Finding 61468 (2022-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-04-05
Audit: 57117
Organization: Dawson County, Texas (TX)
Auditor: Jeromy Stephens

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The County failed to report prior fiscal year expenditures in the annual Project and Expenditure Report, leading to a material weakness in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with U.S. Department of Treasury SLFRF reporting guidelines was not met, as the report lacked necessary reviews and accurate expenditure data.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Attach detailed general ledger expense reports to all grant reports and ensure independent review and approval of all grant reporting.

Finding Text

Finding 2022-002: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Financial Assistance Listing 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Compliance Requirement: Reporting Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Material Noncompliance Criteria: Per the U.S. Department of Treasury SLFRF Compliance and Reporting Guidance, counties with a population below $250,000 that were allocated less than $10,000,000 in SLFRF funding are required to submit annual Project and Expenditure Reports. The annual report for the period March 3, 2021 - March 31, 2022 was due during the year under audit. Condition: The County reported no expenditures for the period included in the annual report, omitting expenditures incurred in the prior fiscal year. The annual report was not reviewed by an individual other than the preparer. Cause: In response to conflicting guidance, the County considered the prior period SLFRF funds unspent for annual reporting purposes. Effect: The annual report was understated by the amount of the prior fiscal year SLFRF expenses. Questioned Costs: None Context / Sampling: Sampling was not utilized. The County was required to file one annual report during the period under audit. Expenditures were incorrectly reported on the annual report. Recommendation: General ledger expense reports detailing grant expenditures should be attached to all grant related reports. All grant reporting should be reviewed and approved by an individual other than the preparer. Views of Responsible Officials: Management disagrees with the noted finding. Refer to Corrective Action Plan. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan Finding 2022-001 Finding Summary: The County does not have an internal control system designed to provide for the timely preparation of the financial statements and related financial statement disclosures. There were material entries recorded that were detected as a result of audit procedures. Further, Eide Bailly assists in the preparation of multiple cash-to-accrual entries as an approved nonattest service. Responsible Individuals: Lucy Valero, County Auditor Corrective Action Plan: It is not cost effective to have an internal control system designed to provide for preparation of the financial statements and accompanying notes. We requested that our auditors, Eide Bailly LLP, prepare the financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements as a part of their annual audit. We have designated a member of management to review the drafted financial statements and accompanying notes, and we have reviewed with and agree with the adjustments proposed during the audit. Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing Finding 2022-002 Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of the Treasury Program Name: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF} Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Finding Summary: Per the U.S. Department of Treasury SLFRF Compliance and Reporting Guidance, counties with a population below $250,000 that were allocated less than $10,000,000 in SLFRF funding are required to submit annual Project and Expenditure Reports. The annual report for the period March 3, 2021 - March 31, 2022 was due during the year under audit. The County reported no expenditures for the period included in the annual report, omitting expenditures incurred in the prior fiscal year. The annual report was not reviewed by an individual other than the preparer. Responsible Individuals: Terri Stahl, County Treasurer Corrective Action Plan: Dawson County does not agree with the finding, and does not believe corrective action is required due to the following circumstances. Upon advisement from TAC, the County made a transfer from the ARPA fund to the General fund before the end of the year using the interim rules, but were told NACO still had not finalized the final rule because they were looking at additional ways to help smaller counties. No checks were written out of the ARPA fund. In March 2022, NACO finalized the regulations on the ARPA funds, which allowed the County claim revenue loss of up to 10 million or to use the interim rule provisions for allowability. The County chose to claim revenue loss of up to 10 million, rather than claim allowable costs of $400,000 under the interim rule. On April 5, 2022 the Commissioners signed a resolution to declare all funds as "Lost Revenue." The money was transferred from General fund back to the AARP fund. TAC/NACO's advisement was that since no checks had been written to any businesses, the annual report needed to show no expenses. Anticipated Completion Date: 03/09/2023

Categories

Material Weakness Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 637910 2022-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.34M