Audit 14054

FY End
2023-06-30
Total Expended
$2.25M
Findings
18
Programs
5
Organization: Alpha One (ME)
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2024-01-29
Auditor: One River CPAS

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
10391 2023-002 Material Weakness - B
10392 2023-003 Material Weakness - H
10393 2023-004 Material Weakness - L
10394 2023-002 Material Weakness - B
10395 2023-003 Material Weakness - H
10396 2023-004 Material Weakness - L
10397 2023-002 Material Weakness - B
10398 2023-003 Material Weakness - H
10399 2023-004 Material Weakness - L
586833 2023-002 Material Weakness - B
586834 2023-003 Material Weakness - H
586835 2023-004 Material Weakness - L
586836 2023-002 Material Weakness - B
586837 2023-003 Material Weakness - H
586838 2023-004 Material Weakness - L
586839 2023-002 Material Weakness - B
586840 2023-003 Material Weakness - H
586841 2023-004 Material Weakness - L

Programs

Contacts

Name Title Type
XNFQFK4JBKF8 Jennie Warner Auditee
8006407200 Brett Jensen Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: BASIS OF PRESENTATION Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: The auditee used the de minimis cost rate. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal award activity of Alpha One under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2023. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of Alpha One, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of Alpha One.
Title: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: The auditee used the de minimis cost rate. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement.
Title: INDIRECT COST RATE Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: The auditee used the de minimis cost rate. Alpha One has elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance.
Title: DONATED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: The auditee used the de minimis cost rate. Alpha One did not receive any donated Personal Protective Equipment purchased with federal funding during the year ended June 30, 2023.

Finding Details

2023-002 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls to prevent, or detect and correct unallowable costs from being charged to a federal award program. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted two instances of expenses charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant that were estimated future expenses and that were not incurred or obligated. Cause: There is a lack of understanding allowable cost/cost principles and a lack of oversight on expenses being charged to federal award programs. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $115,821. An additional $15,465 in known questioned costs was also identified as noted below. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor expenditures charged to federal award programs by adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants and training should be sought for individuals involved in recording expenditures to federal award programs on allowable costs/cost principles. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-003 Period of Performance for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls over compliance with period of performance to prevent, or detect and correct costs charged to the incorrect accounting period. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted several expenses charged to the federal award program that had not been expended or obligated by September 30, 2022, the end of the grant, and liquidated within the 120-day limit if obligated by September 30, 2022. Cause: There is a lack of understanding period of performance rules and regulations. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the federal award program were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $131,286. $115,821 in known questioned costs were already identified as noted above. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor grant expenditures and timelines and consider adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants, so that expenditures are recorded in the appropriate period. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-004 Reporting for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Centers for Independent Living reporting standards require the filing of annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2101MEILCL-00 for year ended September 29, 2022 by January 28, 2023, annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by October 30, 2022, and final Federal Financial Report (SF- 425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by December 29, 2022. In addition, reporting standards require that these reports be accurately completed Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted that all three of these reports were filed late. In addition, the 2001MEILC3-00 grant reports were completed inaccurately as they showed all $931,640 of the grant funds as fully expended with no cash on hand, when there was $393,081 of cash on hand, $376,286 of unliquidated obligations, and total expenditures and obligations were only $800,354. Cause: There is limited staffing in the finance department, there is a lack of understanding the instructions for the SF-425 Report, and lack of understanding of allowable costs and appropriate period of performance for the 2001MEILC3-00 grant. Effect: The reports were filed 30 days late, 120 days late, and 60 days late. In addition, the awarding agency was not fully informed of the activity on these grants. Recommendation: Management should strengthen their controls for the tracking of required report filings and their due dates. It should implement additional controls to ensure all are filed on time. The controls should account for the possible loss of key personnel responsible for filing and have a process to mitigate this risk. In addition, management should consider training for staff tasked with completing, reviewing, and filing these reports. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will add a process to ensure all report deadlines are tracked in calendars for individuals responsible, with multiple reminders regarding deadlines. In addition, management will consider sending key reporting staff to training on the Federal Financial Report (SF-425).
2023-002 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls to prevent, or detect and correct unallowable costs from being charged to a federal award program. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted two instances of expenses charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant that were estimated future expenses and that were not incurred or obligated. Cause: There is a lack of understanding allowable cost/cost principles and a lack of oversight on expenses being charged to federal award programs. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $115,821. An additional $15,465 in known questioned costs was also identified as noted below. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor expenditures charged to federal award programs by adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants and training should be sought for individuals involved in recording expenditures to federal award programs on allowable costs/cost principles. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-003 Period of Performance for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls over compliance with period of performance to prevent, or detect and correct costs charged to the incorrect accounting period. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted several expenses charged to the federal award program that had not been expended or obligated by September 30, 2022, the end of the grant, and liquidated within the 120-day limit if obligated by September 30, 2022. Cause: There is a lack of understanding period of performance rules and regulations. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the federal award program were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $131,286. $115,821 in known questioned costs were already identified as noted above. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor grant expenditures and timelines and consider adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants, so that expenditures are recorded in the appropriate period. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-004 Reporting for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Centers for Independent Living reporting standards require the filing of annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2101MEILCL-00 for year ended September 29, 2022 by January 28, 2023, annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by October 30, 2022, and final Federal Financial Report (SF- 425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by December 29, 2022. In addition, reporting standards require that these reports be accurately completed Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted that all three of these reports were filed late. In addition, the 2001MEILC3-00 grant reports were completed inaccurately as they showed all $931,640 of the grant funds as fully expended with no cash on hand, when there was $393,081 of cash on hand, $376,286 of unliquidated obligations, and total expenditures and obligations were only $800,354. Cause: There is limited staffing in the finance department, there is a lack of understanding the instructions for the SF-425 Report, and lack of understanding of allowable costs and appropriate period of performance for the 2001MEILC3-00 grant. Effect: The reports were filed 30 days late, 120 days late, and 60 days late. In addition, the awarding agency was not fully informed of the activity on these grants. Recommendation: Management should strengthen their controls for the tracking of required report filings and their due dates. It should implement additional controls to ensure all are filed on time. The controls should account for the possible loss of key personnel responsible for filing and have a process to mitigate this risk. In addition, management should consider training for staff tasked with completing, reviewing, and filing these reports. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will add a process to ensure all report deadlines are tracked in calendars for individuals responsible, with multiple reminders regarding deadlines. In addition, management will consider sending key reporting staff to training on the Federal Financial Report (SF-425).
2023-002 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls to prevent, or detect and correct unallowable costs from being charged to a federal award program. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted two instances of expenses charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant that were estimated future expenses and that were not incurred or obligated. Cause: There is a lack of understanding allowable cost/cost principles and a lack of oversight on expenses being charged to federal award programs. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $115,821. An additional $15,465 in known questioned costs was also identified as noted below. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor expenditures charged to federal award programs by adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants and training should be sought for individuals involved in recording expenditures to federal award programs on allowable costs/cost principles. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-003 Period of Performance for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls over compliance with period of performance to prevent, or detect and correct costs charged to the incorrect accounting period. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted several expenses charged to the federal award program that had not been expended or obligated by September 30, 2022, the end of the grant, and liquidated within the 120-day limit if obligated by September 30, 2022. Cause: There is a lack of understanding period of performance rules and regulations. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the federal award program were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $131,286. $115,821 in known questioned costs were already identified as noted above. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor grant expenditures and timelines and consider adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants, so that expenditures are recorded in the appropriate period. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-004 Reporting for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Centers for Independent Living reporting standards require the filing of annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2101MEILCL-00 for year ended September 29, 2022 by January 28, 2023, annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by October 30, 2022, and final Federal Financial Report (SF- 425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by December 29, 2022. In addition, reporting standards require that these reports be accurately completed Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted that all three of these reports were filed late. In addition, the 2001MEILC3-00 grant reports were completed inaccurately as they showed all $931,640 of the grant funds as fully expended with no cash on hand, when there was $393,081 of cash on hand, $376,286 of unliquidated obligations, and total expenditures and obligations were only $800,354. Cause: There is limited staffing in the finance department, there is a lack of understanding the instructions for the SF-425 Report, and lack of understanding of allowable costs and appropriate period of performance for the 2001MEILC3-00 grant. Effect: The reports were filed 30 days late, 120 days late, and 60 days late. In addition, the awarding agency was not fully informed of the activity on these grants. Recommendation: Management should strengthen their controls for the tracking of required report filings and their due dates. It should implement additional controls to ensure all are filed on time. The controls should account for the possible loss of key personnel responsible for filing and have a process to mitigate this risk. In addition, management should consider training for staff tasked with completing, reviewing, and filing these reports. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will add a process to ensure all report deadlines are tracked in calendars for individuals responsible, with multiple reminders regarding deadlines. In addition, management will consider sending key reporting staff to training on the Federal Financial Report (SF-425).
2023-002 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls to prevent, or detect and correct unallowable costs from being charged to a federal award program. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted two instances of expenses charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant that were estimated future expenses and that were not incurred or obligated. Cause: There is a lack of understanding allowable cost/cost principles and a lack of oversight on expenses being charged to federal award programs. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $115,821. An additional $15,465 in known questioned costs was also identified as noted below. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor expenditures charged to federal award programs by adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants and training should be sought for individuals involved in recording expenditures to federal award programs on allowable costs/cost principles. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-003 Period of Performance for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls over compliance with period of performance to prevent, or detect and correct costs charged to the incorrect accounting period. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted several expenses charged to the federal award program that had not been expended or obligated by September 30, 2022, the end of the grant, and liquidated within the 120-day limit if obligated by September 30, 2022. Cause: There is a lack of understanding period of performance rules and regulations. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the federal award program were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $131,286. $115,821 in known questioned costs were already identified as noted above. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor grant expenditures and timelines and consider adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants, so that expenditures are recorded in the appropriate period. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-004 Reporting for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Centers for Independent Living reporting standards require the filing of annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2101MEILCL-00 for year ended September 29, 2022 by January 28, 2023, annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by October 30, 2022, and final Federal Financial Report (SF- 425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by December 29, 2022. In addition, reporting standards require that these reports be accurately completed Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted that all three of these reports were filed late. In addition, the 2001MEILC3-00 grant reports were completed inaccurately as they showed all $931,640 of the grant funds as fully expended with no cash on hand, when there was $393,081 of cash on hand, $376,286 of unliquidated obligations, and total expenditures and obligations were only $800,354. Cause: There is limited staffing in the finance department, there is a lack of understanding the instructions for the SF-425 Report, and lack of understanding of allowable costs and appropriate period of performance for the 2001MEILC3-00 grant. Effect: The reports were filed 30 days late, 120 days late, and 60 days late. In addition, the awarding agency was not fully informed of the activity on these grants. Recommendation: Management should strengthen their controls for the tracking of required report filings and their due dates. It should implement additional controls to ensure all are filed on time. The controls should account for the possible loss of key personnel responsible for filing and have a process to mitigate this risk. In addition, management should consider training for staff tasked with completing, reviewing, and filing these reports. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will add a process to ensure all report deadlines are tracked in calendars for individuals responsible, with multiple reminders regarding deadlines. In addition, management will consider sending key reporting staff to training on the Federal Financial Report (SF-425).
2023-002 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls to prevent, or detect and correct unallowable costs from being charged to a federal award program. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted two instances of expenses charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant that were estimated future expenses and that were not incurred or obligated. Cause: There is a lack of understanding allowable cost/cost principles and a lack of oversight on expenses being charged to federal award programs. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $115,821. An additional $15,465 in known questioned costs was also identified as noted below. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor expenditures charged to federal award programs by adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants and training should be sought for individuals involved in recording expenditures to federal award programs on allowable costs/cost principles. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-003 Period of Performance for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls over compliance with period of performance to prevent, or detect and correct costs charged to the incorrect accounting period. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted several expenses charged to the federal award program that had not been expended or obligated by September 30, 2022, the end of the grant, and liquidated within the 120-day limit if obligated by September 30, 2022. Cause: There is a lack of understanding period of performance rules and regulations. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the federal award program were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $131,286. $115,821 in known questioned costs were already identified as noted above. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor grant expenditures and timelines and consider adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants, so that expenditures are recorded in the appropriate period. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-004 Reporting for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Centers for Independent Living reporting standards require the filing of annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2101MEILCL-00 for year ended September 29, 2022 by January 28, 2023, annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by October 30, 2022, and final Federal Financial Report (SF- 425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by December 29, 2022. In addition, reporting standards require that these reports be accurately completed Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted that all three of these reports were filed late. In addition, the 2001MEILC3-00 grant reports were completed inaccurately as they showed all $931,640 of the grant funds as fully expended with no cash on hand, when there was $393,081 of cash on hand, $376,286 of unliquidated obligations, and total expenditures and obligations were only $800,354. Cause: There is limited staffing in the finance department, there is a lack of understanding the instructions for the SF-425 Report, and lack of understanding of allowable costs and appropriate period of performance for the 2001MEILC3-00 grant. Effect: The reports were filed 30 days late, 120 days late, and 60 days late. In addition, the awarding agency was not fully informed of the activity on these grants. Recommendation: Management should strengthen their controls for the tracking of required report filings and their due dates. It should implement additional controls to ensure all are filed on time. The controls should account for the possible loss of key personnel responsible for filing and have a process to mitigate this risk. In addition, management should consider training for staff tasked with completing, reviewing, and filing these reports. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will add a process to ensure all report deadlines are tracked in calendars for individuals responsible, with multiple reminders regarding deadlines. In addition, management will consider sending key reporting staff to training on the Federal Financial Report (SF-425).
2023-002 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls to prevent, or detect and correct unallowable costs from being charged to a federal award program. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted two instances of expenses charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant that were estimated future expenses and that were not incurred or obligated. Cause: There is a lack of understanding allowable cost/cost principles and a lack of oversight on expenses being charged to federal award programs. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the 2001MEILC3-00 grant were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $115,821. An additional $15,465 in known questioned costs was also identified as noted below. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor expenditures charged to federal award programs by adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants and training should be sought for individuals involved in recording expenditures to federal award programs on allowable costs/cost principles. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-003 Period of Performance for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living #2001MEILC3-00 (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Management is responsible for the design and implementation of internal controls over compliance with period of performance to prevent, or detect and correct costs charged to the incorrect accounting period. Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted several expenses charged to the federal award program that had not been expended or obligated by September 30, 2022, the end of the grant, and liquidated within the 120-day limit if obligated by September 30, 2022. Cause: There is a lack of understanding period of performance rules and regulations. Effect: Total expenditures charged to the federal award program were inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs related to our testing totaled $131,286. $115,821 in known questioned costs were already identified as noted above. Recommendation: Procedures should be implemented to better monitor grant expenditures and timelines and consider adding a review every month of expenditures charged to federal grants, so that expenditures are recorded in the appropriate period. In addition, Alpha One should contact the Centers for Independent Living regarding this issue and return these funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the findings and has already contacted the Centers for Independent Living to inform them of the issue, and are working through whether return of the funds is necessary.
2023-004 Reporting for U.S. DHHS 94.432 ACL Centers for Independent Living (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance and Noncompliance) Criteria: Centers for Independent Living reporting standards require the filing of annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2101MEILCL-00 for year ended September 29, 2022 by January 28, 2023, annual Federal Financial Report (SF-425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by October 30, 2022, and final Federal Financial Report (SF- 425) under grant 2001MEILC3-00 for year ended September 30, 2022 by December 29, 2022. In addition, reporting standards require that these reports be accurately completed Condition and Context: Audit procedures noted that all three of these reports were filed late. In addition, the 2001MEILC3-00 grant reports were completed inaccurately as they showed all $931,640 of the grant funds as fully expended with no cash on hand, when there was $393,081 of cash on hand, $376,286 of unliquidated obligations, and total expenditures and obligations were only $800,354. Cause: There is limited staffing in the finance department, there is a lack of understanding the instructions for the SF-425 Report, and lack of understanding of allowable costs and appropriate period of performance for the 2001MEILC3-00 grant. Effect: The reports were filed 30 days late, 120 days late, and 60 days late. In addition, the awarding agency was not fully informed of the activity on these grants. Recommendation: Management should strengthen their controls for the tracking of required report filings and their due dates. It should implement additional controls to ensure all are filed on time. The controls should account for the possible loss of key personnel responsible for filing and have a process to mitigate this risk. In addition, management should consider training for staff tasked with completing, reviewing, and filing these reports. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will add a process to ensure all report deadlines are tracked in calendars for individuals responsible, with multiple reminders regarding deadlines. In addition, management will consider sending key reporting staff to training on the Federal Financial Report (SF-425).