Finding 62567 (2022-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-20
Audit: 54120
Auditor: Knox Cox & CO

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District relies on external auditors to prepare financial statements and the SEFA, which may lead to material misstatements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with GAAP and Uniform Guidance is at risk due to lack of internal expertise.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The District should review financial documents in detail and oversee all nonattest services to ensure accuracy and independence.

Finding Text

Criteria Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the District?s financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted (?GAAP?) in the United States of America. In addition, the Uniform Guidance requires that the auditee prepare the SEFA. Condition As a non-attest service to the District, the District?s external auditors prepare the financial statements, and the SEFA. Cause It is not unusual for small governments not to have the expertise needed to prepare GAAP based financial statements and the SEFA and to rely on outside consultants for assistance. Effect Without auditor?s assistance, the District?s financial statements and SEFA would be materially misstated. In addition, the condition has the potential to impair the independence of the auditor, if the appropriate procedures are not completed by the District. Recommendations The District should perform detail review of the financial statements and SEFA, including proposed journal entries. The District should also oversee all nonattest services and to seek consultation from other professionals as warranted. Management Response The District agrees with the finding. The District engages consultants who possess industry knowledge and expertise. In addition, the District agrees to oversee all nonattest services.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2022-001: Financial Statement and Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards ("SEF A) Preparation Contact Information of Responsible Party:_ Tonya Pierre, General Manager Corrective Action Plans: The District concurs with the finding. The District engages a bookkeeper who possesses industry knowledge and expertise in special district accounting. However, the bookkeeper does not have the expertise to prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or a SEF A. The District's independent auditor normally prepares the financial statements as a non-attest service and has advised the Board that this is a material weakness. The District considers the cost of internal controls relative to the benefit of the controls and has decided that it was not fiscally prudent to hire additional employees with the expertise to performs these duties. This is common in our industry. The District will continue to perform monthly and annual (or as need) reviews of the financial reports and will discuss seeking professional consultation and address this material weakness should the District request federal awards in future years. Start Date: March 2023 Target End Date: July 2024 Status: 20% Completed

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 62568 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 62569 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 62570 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 639009 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 639010 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 639011 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 639012 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
66.468 Capitalization Grants for Drinking Water State Revolving Funds $1.23M