Finding Text
Condition: The Organization’s internal control system does not reliably and consistently produce adjustments to bring the accounting records into compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. Additionally, the Organization does not have a system of internal controls in place that would enable management to conclude the financial statements and related disclosures are complete and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This is not unusual in organizations of this size. Criteria: The Organization’s accounting records should comply with generally accepted accounting principles and the Organization should have internal controls in place to provide reasonable assurance that management takes responsibility for the financial statements.
Context: The organization outsources the drafting of the financial statements to ensure they are prepared in conformity with GAAP. Cause: Several account balances are not adjusted for accruals throughout the year; rather, adjustments to those account balances are proposed at year end by auditors. The Organization’s management does not have the internal controls in place to ensure financial statements would be prepared in conformity with GAAP without outsourcing these services to experienced accountants. Effect: Significant journal entries were identified, proposed, and recorded during the audit to bring the accounting records in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. Interim financial statements may be unreliable and inconsistent with yearend results. Because of the outsourcing of drafting the financial statements, the Organization’s management relies upon an accounting firm to draft the financial statements and related disclosures. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization adopt policies and procedures to ensure the accounting records are in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. Additionally, procedures should remain for requiring the Organization’s management to review the drafted financial statements with the accounting firm and take responsibility for the finalized financial statements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The Organization is recording more activity on the accrual basis of accounting and will continue to review its policies and procedures related to producing accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Organization recognizes management’s responsibility for the financial statements despite being drafted by an accounting firm due the Organization’s small size and limited staff.