Audit 361057

FY End
2024-09-30
Total Expended
$1.44M
Findings
4
Programs
3
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2025-06-30

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
569707 2024-005 Significant Deficiency - F
569708 2024-006 Significant Deficiency - C
1146149 2024-005 Significant Deficiency - F
1146150 2024-006 Significant Deficiency - C

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $1.22M Yes 2
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $95,029 - 0
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $14,911 - 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
CTWFVZ5UCJ72 Nadia Ochoa Auditee
9562879754 Ricky Longoria Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: GENERAL Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards (SEFSA) presents the federal and state grant activity for Children's Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County, Inc. (the Center) for the year ended September 30, 2024. The reporting entity is defined in Note A of the Center’s financial statements. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) and the Texas Grant Management Standards. Because the SEFSA presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Center, it is not intended and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the Center. The accompanying SEFSA is presented using the accrual basis of accounting, which is described in Note A of the Center’s financial statements. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance and the Texas Grant Management Standards wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowed or are limited as to reimbursement. Negative amounts, if any, shown on the SEFSA represent adjustments or credits made in the normal course of business to amounts reported as expenditures in prior years. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Center has elected not to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards (SEFSA) presents the federal and state grant activity for Children's Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County, Inc. (the Center) for the year ended September 30, 2024. The reporting entity is defined in Note A of the Center’s financial statements. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) and the Texas Grant Management Standards. Because the SEFSA presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Center, it is not intended and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the Center.
Title: BASIS OF PRESENTATION Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards (SEFSA) presents the federal and state grant activity for Children's Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County, Inc. (the Center) for the year ended September 30, 2024. The reporting entity is defined in Note A of the Center’s financial statements. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) and the Texas Grant Management Standards. Because the SEFSA presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Center, it is not intended and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the Center. The accompanying SEFSA is presented using the accrual basis of accounting, which is described in Note A of the Center’s financial statements. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance and the Texas Grant Management Standards wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowed or are limited as to reimbursement. Negative amounts, if any, shown on the SEFSA represent adjustments or credits made in the normal course of business to amounts reported as expenditures in prior years. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Center has elected not to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The accompanying SEFSA is presented using the accrual basis of accounting, which is described in Note A of the Center’s financial statements. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance and the Texas Grant Management Standards wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowed or are limited as to reimbursement. Negative amounts, if any, shown on the SEFSA represent adjustments or credits made in the normal course of business to amounts reported as expenditures in prior years. The Center has elected not to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance or Texas Grant Management Standards.
Title: RELATIONSHIP TO FEDERAL FINANCIAL REPORTS Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards (SEFSA) presents the federal and state grant activity for Children's Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County, Inc. (the Center) for the year ended September 30, 2024. The reporting entity is defined in Note A of the Center’s financial statements. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) and the Texas Grant Management Standards. Because the SEFSA presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Center, it is not intended and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the Center. The accompanying SEFSA is presented using the accrual basis of accounting, which is described in Note A of the Center’s financial statements. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance and the Texas Grant Management Standards wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowed or are limited as to reimbursement. Negative amounts, if any, shown on the SEFSA represent adjustments or credits made in the normal course of business to amounts reported as expenditures in prior years. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Center has elected not to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. Amounts reported on the accompanying SEFSA do not agree with the amount reported on the Statement of Activities because the amounts reported on the SEFSA excludes grant revenues unrelated to federal and state sources. See table below. Grant revenue: Federal $ 1,440,663 Grant revenue: State 980,309 Grant revenue: Non-Governmental 2,298 Total grant revenue without donor restrictions $ 2,423,270
Title: AMOUNTS PASSED THROUGH TO SUB-RECIPIENTS Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal and State Awards (SEFSA) presents the federal and state grant activity for Children's Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County, Inc. (the Center) for the year ended September 30, 2024. The reporting entity is defined in Note A of the Center’s financial statements. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) and the Texas Grant Management Standards. Because the SEFSA presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Center, it is not intended and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the Center. The accompanying SEFSA is presented using the accrual basis of accounting, which is described in Note A of the Center’s financial statements. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance and the Texas Grant Management Standards wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowed or are limited as to reimbursement. Negative amounts, if any, shown on the SEFSA represent adjustments or credits made in the normal course of business to amounts reported as expenditures in prior years. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Center has elected not to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. No amounts were passed through to sub-recipients for the year ended September 30, 2024.

Finding Details

Reference Number 2024-005 Equipment Management (Federal and State) Criteria: VOCA Grantee Responsibilities and Conditions stipulate requirements related to property and equipment purchased in whole or in part with grant funds (Section 7 Equipment Requirements): 7.1B states at least every two (2) years, grantee must take a physical inventory and reconcile the results with property records. 7.1C outlines the minimum requirements of the information that must be maintained for property/inventory (description, serial number, etc.). 7.1D states the grantee shall permanently identify all such equipment by appropriate tags or labels affixed to the equipment. Condition: Evidence of the inventory count performed in FY24 could not be verified as the column labeled "verified by and date" was left blank for all items. The Center was unable to provide an updated, comprehensive listing of all property/equipment purchased in whole or in part with VOCA funding, including the minimum information required under Section 7.1C. We were unable to observe equipment inventory tags affixed to items acquired within FY24. Cause and Effect: The Center did not adhere to its policies and procedures regarding an annual physical inventory of equipment. Additionally, the Center appears to have changed the format of its inventory records, leading to the exclusion of the minimum information required by VOCA. Questioned Cost: None reported Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: It is recommended the Center update the design of its written policies and procedures regarding Equipment Management to ensure all items required under Section 7 Equipment Requirements are addressed. As best practice, the Center should consider requiring identification of the date the physical count was performed, the results/conclusion of the count and who performed the count, evidenced by their signature(s). Views of Responsible Officials: See management's corrective action plan
Reference Number 2024-006 Prepaid Expenses and Requests for Reimbursement (Federal and State) Criteria: Requests for reimbursement (RFRs) in connection with CACTX grants are submitted on a monthly basis in accordance with the terms and requirements stipulated by the Center's grantor, CACTX. Costs and associated activates must be incurred within the grant period and specific claim period (month) to be eligible for reimbursement. Claimed costs must also be allowable under the grant terms, Uniform Guidance and/or Texas Grant Management Standards. Allowable direct costs applicable to a specific contract or funding source may be claimed fromthat funding source at 100%. Other allowable costs benefiting multiple programs or funding sources are subject to the Center's Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) as prescribed by CACTX: calculated each month based upon the time and efforts of the organization's personnel for the respective month. CAP rates are dynamic in nature and change frommonth to month. Consequently, for a recurring or fixed monthly costs/expenses, including amortization of prepaid contracts, the amount that may be claimed each month changes based on each respective month's CAP. Condition: For the fiscal year under audit, the Center had 3 grant agreements in effect with CACTX: 1 VOCA (term October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024) and 2 HHSC (terms September 1, 2023 - August 31, 2024; September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025). In review of VOCA and HHSC expenses claimed in the Center's monthly RFR's, the following exceptions were noted for payments made in connection with contracts: - Contract period from January 10, 2024 - January 10, 2025, paid in-full in January 2024: for both VOCA and HHSC, the Center's RFR claimed reimbursement for the entire amount paid; however, the term of the contract extended beyond the grant periods for both VOCA and HHSC. - Contract period fromFebruary 7, 2024 - February 6, 2025, paid in-full in February 2024: the Center's RFR claimed reimbursement for 8 months (VOCA) and 7 months (HHSC). - Contract period from April 20, 2024 - October 19, 2024, paid in-full in April 2024: for both VOCA and HHSC, the Center's RFR claimed reimbursement for the entire amount paid; however, the term of the contract extended beyond the grant periods for both VOCA and HHSC. - Contract period from May 5, 2024 - May 4, 2025, paid in-full in May 2024: the Center's RFR claimed reimbursement for 5 months (VOCA) and 4 months (HHSC). - Contract period from August 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025, paid in-full in August 2024: the Center's RFR appropriately claimed 1 month for HHSC; however, the RFR claim 2 months for VOCA (August and September). For VOCA, the September RFR claimed the cost again, causing 3months to be claimed within a 2-month period. For HHSC, the September RFR claimed 11 months of the contract. Cause and Effect: The Center did not adhere to the accrual basis of accounting required to be applied to costs claimed on its monthly RFRs submitted to CACTX. Under the accrual method, prepaid contracts should be amortized over the contract term (benefit period). Consequently, costs were inappropriately included/excluded in the Center's monthly RFRs submitted to CACTX. Questioned Cost: None reported Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: It is recommended the Center evaluate and update its internal controls and procedures to ensure costs are appropriately considered when preparing the Center's monthly RFRs. Views of Responsible Officials: See management's corrective action plan
Reference Number 2024-005 Equipment Management (Federal and State) Criteria: VOCA Grantee Responsibilities and Conditions stipulate requirements related to property and equipment purchased in whole or in part with grant funds (Section 7 Equipment Requirements): 7.1B states at least every two (2) years, grantee must take a physical inventory and reconcile the results with property records. 7.1C outlines the minimum requirements of the information that must be maintained for property/inventory (description, serial number, etc.). 7.1D states the grantee shall permanently identify all such equipment by appropriate tags or labels affixed to the equipment. Condition: Evidence of the inventory count performed in FY24 could not be verified as the column labeled "verified by and date" was left blank for all items. The Center was unable to provide an updated, comprehensive listing of all property/equipment purchased in whole or in part with VOCA funding, including the minimum information required under Section 7.1C. We were unable to observe equipment inventory tags affixed to items acquired within FY24. Cause and Effect: The Center did not adhere to its policies and procedures regarding an annual physical inventory of equipment. Additionally, the Center appears to have changed the format of its inventory records, leading to the exclusion of the minimum information required by VOCA. Questioned Cost: None reported Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: It is recommended the Center update the design of its written policies and procedures regarding Equipment Management to ensure all items required under Section 7 Equipment Requirements are addressed. As best practice, the Center should consider requiring identification of the date the physical count was performed, the results/conclusion of the count and who performed the count, evidenced by their signature(s). Views of Responsible Officials: See management's corrective action plan
Reference Number 2024-006 Prepaid Expenses and Requests for Reimbursement (Federal and State) Criteria: Requests for reimbursement (RFRs) in connection with CACTX grants are submitted on a monthly basis in accordance with the terms and requirements stipulated by the Center's grantor, CACTX. Costs and associated activates must be incurred within the grant period and specific claim period (month) to be eligible for reimbursement. Claimed costs must also be allowable under the grant terms, Uniform Guidance and/or Texas Grant Management Standards. Allowable direct costs applicable to a specific contract or funding source may be claimed fromthat funding source at 100%. Other allowable costs benefiting multiple programs or funding sources are subject to the Center's Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) as prescribed by CACTX: calculated each month based upon the time and efforts of the organization's personnel for the respective month. CAP rates are dynamic in nature and change frommonth to month. Consequently, for a recurring or fixed monthly costs/expenses, including amortization of prepaid contracts, the amount that may be claimed each month changes based on each respective month's CAP. Condition: For the fiscal year under audit, the Center had 3 grant agreements in effect with CACTX: 1 VOCA (term October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024) and 2 HHSC (terms September 1, 2023 - August 31, 2024; September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025). In review of VOCA and HHSC expenses claimed in the Center's monthly RFR's, the following exceptions were noted for payments made in connection with contracts: - Contract period from January 10, 2024 - January 10, 2025, paid in-full in January 2024: for both VOCA and HHSC, the Center's RFR claimed reimbursement for the entire amount paid; however, the term of the contract extended beyond the grant periods for both VOCA and HHSC. - Contract period fromFebruary 7, 2024 - February 6, 2025, paid in-full in February 2024: the Center's RFR claimed reimbursement for 8 months (VOCA) and 7 months (HHSC). - Contract period from April 20, 2024 - October 19, 2024, paid in-full in April 2024: for both VOCA and HHSC, the Center's RFR claimed reimbursement for the entire amount paid; however, the term of the contract extended beyond the grant periods for both VOCA and HHSC. - Contract period from May 5, 2024 - May 4, 2025, paid in-full in May 2024: the Center's RFR claimed reimbursement for 5 months (VOCA) and 4 months (HHSC). - Contract period from August 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025, paid in-full in August 2024: the Center's RFR appropriately claimed 1 month for HHSC; however, the RFR claim 2 months for VOCA (August and September). For VOCA, the September RFR claimed the cost again, causing 3months to be claimed within a 2-month period. For HHSC, the September RFR claimed 11 months of the contract. Cause and Effect: The Center did not adhere to the accrual basis of accounting required to be applied to costs claimed on its monthly RFRs submitted to CACTX. Under the accrual method, prepaid contracts should be amortized over the contract term (benefit period). Consequently, costs were inappropriately included/excluded in the Center's monthly RFRs submitted to CACTX. Questioned Cost: None reported Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: It is recommended the Center evaluate and update its internal controls and procedures to ensure costs are appropriately considered when preparing the Center's monthly RFRs. Views of Responsible Officials: See management's corrective action plan