Audit 369486

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Program Title: Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Grants Assistance Listing Number: 97.036 Federal Award Number and Year: 4496DR 2024 Pass-Through Agency: State of Massachusetts Pass-Through Number: CTFEMA4496STPAT00971 Award Period: Year Ended December 31, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: In accordance with 2 CFR §200.403(g), to be allowable under federal awards, costs must be adequately documented. Additionally, 2 CFR §200.303 requires nonfederal entities to establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Condition: During testing of expenditures under the FEMA grant, the System was unable to provide documentation showing approval of an invoice dated May 2020. This invoice was selected as part of the single audit sample. The lack of approval documentation represents a deficiency in internal controls over compliance with federal requirements. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The invoice in question was incurred in May 2020, prior to the implementation of the Acumatica AP approval workflow. In June 2020, the facility transitioned to Acumatica, which provides electronic tracking of invoice approvals. Cause: At the time of the expenditure, the facility did not have a centralized or electronic approval process in place. Approval documentation was maintained manually and was not retained or accessible during the audit. Effect: The absence of approval documentation for the invoice creates a risk that expenditures may not be properly reviewed or authorized, potentially leading to noncompliance with federal requirements. Although the cost was ultimately deemed allowable, the control deficiency could impact future compliance if not addressed. Recommendation: We recommend that the System ensure all expenditures under federal awards are supported by documented approvals. For legacy transactions, efforts should be made to retain or reconstruct approval documentation where feasible. Continued use and monitoring of the Acumatica system should be maintained to ensure compliance going forward. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding. The invoice in question was incurred during an emergency response period prior to the implementation of the Acumatica system. While approval was likely obtained at the time, documentation was not retained. With the implementation of the Acumatica AP approval process in June 2020, the System has taken appropriate steps to address the finding and enhance internal controls over invoice approvals.