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.