 What Are Material Weaknesses?

Amaterial weaknessin internal control is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies that creates a reasonable possibility of a material misstatement in the financial statements that would not be prevented or detected in a timely manner.

In the context of state and local financial audits, material weaknesses must be reported to those charged with governance, as they are responsible for oversight and corrective actions.

 Why Is the Governing Body the Correct Answer?

Thegoverning body(e.g., city council, county board, or state commission) is directly responsible for overseeing the entity’s financial operations and ensuring accountability. Reporting material weaknesses to them ensures that corrective actions can be implemented to strengthen internal controls.

Auditors communicate such findings through anaudit reportor amanagement letteraddressed to the governing body.

 Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Legislature:The legislature may have oversight of state budgets and appropriations but is not the direct governing body for financial audits.

C. Taxpayers:While transparency is important, material weaknesses are not directly reported to taxpayers. They may be disclosed in public audit reports, but taxpayers are not the primary audience.

D. Local media:Material weaknesses are not formally reported to the media; their disclosure depends on the entity’s public reporting processes.

 References and Documents:

GAO Yellow Book (GAGAS):Requires auditors to report material weaknesses to those charged with governance.

GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board):Emphasizes the importance of communicating significant audit findings to governing bodies.

AICPA Audit Standards (AU-C 265):Requires auditors to communicate material weaknesses to management and those charged with governance.