Audit 3569

FY End
2021-06-30
Total Expended
$11.79M
Findings
30
Programs
2
Year: 2021 Accepted: 2023-11-17
Auditor: Crowe LLP

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
2046 2021-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
2047 2021-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
2048 2021-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
2049 2021-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
2050 2021-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
2051 2021-003 Material Weakness Yes F
2052 2021-003 Material Weakness Yes F
2053 2021-003 Material Weakness Yes F
2054 2021-003 Material Weakness Yes F
2055 2021-003 Material Weakness Yes F
2056 2021-004 Significant Deficiency Yes L
2057 2021-004 Significant Deficiency Yes L
2058 2021-004 Significant Deficiency Yes L
2059 2021-004 Significant Deficiency Yes L
2060 2021-004 Significant Deficiency Yes L
578488 2021-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
578489 2021-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
578490 2021-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
578491 2021-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
578492 2021-002 Material Weakness Yes AB
578493 2021-003 Material Weakness Yes F
578494 2021-003 Material Weakness Yes F
578495 2021-003 Material Weakness Yes F
578496 2021-003 Material Weakness Yes F
578497 2021-003 Material Weakness Yes F
578498 2021-004 Significant Deficiency Yes L
578499 2021-004 Significant Deficiency Yes L
578500 2021-004 Significant Deficiency Yes L
578501 2021-004 Significant Deficiency Yes L
578502 2021-004 Significant Deficiency Yes L

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $223,618 - 0
93.600 Head Start $2,398 Yes 3

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, 2021. 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

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 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: $28,918 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of thirteen head start cluster account payable claims: • One sample selection was not approved by a secondary individual. • One sample selection was not supported by appropriate documentation. The selection was for the purchase of gift cards for teachers to buy books for professional development. However, there was no backup or support showing what the gift cards were used to purchase. The total of this purchase was $27,001. • The Unit paid $1,917 in sales tax on one sample selection 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 2020-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit establish a documented, primary review of all head start cluster account payable claims before they are paid. Additionally, we recommend the Unit maintain all supporting documentation to show what the gift cards were used to purchase to ensure they are used for allowable purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
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 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: $28,918 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of thirteen head start cluster account payable claims: • One sample selection was not approved by a secondary individual. • One sample selection was not supported by appropriate documentation. The selection was for the purchase of gift cards for teachers to buy books for professional development. However, there was no backup or support showing what the gift cards were used to purchase. The total of this purchase was $27,001. • The Unit paid $1,917 in sales tax on one sample selection 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 2020-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit establish a documented, primary review of all head start cluster account payable claims before they are paid. Additionally, we recommend the Unit maintain all supporting documentation to show what the gift cards were used to purchase to ensure they are used for allowable purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
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 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: $28,918 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of thirteen head start cluster account payable claims: • One sample selection was not approved by a secondary individual. • One sample selection was not supported by appropriate documentation. The selection was for the purchase of gift cards for teachers to buy books for professional development. However, there was no backup or support showing what the gift cards were used to purchase. The total of this purchase was $27,001. • The Unit paid $1,917 in sales tax on one sample selection 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 2020-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit establish a documented, primary review of all head start cluster account payable claims before they are paid. Additionally, we recommend the Unit maintain all supporting documentation to show what the gift cards were used to purchase to ensure they are used for allowable purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
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 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: $28,918 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of thirteen head start cluster account payable claims: • One sample selection was not approved by a secondary individual. • One sample selection was not supported by appropriate documentation. The selection was for the purchase of gift cards for teachers to buy books for professional development. However, there was no backup or support showing what the gift cards were used to purchase. The total of this purchase was $27,001. • The Unit paid $1,917 in sales tax on one sample selection 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 2020-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit establish a documented, primary review of all head start cluster account payable claims before they are paid. Additionally, we recommend the Unit maintain all supporting documentation to show what the gift cards were used to purchase to ensure they are used for allowable purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
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 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: $28,918 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of thirteen head start cluster account payable claims: • One sample selection was not approved by a secondary individual. • One sample selection was not supported by appropriate documentation. The selection was for the purchase of gift cards for teachers to buy books for professional development. However, there was no backup or support showing what the gift cards were used to purchase. The total of this purchase was $27,001. • The Unit paid $1,917 in sales tax on one sample selection 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 2020-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit establish a documented, primary review of all head start cluster account payable claims before they are paid. Additionally, we recommend the Unit maintain all supporting documentation to show what the gift cards were used to purchase to ensure they are used for allowable purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster – Equipment Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion, Noncompliance Criteria: 45 CFR 75.308(c)(1) states in part: "For non-construction Federal awards, recipients must request prior approval from HHS awarding agencies for one or more of the following program or budget-related reasons: . . . (xi) The recipient wishes to dispose of, replace, or encumber title to real property, equipment, or intangible property that are acquired or improved with a Federal award. . . ." 45 CFR 75.323 states: "Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. The HHS awarding agency may require the non-Federal entity to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with a Federal award and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." 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 equipment compliance requirements. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system allowed noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also 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: During testing, we noted the Unit purchased eight buses in FY20 that each exceeded the $5,000 federal equipment threshold. However, the Unit did not perform any of the required federal compliance steps for equipment in FY21 (getting approval before making the purchase, adding the buses to the capital asset listing, and performing an inventory of the buses). The total cost of the buses, excluding interest costs on the loan, was approximately $649,000. The total annual payments, including interest from the loans, on the buses is approximately $177,000. The Unit initially believed the bus purchases were rental agreements which would not fall under federal compliance requirement. However, the purchases were loan agreements to purchases the buses. The Unit will own the buses after the final payment is made. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2020-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit perform the required steps to maintain compliance with the federal equipment compliance requirements. Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster – Equipment Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion, Noncompliance Criteria: 45 CFR 75.308(c)(1) states in part: "For non-construction Federal awards, recipients must request prior approval from HHS awarding agencies for one or more of the following program or budget-related reasons: . . . (xi) The recipient wishes to dispose of, replace, or encumber title to real property, equipment, or intangible property that are acquired or improved with a Federal award. . . ." 45 CFR 75.323 states: "Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. The HHS awarding agency may require the non-Federal entity to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with a Federal award and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." 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 equipment compliance requirements. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system allowed noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also 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: During testing, we noted the Unit purchased eight buses in FY20 that each exceeded the $5,000 federal equipment threshold. However, the Unit did not perform any of the required federal compliance steps for equipment in FY21 (getting approval before making the purchase, adding the buses to the capital asset listing, and performing an inventory of the buses). The total cost of the buses, excluding interest costs on the loan, was approximately $649,000. The total annual payments, including interest from the loans, on the buses is approximately $177,000. The Unit initially believed the bus purchases were rental agreements which would not fall under federal compliance requirement. However, the purchases were loan agreements to purchases the buses. The Unit will own the buses after the final payment is made. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2020-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit perform the required steps to maintain compliance with the federal equipment compliance requirements. Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster – Equipment Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion, Noncompliance Criteria: 45 CFR 75.308(c)(1) states in part: "For non-construction Federal awards, recipients must request prior approval from HHS awarding agencies for one or more of the following program or budget-related reasons: . . . (xi) The recipient wishes to dispose of, replace, or encumber title to real property, equipment, or intangible property that are acquired or improved with a Federal award. . . ." 45 CFR 75.323 states: "Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. The HHS awarding agency may require the non-Federal entity to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with a Federal award and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." 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 equipment compliance requirements. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system allowed noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also 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: During testing, we noted the Unit purchased eight buses in FY20 that each exceeded the $5,000 federal equipment threshold. However, the Unit did not perform any of the required federal compliance steps for equipment in FY21 (getting approval before making the purchase, adding the buses to the capital asset listing, and performing an inventory of the buses). The total cost of the buses, excluding interest costs on the loan, was approximately $649,000. The total annual payments, including interest from the loans, on the buses is approximately $177,000. The Unit initially believed the bus purchases were rental agreements which would not fall under federal compliance requirement. However, the purchases were loan agreements to purchases the buses. The Unit will own the buses after the final payment is made. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2020-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit perform the required steps to maintain compliance with the federal equipment compliance requirements. Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster – Equipment Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion, Noncompliance Criteria: 45 CFR 75.308(c)(1) states in part: "For non-construction Federal awards, recipients must request prior approval from HHS awarding agencies for one or more of the following program or budget-related reasons: . . . (xi) The recipient wishes to dispose of, replace, or encumber title to real property, equipment, or intangible property that are acquired or improved with a Federal award. . . ." 45 CFR 75.323 states: "Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. The HHS awarding agency may require the non-Federal entity to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with a Federal award and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." 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 equipment compliance requirements. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system allowed noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also 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: During testing, we noted the Unit purchased eight buses in FY20 that each exceeded the $5,000 federal equipment threshold. However, the Unit did not perform any of the required federal compliance steps for equipment in FY21 (getting approval before making the purchase, adding the buses to the capital asset listing, and performing an inventory of the buses). The total cost of the buses, excluding interest costs on the loan, was approximately $649,000. The total annual payments, including interest from the loans, on the buses is approximately $177,000. The Unit initially believed the bus purchases were rental agreements which would not fall under federal compliance requirement. However, the purchases were loan agreements to purchases the buses. The Unit will own the buses after the final payment is made. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2020-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit perform the required steps to maintain compliance with the federal equipment compliance requirements. Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster – Equipment Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion, Noncompliance Criteria: 45 CFR 75.308(c)(1) states in part: "For non-construction Federal awards, recipients must request prior approval from HHS awarding agencies for one or more of the following program or budget-related reasons: . . . (xi) The recipient wishes to dispose of, replace, or encumber title to real property, equipment, or intangible property that are acquired or improved with a Federal award. . . ." 45 CFR 75.323 states: "Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. The HHS awarding agency may require the non-Federal entity to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with a Federal award and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." 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 equipment compliance requirements. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system allowed noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also 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: During testing, we noted the Unit purchased eight buses in FY20 that each exceeded the $5,000 federal equipment threshold. However, the Unit did not perform any of the required federal compliance steps for equipment in FY21 (getting approval before making the purchase, adding the buses to the capital asset listing, and performing an inventory of the buses). The total cost of the buses, excluding interest costs on the loan, was approximately $649,000. The total annual payments, including interest from the loans, on the buses is approximately $177,000. The Unit initially believed the bus purchases were rental agreements which would not fall under federal compliance requirement. However, the purchases were loan agreements to purchases the buses. The Unit will own the buses after the final payment is made. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2020-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit perform the required steps to maintain compliance with the federal equipment compliance requirements. Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
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 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 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 2020-003. 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.
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 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 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 2020-003. 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.
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 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 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 2020-003. 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.
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 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 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 2020-003. 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.
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 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 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 2020-003. 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.
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 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: $28,918 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of thirteen head start cluster account payable claims: • One sample selection was not approved by a secondary individual. • One sample selection was not supported by appropriate documentation. The selection was for the purchase of gift cards for teachers to buy books for professional development. However, there was no backup or support showing what the gift cards were used to purchase. The total of this purchase was $27,001. • The Unit paid $1,917 in sales tax on one sample selection 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 2020-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit establish a documented, primary review of all head start cluster account payable claims before they are paid. Additionally, we recommend the Unit maintain all supporting documentation to show what the gift cards were used to purchase to ensure they are used for allowable purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
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 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: $28,918 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of thirteen head start cluster account payable claims: • One sample selection was not approved by a secondary individual. • One sample selection was not supported by appropriate documentation. The selection was for the purchase of gift cards for teachers to buy books for professional development. However, there was no backup or support showing what the gift cards were used to purchase. The total of this purchase was $27,001. • The Unit paid $1,917 in sales tax on one sample selection 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 2020-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit establish a documented, primary review of all head start cluster account payable claims before they are paid. Additionally, we recommend the Unit maintain all supporting documentation to show what the gift cards were used to purchase to ensure they are used for allowable purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
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 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: $28,918 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of thirteen head start cluster account payable claims: • One sample selection was not approved by a secondary individual. • One sample selection was not supported by appropriate documentation. The selection was for the purchase of gift cards for teachers to buy books for professional development. However, there was no backup or support showing what the gift cards were used to purchase. The total of this purchase was $27,001. • The Unit paid $1,917 in sales tax on one sample selection 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 2020-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit establish a documented, primary review of all head start cluster account payable claims before they are paid. Additionally, we recommend the Unit maintain all supporting documentation to show what the gift cards were used to purchase to ensure they are used for allowable purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
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 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: $28,918 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of thirteen head start cluster account payable claims: • One sample selection was not approved by a secondary individual. • One sample selection was not supported by appropriate documentation. The selection was for the purchase of gift cards for teachers to buy books for professional development. However, there was no backup or support showing what the gift cards were used to purchase. The total of this purchase was $27,001. • The Unit paid $1,917 in sales tax on one sample selection 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 2020-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit establish a documented, primary review of all head start cluster account payable claims before they are paid. Additionally, we recommend the Unit maintain all supporting documentation to show what the gift cards were used to purchase to ensure they are used for allowable purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
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 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: $28,918 Context: During testing, we noted the following issues in a sample of thirteen head start cluster account payable claims: • One sample selection was not approved by a secondary individual. • One sample selection was not supported by appropriate documentation. The selection was for the purchase of gift cards for teachers to buy books for professional development. However, there was no backup or support showing what the gift cards were used to purchase. The total of this purchase was $27,001. • The Unit paid $1,917 in sales tax on one sample selection 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 2020-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit establish a documented, primary review of all head start cluster account payable claims before they are paid. Additionally, we recommend the Unit maintain all supporting documentation to show what the gift cards were used to purchase to ensure they are used for allowable purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster – Equipment Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion, Noncompliance Criteria: 45 CFR 75.308(c)(1) states in part: "For non-construction Federal awards, recipients must request prior approval from HHS awarding agencies for one or more of the following program or budget-related reasons: . . . (xi) The recipient wishes to dispose of, replace, or encumber title to real property, equipment, or intangible property that are acquired or improved with a Federal award. . . ." 45 CFR 75.323 states: "Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. The HHS awarding agency may require the non-Federal entity to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with a Federal award and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." 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 equipment compliance requirements. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system allowed noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also 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: During testing, we noted the Unit purchased eight buses in FY20 that each exceeded the $5,000 federal equipment threshold. However, the Unit did not perform any of the required federal compliance steps for equipment in FY21 (getting approval before making the purchase, adding the buses to the capital asset listing, and performing an inventory of the buses). The total cost of the buses, excluding interest costs on the loan, was approximately $649,000. The total annual payments, including interest from the loans, on the buses is approximately $177,000. The Unit initially believed the bus purchases were rental agreements which would not fall under federal compliance requirement. However, the purchases were loan agreements to purchases the buses. The Unit will own the buses after the final payment is made. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2020-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit perform the required steps to maintain compliance with the federal equipment compliance requirements. Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster – Equipment Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion, Noncompliance Criteria: 45 CFR 75.308(c)(1) states in part: "For non-construction Federal awards, recipients must request prior approval from HHS awarding agencies for one or more of the following program or budget-related reasons: . . . (xi) The recipient wishes to dispose of, replace, or encumber title to real property, equipment, or intangible property that are acquired or improved with a Federal award. . . ." 45 CFR 75.323 states: "Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. The HHS awarding agency may require the non-Federal entity to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with a Federal award and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." 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 equipment compliance requirements. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system allowed noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also 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: During testing, we noted the Unit purchased eight buses in FY20 that each exceeded the $5,000 federal equipment threshold. However, the Unit did not perform any of the required federal compliance steps for equipment in FY21 (getting approval before making the purchase, adding the buses to the capital asset listing, and performing an inventory of the buses). The total cost of the buses, excluding interest costs on the loan, was approximately $649,000. The total annual payments, including interest from the loans, on the buses is approximately $177,000. The Unit initially believed the bus purchases were rental agreements which would not fall under federal compliance requirement. However, the purchases were loan agreements to purchases the buses. The Unit will own the buses after the final payment is made. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2020-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit perform the required steps to maintain compliance with the federal equipment compliance requirements. Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster – Equipment Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion, Noncompliance Criteria: 45 CFR 75.308(c)(1) states in part: "For non-construction Federal awards, recipients must request prior approval from HHS awarding agencies for one or more of the following program or budget-related reasons: . . . (xi) The recipient wishes to dispose of, replace, or encumber title to real property, equipment, or intangible property that are acquired or improved with a Federal award. . . ." 45 CFR 75.323 states: "Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. The HHS awarding agency may require the non-Federal entity to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with a Federal award and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." 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 equipment compliance requirements. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system allowed noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also 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: During testing, we noted the Unit purchased eight buses in FY20 that each exceeded the $5,000 federal equipment threshold. However, the Unit did not perform any of the required federal compliance steps for equipment in FY21 (getting approval before making the purchase, adding the buses to the capital asset listing, and performing an inventory of the buses). The total cost of the buses, excluding interest costs on the loan, was approximately $649,000. The total annual payments, including interest from the loans, on the buses is approximately $177,000. The Unit initially believed the bus purchases were rental agreements which would not fall under federal compliance requirement. However, the purchases were loan agreements to purchases the buses. The Unit will own the buses after the final payment is made. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2020-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit perform the required steps to maintain compliance with the federal equipment compliance requirements. Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster – Equipment Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion, Noncompliance Criteria: 45 CFR 75.308(c)(1) states in part: "For non-construction Federal awards, recipients must request prior approval from HHS awarding agencies for one or more of the following program or budget-related reasons: . . . (xi) The recipient wishes to dispose of, replace, or encumber title to real property, equipment, or intangible property that are acquired or improved with a Federal award. . . ." 45 CFR 75.323 states: "Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. The HHS awarding agency may require the non-Federal entity to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with a Federal award and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." 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 equipment compliance requirements. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system allowed noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also 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: During testing, we noted the Unit purchased eight buses in FY20 that each exceeded the $5,000 federal equipment threshold. However, the Unit did not perform any of the required federal compliance steps for equipment in FY21 (getting approval before making the purchase, adding the buses to the capital asset listing, and performing an inventory of the buses). The total cost of the buses, excluding interest costs on the loan, was approximately $649,000. The total annual payments, including interest from the loans, on the buses is approximately $177,000. The Unit initially believed the bus purchases were rental agreements which would not fall under federal compliance requirement. However, the purchases were loan agreements to purchases the buses. The Unit will own the buses after the final payment is made. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2020-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit perform the required steps to maintain compliance with the federal equipment compliance requirements. Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Information on the federal program: Subject: Head Start Cluster – Equipment Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program: Head Start Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.600 Compliance Requirement: Equipment Audit Finding: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion, Noncompliance Criteria: 45 CFR 75.308(c)(1) states in part: "For non-construction Federal awards, recipients must request prior approval from HHS awarding agencies for one or more of the following program or budget-related reasons: . . . (xi) The recipient wishes to dispose of, replace, or encumber title to real property, equipment, or intangible property that are acquired or improved with a Federal award. . . ." 45 CFR 75.323 states: "Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. The HHS awarding agency may require the non-Federal entity to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with a Federal award and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." 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 equipment compliance requirements. Cause: The Unit's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the equipment requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system allowed noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also 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: During testing, we noted the Unit purchased eight buses in FY20 that each exceeded the $5,000 federal equipment threshold. However, the Unit did not perform any of the required federal compliance steps for equipment in FY21 (getting approval before making the purchase, adding the buses to the capital asset listing, and performing an inventory of the buses). The total cost of the buses, excluding interest costs on the loan, was approximately $649,000. The total annual payments, including interest from the loans, on the buses is approximately $177,000. The Unit initially believed the bus purchases were rental agreements which would not fall under federal compliance requirement. However, the purchases were loan agreements to purchases the buses. The Unit will own the buses after the final payment is made. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit. The prior audit finding number was 2020-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unit perform the required steps to maintain compliance with the federal equipment compliance requirements. Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
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 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 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 2020-003. 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.
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 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 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 2020-003. 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.
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 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 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 2020-003. 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.
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 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 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 2020-003. 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.
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 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 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 2020-003. 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.