Finding 626558 (2022-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-08-07

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There are significant discrepancies between USDA/CSFP food receipts recorded and those reported by Arkansas DHS, indicating a material weakness in inventory controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: Internal controls must ensure accurate reporting of USDA/CSFP food receipts in QuickBooks, with proper reconciliation and review processes in place.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement organized filing for receipts, conduct quarterly inventory counts, and establish a verification process for all product receipts and distributions.

Finding Text

Department of Agriculture Food Distribution Cluster ? Assistance Listing# 10.565, 10.568, 10.569 Award Year - January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 Award Number ? 6000001537 Special Tests and Provisions ? USDA/CSFP Food Receipts Testing Type of Finding ? Material Weakness Internal Controls and Noncompliance relating to Inventory Reporting Criteria: Internal Controls should be designed and implemented to ensure USDA/CSFP food receipts are properly reflected in the QuickBooks SMF activity. Additionally, controls should be implemented to ensure all USDA/CSFP food receipts and only USDA/CSFP food receipts are recorded as received under the USDA/CSFP accounts in the QuickBooks SMF activity. Condition: USDA/CSFP food receipts recorded by the Organization differed from food donations reported by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (Arkansas DHS) for the year ended December 31, 2022. This included instances where food items were recorded at different amounts as well as instances where items were recorded as received by the Organization without a corresponding donation by the Arkansas DHS. In addition, some food items reported as donated by the Arkansas DHS were not recorded as received by the Organization. Context: The Organization exercises limited control and review procedures over inventory received, distributed and adjusted within the SMF QuickBooks on a monthly basis. Additionally, no reconciliation is performed on inventory at month-end and inventory reported to Arkansas Department of Human Services. Effect or Potential Effect: USDA/CSFP inventory could be misstated as a result of the limited control and review procedures. Recommendation: All paperwork for product received should be filed in separate folders according to the provider (TEFAP, TM, COVID, and CSFP). On each receiving document, a conversion should be notated to convert from cases to pounds. Receipts for the week should be entered by end of the day each Friday. Additional attention should be made to the proper coding of food items. We recommend all receipt of products from all sources and all distribution of product be verified by a secondary person, with any discrepancies being researched and corrected. We recommend the Organization count all USDA/CSFP inventory at least quarterly to verify the USDA/CSFP inventory amounts in the SMF QuickBooks file are correct. Additionally, after all receipts, disbursements and adjustments are made each month, the accounting system for inventory should be locked down with a password to prevent unintended changes. We also recommend that the reporting to the state be reconciled to the USDA/CSFP inventory on hand at month-end.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Material Weakness Reporting Equipment & Real Property Management Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 50114 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 50115 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 50116 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 50117 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 50118 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 50119 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 50120 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 626556 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 626557 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 626559 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 626560 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 626561 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 626562 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.178 Trade Mitigation Program Eligible Recipient Agency Operational Funds (a) $236,209
10.569 Emergency Food Assistance Program (food Commodities) $51,116
10.568 Emergency Food Assistance Program (administrative Costs) $25,486
97.024 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program $18,177
10.565 Commodity Supplemental Food Program $15,753
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $4,369
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $1,423