: By implementing this corrective action plan, we aim to establish robust accounting practices that accurately track expenditures by individual Federal programs. This will ensure compliance with reporting requirements, enhance transparency in fund utilization, and mitigate risks associated with inaccurate financial reporting. This plan outlines our commitment to addressing the current deficiencies and establishing a sustainable framework for future operations. Responsible Party: Kimberley Chaffin, Executive Director Date of Implementation: October 1, 2023

Categories

Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1148989 2023-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance $734,804
93.788 Opioid Str $472,022
93.612 Native American Programs $123,570