Finding 623043 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-04-27
Audit: 41659
Organization: Winslow Gardens (RI)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization improperly made $9,208 in operating advances for related entities without having the required surplus cash, violating HUD regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Payments for non-project related expenses must only come from available surplus cash as per HUD guidelines.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Ensure no payments are made for related organizations without surplus cash and conduct timely reviews of financial activities to prevent unauthorized advances.

Finding Text

Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: HUD requires that payments of distributions and other nonproject related cash disbursements can only be made with available surplus cash. Condition: During 2022, the Organization made operating advances of $9,208 for expenses belonging to organizations related by common control. These advances were in excess of amounts available from surplus cash as determined by HUD regulations and represent a control deficiency as the matter was not identified timely. Questioned costs: $9,208 Context: Four quarters were tested for the transactions for three entities with common control for a total of twelve quarters. During two of the twelve quarters tested, we noted a receivable balance when there was no surplus cash available to loan. In addition, during testing of contributions to and from the Organization, we noted a contribution from the Organization to an entity related by common control when there was no surplus cash available. Cause: The Organization paid expenses pertaining to affiliated organizations when there was no available surplus cash by error. Effect: The Organization made an unauthorized distribution of project funds, which is a violation of the Organization?s agreement with HUD. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that no expenses be paid on behalf of related organizations when surplus cash is not available and that the Organization complete timely reviews of related organization financial activity to ensure no unauthorized advances occur. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Categories

Questioned Costs Internal Control / Segregation of Duties HUD Housing Programs Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 46600 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 46601 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 623042 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.164 Operating Assistance for Troubled Mutli-Family Housing Projects $1.65M
14.191 Multifamily Housing Service Coordinators $201,770
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $25,000