Audit 300666

FY End
2023-06-30
Total Expended
$900,051
Findings
8
Programs
6
Organization: Options Charter School (IN)
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2024-03-29

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
389774 2023-001 Material Weakness - B
389775 2023-001 Material Weakness - B
389776 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - I
389777 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - I
966216 2023-001 Material Weakness - B
966217 2023-001 Material Weakness - B
966218 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - I
966219 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - I

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $128,030 - 0
84.282 Charter Schools $113,555 Yes 2
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $10,000 - 0
84.425U Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund $8,891 - 0
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $6,033 - 0
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $4,551 - 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
L417T1J9FFN1 Jack Colwell Auditee
4632381414 Kyla Greenhoe Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING Accounting Policies: BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal grant activity of Options Charter Schools and affiliates (the School) 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 the Uniform Guidance. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the School, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position of the School. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The school has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimus indirect cost rate to recover indirect costs as allowed under the Uniform Guidance 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 a limited as to reimbursement.

Finding Details

2023 – 001 Allowable Costs Federal Agency: U.S. Department Education Federal Program Name: Charter School Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.282 Pass-Through Agency: Indiana Department of Education Pass-Through Number(s): 72229, S282D190002 Award Period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Type of Finding:  Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance  Material Noncompliance Criteria or specific requirement: The Compliance Supplement requires that compensation for personal services be charged to the federal grant based upon approved actual time worked on the program and not based on an allocation or budget (2 CFR 200.430(i)). Condition: While performing audit procedures, it was noted that payroll expenses were charged to the grant program based upon an allocation from the budget and not on approved and/or certified time worked in the program. Questioned costs: $356,845 Context: During the process of obtaining an understanding of internal controls and processing of payroll expenditures, we noted payroll was not reviewed to ensure the expense charged to the grants was accurate based upon approved actual time spent in the program and accurate pay rates. Cause: Salary figures for salaried employees were charged to the federal grant based on unapproved work actually performed for the program and inaccurate pay rates were utilized for overtime and an employee transition to full time. Effect: The organization has not fully followed compliance attributes with the allowable costs principles set forth by the Compliance Supplement related to allocation of salaries being charged based on approved time worked for a program. Personnel need to reinforce policies to ensure control procedures are in place to ensure salaries charged to a grant are appropriately based on actual approved time worked in a program. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School ensure policies and procedures for payroll expenditures for grant programs be charged to the federal grant based on approved hours worked in the program. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2023 – 001 Allowable Costs Federal Agency: U.S. Department Education Federal Program Name: Charter School Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.282 Pass-Through Agency: Indiana Department of Education Pass-Through Number(s): 72229, S282D190002 Award Period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Type of Finding:  Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance  Material Noncompliance Criteria or specific requirement: The Compliance Supplement requires that compensation for personal services be charged to the federal grant based upon approved actual time worked on the program and not based on an allocation or budget (2 CFR 200.430(i)). Condition: While performing audit procedures, it was noted that payroll expenses were charged to the grant program based upon an allocation from the budget and not on approved and/or certified time worked in the program. Questioned costs: $356,845 Context: During the process of obtaining an understanding of internal controls and processing of payroll expenditures, we noted payroll was not reviewed to ensure the expense charged to the grants was accurate based upon approved actual time spent in the program and accurate pay rates. Cause: Salary figures for salaried employees were charged to the federal grant based on unapproved work actually performed for the program and inaccurate pay rates were utilized for overtime and an employee transition to full time. Effect: The organization has not fully followed compliance attributes with the allowable costs principles set forth by the Compliance Supplement related to allocation of salaries being charged based on approved time worked for a program. Personnel need to reinforce policies to ensure control procedures are in place to ensure salaries charged to a grant are appropriately based on actual approved time worked in a program. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School ensure policies and procedures for payroll expenditures for grant programs be charged to the federal grant based on approved hours worked in the program. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2023 – 002 Procurement Federal Agency: U.S. Department Education Federal Program Name: Charter School Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.282 Pass-Through Agency: Indiana Department of Education Pass-Through Number(s): 72229, S282D190002 Award Period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Type of Finding:  Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Tile 2, Subtitle A, Chapter 2 Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.318 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires organizations to have a written procurement policy that includes certain requirements as it relates to procuring good and services using federal dollars. Additionally, 2 CFR 180.995 requires that the organizations have a written policy where organizations should perform a check to ensure vendors are not debarred. Condition: During our testing, it was noted that the School has a written procurement policy in place, however, the policy does not meet the federal requirements for procurement of goods and services using federal dollars. Questioned costs: None Context: The School did not have appropriate policy in place that met the procurement federal requirements. Cause: The School’s policy has not been updated to meet the federal requirement as this was the School’s first year for federal compliance requirements. Effect: Without written policies that adhere to the federal regulations, it is likely that required steps in the process may be missed. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the School review their Procurement policy and ensure that all missing federal requirements are included in their written policies. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2023 – 002 Procurement Federal Agency: U.S. Department Education Federal Program Name: Charter School Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.282 Pass-Through Agency: Indiana Department of Education Pass-Through Number(s): 72229, S282D190002 Award Period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Type of Finding:  Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Tile 2, Subtitle A, Chapter 2 Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.318 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires organizations to have a written procurement policy that includes certain requirements as it relates to procuring good and services using federal dollars. Additionally, 2 CFR 180.995 requires that the organizations have a written policy where organizations should perform a check to ensure vendors are not debarred. Condition: During our testing, it was noted that the School has a written procurement policy in place, however, the policy does not meet the federal requirements for procurement of goods and services using federal dollars. Questioned costs: None Context: The School did not have appropriate policy in place that met the procurement federal requirements. Cause: The School’s policy has not been updated to meet the federal requirement as this was the School’s first year for federal compliance requirements. Effect: Without written policies that adhere to the federal regulations, it is likely that required steps in the process may be missed. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the School review their Procurement policy and ensure that all missing federal requirements are included in their written policies. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2023 – 001 Allowable Costs Federal Agency: U.S. Department Education Federal Program Name: Charter School Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.282 Pass-Through Agency: Indiana Department of Education Pass-Through Number(s): 72229, S282D190002 Award Period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Type of Finding:  Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance  Material Noncompliance Criteria or specific requirement: The Compliance Supplement requires that compensation for personal services be charged to the federal grant based upon approved actual time worked on the program and not based on an allocation or budget (2 CFR 200.430(i)). Condition: While performing audit procedures, it was noted that payroll expenses were charged to the grant program based upon an allocation from the budget and not on approved and/or certified time worked in the program. Questioned costs: $356,845 Context: During the process of obtaining an understanding of internal controls and processing of payroll expenditures, we noted payroll was not reviewed to ensure the expense charged to the grants was accurate based upon approved actual time spent in the program and accurate pay rates. Cause: Salary figures for salaried employees were charged to the federal grant based on unapproved work actually performed for the program and inaccurate pay rates were utilized for overtime and an employee transition to full time. Effect: The organization has not fully followed compliance attributes with the allowable costs principles set forth by the Compliance Supplement related to allocation of salaries being charged based on approved time worked for a program. Personnel need to reinforce policies to ensure control procedures are in place to ensure salaries charged to a grant are appropriately based on actual approved time worked in a program. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School ensure policies and procedures for payroll expenditures for grant programs be charged to the federal grant based on approved hours worked in the program. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2023 – 001 Allowable Costs Federal Agency: U.S. Department Education Federal Program Name: Charter School Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.282 Pass-Through Agency: Indiana Department of Education Pass-Through Number(s): 72229, S282D190002 Award Period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Type of Finding:  Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance  Material Noncompliance Criteria or specific requirement: The Compliance Supplement requires that compensation for personal services be charged to the federal grant based upon approved actual time worked on the program and not based on an allocation or budget (2 CFR 200.430(i)). Condition: While performing audit procedures, it was noted that payroll expenses were charged to the grant program based upon an allocation from the budget and not on approved and/or certified time worked in the program. Questioned costs: $356,845 Context: During the process of obtaining an understanding of internal controls and processing of payroll expenditures, we noted payroll was not reviewed to ensure the expense charged to the grants was accurate based upon approved actual time spent in the program and accurate pay rates. Cause: Salary figures for salaried employees were charged to the federal grant based on unapproved work actually performed for the program and inaccurate pay rates were utilized for overtime and an employee transition to full time. Effect: The organization has not fully followed compliance attributes with the allowable costs principles set forth by the Compliance Supplement related to allocation of salaries being charged based on approved time worked for a program. Personnel need to reinforce policies to ensure control procedures are in place to ensure salaries charged to a grant are appropriately based on actual approved time worked in a program. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School ensure policies and procedures for payroll expenditures for grant programs be charged to the federal grant based on approved hours worked in the program. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2023 – 002 Procurement Federal Agency: U.S. Department Education Federal Program Name: Charter School Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.282 Pass-Through Agency: Indiana Department of Education Pass-Through Number(s): 72229, S282D190002 Award Period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Type of Finding:  Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Tile 2, Subtitle A, Chapter 2 Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.318 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires organizations to have a written procurement policy that includes certain requirements as it relates to procuring good and services using federal dollars. Additionally, 2 CFR 180.995 requires that the organizations have a written policy where organizations should perform a check to ensure vendors are not debarred. Condition: During our testing, it was noted that the School has a written procurement policy in place, however, the policy does not meet the federal requirements for procurement of goods and services using federal dollars. Questioned costs: None Context: The School did not have appropriate policy in place that met the procurement federal requirements. Cause: The School’s policy has not been updated to meet the federal requirement as this was the School’s first year for federal compliance requirements. Effect: Without written policies that adhere to the federal regulations, it is likely that required steps in the process may be missed. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the School review their Procurement policy and ensure that all missing federal requirements are included in their written policies. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2023 – 002 Procurement Federal Agency: U.S. Department Education Federal Program Name: Charter School Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.282 Pass-Through Agency: Indiana Department of Education Pass-Through Number(s): 72229, S282D190002 Award Period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Type of Finding:  Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Tile 2, Subtitle A, Chapter 2 Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.318 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires organizations to have a written procurement policy that includes certain requirements as it relates to procuring good and services using federal dollars. Additionally, 2 CFR 180.995 requires that the organizations have a written policy where organizations should perform a check to ensure vendors are not debarred. Condition: During our testing, it was noted that the School has a written procurement policy in place, however, the policy does not meet the federal requirements for procurement of goods and services using federal dollars. Questioned costs: None Context: The School did not have appropriate policy in place that met the procurement federal requirements. Cause: The School’s policy has not been updated to meet the federal requirement as this was the School’s first year for federal compliance requirements. Effect: Without written policies that adhere to the federal regulations, it is likely that required steps in the process may be missed. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the School review their Procurement policy and ensure that all missing federal requirements are included in their written policies. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.