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Audit Resolution Process

Audit Resolution Process. Annmarie Weisman U.S. Department of Education WVASFAA Conference Charleston, WV October 2011. Today’s Agenda. AUDIT REQUIREMENTS. Audit Requrements. Schools must arrange for regular independent audits that include the operation of the FSA programs

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Audit Resolution Process

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  1. Audit Resolution Process Annmarie Weisman U.S. Department of Education WVASFAA Conference Charleston, WV October 2011

  2. Today’s Agenda

  3. AUDIT REQUIREMENTS

  4. Audit Requrements • Schools must arrange for regular independent audits that include the operation of the FSA programs • Submit online via eZ-Audit system • School official, servicer, or auditor submits via a secure login process • FAQs and registration information on the site

  5. Audit Requirements • Public & Non-Profit Institutions: • A-133 Circular • Due within 9 months of the fiscal year end (FYE) date (-More requirements, more time) • For-Profit Institutions: • SFA Audit Guide • Due within 6 months of the fiscal year end (FYE) date

  6. Audit Instructions • Other Audit Instructions: • Compliance Supplements • Dear CPA Letters • http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/nonfed/sfa.html • Other Resources • The Blue Book • FSA Handbook

  7. Audit Exemption • Exemption- Public and Non-Profit Institutions: • Due within 6 months of the fiscal year end (FYE) date • May be requested by institutions that disburse <$500,000 in federal funds each award year Reference: Section 487 (c) of HEA

  8. Audit Waiver • Waiver - For-Profit Institutions: • Due within 6 months of the FYE date • May be requested by institutions that disburse <$200,000 in Title IV funds each award year • Cannot be on Heightened Cash Monitoring • Must have same ownership for at least 3 prior yrs. • No audit liabilities >$10,000 in 2 most recent FY Reference: 34 CFR 668.27

  9. Audit Waiver • Waiver - For-Profit Institutions: • Requires a Letter of Credit of 10% of the Title IV funds disbursed in the most recent award year, and retain records for the waiver period for 2 years beyond the normal record-retention period • Allowed for up to 3 years, beginning with the FY when the school requests the waiver • Requires a compliance audit covering the entire period of the waiver, and an audited financial statement for the last fiscal year of the waiver, due 6 months after the waiver ends

  10. Audit Waiver orExemption Request • How to request a Waiver or Exemption: • Log in to the ezaudit.ed.gov website. • On the upper left hand side of the page, • Click on “Other Submissions” (upper left side of the page) • Click on “Create Waiver/Exemption Request” • Confirm your OPEID number and school name. • Click on the Browse button to search for document(s) to be attached. • After the document(s) has been attached and the file type identified by checking the box, click the “ADD” button to ensure that the document(s) has been attached. Documents should be on letterhead and signed. • Select the Fiscal Year End date from the drop down menu for which you are requesting a waiver. • Click “SUBMIT TO ED”.

  11. PREPARING FOR THE AUDIT

  12. Info. to Provide to the Auditor • Schools must supply DL disbursement and adjustment info. for each borrower (or loans) in the auditor’s sample • Auditor establishes due date • Obtain information from school system and/or FSA systems (COD and NSLDS)

  13. Info. to Provide to the Auditor • An authorized school user should make screen shots of the following data for the aid recipient from COD: • SSN • Name • DOB • Loan ID # • Disbursement Amount(s) & Date(s), with any adjustments

  14. Info. to Provide to the Auditor • An authorized school user should make screen shots of the following data for the borrower/loan from NSLDS: • Loan Status • Loan Type

  15. Info. to Provide to the Auditor • May email or copy info. to a CD • Protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) • Encrypt all data • Password protect all files • Communicate Passwords separately • Secure all data must be secure • Give access only to authorized individuals

  16. AUDIT SUBMISSION

  17. https://ezaudit.ed.gov

  18. eZ-Audit • Extensive help available online • In operation since April 1, 2003 • Avoid errors that delay processing • Must use Adobe Acrobat to create a PDF • Reports must be signed and scanned • Reports must be on appropriate letterhead

  19. Audit Standards • Report on Compliance and Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting Based on an Audit of Financial Statements Performed in accordance with− • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) • Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) • Report on Internal Control Over Compliance • Report on Compliance with Specified Requirements Applicable to the FSA Programs

  20. Components • Independent Auditors Report on Financial Statements (Financial Statements) • Report on Compliance with Specified Requirements Applicable to the FSA Programs (Compliance Audit)

  21. SUBMITTING THE AUDIT—eZ-Audit

  22. https://ezaudit.ed.gov

  23. eZ-Audit Step 1: Review Institution Profile • Confirm the: • Institution name • OPEID number • Demographic information

  24. eZ-Audit Step 2: Select the submission type: • Annual • Merger/Change in Ownership • Change Fiscal Year End Date • Stub Audit • Exemption/Waiver Request • Submit Additional Information • Letter of Public Status (one time only) • Initial* • Reinstatement* • Closeout *Submit after filing an e-App to participate

  25. eZ-Audit • Step 3: Complete the Financial Statements and/or Compliance Audit Information pages • Step 4: Complete the eZ-Audit online completeness checklist

  26. eZ-Audit • Step 5: Upload PDF attachments • financial statements • compliance audit, including the school’s CAP, if applicable • An A-133 report can be uploaded as one PDF • No SSNs in attachments • Step 6: Submit to ED

  27. eZ-Audit • Step 7: Resubmissions • If a resubmission of a PDF file is required, delete the existing PDF file in eZ-Audit first and then upload the corrected PDF file

  28. eZ Audit Helpdesk Phone: 877-263-0780 Email: fsaezaudit.ed.gov

  29. CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN (CAP)

  30. Corrective Action Plan Components Non-Profit/Public schools: • must provide: • the name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action • the action planned • the anticipated completion date *OMB Circular A-133 §315(c) Proprietary schools: • must provide: • all information on the institution’s letterhead • the action planned • the name, title and telephone number of the institution’s official responsible for the CAP preparation *SFA Audit Guide, Jan. 2000

  31. Corrective Action Plans(cont.) Finding: An incorrect budget was used for two out of 20 students. CAP Example A: These errors were the result of different circumstances in each case. They appear to be isolated incidents. CAP Example B: The institution concurs with this finding. A checklist for awarding aid was implemented for use by all Financial Aid Counselors effective Sept. 15, 2011. The Director also reviewed with the staff the importance of using accurate budget code.

  32. Corrective Action Plans Finding: Five out of 20 R2T4 calculations contained errors. CAP Example A: The errors noted were the result of a system problem. Additional staff training will be conducted in the future. CAP Example B: The institution concurs with this finding. All staff with responsibility for R2T4 will attend training before Jan. 15, 2012. Effective Sept. 30, 2011, all R2T4 calculations will be reviewed by another staff member before funds are returned to ensure accuracy.

  33. Corrective Action Plans Dos and Don’ts Do: *Note whether or not you concur with the finding. If you think you are right, say so and provide evidence *Show how you corrected the specific error (adjusted the award, returned funds, etc.) AND will prevent future errors (training, checklist, etc.) Don’t: *Blame the problem on: • “human error” • “the “system” • “staff turnover” • “new staff” • anything else that shows a lack of administrative capability

  34. AFTER THE SUBMISSION

  35. Audit Resolution Process • Screening • Initial process by eZ-Audit system • Follow-up by eZ-Audit staff • Incomplete submissions returned to school • Email notification only • Institution responsible for timely resubmission • Submission is late if not completed by due date

  36. Audit Review Process • Routing of Complete Submissions • If no findings or only minor finding(s), the eZ-Audit system sends a system generated letter via email to the President • If significant finding(s) or repeat of a minor finding(s), the eZ-Audit system sends the submission to the School Participation Team (SPT) for review

  37. Audit Review Process • Audit Submissions reviewed by the SPT • With rare exception, must be resolved within 180 days • Staff member will use information from eZ-Audit and other ED systems • Will contact the school for information if needed

  38. Audit Resolution Process • Final Audit Determination (FAD) Letter: • Addresses selected findings in detail • Includes regulatory citation, summary of auditor’s finding, summary of actions taken by the institution • Specifies any liabilities the institution must repay, repayment instructions, and due date • Provides information on how to appeal if liabilities are assessed

  39. Audit Reminders • Use the audit as a learning opportunity • Test & evaluate effectiveness of policies, procedures systems, & training • Be forthcoming • Never obstruct the audit process • Access to records, staff • Alteration of records, student samples

  40. AUDIT FAQs • Should a school change auditors every few years for a fresh perspective? • Does ED expect a school to have no findings? • How does ED use the information from a school’s audit?

  41. QUESTIONS?

  42. Help with eZ-Audit • Website: https://ezaudit.ed.gov • Phone: 1-877-263-0780 • Email: fsaezaudit@ed.gov

  43. School Participation Teams - Contact Information

  44. Region III Training Officers Greg Martin gregory.martin@ed.gov 215-656-6452 Craig Rorie craig.rorie@ed.gov 215-656-5916 Annmarie Weisman annmarie.weisman@ed.gov 215-656-6456 Thank you!

  45. Contact Information • If you have follow-up questions about this session, contact me: Annmarie Weisman, Training Officer annmarie.weisman@ed.gov 215-656-6456 • To provide feedback to my supervisor, contact: Tom Threlkeld, Supervisor thomas.threlkeld@ed.gov 617-289-0144

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