Finding 59138 (2022-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-04-20

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization lacks adequate internal controls to ensure compliance with Federal requirements due to recent growth without corresponding updates to processes.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with A-102 Common Rule, OMB Circular A-110, and 2 CFR section 200.303 is not being met, increasing the risk of noncompliance for major programs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a systematic approach to document and evaluate operational and accounting processes related to Federal grants, ensuring compliance and accountability.

Finding Text

Finding 2022-002: Internal Controls (Material Weakness) Criteria A-102 Common Rule, OMB Circular A-110 and 2 CFR section 200.303 require that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. 2 CFR section 200.514 requires auditors to obtain an understanding of the non-Federal entity's internal control over Federal programs sufficient to plan the audit to support a low assessed level of control risk of noncompliance for major programs, and, unless internal control is likely to be ineffective, plan the testing of internal control over major programs to support a low assessed level of control risk for the assertions relevant to the compliance requirements for each major program and perform testing of internal control as planned. Condition As noted in finding 2022-001, we noted a lack of evidence to support the operation of internal controls for the fiscal year. Cause The Organization has experienced growth over the past couple of years, however has not evaluated and updated internal controls. Effect The Organization lacked internal controls to support a low assessed level of control risk for the assertions relevant to compliance requirements for the major program tested. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization institute a program to methodically identify and document its significant operational and accounting processes as they relate to Federal grants and compliance. Documenting a process involves identifying and gaining an understanding of the required compliance requirements, the automated or manual procedures used in performing the required process, the person(s) or position(s) responsible for performing the procedures, the source documents used or generated, the procedures for approval and review and correction of any errors detected, and the financial or operational entries or reports summarizing the result of the process. Views of Responsible Officials The Organization agrees with the auditor's findings. We have already begun to make adjustments to record all grants ahead of time in Quickbooks and deduct funding as we spend from these areas to directly show grant balances and that the restricted funding is spent in compliance with the funding received. We will also provide these findings to a certified public accountant to make sure they are adhered to correctly and meet the requirements of both state and federal funding.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2022-002: Internal Controls (Material Weakness) The Chief Executive Officer will ensure that the Accounting Officer makes adjustments to record all grants ahead of time in Quickbooks and deduct funding as we spend from these areas to directly show grant balances and that the restricted funding is spent in compliance with the funding received. We will also provide these findings to a certified public accountant to make sure they are adhered to correctly and meet the requirements of both state and federal funding. To address these findings and ensure compliance with Title 2 requirements, Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter will implement the following corrective action plan: 1. Operationalize the Grants Management Standards ? Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter will conduct a comprehensive review of its current grants management policies and procedures to identify any gaps or deficiencies in compliance with Title 2 requirements. ? The organization will update its grants management policies and procedures to align with Title 2 regulations, including documentation requirements, financial management, reporting, and record keeping. ? Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter will provide training and resources to its staff involved in grants management to ensure they are knowledgeable about the updated policies and procedures. ? The organization will establish a system for ongoing monitoring and internal audits to ensure compliance with grants management standards, and make necessary adjustments as needed. 2. Establish a Robust Marketplace of Modern Solutions ? Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter will conduct a thorough review of its current marketplace of solutions, including vendors, software, and technologies used in its operations. ? The organization will identify opportunities to modernize its systems and processes to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and ensure compliance with Title 2 requirements. ? Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter will develop a plan to implement modern solutions, including budgeting, procurement, and implementation timelines. ? The organization will establish a process for ongoing evaluation and monitoring of the effectiveness of the modern solutions implemented, and make necessary adjustments as needed. 3. Manage Risk ? Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter will conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential risks associated with grants management and compliance with Title 2 requirements. ? The organization will develop and implement risk mitigation strategies, including internal controls, monitoring mechanisms, and contingency plans. ? Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter will establish a system for ongoing risk management, including regular risk assessments and reviews, and updates to risk mitigation strategies as needed. ? The organization will ensure that all staff involved in grants management are aware of the risk mitigation strategies and trained on how to implement them effectively. 4. Achieve Program Goals and Objectives ? Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter will review and align its program goals and objectives with the requirements of Title 2. ? The organization will develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that its programs are designed, implemented, and evaluated in accordance with Title 2 guidelines, including outcome measurement, data collection, and reporting. ? Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter will establish regular monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track progress towards program goals and ensure compliance with Title 2 requirements. ? The organization will provide training and resources to its staff involved in program management to ensure they are knowledgeable about the updated program goals and objectives and the requirements of Title 2.

Categories

Material Weakness Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $580,313
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $48,725
93.569 Community Services Block Grant $46,786
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $30,000
14.252 Section 4 Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing $6,960