Finding Text
Finding 2022-002 – Material Weakness: Reporting – Control and
Compliance Finding
AL 16.575 Crime Victim Assistance Program
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice
Pass-Through Entity: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
Criteria or Specific Requirement: The requirements of the Coronavirus
Emergency Supplemental Funding program require that monthly and annual
reports be submitted within 30 days of the end of the period.
Condition: Of the three reports selected for testwork, one report was not
submitted by the applicable deadline.
Cause/Context: Management oversight. The individual responsible for performing
and reviewing the financial close process in the Finance Department oversees
various other cross-departmental responsibilities for A Safe Place and appears to
be shorthanded for the financial close process work necessary to be completed
accurately and timely.
Effect: A Safe Place was in violation of the reporting requirements associated
with the grant.
Questioned Costs: None
Identification As A Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of finding 2021-005.
Recommendation: We recommend that A Safe Place design and implement
internal control procedures to ensure the timely submission of all required future
reports.
Views of Responsible Officials: The lingering effects of the pandemic have
caused an unprecedented increase in activity in our domestic violence client base
and their needs, and we have been blessed with several new funding sources to
meet the demand. This, of course, meant a large increase in the workload
required from required from those needed in the accounting and finance areas.
Turnover at the CFO level during this time resulted in some administrative
work, including preparation of reports, being put on hold as client services took
precedence. The nature of the client services could result in lost lives if not
addressed timely.