2022-003 Improve Controls and Documentation over Payroll Process
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Special Education Cluster
Award Name: Special Education Local Entitlement
AL Number(s): 84.027/84.173
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Education Stabilization Fund Cluster
Award Name: Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds
AL Number(s): 84.425D/84.425U
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Type of Finding
Compliance
Internal Control over Compliance - Material Weakness
Criteria or Specific Requirement
The Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowable under Federal awards, they must be adequately documented and there must be sufficient documentation.
Condition and Context
In fiscal year 2022, our sample testing disclosed that amounts paid to employees could not be re-calculated and documentation to ensure amounts paid were complete and accurate was not availa-ble.
Effect or Potential Effect
We were unable to conclude on the allowability, validity, or completeness of payroll charged to the grants, and as a result there is a risk that amounts charged to federal awards may not be allowable in accordance with applicable cost principles. Questioned Costs
Due to the condition noted, we were unable to determine if the costs charged to the applicable grants are allowable.
AL Known or Likely
Number(s) Name of Federal Program or Cluster Questioned Costs
84.027/84.173 Special Education Cluster $1,900,742
84.425D/84.425U Education Stabilization Fund Cluster $8,334,464
Cause
Weaknesses in the design and operation of controls over payroll processing.
Recommendation
The School Department must re-design the internal controls surrounding how payroll is processed to provide assurance that processing is complete, accurate and valid.
Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action
Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the summary schedule of prior year audit findings and status.
2022-004 Improve Time and Effort Documentation
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development
Cluster/Program: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Cluster
Award Name: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement
AL Number(s): 14.218
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Type of Finding
Compliance
Internal Control over Compliance - Material WeaknessCriteria or Specific Requirement
Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. An employee whose salary is paid in part from federal grant funds and in part from other revenue sources must maintain time and effort distribution records, such as activity reports or timesheets, that document the portion of time spent working on tasks related to the federal grant program and time spent on programs supported by the other revenue sources. Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with federal requirements that have a direct and material effect on a federal program. A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis.
Condition and Context
During our audit, we tested a sample of payroll disbursements in order to determine if adequate time and effort records were maintained. As a result of our testing, we determined that time and effort certifications for the period under audit were not properly prepared. Specifically, time and effort certifications were not provided for salaried individuals paid in part from federal grant funds and in part from other revenue sources.
Effect or Potential Effect
Time and effort documentation did not meet federal requirements. There is a risk that amounts charged to federal awards may not be allowable or in accordance with applicable cost principles.
Questioned Costs
Due to the condition noted, we were unable to determine if the costs charged to the following grant are allowable.
AL Known or Likely
Number Name of Federal Program or Cluster Questioned Costs
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Cluster $179,389Cause
Weaknesses in the design and operation of controls.
Recommendation
The Planning Department should address the weaknesses in internal controls noted above in order to provide reasonable assurance that federal awards are expended only for allowable activities, and that the costs services charged to federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applica-ble cost principles.
Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action
Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the summary schedule of prior year audit findings and status.
2022-005 Improve Compliance with American Rescue Plan Reporting
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Treasury
Cluster/Program: State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
Award Name: State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
AL Number(s): 21.027
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Type of Finding
Compliance
Internal Control over Compliance – Significant Deficiency
Criteria or Specific Requirement
Grantees are required to report financial information to the grantor agency in accordance with the requirements set forth by the Federal awarding agency. Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with federal requirements that have a direct and material effect on a federal program. A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow
management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis.
Condition and Context
We tested the City’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funds with amounts reported to the Treasury Department as of June 30, 2022. We determined that life-to-date expenditures reported were understated by approximately $15.6 million.
Effect or Potential Effect
The City is not in compliance with grant requirements over reporting. No questioned costs are noted as the issue relates only to the amount reported to the Treasury Department.
Cause
Weaknesses in the operation of controls. Recommendation
The City should accurately report life-to-date expenditures in quarterly and annual Project and Expenditures Reports in order to comply with reporting guidelines.
Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action
Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the summary schedule of prior year audit findings and status.
2022-003 Improve Controls and Documentation over Payroll Process
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Special Education Cluster
Award Name: Special Education Local Entitlement
AL Number(s): 84.027/84.173
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Education Stabilization Fund Cluster
Award Name: Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds
AL Number(s): 84.425D/84.425U
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Type of Finding
Compliance
Internal Control over Compliance - Material Weakness
Criteria or Specific Requirement
The Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowable under Federal awards, they must be adequately documented and there must be sufficient documentation.
Condition and Context
In fiscal year 2022, our sample testing disclosed that amounts paid to employees could not be re-calculated and documentation to ensure amounts paid were complete and accurate was not availa-ble.
Effect or Potential Effect
We were unable to conclude on the allowability, validity, or completeness of payroll charged to the grants, and as a result there is a risk that amounts charged to federal awards may not be allowable in accordance with applicable cost principles. Questioned Costs
Due to the condition noted, we were unable to determine if the costs charged to the applicable grants are allowable.
AL Known or Likely
Number(s) Name of Federal Program or Cluster Questioned Costs
84.027/84.173 Special Education Cluster $1,900,742
84.425D/84.425U Education Stabilization Fund Cluster $8,334,464
Cause
Weaknesses in the design and operation of controls over payroll processing.
Recommendation
The School Department must re-design the internal controls surrounding how payroll is processed to provide assurance that processing is complete, accurate and valid.
Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action
Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the summary schedule of prior year audit findings and status.
2022-003 Improve Controls and Documentation over Payroll Process
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Special Education Cluster
Award Name: Special Education Local Entitlement
AL Number(s): 84.027/84.173
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Education Stabilization Fund Cluster
Award Name: Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds
AL Number(s): 84.425D/84.425U
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Type of Finding
Compliance
Internal Control over Compliance - Material Weakness
Criteria or Specific Requirement
The Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowable under Federal awards, they must be adequately documented and there must be sufficient documentation.
Condition and Context
In fiscal year 2022, our sample testing disclosed that amounts paid to employees could not be re-calculated and documentation to ensure amounts paid were complete and accurate was not availa-ble.
Effect or Potential Effect
We were unable to conclude on the allowability, validity, or completeness of payroll charged to the grants, and as a result there is a risk that amounts charged to federal awards may not be allowable in accordance with applicable cost principles. Questioned Costs
Due to the condition noted, we were unable to determine if the costs charged to the applicable grants are allowable.
AL Known or Likely
Number(s) Name of Federal Program or Cluster Questioned Costs
84.027/84.173 Special Education Cluster $1,900,742
84.425D/84.425U Education Stabilization Fund Cluster $8,334,464
Cause
Weaknesses in the design and operation of controls over payroll processing.
Recommendation
The School Department must re-design the internal controls surrounding how payroll is processed to provide assurance that processing is complete, accurate and valid.
Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action
Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the summary schedule of prior year audit findings and status.
2022-003 Improve Controls and Documentation over Payroll Process
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Special Education Cluster
Award Name: Special Education Local Entitlement
AL Number(s): 84.027/84.173
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Education Stabilization Fund Cluster
Award Name: Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds
AL Number(s): 84.425D/84.425U
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Type of Finding
Compliance
Internal Control over Compliance - Material Weakness
Criteria or Specific Requirement
The Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowable under Federal awards, they must be adequately documented and there must be sufficient documentation.
Condition and Context
In fiscal year 2022, our sample testing disclosed that amounts paid to employees could not be re-calculated and documentation to ensure amounts paid were complete and accurate was not availa-ble.
Effect or Potential Effect
We were unable to conclude on the allowability, validity, or completeness of payroll charged to the grants, and as a result there is a risk that amounts charged to federal awards may not be allowable in accordance with applicable cost principles. Questioned Costs
Due to the condition noted, we were unable to determine if the costs charged to the applicable grants are allowable.
AL Known or Likely
Number(s) Name of Federal Program or Cluster Questioned Costs
84.027/84.173 Special Education Cluster $1,900,742
84.425D/84.425U Education Stabilization Fund Cluster $8,334,464
Cause
Weaknesses in the design and operation of controls over payroll processing.
Recommendation
The School Department must re-design the internal controls surrounding how payroll is processed to provide assurance that processing is complete, accurate and valid.
Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action
Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the summary schedule of prior year audit findings and status.
2022-004 Improve Time and Effort Documentation
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development
Cluster/Program: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Cluster
Award Name: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement
AL Number(s): 14.218
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Type of Finding
Compliance
Internal Control over Compliance - Material WeaknessCriteria or Specific Requirement
Grantees must provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applicable cost principles. An employee whose salary is paid in part from federal grant funds and in part from other revenue sources must maintain time and effort distribution records, such as activity reports or timesheets, that document the portion of time spent working on tasks related to the federal grant program and time spent on programs supported by the other revenue sources. Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with federal requirements that have a direct and material effect on a federal program. A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis.
Condition and Context
During our audit, we tested a sample of payroll disbursements in order to determine if adequate time and effort records were maintained. As a result of our testing, we determined that time and effort certifications for the period under audit were not properly prepared. Specifically, time and effort certifications were not provided for salaried individuals paid in part from federal grant funds and in part from other revenue sources.
Effect or Potential Effect
Time and effort documentation did not meet federal requirements. There is a risk that amounts charged to federal awards may not be allowable or in accordance with applicable cost principles.
Questioned Costs
Due to the condition noted, we were unable to determine if the costs charged to the following grant are allowable.
AL Known or Likely
Number Name of Federal Program or Cluster Questioned Costs
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Cluster $179,389Cause
Weaknesses in the design and operation of controls.
Recommendation
The Planning Department should address the weaknesses in internal controls noted above in order to provide reasonable assurance that federal awards are expended only for allowable activities, and that the costs services charged to federal awards are allowable and in accordance with the applica-ble cost principles.
Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action
Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the summary schedule of prior year audit findings and status.
2022-005 Improve Compliance with American Rescue Plan Reporting
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Treasury
Cluster/Program: State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
Award Name: State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
AL Number(s): 21.027
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Reporting
Type of Finding
Compliance
Internal Control over Compliance – Significant Deficiency
Criteria or Specific Requirement
Grantees are required to report financial information to the grantor agency in accordance with the requirements set forth by the Federal awarding agency. Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with federal requirements that have a direct and material effect on a federal program. A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow
management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis.
Condition and Context
We tested the City’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funds with amounts reported to the Treasury Department as of June 30, 2022. We determined that life-to-date expenditures reported were understated by approximately $15.6 million.
Effect or Potential Effect
The City is not in compliance with grant requirements over reporting. No questioned costs are noted as the issue relates only to the amount reported to the Treasury Department.
Cause
Weaknesses in the operation of controls. Recommendation
The City should accurately report life-to-date expenditures in quarterly and annual Project and Expenditures Reports in order to comply with reporting guidelines.
Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action
Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the summary schedule of prior year audit findings and status.
2022-003 Improve Controls and Documentation over Payroll Process
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Special Education Cluster
Award Name: Special Education Local Entitlement
AL Number(s): 84.027/84.173
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Education Stabilization Fund Cluster
Award Name: Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds
AL Number(s): 84.425D/84.425U
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Type of Finding
Compliance
Internal Control over Compliance - Material Weakness
Criteria or Specific Requirement
The Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowable under Federal awards, they must be adequately documented and there must be sufficient documentation.
Condition and Context
In fiscal year 2022, our sample testing disclosed that amounts paid to employees could not be re-calculated and documentation to ensure amounts paid were complete and accurate was not availa-ble.
Effect or Potential Effect
We were unable to conclude on the allowability, validity, or completeness of payroll charged to the grants, and as a result there is a risk that amounts charged to federal awards may not be allowable in accordance with applicable cost principles. Questioned Costs
Due to the condition noted, we were unable to determine if the costs charged to the applicable grants are allowable.
AL Known or Likely
Number(s) Name of Federal Program or Cluster Questioned Costs
84.027/84.173 Special Education Cluster $1,900,742
84.425D/84.425U Education Stabilization Fund Cluster $8,334,464
Cause
Weaknesses in the design and operation of controls over payroll processing.
Recommendation
The School Department must re-design the internal controls surrounding how payroll is processed to provide assurance that processing is complete, accurate and valid.
Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action
Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the summary schedule of prior year audit findings and status.
2022-003 Improve Controls and Documentation over Payroll Process
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Special Education Cluster
Award Name: Special Education Local Entitlement
AL Number(s): 84.027/84.173
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Federal Agency: U.S Department of Education
Cluster/Program: Education Stabilization Fund Cluster
Award Name: Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds
AL Number(s): 84.425D/84.425U
Award Year: 2022
Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Type of Finding
Compliance
Internal Control over Compliance - Material Weakness
Criteria or Specific Requirement
The Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowable under Federal awards, they must be adequately documented and there must be sufficient documentation.
Condition and Context
In fiscal year 2022, our sample testing disclosed that amounts paid to employees could not be re-calculated and documentation to ensure amounts paid were complete and accurate was not availa-ble.
Effect or Potential Effect
We were unable to conclude on the allowability, validity, or completeness of payroll charged to the grants, and as a result there is a risk that amounts charged to federal awards may not be allowable in accordance with applicable cost principles. Questioned Costs
Due to the condition noted, we were unable to determine if the costs charged to the applicable grants are allowable.
AL Known or Likely
Number(s) Name of Federal Program or Cluster Questioned Costs
84.027/84.173 Special Education Cluster $1,900,742
84.425D/84.425U Education Stabilization Fund Cluster $8,334,464
Cause
Weaknesses in the design and operation of controls over payroll processing.
Recommendation
The School Department must re-design the internal controls surrounding how payroll is processed to provide assurance that processing is complete, accurate and valid.
Views of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Action
Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the summary schedule of prior year audit findings and status.