Finding 2025-001 – Internal Control over Indirect Cost Calculation, Monitoring and Reporting Federal Program – Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) Assistance Listing Number - #66.034 Award Number – XA-84066101 Criteria: Uniform Guidance (2 CFR §200.414) requires that indirect costs charged to federal awards be supported by a current, approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and applied in accordance with the approved rate and allocation base. Costs charged in excess of the approved indirect cost rate are unallowable. Additionally, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR §200.328) requires that financial reports submitted to federal awarding agencies or pass-through entities, including Federal Financial Reports (FFRs), accurately reflect the allowable costs incurred under the award and be supported by the Organization’s underlying accounting records. Condition: The Organization charged indirect costs to the major federal program in excess of the amount permitted under its approved NICRA for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025. The Organization’s NICRA has historically been based on a salary and fringe benefits allocation base. During fiscal year 2025, the Organization experienced significant turnover of long-tenured employees, resulting in a substantial decrease in salaries and wages and, accordingly, a reduction in the approved indirect cost rate. As a result, indirect costs were overcharged to the federal program by $96,196. In addition, amounts reported on the annual Federal Financial Report (FFR) to the federal funder were incorrect, reporting the wrong base and charged amounts. The amounts reported on the FFR did not match the actual indirect cost base and charges for fiscal year 2025. Cause: Although the revised NICRA rate reflected the lower salary base, the Organization charged indirect costs throughout the year using actual indirect expenses rather than recalculating allowable indirect costs based on the approved rate. Also, it appears the errors in the FFR were caused by oversight. Effect: The Organization charged unallowable indirect costs totaling $96,196 to the federal program, resulting in noncompliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. This overcharge may subject the Organization to repayment to the federal awarding agency or reduction of a future award. In addition, the FFR submitted to the federal awarding agency was inaccurate and did not reflect the allowable indirect costs. Questioned Costs: $96,196 Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the Organization strengthen internal controls over the calculation, monitoring and reporting of indirect costs charged to the federal program. Specifically we recommend that the Organization evaluate and received approval from the federal agency, whether certain costs currently included in the indirect cost pool may be directly charged to the federal award when those costs can be specifically identified with the program and allocated based on actual usage or time incurred, in accordance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Additionally, management should establish documentation and review procedures to support the allocation methodology used for any costs charged directly to federal programs. This approach may help ensure compliance with the approved NICRA while allowing the Organization to recover eligible program costs in a manner consistent with federal requirements. Response: To address this issue going forward, NACAA met with its auditors and accountant to discuss corrective action. It was recommended that some of NACAA’s overhead costs that have traditionally been added to the indirect cost pool (professional fees, rent, office insurance, etc.) be charged as direct costs using NACAA’s grant-related salaries and fringe benefits to allocate expenses between direct and indirect costs. To correct the other issue related to the Federal Financial Report (FFR) errors, NACAA will work with its accountant to complete the required FFRs to ensure that all figures being reported are correct.