Finding Text
Finding 2024-003 – Preparation of Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) (Material Weakness) (Repeat Finding)
Program: All
Assistance Listing (AL) No.: N/A
Federal Agency: N/A
Passed Through: N/A
Award Year: Fiscal Year 2023-2024
Compliance Requirement: N/A
Questioned Costs: None
Criteria
Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) §200.510(b) states that the auditee (the Agency) must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements, which must include the total federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. In addition, §200.303 of the Uniform Guidance states that the Agency must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal awards, including controls over the accuracy of program information and expenditure amounts.
Condition
During audit procedures performed over the SEFA, we noted that the Agency incorrectly included Federal expenditures from AL No. 20.507 and AL No. 20.509 that were accrued and recorded in fiscal year 2023 in the amount of $2,160,408, and excluded expenditures from AL No. 20.507 Federal Transit Formula Grants in the amount of $2,924,012 and 20.509 Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program in the amount of $2,259,151 on its preliminary SEFA.
Cause of Condition
The Agency’s existing internal control system is not designed to provide an accurate and complete SEFA. The procedures currently in place did not include sufficient review of the information and supporting documentation relating to federal awards before the SEFA was provided to the external auditors. The first version of the SEFA provided by the Agency reported total expenditures of $2,842,283; the final revised expenditures totaled $5,865,038.
Effect of Condition
The SEFA, which is prepared by the Agency and considered supplementary information to the financial statements, is a key part of the reporting package required by the Uniform Guidance. The SEFA also serves as the primary basis that the external auditors use to determine which programs will be audited as part of the single audit; therefore, the Agency’s responsibility for preparing an accurate and complete SEFA is critical.
The inability to properly identify and track federal expenditures in the SEFA increases the likelihood that federal expenditures would not be fairly reported. There is increased risk of noncompliance with the requirements set forth in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Compliance Supplement, which can jeopardize future federal funding as well as result in the payback of federal awards.
Recommendation
We recommend the Agency implement internal controls to ensure the accuracy of program information, expenditure amounts, and assistance listing numbers. We also recommend the Agency strengthen its year-end closing procedures to ensure that all transactions and federal awards related to the fiscal year are properly captured and recorded in the general ledger to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the financial statements and supplementary schedules. Additionally, we recommend that the Agency provide sufficient resources and adequate oversight within the Agency to oversee the year-end closing procedures and preparation of the financial statements and supporting schedules. Lastly, we recommend the Agency provide training on an as needed basis for employees with financial reporting responsibilities.
Management Response and Corrective Action Plan
We acknowledge the findings regarding the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). Management agrees that there were errors in the classification and reporting of federal expenditures during the fiscal year 2023-2024, which resulted from inadequate review controls and documentation procedures. The Agency is committed to enhancing internal controls and year-end closing processes to ensure that the SEFA is complete, accurate, and compliant with 2 CFR Part 200 requirements.