Finding 2024-003 – Lack of Internal Controls over Expenditure Documentation (Material Weakness) Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Program Name: Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants Assistance Listing Numbers: 66.460 Pass-Through Entity: Oregon Department of Enviro...
Finding 2024-003 – Lack of Internal Controls over Expenditure Documentation (Material Weakness) Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Program Name: Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants Assistance Listing Numbers: 66.460 Pass-Through Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Program Name: Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Program Assistance Listing Numbers: 11.438, 15.015, 15.244 Pass-Through Entity: State of Oregon – Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Federal Program Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.665 Pass-Through Entity: U.S. Forest Service Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Federal Program Name: Natural Resources Conservation ServiceName of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior Federal Program Name: Wildlife, Sport Fish and Restoration Program Assistance Listing Numbers: 15.244 Pass-Through Entity: Bureau of Land Management Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior Federal Program Name: Secure Rural Schools and community Self-Determination – Watershed and water-quality improvements Assistance Listing Numbers: 15.234 Pass-Through Entity: Bureau of Land Management Criteria: Title 2 CFR §200.303 requires nonfederal entities to establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, 2 CFR §200.302(b)(3) requires entities to maintain records that adequately identify the source and application of funds, including supporting documentation for expenditures, and 2 CFR §200.430 requires documentation for compensation for personal services. Condition: During our review of expenditures charged to the federal programs, the entity was unable to provide invoice copies or other sufficient supporting documentation for certain expenditures tested. As a result, we could not verify the allowability, accuracy, and proper approval of these costs in accordance with federal requirements. In addition, records were unavailable for Personnel expenditures that were charged to grant awards, and no support or evidence of time per grant was available. Cause: Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers does not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that invoice documentation and other supporting records are retained, centrally filed, and readily available for audit and monitoring purposes. In addition, management did not perform ongoing monitoring to verify that required documentation was maintained prior to reimbursement or reporting. Effect or Potential Effect: because supporting documentation was not available, expenditures from detail documentation could not be substantiated. This increases the risk that the unallowable, unsupported, or inaccurate costs may be charged to the federal program and reported in the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). Questioned Cost: Yes, $332,409 related to Personnel costs, equipment and other purchases that were not documented with detailed support. Context: During our audit, it was found that the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers experienced complete staff turnover in Financial Management for the year being audited. No current finance employees had worked for the organization during the year being audited. No financial files for Accounts Payable, invoices, or reporting were available to the current financial staff. Not adequately retaining supporting documents and invoices to support the expenditures of the general ledger and requests for reimbursement for grants, the organization records may be insufficient for testing and review, for internal controls or meeting federal documentation and reporting requirements. Repeat of a Prior-Year Finding: No, Prior- year did not require a Single Audit.Recommendation: Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers should implement policies and procedures requiring invoice copies and supporting documentation to be maintained for all grant expenditures. Management should strengthen record retention practices, provide training to staff on documentation requirements, and implement periodic internal reviews to ensure compliance. District Response: Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers acknowledges the deficiencies. Corrective Action Plan: _____________ (To be completed by Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers) Planned Implementation Date: _________ Responsible Person: Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers Finance Manager