The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority recently received their third (3rd) ‘Unqualified, Clean’ Audit for the 2008/2009 plan year from the Auditing Firm, Joseph Eve & Associates, Fraud Examiners/Certified Public Accountants from Billings, Montana.
The Field work and Financial review took place in September and October of this year on-site at the NCTHA office. With much emphasis being placed on the transparency of the ARRA Stimulus funding and previous Audit findings, the NCTHA was well prepared for this year’s Audit. The Auditor’s spent almost two-weeks at the office reviewing financial expenditures as well as insuring that the NCTHA was in full compliance with the Policies as set forth. The Auditor noted that the staff had implemented almost every single recommendation that was recommended from last year’s Audit. The Internal Controls aspect of the Audit were deemed appropriate with little or no risk noted.
Again, there were $0 dollars in ‘Questioned Costs’ noted in this year’s draft Audit. There were a few small findings noted and the NCTHA staff is working on responding to those issues as noted. The Corrective Action Plan is being finalized and should be delivered to the Auditors by the 18th of December. The Final Audit will be finalized once this is reviewed and will be sent to HUD and the Clearinghouse by the due date of December 31, 2009.
Lafe Haugen, Executive Director had this to say: “All of the Tribe’s and Housing Authorities in Indian Country learned one thing this year with the ARRA Stimulus Funding: If you were not current with your Audits, or if they are Qualified, you didn’t stand a chance of getting this prestigious funding. Thank God the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority staff and Board made their Audits a priority over the last 3-years. But more than that, the Staff made it a goal to have the Audits Unqualified. This is the third year in a row that we have achieved this status and the third year in a row that they will be submitted on time to HUD. I want to Thank the staff and the Board for their dedication in insuring that this year’s Audit achieved the ‘Cleanest Opinion’ of all our Audits to date. The $5+ million dollars of Stimulus funding we received this year is going to help some 200+ families on the reservation. I am looking forward to the upcoming 2010 year as being on of the best ever for the Northern Cheyenne People”.
HA HO