95-7331. Non-Federal Audit Report Submission Requirements  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 15481-15483]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-7331]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
    
    Office of the Secretary
    
    24 CFR Parts 44 and 45
    
    [Docket No. R-95-1777; FR-3767-F-01]
    RIN 2501-AB85
    
    
    Non-Federal Audit Report Submission Requirements
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HUD.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: HUD is amending the single audit requirements for the 
    submission of audit reports. HUD's current regulations require 
    recipients of Federal financial assistance from HUD to submit a copy of 
    their audit report to HUD. This rule describes the circumstances under 
    which a ``no finding'' report need not be submitted.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: April 24, 1995.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Bell, Office of the Inspector 
    General, Room 8180, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 
    Seventh Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20410, telephone (202) 708-0383. 
    Hearing or speech-impaired individuals may call HUD's TDD number (202) 
    708-9300 (These telephone numbers are not toll free.)
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Background
    
        HUD is amending the single audit requirements for the submission of 
    audit reports found at 24 CFR 44.10(f) and 24 CFR 45.4.
    
    A. 24 CFR Part 44
    
        Part 44 implements the general audit requirements for recipient 
    organizations in OMB Circular A-128 ``Audits of State and local 
    governments.'' The OMB Circular was issued under the Single Audit Act 
    of 1984 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507) (the Act). The Act requires State or 
    local governments that receive $100,000 or more a year in Federal 
    financial assistance to have an audit conducted according to the Act's 
    standards.
        State or local governments that receive between $25,000 and 
    $100,000 a year have the option of having an audit conducted according 
    to the Act's standards or having a grant specific financial audit 
    performed. The requirements for conducting these grant specific audits 
    are described in 24 CFR 44.1(c)(2). State or local governments that 
    receive less than $25,000 a year are exempt from the audit 
    requirements.
        Section 7505 of the Act requires the Office of Management and 
    Budget (OMB) to establish procedures and guidelines to implement the 
    Act. It specifies that OMB shall assign an overseeing, or cognizant, 
    Federal agency to each recipient in order to facilitate the auditing 
    process and ensure that the audit requirements are met. The 
    responsibilities of cognizant agencies are set forth in 24 CFR 44.8.
    
    B. 24 CFR Part 45
    
        Part 45 implements the audit requirements for recipient 
    organizations in OMB Circular A-133 ``Audits of Institutions of Higher 
    Education and Other Nonprofit Institutions.'' Section 45.1 requires 
    that nonprofit institutions whose receipts of Federal financial 
    assistance and outstanding Federal direct, guaranteed, or insured loan 
    balances total $100,000 or more a year have an audit conducted in 
    accordance with the requirements of OMB Circular A-133. [[Page 15482]] 
        Nonprofit institutions which meet the $100,000 requirement but 
    participate in only one Federal financial assistance program may elect 
    to have an audit conducted in compliance with the OMB Circular's 
    requirements or have a program specific audit performed. Nonprofit 
    institutions whose total receipt of Federal financial assistance and 
    outstanding Federal direct, guaranteed, or insured loan balances are 
    between $25,000 and $100,000 a year are given the same choice. The 
    requirements for conducting these program specific audits are described 
    in 24 CFR 45.1(b)(2).
        Nonprofit institutions that have annual receipts of Federal 
    financial assistance and outstanding Federal direct, guaranteed or 
    insured loan balances totalling less than $25,000 are exempt from the 
    audit requirements. HUD programs listed in 24 CFR 45.1(c) are also 
    excused from the audit report requirements.
    
    C. The Amendments
    
        HUD's single audit requirements for the submission of audit reports 
    are contained in 24 CFR 44.10(f) and 24 CFR 45.4. These regulations 
    require recipients of Federal financial assistance from HUD to submit a 
    copy of their audit reports to HUD. The audit report must be submitted 
    regardless of whether HUD is the recipient's cognizant agency or the 
    report is a ``no finding'' audit report. A ``no finding'' report is one 
    which expresses an unqualified opinion on the financial statements; 
    identifies no material instances of noncompliance; identifies no 
    material weakness in internal controls; contains no schedule of 
    findings and questioned costs applicable to a HUD program; identifies 
    no potential illegal act which could result in a criminal prosecution; 
    and contains no uncorrected significant finding from a prior audit.
        HUD believes that it is not necessary in all cases for recipients 
    to provide it with copies of ``no finding'' audit reports. A new 
    paragraph (f)(2) has been added to 24 CFR 44.10 and a new paragraph 
    (b)(1) added to 24 CFR 45.4 which permit HUD to provide by program 
    notice that the recipient is not required to submit a copy of the audit 
    report if HUD is not the cognizant agency for the recipient and if the 
    report is a ``no finding'' report. HUD also believes that even where it 
    is the cognizant agency that the provision of information about the 
    content of certain reports being submitted would effect greater 
    efficiency in their processing.
        A new paragraph (f)(5) has been added to 24 CFR 44.10 and a new 
    paragraph (b)(2) added to 24 CFR 45.4 which set forth the requirements 
    a recipient must fulfill in lieu of submitting a copy of the audit 
    report to HUD.
    
    II. Justification for Final Rule Making
    
        In general, the Department publishes rules for public comment 
    before their issuance for effect, in accordance with its own 
    regulations on rulemaking, 24 CFR part 10. However, part 10 provides 
    exceptions from that general rule where the agency finds good cause to 
    omit advance notice and public participation. The good cause 
    requirement is satisfied when prior public procedure is 
    ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest'' (24 
    CFR 10.1). The Department finds that good cause exists to publish this 
    rule for effect without first soliciting public comment, in that prior 
    public procedure is unnecessary because the Department is merely 
    alleviating an administrative burden imposed on recipients and program 
    offices by modifying its audit report submission requirements.
    III. Other Matters
    
    A. Environmental Impact
    
        In accordance with 40 CFR 1508.4 of the regulations of the Council 
    on Environmental Quality and 24 CFR 50.20(k) of the HUD regulations, 
    the policies and procedures contained in this rule relate only to HUD 
    administrative procedures and, therefore, are categorically excluded 
    from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.
    
    B. Executive Order 12612, Federalism
    
        The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under section 6(a) 
    of Executive Order 12612, Federalism, has determined that the policies 
    contained in this rule will not have substantial direct effects on 
    states or their political subdivisions, or the relationship between the 
    federal government and the states, or on the distribution of power and 
    responsibilities among the various levels of government. Specifically, 
    the requirements of this rule involve the submission of audit reports 
    by state and local governments that receive federal financial 
    assistance through HUD programs. It effects no changes in the current 
    relationships between the federal government, the states and their 
    political subdivisions in connection with these programs.
    
    C. Executive Order 12606, the Family
    
        The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under Executive 
    Order 12606, The Family, has determined that this rule does not have 
    potential for significant impact on family formation, maintenance, and 
    general well-being, and, thus is not subject to review under the order. 
    This rule applies only to the submission of audit reports from 
    governmental entities and nonprofit institutions to HUD. No change in 
    existing HUD policies or programs will result from promulgation of this 
    rule, as those policies and programs relate to family concerns.
    
    D. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        The Secretary, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
    U.S.C. 605(b)) has reviewed and approved this rule, and in so doing 
    certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
    a substantial number of small entities. This rule alleviates an 
    administrative burden imposed on governmental entities and nonprofit 
    institutions. Accordingly, the rule will not have a significant 
    economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    
    E. Regulatory Agenda
        This final rule was not listed in the Department's Semiannual 
    Agenda of Regulations published on November 14, 1994 (59 FR 57632) in 
    accordance with Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility 
    Act.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    24 CFR Part 44
    
        Accounting, Grant programs, Indians, Intergovernmental relations, 
    Loan programs, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    24 CFR Part 45
    
        Accounting, Colleges and universities, Grant programs, Loan 
    programs, Nonprofit organizations, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements.
    
        Accordingly, 24 CFR parts 44 and 45 are amended as follows:
    
    PART 44--NON-FEDERAL AUDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE AND LOCAL 
    GOVERNMENT
    
        1. The authority citation for 24 CFR part 44 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 31 U.S.C. 7501-7507; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).
    
        2. Section 44.10 is amended by revising paragraph (f) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 44.10  Audit reports.
    
    * * * * *
        (f) (1) In accordance with generally accepted government audit 
    standards, reports shall be submitted by the auditor to the 
    organization audited and to those requiring or arranging for the audit. 
    In addition, the recipient shall submit copies of the reports to each 
    Federal [[Page 15483]] department or agency that provided Federal 
    Financial assistance funds to the recipient, except as provided in 
    paragraph (f)(2) of this section.
        (2) HUD may provide by program notice that:
        (i) Reports are not required to be sent to HUD if HUD is not the 
    cognizant agency for the recipient and if the report meets all the 
    following conditions: an unqualified opinion was expressed on the 
    financial statements; the report identified no material instances of 
    noncompliance; the report identified no reportable condition or 
    material weakness in internal controls; the report contains no schedule 
    of findings and questioned costs applicable to a HUD program; the 
    report identified no potential illegal act which could result in a 
    criminal prosecution; and the report contained no uncorrected 
    significant finding from a prior audit; and
        (ii) Reports are required to be sent to HUD in all cases where HUD 
    is the cognizant agency; however in those cases where a report meets 
    the conditions specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the 
    report shall be accompanied by a transmittal letter indicating that 
    such conditions have been met.
        (3) Subrecipients shall submit copies to recipients that provided 
    them Federal assistance funds.
        (4) The reports shall be sent within 30 days after completion of 
    the audit, but no later than one year after the end of the audit 
    period, unless a longer period is agreed to with the cognizant agency.
        (5) If no report is required to be submitted as provided in 
    paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section, the recipient must notify the 
    appropriate HUD office in writing that the report met the conditions 
    set forth in paragraph (f)(2) of this section; indicate the report 
    date, fiscal year audited, and identifying information on the 
    independent auditor; and attach a copy of the Schedule of Federal 
    Financial Assistance.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 45--NON-FEDERAL AUDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 
    EDUCATION AND OTHER NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS
    
        3. The authority citation for part 45 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).
    
        4. Section 45.4 is revised to read as follows:
    Sec. 45.4  Submission of reports.
    
        (a) Except for the organizations subject to the requirements set 
    forth in Sec. 45.1(c), the report shall be due within 30 days after the 
    completion of the audit, but the audit should be completed and the 
    report submitted not later than 13 months after the end of the 
    recipient's fiscal year unless a longer period is agreed to with the 
    cognizant or oversight agency.
        (b)(1) HUD may provide by program notice that:
        (i) Reports are not required to be sent to HUD if HUD is not the 
    cognizant agency for the recipient and if the report meets all the 
    following conditions: an unqualified opinion was expressed on the 
    financial statements; the report identified no material instances of 
    noncompliance; the report identified no reportable condition of 
    material weakness in internal controls; the report contains no schedule 
    of findings and questions applicable to a HUD program; the report 
    identified no potential illegal act which could result in criminal 
    prosecution; and the report contained no uncorrected significant 
    finding from a prior audit; and
        (ii) Reports are required to be sent to HUD in all cases where HUD 
    is the cognizant agency; however in those cases where a report meets 
    the conditions specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the 
    report shall be accompanied by a transmittal letter indicating that 
    such conditions have been met.
        (2) If no report is required to be submitted as provided in 
    paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, the recipient must notify the 
    appropriate HUD office in writing that report met the conditions set 
    forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; indicate the report date, 
    fiscal year audited, and identifying information on the independent 
    auditor; and attach a copy of the Schedule of Federal Financial 
    Assistance.
    
        Dated: March 16, 1995.
    Henry G. Cisneros,
    Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 95-7331 Filed 3-23-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4210-32-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
4/24/1995
Published:
03/24/1995
Department:
Housing and Urban Development Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
95-7331
Dates:
April 24, 1995.
Pages:
15481-15483 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. R-95-1777, FR-3767-F-01
RINs:
2501-AB85
PDF File:
95-7331.pdf
CFR: (2)
24 CFR 44.10
24 CFR 45.4