Finding 573854 (2023-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2025-08-19
Audit: 364502
Organization: Basic Health International (PA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A material weakness in internal control was identified, specifically regarding untimely invoicing and inadequate controls over bank reconciliations and cash transactions.
  • Impacted Requirements: Internal controls must ensure timely invoicing and proper oversight of financial processes to prevent misstatements in financial reporting.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures for timely invoicing, thorough reconciliation reviews, and strong controls over cash transactions to address the identified weaknesses.

Finding Text

2023-001 – Material Weakness in internal control Condition: As part of the financial statement audit, a material weakness in internal control was reported related to untimely invoicing under contracts and performance and review of monthly bank and credit card reconciliations, and lack of controls over cash receipts and cash disbursements. Criteria: Internal controls should be in place that provide reasonable assurance that invoicing will occur timely and proper approvals, review, and controls are in place over bank and credit card reconciliations, cash receipts, and cash disbursements. Cause: There is a lack of procedures in place around these key accounting processes. Effect: A material misstatement in financial reporting could occur due to this deficiency. Recommendation: Processes and procedures should be implemented that ensure (1) timely invoicing under contracts, (2) proper completion and review of monthly bank and credit card reconciliations, and (3) proper controls related to processing, approval, and review of cash receipt and cash disbursement transactions. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Basic Health International, Inc. agrees with the finding and has a plan in place to develop and implement procedures to correct the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

BHI has engaged a professional research administration consulting firm to provide guidance on federal grants management activities, compliance requirements and policy and procedure development. BHI meets monthly with the grants management consultant. Furthermore, BHI has implemented procedures to ensure adequate internal control over financial processes. For one, all the invoicing on all grant and contract accounts are done monthly. The BHI admin/program manager prepares all invoices on a monthly basis which are then reviewed by Chief Operating Officer and finally approved by the Principal Investigator. All financial transactions are recorded in QuickBooks so that bank and credit card accounts can be reconciled monthly. And lastly, an automated solution has been implemented to keep all bill payment and approvals strictly separate.

Categories

Reporting Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.393 Cancer Cause and Prevention Research $350,633
93.394 Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research $183,203