STATEMENT OF AUDITING STANDARDS 112 (SAS112) Communicating Internal Control Matters Identified in an Audit UC Riverside Spring 2007 " Today's audit environment encourages transparency and accountability. Therefore, an integrated campuswide effort is needed to effectively steward the funds entrusted to UCR.” Chancellor Córdova AGENDA* 1- Why SAS112 2- What is SAS112 3- Impact of SAS112 4- Minimizing risk in C&G area 5- What to do? * Sponsored Project Administration - United States Federal Law and SEC For Public Companies -Sarbanes–Oxley (SOX): Requires conducting an assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls by management, to be audited and approved by the company’s independent accountants WorldCom Enron Why SAS112? SAS112 is our SOX - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants For non-profit organizations (UCR) - SAS 112 Non-Compliance Fine$ University of California (2002). Fine =$1.8 m Northwestern University (2003). Fine = $5.5m Harvard University (2004). Fine = $2.6m Mayo Foundation/Mayo Clinics(2005). Fine = $6.5m Florida International University (2005). Fine= $11.5m University of Alabama Birmingham (2005). Fine =$3.4 m What is SAS112? Establishes standards for communicating internal control issues relating to: -integrity of financial reporting -compliance with applicable laws and regulation Establishes standards that classify communicated control issues as: - control deficiencies - significant deficiencies - material weaknesses SAS112 standards have been adopted by the federal agencies and the Government Audit Standards has been updated to incorporate SAS112 Impact of SAS 112 on UCR Due to significant changes in the evaluation of control exceptions and more stringent audit standards, UCR is more likely to encounter control issues being identified and reported - Increased scrutiny - Larger audit samples - More audit evidence and documentation - Lower audit materiality thresholds SAS 112 requires disclosure of deficiencies to Regents and others impact of deficiencies and weaknesses disclosures -negative impact on sponsored program funding -negative impact on reputation -increase external audits -audit disallowances -fines and penalties Generally, internal controls at UCR are in order and adequate, but there are departments, functions and areas where we noted…. Control Issues with - Review and reconciliation of C&G expenditures - Certified effort reports - Cost Transfers -Expenditure monitoring Internal Control Internal control is broadly defined as a process, effected by the UC Regents, management and other personnel, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the following categories: •Effectiveness and efficiency of operations. •Reliability of financial reporting. •Compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Who is responsible for internal controls? PARTNERSHIP Principal Investigator & Project Personnel College Dean, Department Chair, MSO & Staff Central Offices (Office of Research, Accounting, Audit & Advisory Services, etc.) Growth in Direct Contract and Grant Expenditures Fiscal Year 2003/04 to Fiscal Year 2005/06 $80,000,000 $70,000,000 $60,000,000 $50,000,000 $40,000,000 $30,000,000 $20,000,000 $10,000,000 $0 State Agencies Private Local Government Federal Government FY03/04 Source Federal Government Local Government Private State Agencies Total FY03/04 FY04/05 FY05/06 FY04/05 FY05/06 1 Year % Increase/De crease 2 Year % Increase/Decreas e $36,970,256 $47,197,544 $53,447,911 13% 45% $1,553,189 $1,936,147 $2,217,444 15% 43% $14,358,686 $14,711,554 $13,544,906 -8% -6% $5,788,019 $5,985,849 $4,950,031 -17% -14% $58,670,150 $69,831,094 $74,160,292 (a)6% 26% Source: 2005-06 Annual Report on Contract & Grant Expenditures (a) 26% increase from FY03/04 UCR’s Challenge Increase extramural support while managing risk Our Goal Facilitating Faculty Success! award close-out sub-recipient monitoring cost sharing effort reporting cost transfers POTENTIAL RISKS IN C&G AREA review of monthly statements physical inventory overdraft FALL 2006 Area of Risk: Effort Reports Symptoms of deficiencies Major area of concern for Federal Government Current Efforts Incomplete or missing reports Late reporting New on-line system coming Resolution of deficiency Remove unsubstantiated costs Area of Risk: Cost Transfers Symptom of Deficiency Major area of concern for Feds Current Efforts High volume Late transfers (may require revised effort reports) Improper documentation and/or allocation methodology Enhancing Business Rules Resolution of deficiency Reversal of charges Area of Risk: Award Closeout Symptom of Deficiency Area of concern for Feds Current Efforts Delinquent Financial Reports Delinquent Technical Reports Improving notification process Resolution Future funding withheld for specific awards Funding to institution withheld Minimizing the Risks Training Tools C&G Workshops (to be expanded) Ethics Awareness Enterprise Reporting System Ledger Recon/Review System (coming soon) Policies C&G Manual UCR Research Administration Roles & Responsibilities (in development) Minimizing the Risks Timely review of monthly statements Budget to Actual Anticipate unspent balances or overdrafts Review payroll transactions Regularly meetings/discussion between PIs administrative staff Immediately report discrepancies Communication Timely resolution Minimizing the Risk Timely return of certifications: Monitor Sub-recipient’s progress on project compared to billing statements Effort Reports Cost sharing Reports Impacts Financial Reports and Award Close-Out Potential impact on award close-out Timely submission of Technical Reports What to do 1- Department Assessment 2- Training When issues are identified: 1 - Self-reporting 2 - Request Assistance 3 – Remediate/Escalate 4 - Proactive Approach Everyone is responsible When control issues or policy non-compliance are recurring and systemic: It will be transparent and there will be consequences Contacts Gretchen Bolar, Vice Chancellor-Academic Planning & Budget gretchen.bolar@ucr.edu Bobbi McCracken, Asst. Vice Chancellor-Financial Services bobbi.mccracken@ucr.edu Mike Jenson, Director-Audit & Advisory Services michael.jenson@ucr.edu Bruce Morgan, Asst. Vice Chancellor-Office of Research bruce.morgan@ucr.edu Toffee Jeturian, Asst. Director-Audit & Advisory Services rodolfo.jeturian@ucr.edu Marc Guerra, Director-Financial Control & Accountability marc.guerra@ucr.edu