REPORT DIGEST CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION AND SINGLE AUDIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 Release Date: March 7, 2019 FINDINGS THIS AUDIT: 9 CATEGORY: NEW -- REPEAT -- TOTAL Category 1: 0 -- 0 -- 0 Category 2: 2 -- 7 -- 9 Category 3: 0 -- 0 -- 0 TOTAL: 2 -- 7 -- 9 FINDINGS LAST AUDIT: 18 Category 1: Findings that are material weaknesses in internal control and/or a qualification on compliance with State laws and regulations (material noncompliance). Category 2: Findings that are significant deficiencies in internal control and noncompliance with State laws and regulations. Category 3: Findings that have no internal control issues but are in noncompliance with State laws and regulations. State of Illinois, Office of the Auditor General FRANK J. MAUTINO, AUDITOR GENERAL To obtain a copy of the Report contact: Office of the Auditor General, Iles Park Plaza, 740 E. Ash Street, Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 782-6046 or TTY (888) 261-2887 This Report Digest and Full Report are also available on the worldwide web at www.auditor.illinois.gov INTRODUCTION This digest covers our federal Single Audit and Compliance Examination of Chicago State University (University) for the year ended June 30, 2018. A separate Financial Audit as of and for the year ended June 30, 2018, was previously released on January 23, 2019. In total, this report contains 9 findings, one of which was reported in the Financial Audit. SYNOPSIS • (18-5) The University had subsidies between accounting entities during the current fiscal year. • (18-6) The University failed to fully comply with the Fiscal Control and Internal Auditing Act, International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and State of Illinois Internal Audit Advisory Board Bylaws. FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS SUBSIDIES BETWEEN ACCOUNTING ENTITIES The University had subsidies between accounting entities during the current fiscal year. During our testing of compliance with the University Guidelines, we noted the “Student Activities” accounting entity had negative cash balances at the beginning and the end of the fiscal year totaling $4.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively. A negative cash balance is, in effect, an unrecorded interfund payable/receivable, thereby causing a subsidy between funds to occur. The “Student Activities” accounting entity includes mandatory student fees and the expenditure of all student activities approved by the student government such as student newspaper and athletic activities. The University Guidelines (Chapter III, Section D, Part 1) state: “there shall be no subsidies between accounting entities. Subsidies include cash advances and interfund payables/receivables outstanding for more than one year.” (Finding 5, pages 30-32) This finding has been repeated since 2009. We recommended the University review the activities of the accounting entities and ensure fees charged for services are sufficient to cover expenditures and ensure subsidies between accounting entities do not occur. University officials agreed with the finding. (For the previous University response, see Digest Footnote #1.) INTERNAL AUDIT The Chicago State University (University) failed to fully comply with the Fiscal Control and Internal Auditing Act (Act), International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and State of Illinois Internal Audit Advisory Board Bylaws. During our review of the University’s Office of the Internal Audit (OIA), we noted the following: • Audits of the University’s major systems of internal accounting and administrative controls including testing of the obligation, expenditure, receipt and use of public funds of the State and of funds held in trust to determine whether those activities are in accordance with applicable laws and regulations were not completed during fiscal years 2017 and 2018. • No internal audit reports were completed and issued during Fiscal Year 2018. • The University’s Internal Audit division did not undergo a peer review since the last external assessment which was issued on June 21, 2011. (Finding 6, pages 33-34) This finding has been repeated since 2015. We recommended the University ensure timely performance of audits over all major systems of internal accounting and administrative controls as required by the Act and promptly arrange an external assessment of its internal audit activity to comply with the Institute of Internal Auditors’ Standards. University officials agreed with the finding. (For the previous University response, see Digest Footnote #2.) OTHER FINDINGS The remaining findings are reportedly being given attention by University officials. We will review the University’s progress towards the implementation of our recommendations in our next engagement. AUDITOR’S OPINIONS The financial audit report was previously released. The auditors stated the financial statements of Chicago State University as of and for the year ended June 30, 2018 are fairly stated in all material respects. The auditors also conducted a Single Audit of the University as required by the Uniform Guidance. Our auditors stated the University complied, in all material respects, with the types of compliance requirements that could have a direct and material effect on the University’s major federal programs for the year ended June 30, 2018. ACCOUNTANT’S OPINION The accountants conducted a compliance examination of the University for the year ended June 30, 2018, as required by the Illinois State Auditing Act. The accountants stated the University complied, in all material respects, with the requirements described in the report. This Single Audit and State Compliance Examination was conducted by E.C. Ortiz & Co., LLP. JANE CLARK Division Director This report is transmitted in accordance with Section 3-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act. FRANK J. MAUTINO Auditor General FJM:TLK DIGEST FOOTNOTES #1 – Subsidies Between Accounting Entities (previous response): 2017: The University agrees with the recommendation. The University continues to take a holistic approach to reducing the deficit. The University continues to engage in activities which emphasize revenue enhancement and operational efficiency. #2 – Internal Audit (previous response): 2017: The University agrees with the recommendation. Testing of the obligation, expenditure, receipt and use of public funds is in progress and will be completed within 30 days. The University’s internal preparation for the peer review is also in progress and has also been scheduled for completion within 30 days. The University identified the professional responsible for conducting the review and requested resources necessary to reimburse travel costs. Minimum CPE requirements were met and exceeded for the 2017 calendar year and a monitoring process has been implemented to assure compliance for the 2018-2019 reporting period.