Finding 961470 (2023-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-26
Audit: 298115
Organization: Newell School District (SD)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Significant audit adjustments were needed for the District’s financial statements, indicating a lack of proper internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with reporting standards for the ESSER program was not met, leading to material misstatements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should ensure all significant accounts are adjusted annually to maintain accurate financial reporting.

Finding Text

2023-004 FINDING: Audit Adjustments Federal Program Affected: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Compliance Requirement: Reporting Questioned Costs: None Condition and Cause: During the course of our engagement, we assisted with adjusting SDRS pension activity and we proposed material audit adjustments. The adjustments included: a. Adjusting property tax receivable and unavailable revenue b. Adjusting capital assets of governmental activities c. Adjusting accounts payable and accrued leave d. Adjusting reoffering premium amortization on refunding bonds e. Adjusting federal revenue and receivable for ESSER expenditures incurred but not yet received. Other entries were proposed as part of the audit but were not recorded due to the overall insignificance on the financial statements. Criteria and Effect: These adjustments were not recorded through the District’s existing internal controls, and therefore, resulted in a material misstatement of the District’s financial statements. As in past audits, these adjustments were made by us as part of our audit process. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: Yes, prior year finding 2022-004. Recommendation: We recommend management adjust all significant accounts at year end. This will provide the District with accurate financial information. Specifically: a. Property tax receivable and related revenues should be monitored and adjusted at least annually b. Capital expenditures should be capitalized and depreciated over the useful life of the asset c. Accounts payable and accrued leave balances should be monitored and recorded on an annual basis d. Amortization on refunding bonds should be recorded over the life of the bond e. Federal revenue and receivables should be recorded at year end to reflect federal expenditures not yet reimbursed. Response/Corrective Action Plan: The District agrees with the above finding. See Corrective Action Plan.

Categories

Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 385027 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 385028 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 385029 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 385030 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 961469 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 961471 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 961472 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $363,355
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $147,590
10.555 National School Lunch Program $66,202
15.227 Distribution of Receipts to State and Local Governments $50,506
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $37,341
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $29,466
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $27,991
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $16,386
10.553 School Breakfast Program $14,907
15.226 Payments in Lieu of Taxes $12,426
10.582 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program $8,469
97.067 Homeland Security Grant Program $7,814
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $1,205
10.575 Farm to School Grant Program $1,004