FAC Explorer

Audit 350620

FY End
2024-06-30
Total Expended
$15.60M
Findings
8
Programs
3
Organization: Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties Head Start Consortium (IN)
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2025-03-31
Auditor: Crowe LLP

Organization Exclusion Status:

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
541023 2024-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
541024 2024-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
541025 2024-003 Significant Deficiency Yes L
541026 2024-003 Significant Deficiency Yes L
1117465 2024-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
1117466 2024-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
1117467 2024-003 Significant Deficiency Yes L
1117468 2024-003 Significant Deficiency Yes L

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
93.600 Head Start $2.84M Yes 2
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $665,141 - 0
93.600 Covid-19 - Head Start $42,517 Yes 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
EMTEXETRUA34 Brenda Overton Auditee
5745754676 Scott Nickerson Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the cash basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. When federal grants are received on a reimbursement basis, the federal awards are considered expensed when the reimbursement is received. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Unit has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the "Schedule") includes the federal award activity of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties Head Start Consortium (the “Unit”) under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2024. 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 the Unit, it is not intended to and does not present the receipts, disbursements, and cash and investment balances – regulatory basis of the Unit. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the cash basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. When federal grants are received on a reimbursement basis, the federal awards are considered expensed when the reimbursement is received.
Title: NOTE 2 - INDIRECT COST RATE Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the cash basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. When federal grants are received on a reimbursement basis, the federal awards are considered expensed when the reimbursement is received. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Unit has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The Unit has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance.

Finding Details

Finding 2024-002
FINDING 2024-002 Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 05CH011249, 05HP000285 Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the Unit to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the activities allowed or unallowed and allowable costs/cost principle compliance requirements. The Unit did not have adequate documentation to support expenditures. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the Unit at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: $5,407 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of sixty head start cluster account payable and payroll transactions: • The Unit paid $5,407 in sales tax on 3 selections which is an unallowable cost. The Unit is tax-exempt as a governmental entity in the state and should not pay sales tax. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend the Unit obtain the necessary documentation to show vendors the Unit is a tax-exempt entity. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan
Finding 2024-002
FINDING 2024-002 Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 05CH011249, 05HP000285 Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the Unit to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the activities allowed or unallowed and allowable costs/cost principle compliance requirements. The Unit did not have adequate documentation to support expenditures. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the Unit at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: $5,407 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of sixty head start cluster account payable and payroll transactions: • The Unit paid $5,407 in sales tax on 3 selections which is an unallowable cost. The Unit is tax-exempt as a governmental entity in the state and should not pay sales tax. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend the Unit obtain the necessary documentation to show vendors the Unit is a tax-exempt entity. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan
Finding 2024-003
FINDING 2024-004 Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 05CH011249, 05HP000285 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the Unit in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the reporting compliance requirement. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the reporting requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the Unit at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We noted that for the two federal financial reports in a sample of two reports, the Supervisor prepared the report without a secondary, documented review before the submission of the report to ensure the accuracy of the report. The amounts reported agreed to the supporting records without error. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2023-003. Recommendation: We recommended that the Unit implement a documented, formal review of the reports before they are submitted. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Finding 2024-003
FINDING 2024-004 Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 05CH011249, 05HP000285 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the Unit in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the reporting compliance requirement. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the reporting requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the Unit at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We noted that for the two federal financial reports in a sample of two reports, the Supervisor prepared the report without a secondary, documented review before the submission of the report to ensure the accuracy of the report. The amounts reported agreed to the supporting records without error. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2023-003. Recommendation: We recommended that the Unit implement a documented, formal review of the reports before they are submitted. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Finding 2024-002
FINDING 2024-002 Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 05CH011249, 05HP000285 Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the Unit to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the activities allowed or unallowed and allowable costs/cost principle compliance requirements. The Unit did not have adequate documentation to support expenditures. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the Unit at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: $5,407 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of sixty head start cluster account payable and payroll transactions: • The Unit paid $5,407 in sales tax on 3 selections which is an unallowable cost. The Unit is tax-exempt as a governmental entity in the state and should not pay sales tax. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend the Unit obtain the necessary documentation to show vendors the Unit is a tax-exempt entity. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan
Finding 2024-002
FINDING 2024-002 Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 05CH011249, 05HP000285 Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the Unit to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the activities allowed or unallowed and allowable costs/cost principle compliance requirements. The Unit did not have adequate documentation to support expenditures. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the Unit at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: $5,407 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of sixty head start cluster account payable and payroll transactions: • The Unit paid $5,407 in sales tax on 3 selections which is an unallowable cost. The Unit is tax-exempt as a governmental entity in the state and should not pay sales tax. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend the Unit obtain the necessary documentation to show vendors the Unit is a tax-exempt entity. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan
Finding 2024-003
FINDING 2024-004 Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 05CH011249, 05HP000285 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the Unit in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the reporting compliance requirement. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the reporting requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the Unit at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We noted that for the two federal financial reports in a sample of two reports, the Supervisor prepared the report without a secondary, documented review before the submission of the report to ensure the accuracy of the report. The amounts reported agreed to the supporting records without error. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2023-003. Recommendation: We recommended that the Unit implement a documented, formal review of the reports before they are submitted. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Finding 2024-003
FINDING 2024-004 Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 05CH011249, 05HP000285 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the Unit in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the reporting compliance requirement. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the reporting requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the Unit at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We noted that for the two federal financial reports in a sample of two reports, the Supervisor prepared the report without a secondary, documented review before the submission of the report to ensure the accuracy of the report. The amounts reported agreed to the supporting records without error. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2023-003. Recommendation: We recommended that the Unit implement a documented, formal review of the reports before they are submitted. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.