Name of Responsible Individual: Dr. Lynda Batiste, Senior Vice President of Finance & Chief Operating Officer
Corrective Action: University administration recognizes the significant role of internal controls throughout the institution including fiscal, administrative and programmatic operations. ...
Name of Responsible Individual: Dr. Lynda Batiste, Senior Vice President of Finance & Chief Operating Officer
Corrective Action: University administration recognizes the significant role of internal controls throughout the institution including fiscal, administrative and programmatic operations. The university’s internal control objectives and related risks can be broadly classified into one or more of the following three categories:
• Operations - Effectiveness and efficiency of operations
• Reporting - Reliability of reporting for internal and external use
• Compliance - Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
Based on the institutions internal control objective’s, the Office of Sponsored Program has prepared its internal control plan in a framework which addresses the five components and 17 principles of internal controls as outlined in GAO’s Standard for Internal Controls. Additionally, retention policies have been put in place to ensure all drawdowns are supported by allowable expenditures and the records are maintained in accordance with the standards of the granting agencies.
The grants accountant in coordination with the office of sponsored programs manages external grant awards through the creation of internal spending accounts, performs quarterly monitoring of financial activity in Colleague Finance (or more frequently when dictated by reporting requirements), obtains grant payments from sponsors, and creates and submits its financial reports. The Office of Sponsored Programs has updated the External Award Policy and Procedures Manual which outlines the process for conducting reconciliations of grants for reporting and yearend processes.
Updated policy and procedures manuals, Internal control policies and retention control policies as it relates to sponsored programs have been established to ensure the reliability and integrity of financial information. The Institutions internal control policy will ensure that management has accurate, timely, and complete information, including accounting records, in order to plan, monitor and report grant awards accurately.
Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2024