Finding 577447 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2023-10-31

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Cooperative lacks proper segregation of duties due to a small staff size, which increases the risk of errors or fraud.
  • Impacted Requirements: Internal controls are not fully effective as one person may handle multiple incompatible roles.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Continue to improve segregation of duties as much as possible, considering cost-effectiveness, and adhere to the corrective action plan outlined in the audit report.

Finding Text

Criteria: Generally, a system of internal control contemplates segregation of duties such that no individual has responsibility to execute a transaction, have physical access to the related assets, and have responsibility or authority to record the transactions. Condition: Due to the limited size of the Cooperative’s business staff, the Cooperative has limited segregation of duties. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The Cooperative has informed us that the small size of its business office staff precludes proper segregation of duties at this time. Effect: The Cooperative is unable to maintain segregation of incompatible duties. Cause: Limited number of staff in the business office. Repeat Finding: The finding was reported in the prior year as finding 2022-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Cooperative continue to segregate incompatible duties as best it can within the limits of what the Cooperative considers to be cost beneficial. Current Status: Unresolved, the Cooperative still has a limited number of staff in the business office. Action Taken: The Cooperative reviews and makes improvements to its internal controls on an ongoing basis and attempts to maximize the segregation of duties in all areas within the limits of the staff available. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Cooperative agrees with this finding and will adhere to the corrective action plan on page 27 in this audit report.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1005 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1006 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 577448 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.126 Mortgage Insurance_cooperative Projects $1.84M