NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals Inc
For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 9, 2024.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 9, 2024
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
As required by Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act, our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and principal financial officer (“PFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation, our PEO and PFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report, as a result of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, which are discussed further below.
Previously identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting
In connection with the preparation of the financial statements included in our 2023 Form 10-K, management identified the following material weaknesses: (i) lack of segregation of duties over cash disbursements and financial reporting, (ii) logical access over computer applications, and (iii) lack of supervision and review over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Specifically, there was a lack of segregation of duties involved in the execution of wire transfers, preparing journal entries, and review over clinical trial accruals, and certain individuals in the accounting department have administrative access to the financial reporting systems. See “Remediation efforts to address the material weaknesses” below for steps we are taking to correct these material weaknesses.
Remediation efforts to address the material weaknesses
We are in the process of remediating, but have not yet remediated, the material weaknesses, as described above, related to lack of segregation of duties over cash disbursements and financial reporting, logical access over computer applications, and lack of supervision and review over financial reporting. Under the oversight of the audit committee, management has developed a detailed plan and timetable for the implementation of appropriate remedial measures to address the material weaknesses. As of the date of this report, we have taken the following actions:
| ● | we have added additional personnel to the accounting department to allow for increased segregation of duties; |
| ● | we have implemented a change management review process for access to systems used for financial reporting systems; |
| ● | we have enhanced the controls over disbursements, separating the functions of initiating and approving to two separate individuals; and |
| ● | we have implemented enhanced controls relating to the review and oversight of financial reporting, including the preparation of journal entries, and clinical trial accruals. |
Management believes that we have made considerable progress toward remediation of these material weaknesses and anticipates a full remediation during 2024.
Inherent limitations of disclosure controls and procedures
Our management, including our PEO and PFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of
future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Changes in internal control Over financial reporting
Other than the remediation activities listed above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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