FINDING REFERENCE NUMBER 2023-035 (See Finding Reference Number 2023-007) FEDERAL PROGRAMS (ALN – 93.568) LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE (ALN – 93.568) COVID-19 – LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AWARD NUMBERS 2101PRLIEA; 2201PRLIEA; 2301PRLIEA; 2001PRLIEA; 2001PRE5C3 (Federal Award Years: 2020 through 2023) ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION FOR SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY (ADSEF, BY ITS SPANISH ACRONYM) COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT CASH MANAGEMENT TYPE OF FINDING MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE AND MATERIAL WEAKNESS CRITERIA Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR 200.302, requires recipient's and subrecipient's financial management system must provide for the following: (3) maintaining records that sufficiently identify the amount, source, and expenditure of Federal funds for Federal awards. These records must contain information necessary to identify Federal awards, authorizations, financial obligations, unobligated balances, as well as assets, expenditures, income, and interest. All records must be supported by source documentation; (4) effective control over and accountability for all funds, property, and assets. The recipient or subrecipient must safeguard all assets and ensure they are used solely for authorized purposes. See § 200.303; and (6) written procedures to implement the requirements of § 200.305. 2 CFR 200.305, Federal Payments, establishes that: (a) payments for States are governed by Treasury-State Cash Management Improvement Act (CMIA) agreements and default procedures codified at 31 CFR part 205 and Treasury Financial Manual (TFM) 4A-2000, “Overall Disbursing Rules for All Federal Agencies”; (b) for recipients and subrecipients other than States, payment methods must minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the Federal agency or the pass-through entity and the disbursement of funds by the recipient or subrecipient regardless of whether the payment is made by electronic funds transfer or by other means. See § 200.302(b)(6). Except as noted in this part, the Federal agency must require recipients to use only OMB-approved, government-wide information collections to request payment. STATEMENT OF CONDITION As part of our understanding of internal controls and compliance regarding cash management, we obtained a procedures manual. We found the following deficiencies: 1. The effective date is April 2024. 2. In the section describing the LIHEAP process, the US Department of Agriculture is mentioned instead of the US Department of Health and Human Services. 3. It does not identify the personnel responsible for the processes to establish segregation of duties. 4. In our interviews it was noted that only one person is in charge of all drawdowns, and no proper supervision or review of the documentation is performed. In addition, a detail of the requests related to the program was obtained; however, this request information does not reconcile with the revenue recognized in PRIFAS. The following deficiencies were identified: 1. The document includes amounts identified as LIHEAP, which belong to another Federal program, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (ALN 93.499), in the amount of $4,590,528. 2. The amount of $306,483.12 is presented twice and is only recognized in PRIFAS once. 3. PRIFAS includes revenue of $3,900,000 related to the COVID-19 portion of funds, which is not included in the breakdown. From a population of fifty-seven (57) revenue transactions, six (6) transactions were selected to ensure that the correct amounts were requested from the Federal program and that the documents indicated in the manual were included with each petition. The following deficiencies were observed: 1. The documents included do not contain signatures from the personnel who perform each process. 2. The documentation included in the manual does not match the documentation included in the documents submitted with each petition. 3. In an emission of ARPA funding through LUMA, part of the documentation provided was document EMISM210, which stated that the authorized amount was $16,014,374. In a recap made in the document (not signed), the amount of $4,181 was adjusted in the petition, indicating that this amount was rejected by LUMA. In a letter from LUMA, they certified that the total cases reported were 327,499 for a total amount of $16,010,193. A detail of participants was provided, and the total was 327,498, although the benefits were $16,010,193. QUESTIONED COSTS No questioned costs identified. PERSPECTIVE INFORMATION This deficiency is a systemic problem, lack of proper training and updated information to all personnel with the responsibility of determining, supervising, and monitoring the eligibility determinations and follow-up. The sampling was a statistical valid sample. STATEMENT OF CAUSE ADSEF does not have a procedures manual that clearly establishes a segregation of duties, demonstrating compliance with the required internal control components. POSSIBLE ASSERTED EFFECT This is a systematic deficiency. IDENTIFICATION OF REPEAT FINDING No reported as prior audit finding. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend that management establish a written internal controls process that demonstrates compliance with cash management requirements and appropriate segregation of duties.
FINDING REFERENCE NUMBER 2023-049 (See Finding Reference Number 2023-020) FEDERAL PROGRAM (ALN – 10.566) NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR PUERTO RICO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AWARD NUMBERS 221PR426S7003/4; 231PR426S7003/4 (Federal Award Years: 2021 through 2023) 211PR476V1003/4 – ARPA (Federal Award Years: March 11, 2021 through September 30, 2025) ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION FOR SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY (ADSEF, BY ITS SPANISH ACRONYM) COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT REPORTING TYPE OF FINDING MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE AND MATERIAL WEAKNESS CRITERIA Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR § 200.302, Financial Management, establishes that (a) each State must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with State laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the State's funds. All recipient and subrecipient financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by the terms and conditions; and tracking expenditures to establish that funds have been used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. See § 200.450. In section (b), the recipient's and subrecipient's financial management system must provide for the following (see §§ 200.334, 200.335, 200.336, and 200.337): … (6) written procedures to implement the requirements of § 200.305 and (7) written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with subpart E and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The 2 CFR §200.303 (a) establishes that the recipient and subrecipient must: establish, document, and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the recipient or subrecipient is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should align with the guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). STATEMENT OF CONDITION As part of our audit procedures over internal controls and compliance for reporting requirements, we selected two reports that closed during our fiscal year audit. With respect with the Grant Award 221PR426S7003 and 221PR426S7004 we noted the following deficiency: • The auditee was unable to provide supporting documentation for the administrative expenditures that reconcile the figures reported with the PRIFAS accounting system. • In addition, for all the Federal awards mentioned above, based on internal control interviews, we found that there is no designated individual responsible for independently reviewing the reports prior to submission to ensure accuracy and consistency with source data. QUESTIONED COSTS No questioned costs identified. PERSPECTIVE INFORMATION This deficiency is a systemic problem. Procedures and internal controls manuals should provide for and ensure the segregation of duties, and the reconciliation of financial information reported to Federal agencies against the accounting records used to prepare financial statement and SEFA. ADSEF failure to support reported amounts with verifiable documentation and the absence of independent review increases the risk of inaccurate or misstated financial data being reported to the Federal awarding agency. STATEMENT OF CAUSE During our interviews and understanding of the internal controls over financial reporting, we noted that only one person prepares, submits and certifies the required reports. No proper segregation of duties exists, that allows for validation of all accounting data before submitting the reports. In addition, the procedures manual for preparing reports does not establish a clear process for obtaining information, validating it, recording it, preparing it, and reporting it, as well as the responsibilities and segregation of duties to ensure that the reported information is consistent with ADSEF's accounting records. Furthermore, they lack a written procedures manual detailing the processes to follow in obtaining accounting data and reporting it to the Federal government, ensuring that the responsibility does not fall on a single individual. POSSIBLE ASSERTED EFFECT ADSEF does not ensure that the reports are accurate and traceable to the accounting database used to prepare their financial reports to the Federal Agencies and their financial statement. IDENTIFICATION OF REPEAT FINDING No reported as prior audit finding. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend ADSEF establish written internal controls and specific procedures to ensure that all reported amounts are fully supported and reconciled with the PRIFAS accounting system and to assign responsibility to a designated official to review and approve all reports prior to submission to the Federal agency. Implement internal controls to maintain adequate documentation supporting all financial data reported.
FINDING REFERENCE NUMBER 2023-051 (See Finding Reference Number 2023-021) FEDERAL PROGRAM (ALN – 93.568) LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AWARD NUMBERS 2101PRLIEA (Federal Award Years: 2021 through 2023) ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION FOR SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY (ADSEF, BY ITS SPANISH ACRONYM) COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT REPORTING TYPE OF FINDING MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE AND MATERIAL WEAKNESS CRITERIA Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR § 200.302, Financial Management, establishes that: (a) Each State must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with State laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the State's funds. All recipient and subrecipient financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by the terms and conditions; and tracking expenditures to establish that funds have been used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. (See § 200.450.) (b) The recipient's and subrecipient's financial management system must provide for the following (see §§ 200.334, 200.335, 200.336, and 200.337): (1) Identification of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received. Federal program and Federal award identification must include, as applicable, the Assistance Listings title and number, Federal award identification number, year the Federal award was issued, and name of the Federal agency or pass-through entity. (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. When a Federal agency or pass-through entity requires reporting on an accrual basis from a recipient or subrecipient that maintains its records other than on an accrual basis, the recipient or subrecipient must not be required to establish an accrual accounting system. This recipient or subrecipient may develop accrual data for its reports based on an analysis of the documentation on hand. (3) Maintaining records that sufficiently identify the amount, source, and expenditure of Federal funds for Federal awards. These records must contain information necessary to identify Federal awards, authorizations, financial obligations, unobligated balances, as well as assets, expenditures, income, and interest. All records must be supported by source documentation. (4) Effective control over and accountability for all funds, property, and assets. The recipient or subrecipient must safeguard all assets and ensure they are used solely for authorized purposes. See § 200.303. … (6) Written procedures to implement the requirements of § 200.305 and (7) Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with subpart E and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. STATEMENT OF CONDITION As part of our audit procedures over the reporting requirement for LIHEAP program, we selected two reports submitted during our fiscal year. We noted that the administrative expenditures do not reconcile with the accounting information from PRIFAS. In addition, for the amount of encumbrances of $11,032,784.51, the amount of $9,943,769.52 was not supported by a detail. QUESTIONED COSTS No questioned costs identified. PERSPECTIVE INFORMATION This is a systematic deficiency. Procedures and internal controls manuals should provide for and ensure the segregation of duties, and the reconciliation of financial information reported to federal agencies against the accounting records used to prepare financial statements and SEFA. ADSEF failure to support reported amounts with verifiable documentation and the absence of independent review increases the risk of inaccurate or misstated financial data being reported to the Federal awarding agency. STATEMENT OF CAUSE During our interviews and understanding of the internal controls over financial reporting, we noted that only one person prepares, submits and certifies the SF– 425 reports. No proper segregation of duties exists, that allows for validation of all accounting data before submitting the reports. In addition, the procedures manual for preparing reports does not establish a clear process for obtaining information, validating it, recording it, preparing it, and reporting it, as well as the responsibilities and segregation of duties to ensure that the reported information is consistent with ADSEF's accounting records. ADSEF lacks internal controls that allow for the timely validation and reconciliation of financial information. Furthermore, they lack a written procedures manual detailing the processes to follow in obtaining accounting data and reporting it to the Federal government, ensuring that the responsibility does not fall on a single individual. POSSIBLE ASSERTED EFFECT ADSEF does not ensure that the reports are accurate and traceable to the accounting database used to prepare their financial reports to the Federal Agencies and their financial statement. IDENTIFICATION OF REPEAT FINDING No reported as prior audit finding. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend ADSEF to establish written procedures and internal controls manuals to provide and document the segregation of duties related to the reporting compliance requirement.
FINDING REFERENCE NUMBER 2023-052 FEDERAL PROGRAM (ALN – 93.558) TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AWARD NUMBERS 2021G996117; 2022G996117; 2023996117 (Federal Award Years: 2021 through 2023) ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION FOR SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY (ADSEF, BY ITS SPANISH ACRONYM) COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT REPORTING – PERFORMANCE TYPE OF FINDING MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE AND MATERIAL WEAKNESS CRITERIA In accordance with 45 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter II, Part 265.7, states that: (a) Each State's quarterly reports [the TANF Data Report, the TANF Financial Report (or Territorial Financial Report), the SSP-MOE Data Report, and the Work Outcomes of TANF Exciters Report] must be complete and accurate and filed by the due date. (b) For a disaggregated data report, “a complete and accurate report” means that: (1) The reported data accurately reflects information available to the State in case records, financial records, and automated data systems, and includes correction of the quarterly data by the end of the fiscal year reporting period; (2) The data are free from computational errors and are internally consistent (e.g., items that should add to totals do so); (3) The State reports data for all required elements (i.e., no data is missing); (4) (i) The State provides data on all families; or (ii) If the State opts to use sampling, the State reports data on all families selected in a sample that meets the specification and procedures in the TANF Sampling Manual (except for families listed in error); and (5) Where estimates are necessary (e.g., some types of assistance may require cost estimates), the State uses reasonable methods to develop these estimates. (c) For an aggregated data report, “a complete and accurate report” means that: (1) The reported data accurately reflects information available to the State in case records, financial records, and automated data systems; (2) The data are free from computational errors and are internally consistent (e.g., items that should add to totals do so); (3) The State reports data on all applicable elements; and (4) Monthly totals are unduplicated counts for all families (e.g., the number of families and the number of out-of-wedlock births are unduplicated counts). In addition, 2 CFR § 200.302 (a) establishes that each State must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with State laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the State's funds. All recipient and subrecipient financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by the terms and conditions; and tracking expenditures to establish that funds have been used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. See § 200.450. In section (b) the recipient's and subrecipient's financial management system must provide for the following (see §§ 200.334, 200.335, 200.336, and 200.337): (6) written procedures to implement the requirements of § 200.305 and (7) written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with subpart E and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. STATEMENT OF CONDITION As part of our procedures for understanding internal controls for the preparation of ACF-199 reports, we request a procedures manual on how these reports are processed and the personnel responsible for each process. ADSEF did not provide us with a manual describing the data collection process, how the information provided by the regions is validated, and the individuals responsible for submitting the reports. To evaluate compliance with the reported data, the quarter ending June 2023 was selected. From this period, forty (40) participants were selected. ADSEF was required to provide us with the corresponding participant worksheet appendix and the physical file to corroborate the information included in the report. ADSEF provided us with evidence of the hand-completed forms; however, we were not provided with the physical files to validate the information included in each document. This represents a scope limitation. QUESTIONED COSTS No questioned costs identified. PERSPECTIVE INFORMATION This is a systemic deficiency. After sample selection, ADSEF did not demonstrate a control structure that would allow the files to be located within a reasonable period of time. STATEMENT OF CAUSE ADSEF does not maintain an internal control structure for participant files that allows each file to be located within a reasonable period of time. Additionally, they do not have internal control procedure manuals that allow for the validation of the process they carry out and the individuals responsible for compiling, validating, and submitting this report. POSSIBLE ASSERTED EFFECT ADSEF may be including data in this report that has not been corroborated with the participants' physical records. The lack of a uniform process for archiving participant records prevented them from providing us with evidence of the requested records. IDENTIFICATION OF REPEAT FINDING No reported as prior audit finding. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend that management establish internal control procedures manuals that clearly outline the processes to be followed for data collection, recording, and reporting. Additionally, standardize the way documents related to participant files are filed.
FINDING REFERENCE NUMBER 2023-054 (See Finding Reference Number 2023-023) FEDERAL PROGRAMS (ALN – 93.556) MARYLEE ALLEN PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES (ALN – 93.667) SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AWARD NUMBERS 2101PRFPSS (Federal Award Years: 2021 through 2022) 2211PRSOSR (Federal Award Years: 2021 through 2022) ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN (ADFAN, BY ITS SPANISH ACRONYM) COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT REPORTING TYPE OF FINDING MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE AND MATERIAL WEAKNESS CRITERIA Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR § 200.302 (a) establishes that each State must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with State laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the State's funds. All recipient and subrecipient financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by the terms and conditions; and tracking expenditures to establish that funds have been used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. See § 200.450. In addition, the SF-425 Federal Financial Report requires the reporting of financial activities related to Federal awards. The accounting basis used for reporting expenditures (whether cash or accrual) must align with the accounting system employed by the recipient organization. The 2 CFR § 200.302 (b), establish that the recipient's and subrecipient's financial management system must provide for the following (see §§ 200.334, 200.335, 200.336, and 200.337): (6) written procedures to implement the requirements of § 200.305 and (7) written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with subpart E and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The 2 CFR section 200.328(c) establishes that the recipient or subrecipient must submit financial reports as required by the Federal award. Reports submitted annually by the recipient or subrecipient must be due no later than 90 calendar days after the reporting period. Reports submitted quarterly or semiannually must be due no later than 30 calendar days after the reporting period. The 2 CFR §200.303 (a) establishes that the recipient and subrecipient must: establish, document, and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the recipient or subrecipient is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should align with the guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). STATEMENT OF CONDITION As part of our audit procedures over internal controls and compliance for reporting requirements, we selected the Grants Awards 2101PRFPSS and 2111PRSOSR, which closes in the audit period from July 2022 to June 2023, to validate the recorded amounts. Upon evaluating the report for the Grant Award 2101PRFPSS, we found the following deficiencies: (1) The total Federal expenditure reported on line (e) does not match the database provided by the PRDF. (2) The matching expenditure on line (j) does not match the database provided by the PRDF, and (3) The report was not submitted within the established deadline, and an extension was granted to settle and report the funds until March 31, 2023, and they submitted on August 10, 2023. For both Grants Awards we found the following deficiencies: (4) The accounting basis should be Cash Basis instead of Accrual Basis, according to the accounting system used. Additionally, they provided a Procedures Manual for the Finance and Budget Divisions, approved in 2009 and delivered in Word format, which states that the accounting basis is “accrual”, even though their current system operates on a cash basis. (5) During the internal control’s interviews, we found that there is no designated person responsible for reviewing the information entered by the preparer. QUESTIONED COSTS No questioned costs identified. PERSPECTIVE INFORMATION This deficiency is a systemic problem. Procedures and internal controls manuals should provide for and ensure the segregation of duties, training, and the reconciliation of financial information reported to Federal agencies against the accounting records used to prepare financial statement and SEFA. STATEMENT OF CAUSE ADFAN does not have internal controls to effectively review the process and comply with the reporting requirements. The absence of effective internal controls at ADFAN to review processes and ensure compliance with reporting requirements can be attributed to inadequate organizational structure and insufficiently defined roles and responsibilities. There is no designated individual or team responsible for overseeing the accuracy and completeness of financial data entered reports. As mentioned above in the statement of condition, this responsibility falls under one person and does not have segregation of duties. This gap in accountability stems from a lack of internal review and insufficient oversight mechanisms, which restrains the organization's ability to ensure that reports are fully aligned with the required compliance standards. Additionally, there is a lack of training or resources dedicated to maintaining and monitoring compliance which contributes to the failure in reporting requirements. POSSIBLE ASSERTED EFFECT ADFAN does not ensure that the reports are accurate and traceable to the accounting database used to prepare their financial reports for the Federal Agencies and their financial statement. IDENTIFICATION OF REPEAT FINDING No reported as prior audit finding. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend that ADFAN ensures the SF– 425 is completed using the appropriate accounting basis consistent with the organization’s financial system. Additionally, ADFAN should establish and implement internal control procedures that include formal review process to verify the accuracy and completeness of the reported information and designate responsible personnel for the review and approval of reports prior to submission to ensure compliance with Federal reporting requirements.
FINDING REFERENCE NUMBER 2023-054 (See Finding Reference Number 2023-023) FEDERAL PROGRAMS (ALN – 93.556) MARYLEE ALLEN PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES (ALN – 93.667) SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AWARD NUMBERS 2101PRFPSS (Federal Award Years: 2021 through 2022) 2211PRSOSR (Federal Award Years: 2021 through 2022) ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN (ADFAN, BY ITS SPANISH ACRONYM) COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT REPORTING TYPE OF FINDING MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE AND MATERIAL WEAKNESS CRITERIA Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR § 200.302 (a) establishes that each State must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with State laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the State's funds. All recipient and subrecipient financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by the terms and conditions; and tracking expenditures to establish that funds have been used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. See § 200.450. In addition, the SF-425 Federal Financial Report requires the reporting of financial activities related to Federal awards. The accounting basis used for reporting expenditures (whether cash or accrual) must align with the accounting system employed by the recipient organization. The 2 CFR § 200.302 (b), establish that the recipient's and subrecipient's financial management system must provide for the following (see §§ 200.334, 200.335, 200.336, and 200.337): (6) written procedures to implement the requirements of § 200.305 and (7) written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with subpart E and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The 2 CFR section 200.328(c) establishes that the recipient or subrecipient must submit financial reports as required by the Federal award. Reports submitted annually by the recipient or subrecipient must be due no later than 90 calendar days after the reporting period. Reports submitted quarterly or semiannually must be due no later than 30 calendar days after the reporting period. The 2 CFR §200.303 (a) establishes that the recipient and subrecipient must: establish, document, and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the recipient or subrecipient is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should align with the guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). STATEMENT OF CONDITION As part of our audit procedures over internal controls and compliance for reporting requirements, we selected the Grants Awards 2101PRFPSS and 2111PRSOSR, which closes in the audit period from July 2022 to June 2023, to validate the recorded amounts. Upon evaluating the report for the Grant Award 2101PRFPSS, we found the following deficiencies: (1) The total Federal expenditure reported on line (e) does not match the database provided by the PRDF. (2) The matching expenditure on line (j) does not match the database provided by the PRDF, and (3) The report was not submitted within the established deadline, and an extension was granted to settle and report the funds until March 31, 2023, and they submitted on August 10, 2023. For both Grants Awards we found the following deficiencies: (4) The accounting basis should be Cash Basis instead of Accrual Basis, according to the accounting system used. Additionally, they provided a Procedures Manual for the Finance and Budget Divisions, approved in 2009 and delivered in Word format, which states that the accounting basis is “accrual”, even though their current system operates on a cash basis. (5) During the internal control’s interviews, we found that there is no designated person responsible for reviewing the information entered by the preparer. QUESTIONED COSTS No questioned costs identified. PERSPECTIVE INFORMATION This deficiency is a systemic problem. Procedures and internal controls manuals should provide for and ensure the segregation of duties, training, and the reconciliation of financial information reported to Federal agencies against the accounting records used to prepare financial statement and SEFA. STATEMENT OF CAUSE ADFAN does not have internal controls to effectively review the process and comply with the reporting requirements. The absence of effective internal controls at ADFAN to review processes and ensure compliance with reporting requirements can be attributed to inadequate organizational structure and insufficiently defined roles and responsibilities. There is no designated individual or team responsible for overseeing the accuracy and completeness of financial data entered reports. As mentioned above in the statement of condition, this responsibility falls under one person and does not have segregation of duties. This gap in accountability stems from a lack of internal review and insufficient oversight mechanisms, which restrains the organization's ability to ensure that reports are fully aligned with the required compliance standards. Additionally, there is a lack of training or resources dedicated to maintaining and monitoring compliance which contributes to the failure in reporting requirements. POSSIBLE ASSERTED EFFECT ADFAN does not ensure that the reports are accurate and traceable to the accounting database used to prepare their financial reports for the Federal Agencies and their financial statement. IDENTIFICATION OF REPEAT FINDING No reported as prior audit finding. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend that ADFAN ensures the SF– 425 is completed using the appropriate accounting basis consistent with the organization’s financial system. Additionally, ADFAN should establish and implement internal control procedures that include formal review process to verify the accuracy and completeness of the reported information and designate responsible personnel for the review and approval of reports prior to submission to ensure compliance with Federal reporting requirements.
FINDING REFERENCE NUMBER 2023-055 (See Finding Reference Number 2023-024) FEDERAL PROGRAM (ALN – 96.001) SOCIAL SECURITY–DISABILITY INSURANCE U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AWARD NUMBERS 1804RQD100; 1904RQD100; 2004RQD100; 2104RQD100; 2204RQD100; 2304RQD100 (Federal Award Years: 2018 through 2023) ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF THE SECRETARIAT COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT REPORTING – FINANCIAL TYPE OF FINDING MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE AND MATERIAL WEAKNESS CRITERIA According to the Program Operations Manual (POMS) DI 39506.203-Updating and Reconciling Unliquidated Obligations published by the Social Security Administration (SSA), legitimate unliquidated obligations must be backed up by records or papers that explain the nature of the obligations and provide evidence for the amounts reported. It is also crucial that the agency's reported unliquidated obligations reflect any modifications or cancellations of Consultative Examinations (CE) and Medical Evidence of Record (MER) authorizations. State authorities should check CE authorizations to see if the unliquidated obligation is an authorization that is still in existence and evaluate unliquidated obligations at least once a month to cancel those that are no longer valid. POMS 39506.210 Preparations Instructions for Form SSA-4513 instructs the State Agency to check the appropriate box in the report to indicate the attachment of Form-871. Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR §200.302 Financial Management Section (a) establish the administrative requirements for the program, which include the requirement that state and the other non-Federal entity's financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by general and program-specific terms and conditions; and the tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that such funds have been used according to the Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. STATEMENT OF CONDITION The State Agency Report of Obligations for SSA Disability Programs, Form Report SSA-4513, was incomplete and inaccurate. During the audit procedures the following deficiencies were noted by us: i. It was not specified in the Puerto Rico Disability Determination Services (PR-DDS) Accounting Department's Form SSA-4513 for September 2022 and June 2023 if Form SSA-871, State Agency Schedule for Equipment Purchases for SSA Disability Programs, had to be included with Form SSA-4513 for FYs 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018. Whether this was necessary or not is unknown. ii. Information about unliquidated obligations for FYs 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were absent from September 2022 Form SSA-4513. iii. Information regarding Unliquidated Obligations for each of the specified reporting periods was absent from June 2023 Form SSA-4513. 1) FY 2023's unliquidated obligations are not detailed. In its Form SSA-4513, the PR-DDS included unliquidated commitments, which accounted for 20% of the overall obligation balances. 2) The reported balances of unliquidated commitments for FY 2022 are not supported by any information. In its Form SSA-4513, the PR-DDS included unliquidated commitments, which accounted for 8% of the overall obligation balances. 3) Reported balances of unliquidated debts for FYs 2021, 2020, and 2019 are not supported by any information. iv. There were discrepancies between the accounting system and the total amount of disbursements on Form SSA-4513 for June 2023, and no observations were submitted in the report remarks section. 1) $237,231 discrepancy in FY 2022 2) $40,907 discrepancy in FY 2021 3) $8,800 discrepancy in FY 2020 4) $33,458 discrepancy in FY 2019 5) $49,179 discrepancy in FY 2018 v. The PR-DDS paid back $112,443 to the Puerto Rico Treasury Department in fiscal year 2023 to offset FY 2018 expenses that were not fully utilized in prior years. Because an expense is reported at the time a request is registered by the PR-DDS Accounting Department Special Payer, this resulted in an overstatement in the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards and in the quarterly reports. vi. The PR-DDS Accounting Department received a request refund of $1,242,212 from the SSA for fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021 during March 2023 SSA-4513. Because there was not enough evidence in the March report to warrant an increase in obligations, the request was based on excess withdrawals exceeding total commitments recorded in FORM SSA-4513 for March 2023. In fiscal year 2023, $397,740 was repaid by the PR-DDS Accounting Department. QUESTIONED COSTS Undetermined. PERSPECTIVE INFORMATION This is a systematic deficiency. Information needed to effectively generate financial reports should be available through the financial management system. STATEMENT OF CAUSE Internal controls is not in place in the PR-DDS Accounting Department to ensure that vendor payments are processed on schedule. Furthermore, as mandated by DI 39506.203, the PR-DDS Accounting Department has not put monitoring measures in place to routinely assess unliquidated commitments. Furthermore, the PR-DDS Accounting Department lacks internal procedures for recording discrepancies between financial reporting and accounting systems. POSSIBLE ASSERTED EFFECT The PR-DDS raises the possibility of incurred costs without the option to obtain reimbursement from the Federal grant if appropriate procedures are not in place to pay suppliers on time and liquidate obligations on time. IDENTIFICATION OF REPEAT FINDING No reported as prior audit finding. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend the Accounting Department of PR-DDS establish procedures to make sure Form SSA-4513 is properly examined, recorded, and compliant with POMS DI 39506.203. To cancel commitments that are no longer valid, we advise the PR-DDS Accounting Department to check unliquidated obligations at least once a month. For FYs 2020 and 2021, we advise the PR-DDS to ascertain the number of disbursements, restrict the reimbursement to that sum prior to deducting money, and repay SSA for any overdrafts that remain. Furthermore, we recommend a formal reconciliation between the quarterly reports and the accounting system-documented disbursements, with an explanation of any discrepancies included in remarks of the Form SSA-4513.
FINDING REFERENCE NUMBER 2023-056 (See Finding Reference Number 2023-025) FEDERAL PROGRAMS (ALN – 93.558) TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) (ALN – 93.560) PAYMENT TO TERRITORIES – ADULT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AWARD NUMBERS 2021G996117; 2022G996117; 2023996117 (Federal Award Years: 2021 through 2023) 2022G9922PT; 2301PRTABD (Federal Award Years: 2022 through 2023) ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION FOR SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY (ADSEF, BY ITS SPANISH ACRONYM) COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT REPORTING – FINANCIAL TYPE OF FINDING MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE AND MATERIAL WEAKNESS CRITERIA The 2 CFR 200 §200.302, Financial Management, establishes that: “(a) Each State must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with State laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the State's funds. All recipient and subrecipient financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by the terms and conditions; and tracking expenditures to establish that funds have been used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. See § 200.450. (b) The recipient's and subrecipient's financial management system must provide for the following (see §§ 200.334, 200.335, 200.336, and 200.337): (1) Identification of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received. Federal program and Federal award identification must include, as applicable, the Assistance Listings title and number, Federal award identification number, year the Federal award was issued, and name of the Federal agency or pass-through entity. (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. When a Federal agency or pass-through entity requires reporting on an accrual basis from a recipient or subrecipient that maintains its records other than on an accrual basis, the recipient or subrecipient must not be required to establish an accrual accounting system. This recipient or subrecipient may develop accrual data for its reports based on an analysis of the documentation on hand. (3) Maintaining records that sufficiently identify the amount, source, and expenditure of Federal funds for Federal awards. These records must contain information necessary to identify Federal awards, authorizations, financial obligations, unobligated balances, as well as assets, expenditures, income, and interest. All records must be supported by source documentation. (4) Effective control over and accountability for all funds, property, and assets. The recipient or subrecipient must safeguard all assets and ensure they are used solely for authorized purposes. See § 200.303. … (6) Written procedures to implement the requirements of § 200.305 and (7) Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with subpart E and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. STATEMENT OF CONDITION As part of our audit procedures over the reporting requirement for TANF and Payment to Territories – Adult programs, we selected two reports submitted during our fiscal year. We found the following deficiencies: i. Administrative expenditures related to both programs are recorded under the same accounting account number, and the assistance listing number of TANF. That is, in PRIFAS, the administrative expenditures of both programs are not segregated by grant award and assistance listing number. ii. The ACF-196TR reports report expenditures under both programs that are not reconciled with the PRIFAS accounting system, specifically in administrative expenditures. We requested evidence of the expenditures incurred or details that were used to prepare the reports; this information was not available, and it was generated upon our request. iii. In both reports evaluated, the amounts reported on lines 2 and 3, related to the amounts that the TANF program transfers to two other federal programs, are recorded inconsistently. During the quarters from October to June, these lines report the amount of the budget that is allowed to be transferred, without validating whether the Federal programs incurred any expenditures. In the quarterly report of September, the expenditure for these lines is reported based on the amount of drawdowns incurred. This practice is inconsistent and does not reflect the actual expenditure incurred. iv. In the quarterly report of June 2023, an expenditure of $3,733,668 was reported on line 5(a). According to PRIFAS, the reported expenditure was $1,988,000. QUESTIONED COSTS Undetermined. PERSPECTIVE INFORMATION This is a systematic deficiency. Procedures and internal controls manuals should provide for and ensure the segregation of duties, and the reconciliation of financial information reported to federal agencies against the accounting records used to prepare financial statements and SEFA. In addition, the financial management system should provide to account separately the administrative expenditures incurred among all Federal programs administered. ADSEF failure to support reported amounts with verifiable documentation and the absence of independent review increases the risk of inaccurate or misstated financial data being reported to the federal awarding agency. STATEMENT OF CAUSE During our interviews and understanding of the internal controls over financial reporting, we noted that only one person prepares, submits and certifies the ACF-196TR reports. No proper segregation of duties exists, that allows for validation of all accounting data before submitting the reports. In addition, the procedures manual for preparing reports does not establish a clear process for obtaining information, validating it, recording it, preparing it, and reporting it, as well as the responsibilities and segregation of duties to ensure that the reported information is consistent with ADSEF's accounting records. PRIFAS accounting data base as configured, does not provide for the administrative expenditures incurred from the TANF and Payment to Territories – Adult program to be segregated. ADSEF lacks internal controls that allow for the timely validation and reconciliation of financial information. Furthermore, they lack a written procedures manual detailing the processes to follow in obtaining accounting data and reporting it to the federal government, ensuring that the responsibility does not fall on a single individual. POSSIBLE ASSERTED EFFECT ADSEF does not ensure that the reports are accurate and traceable to the accounting database used to prepare their financial reports to the Federal Agencies and their financial statement. IDENTIFICATION OF REPEAT FINDING No reported as prior audit finding. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend ADSEF to establish written procedures and internal controls manuals to provide and document the segregation of duties related to the reporting compliance requirement. Additionally, work with the Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury to provide accounting records to segregate the administrative expenditures of both programs.
FINDING REFERENCE NUMBER 2023-056 (See Finding Reference Number 2023-025) FEDERAL PROGRAMS (ALN – 93.558) TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) (ALN – 93.560) PAYMENT TO TERRITORIES – ADULT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AWARD NUMBERS 2021G996117; 2022G996117; 2023996117 (Federal Award Years: 2021 through 2023) 2022G9922PT; 2301PRTABD (Federal Award Years: 2022 through 2023) ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION FOR SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY (ADSEF, BY ITS SPANISH ACRONYM) COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT REPORTING – FINANCIAL TYPE OF FINDING MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE AND MATERIAL WEAKNESS CRITERIA The 2 CFR 200 §200.302, Financial Management, establishes that: “(a) Each State must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with State laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the State's funds. All recipient and subrecipient financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by the terms and conditions; and tracking expenditures to establish that funds have been used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. See § 200.450. (b) The recipient's and subrecipient's financial management system must provide for the following (see §§ 200.334, 200.335, 200.336, and 200.337): (1) Identification of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received. Federal program and Federal award identification must include, as applicable, the Assistance Listings title and number, Federal award identification number, year the Federal award was issued, and name of the Federal agency or pass-through entity. (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements in §§ 200.328 and 200.329. When a Federal agency or pass-through entity requires reporting on an accrual basis from a recipient or subrecipient that maintains its records other than on an accrual basis, the recipient or subrecipient must not be required to establish an accrual accounting system. This recipient or subrecipient may develop accrual data for its reports based on an analysis of the documentation on hand. (3) Maintaining records that sufficiently identify the amount, source, and expenditure of Federal funds for Federal awards. These records must contain information necessary to identify Federal awards, authorizations, financial obligations, unobligated balances, as well as assets, expenditures, income, and interest. All records must be supported by source documentation. (4) Effective control over and accountability for all funds, property, and assets. The recipient or subrecipient must safeguard all assets and ensure they are used solely for authorized purposes. See § 200.303. … (6) Written procedures to implement the requirements of § 200.305 and (7) Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with subpart E and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. STATEMENT OF CONDITION As part of our audit procedures over the reporting requirement for TANF and Payment to Territories – Adult programs, we selected two reports submitted during our fiscal year. We found the following deficiencies: i. Administrative expenditures related to both programs are recorded under the same accounting account number, and the assistance listing number of TANF. That is, in PRIFAS, the administrative expenditures of both programs are not segregated by grant award and assistance listing number. ii. The ACF-196TR reports report expenditures under both programs that are not reconciled with the PRIFAS accounting system, specifically in administrative expenditures. We requested evidence of the expenditures incurred or details that were used to prepare the reports; this information was not available, and it was generated upon our request. iii. In both reports evaluated, the amounts reported on lines 2 and 3, related to the amounts that the TANF program transfers to two other federal programs, are recorded inconsistently. During the quarters from October to June, these lines report the amount of the budget that is allowed to be transferred, without validating whether the Federal programs incurred any expenditures. In the quarterly report of September, the expenditure for these lines is reported based on the amount of drawdowns incurred. This practice is inconsistent and does not reflect the actual expenditure incurred. iv. In the quarterly report of June 2023, an expenditure of $3,733,668 was reported on line 5(a). According to PRIFAS, the reported expenditure was $1,988,000. QUESTIONED COSTS Undetermined. PERSPECTIVE INFORMATION This is a systematic deficiency. Procedures and internal controls manuals should provide for and ensure the segregation of duties, and the reconciliation of financial information reported to federal agencies against the accounting records used to prepare financial statements and SEFA. In addition, the financial management system should provide to account separately the administrative expenditures incurred among all Federal programs administered. ADSEF failure to support reported amounts with verifiable documentation and the absence of independent review increases the risk of inaccurate or misstated financial data being reported to the federal awarding agency. STATEMENT OF CAUSE During our interviews and understanding of the internal controls over financial reporting, we noted that only one person prepares, submits and certifies the ACF-196TR reports. No proper segregation of duties exists, that allows for validation of all accounting data before submitting the reports. In addition, the procedures manual for preparing reports does not establish a clear process for obtaining information, validating it, recording it, preparing it, and reporting it, as well as the responsibilities and segregation of duties to ensure that the reported information is consistent with ADSEF's accounting records. PRIFAS accounting data base as configured, does not provide for the administrative expenditures incurred from the TANF and Payment to Territories – Adult program to be segregated. ADSEF lacks internal controls that allow for the timely validation and reconciliation of financial information. Furthermore, they lack a written procedures manual detailing the processes to follow in obtaining accounting data and reporting it to the federal government, ensuring that the responsibility does not fall on a single individual. POSSIBLE ASSERTED EFFECT ADSEF does not ensure that the reports are accurate and traceable to the accounting database used to prepare their financial reports to the Federal Agencies and their financial statement. IDENTIFICATION OF REPEAT FINDING No reported as prior audit finding. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend ADSEF to establish written procedures and internal controls manuals to provide and document the segregation of duties related to the reporting compliance requirement. Additionally, work with the Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury to provide accounting records to segregate the administrative expenditures of both programs.
2023-001 Supporting Documentation and Approval of Disbursements Federal Program - U.S. Department of the Treasury – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ALN 21.027) Federal Award Number - SLFRP0136 Compliance Requirement - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles (2 CFR § 200.403 and § 200.302) Criteria - Per 2 CFR § 200.403(g), to be allowable under a federal award, costs must be adequately documented. Additionally, 2 CFR § 200.302 requires the non-Federal entity to establish and maintain effective internal controls over federal awards that provide reasonable assurance of compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Condition - During our testing of expense and disbursement transactions charged to the federal program, we identified instances where payments were made without adequate supporting documentation or evidence of appropriate review and approval. While the costs appear consistent with the purpose of the program and are considered allowable in nature, the absence of documentation limits the ability to verify the appropriateness and accuracy of the expenditures. A majority of these transactions were related to temporary housing assistance, including payments to hotels. Cause - The organization does not currently have or did not follow a formal process to ensure that all disbursements are properly documented and reviewed. Effect - Failure to maintain adequate documentation impairs the organization’s ability to demonstrate compliance with federal requirements and increases the risk of errors or inappropriate expenditures going undetected. Questioned Costs - $0. No costs are questioned at this time, as the disbursements appear consistent with program objectives. Recommendation - We recommend that the organization strengthen internal controls over the disbursement process by implementing procedures requiring all expenses to be supported by documentation such as invoices or receipts and be reviewed and approved by appropriate personnel prior to payment. This is especially important for recurring or program-critical costs such as temporary housing. Views of Responsible Officials - we agree with the finding and determined it was due to an oversight by the organization on establishing proper procedures for a new program. Verbal communications were not recorded appropriately and approvals were not signed by management.
Type of finding: Federal Award. Situation: Material weakness; Material noncompliance with federal regulations. Federal Program: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing 21.027 Compliance Requirements: Activities allowed or unallowed / Allowable costs/Cost Principle Prior-Year(s) Audit Finding(s): 2022-004 Questioned Costs: $164,619 Condition: The Municipality could not provide supporting documentation for the disbursement of $164,619 of program funds. Documentation for the disbursement of $164,619 of program funds was not identified by the Municipality nor provided for our review, therefore we could not ascertain that the disbursements complied with program regulations. Context: The Municipality recognized as revenue $3,518,621 during the fiscal year ended on June 30, 2023. A total of $164,619 of program funds were disbursed without sufficient and appropriate documentation. The Municipality indicated that Revenue Replacement was their only project expenditure category on their annual March 2023 SLFRF Compliance Report. Revenue loss in and of itself is not an eligible use. Instead, recipients calculate lost revenue based on the formula provided in the Interim Final Rule and Final Rule to determine the limit for funds that can be used for the provision of government services. Entities are expected to use the direct payments to meet pandemic response needs and rebuild a strong, more equitable economy as the country recovers. Interim and final regulations state that recipients may not use funds to pay interest or principal on outstanding debt, as these expenses would not address the needs of pandemic response or its negative economic impacts. Such expenses would also not be considered provision of government services, as these financing expenses do not directly provide services or aid to citizens. The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program is authorized by sections 602 and 603 of the Social Security Act as added by section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Pub. L. No. 117-2 (Mar. 11, 2021). Recipients may use payments from the Fund to among other things, replace lost public sector revenue to provide government services. Criteria: Uniform Guidance states in 2 CFR 200.403 that otherwise authorized by statue, costs must be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles, be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity and be adequately documented. As per 2 CFR 200.302 the other non-Federal entity’s financial management system must provide for the tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that such funds have been used according to the federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal Award. Further, Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Award terms and conditions state the following regarding the maintenance of and Access to Records: 1. Recipient shall maintain records and financial documents sufficient to evidence compliance with section 603 © of the Act, Treasury’s regulations implementing that section, and guidance issued by Treasury regarding the foregoing. 2. The Treasury Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office, or their authorized representatives, shall have the right of access of records (electronic or otherwise) of Recipient in order to conduct audits or other investigations. 3. Records shall be maintained by the Recipient for a period of five (5) years after all funds have been expended or returned the Treasury, whichever is later. Cause: The Municipality applied inconsistent program procedures to disbursement transactions totaling $164,619. Effect: Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Award terms and conditions state the following regarding Remedial Actions: In the event of recipient’s noncompliance with section 603 of the Act, other applicable laws, Treasury’s implementing regulations, guidance, or any reporting or other program requirements, Treasury may impose additional conditions on the receipt of a subsequent tranche of future award funds, if any, or take other available remedies as set forth in 2 CFR 200.339. In case of a violation of section 603 © of the Act regarding the use of funds, previous payments shall be subject to recoupment as provided in section 603 © of the Act. Auditor’s recommendation: The Municipality must strengthen internal controls and procedures to ensure that disbursement of program funds is properly documented and allowed under program regulations. The Municipality must ensure that all documentation that serves as evidence for eligible expenses be preserved and maintained for at least five years. 2023-003, cont. Views of Responsible officials and corrective actions:
Type of finding: Federal Award. Situation: Material weakness; material noncompliance with federal regulations. Federal Program: Disaster Grants – Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) Assistance Listing 97.036 Compliance Requirements: Activities allowed or unallowed / Allowable costs/Cost Principle Prior-Year(s) Audit Finding(s): 2022-005, 2021-002 Questioned Costs: $14,435 Condition: The Municipality could not provide supporting documentation for the disbursement of $14,435 of program funds. Documentation for the disbursement of $14,435 of program funds was not identified by the Municipality nor provided for our review, therefore we could not ascertain that the disbursements complied with program regulations. Context: A total of $14,435 of program funds were disbursed without sufficient and appropriate documentation. In previous years, program funds were also disbursed without sufficient and appropriate documentation and were accounted for as increases in the due from other funds account. The Municipality repaid during the current year the amount of $49,839. As of June 30, 2023 the balance of the due from other funds account is $505,271. Program regulation states that costs must be directly tied to the performance of eligible work; adequately documented; reduced by all applicable credits, such as insurance proceeds and salvage values; authorized and not prohibited under Federal or State government laws or regulation; consistent with the applicant’s internal policies, regulations, and procedures that apply uniformly toboth Federal awards and other activities of the applicant; and necessary and reasonable to accomplish the work properly and efficiently. We could not ascertain that these disbursements complied with program regulations. The Public Assistance Program is authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency assistance Act, as Amended (Stafford Act). Assistance is provided so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President. The Municipality has approved grants for the Hurricane Irma and Maria disasters declared on September 2017 (disasters 3384EMPR, 4336 DRPR and 4339 DRPR). The program approves funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities. It also encourages protection of damaged facilities from future incidents by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures. Criteria: Uniform Guidance states in 2 CFR 200.403 that otherwise authorized by statue, costs must be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles, be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity and be adequately documented. As per 2 CFR 200.302 the other non-Federal entity’s financial management system must provide for the tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that such funds have been used according to the federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal Award. As per 44 CFR section 206.201 and 206.203, the public assistance program provides grant funding for emergency protective measures and debris removal (Emergency Work) and for permanent restoration of damaged facilities, including cost-effective hazard mitigation to protect facilities from future damage (Permanent Work) Cause: The Municipality applied inconsistent program procedures to the three disbursement transactions totaling $189,389 Effect: Remedies for noncompliance are described in 2 CFR 200.339. Grantor may impose additional conditions as described in 2 CRF 200.208 or take one or more of the actions listed on 2 CRF 200.339 as appropriate in the circumstances. Program regulations provide for recovery of assistance and penalty provisions on 44 CFR Part 206. Auditor’s recommendation: The Municipality must strengthen internal controls and procedures to assure that disbursement of program funds are properly documented, can be directly tied to the performance of eligible work, and is allowed under program regulations. Views of Responsible officials and corrective actions:
2023-005 – Inadequate Policies and Procedures (Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance) Federal Program Information Federal Award Title and ALN: Research & Development Cluster, 84.031 Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award ID Number: P031S210287, P031S210288, P031C200002, P031C210215 Federal Award Year: 2023 Condition: The College does not maintain written procedures as required by 2 CFR 200, Subparts D and E of the Uniform Guidance. Criteria: Per 2 CFR 200.302(b)(6), Financial Management, the financial management system of each non-federal entity must provide the following: Written procedures to implement the requirements of 200.305 Federal Payment. Per 2 CFR 200.302(b)(7), Financial Management, the financial management system of each nonfederal entity must provide the following: Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principles of this part and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Cause: The College does not have written procedures for the federal program financial management requirements. Effect: Not having written procedures for the aforementioned puts the College in direct violation of Federal requirements over Federal programs under the Uniform Guidance, which could result in a loss of programs, funds and/or repayment of federal monies already awarded back to the Federal government. Questioned Costs: None Auditor recommendation: We recommend the College establish the required written procedures for federal monies and have them available to all personnel who work with federal programs.
2023-005 – Inadequate Policies and Procedures (Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance) Federal Program Information Federal Award Title and ALN: Research & Development Cluster, 84.031 Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award ID Number: P031S210287, P031S210288, P031C200002, P031C210215 Federal Award Year: 2023 Condition: The College does not maintain written procedures as required by 2 CFR 200, Subparts D and E of the Uniform Guidance. Criteria: Per 2 CFR 200.302(b)(6), Financial Management, the financial management system of each non-federal entity must provide the following: Written procedures to implement the requirements of 200.305 Federal Payment. Per 2 CFR 200.302(b)(7), Financial Management, the financial management system of each nonfederal entity must provide the following: Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principles of this part and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Cause: The College does not have written procedures for the federal program financial management requirements. Effect: Not having written procedures for the aforementioned puts the College in direct violation of Federal requirements over Federal programs under the Uniform Guidance, which could result in a loss of programs, funds and/or repayment of federal monies already awarded back to the Federal government. Questioned Costs: None Auditor recommendation: We recommend the College establish the required written procedures for federal monies and have them available to all personnel who work with federal programs.
2023-005 – Inadequate Policies and Procedures (Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance) Federal Program Information Federal Award Title and ALN: Research & Development Cluster, 84.031 Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award ID Number: P031S210287, P031S210288, P031C200002, P031C210215 Federal Award Year: 2023 Condition: The College does not maintain written procedures as required by 2 CFR 200, Subparts D and E of the Uniform Guidance. Criteria: Per 2 CFR 200.302(b)(6), Financial Management, the financial management system of each non-federal entity must provide the following: Written procedures to implement the requirements of 200.305 Federal Payment. Per 2 CFR 200.302(b)(7), Financial Management, the financial management system of each nonfederal entity must provide the following: Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principles of this part and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Cause: The College does not have written procedures for the federal program financial management requirements. Effect: Not having written procedures for the aforementioned puts the College in direct violation of Federal requirements over Federal programs under the Uniform Guidance, which could result in a loss of programs, funds and/or repayment of federal monies already awarded back to the Federal government. Questioned Costs: None Auditor recommendation: We recommend the College establish the required written procedures for federal monies and have them available to all personnel who work with federal programs.
2023-005 – Inadequate Policies and Procedures (Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance) Federal Program Information Federal Award Title and ALN: Research & Development Cluster, 84.031 Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award ID Number: P031S210287, P031S210288, P031C200002, P031C210215 Federal Award Year: 2023 Condition: The College does not maintain written procedures as required by 2 CFR 200, Subparts D and E of the Uniform Guidance. Criteria: Per 2 CFR 200.302(b)(6), Financial Management, the financial management system of each non-federal entity must provide the following: Written procedures to implement the requirements of 200.305 Federal Payment. Per 2 CFR 200.302(b)(7), Financial Management, the financial management system of each nonfederal entity must provide the following: Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principles of this part and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Cause: The College does not have written procedures for the federal program financial management requirements. Effect: Not having written procedures for the aforementioned puts the College in direct violation of Federal requirements over Federal programs under the Uniform Guidance, which could result in a loss of programs, funds and/or repayment of federal monies already awarded back to the Federal government. Questioned Costs: None Auditor recommendation: We recommend the College establish the required written procedures for federal monies and have them available to all personnel who work with federal programs.
Finding Number: 2023-007. Criteria or specific requirement: Adequate financial records should be maintained in accordance with 2 CFR 200.302(b)(3). Condition: The District did not maintain adequate financial records in accordance with 2 CFR 200.302(b)(3). Context: Grant expenditures were coded to the incorrect general ledger accounts. Effect: Due to grant expenditures being coded to the incorrect general ledger accounts, adequate financial records were not maintained in accordance with 2 CFR 200.302(b)(3). Cause: Grant expenditures were coded to the incorrect general ledger accounts. This resulted in inadequate financial records. Recommendation: The District should maintain adequate financial records capable of adequately identifying the source and application of grant funds in accordance wtih 2 CFR 200.302(b)(3). Management's Response: The District will work to maintain records capable of adequately identifying the source and application of grant funds.
Criteria: Uniform Guidance requires written procedures for cash management and determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principals. Condition: Crowhaven Apartments, Inc. did not have written procedures for cash management (2 CFR 200.302(b)(6)) and allowable costs determination (2 CFR 200.302(b)(7)) in accordance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Questioned Costs: $0 Cause: Crowhaven Apartments, Inc.’s written policies and procedures were not updated to include required Uniform Guidance policies. Effect: Crowhaven Apartments, Inc. could enter into a transaction that is not in compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Recommendation: We recommend Crowhaven Apartments, Inc. draft and adopt written procedures in accordance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding and are in process of developing and implementing the appropriate policies and procedures.
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.302(b)(3-4) states “The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following… (3) Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities. These records must contain information pertaining to Federal awards, authorizations, financial obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income and interest and be supported by source documentation. (4) Effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property, and other assets. The non-Federal entity must adequately safeguard all assets and assure that they are used solely for authorized purposes.” Condition: During our audit we noted cases where cumulative expenditures claimed for ESSER II and ESSER III did not agree to the general ledger. Many journal entries were used to move expenditures to/from applicable grants, but they were not always properly reported on the grant expenditure reports. Context: We noted numerous immaterial discrepancies in reporting compared to actual general ledger information from the District. We consider this to be a systemic problem. None of the amounts were material to the program and extrapolation wasn’t practical because of the nature of discrepancies it was difficult to quantify them against all grant expenditures.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Passthrough Entity: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Assistance Listing Number and Federal Program: 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund – Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Compliance Requirement: B. Allowable Costs and L. Reporting Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR part 200.302, the District is required to maintain financial management systems to trace funds to expenditures to establish that funds have been used according to Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The financial management system must provide for records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities, among other conditions. The reporting of the federal expenditures should be supported by these records. Thus, it is critical to have a process in place to regularly reconcile underlying financial records with the grant reports. This will also help ensure correct revenue is being reported and underlying costs in the financial records are supported. Statement of Condition: During the course of our audit, we noted that the District requested reimbursement for costs that were already previously claimed for reimbursement in the prior year. However, the District was able to correct this error by reclassifying other eligible and allowable costs to the grant. Statement of Cause: Control procedures were not in place to reconcile the accounting records project codes to the grant payment request for reimbursement for the grant. Statement of Effect: Without timely reconciliations and monitoring processes, grant expenditures can be omitted or overstated on submitted grant reports or other grant noncompliance can be overlooked. This could result in missed funding or noncompliance with grant agreements which could lead to adverse conditions with the grantors. Questioned Costs: The District had other allowable costs eligible to claim under the grant, therefore no questioned costs were identified. Perspective Information: This appears to be an isolated instance because all other grants received by the District appear to be properly accounted for and utilized the correct project code and source code. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the District develop written procedures that require all grant reports to be reconciled to the internal accounting records prior to report submission. This reconciliation should be presented in a clear and concise manner to enable another party to review and approve before ultimately getting submitted to the grantor. This process should be attainable if each grant utilizes the proper project codes and sources codes as required by the grant agreements. Views of Responsible Officials: I am acknowledging the finding of the Federal Audit team in which an error in my spreadsheet was documented resulting in requesting a recurring expenditure on two different pay requests. The correction was made the day of the audit through coding other expenditures matching the qualifying expenditures. In the future, the District spreadsheets will include reviews by the bookkeeper and superintendent to ensure the fund pay requests are correct and not repeated. By multiple reviews and the addition of PO number and date of pay request, this will easily define a possible "doubling up" of items for a pay request. This was one finding and all other accounts reviewed were correct and accurate. Additional expenditures were corrected and easily matched to the grant funds obtained through reimbursement. The new procedure will begin immediately.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Passthrough Entity: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Assistance Listing Number and Federal Program: 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund – Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Compliance Requirement: B. Allowable Costs and L. Reporting Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR part 200.302, the District is required to maintain financial management systems to trace funds to expenditures to establish that funds have been used according to Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The financial management system must provide for records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities, among other conditions. The reporting of the federal expenditures should be supported by these records. Thus, it is critical to have a process in place to regularly reconcile underlying financial records with the grant reports. This will also help ensure correct revenue is being reported and underlying costs in the financial records are supported. Statement of Condition: During the course of our audit, we noted that the District requested reimbursement for costs that were already previously claimed for reimbursement in the prior year. However, the District was able to correct this error by reclassifying other eligible and allowable costs to the grant. Statement of Cause: Control procedures were not in place to reconcile the accounting records project codes to the grant payment request for reimbursement for the grant. Statement of Effect: Without timely reconciliations and monitoring processes, grant expenditures can be omitted or overstated on submitted grant reports or other grant noncompliance can be overlooked. This could result in missed funding or noncompliance with grant agreements which could lead to adverse conditions with the grantors. Questioned Costs: The District had other allowable costs eligible to claim under the grant, therefore no questioned costs were identified. Perspective Information: This appears to be an isolated instance because all other grants received by the District appear to be properly accounted for and utilized the correct project code and source code. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the District develop written procedures that require all grant reports to be reconciled to the internal accounting records prior to report submission. This reconciliation should be presented in a clear and concise manner to enable another party to review and approve before ultimately getting submitted to the grantor. This process should be attainable if each grant utilizes the proper project codes and sources codes as required by the grant agreements. Views of Responsible Officials: I am acknowledging the finding of the Federal Audit team in which an error in my spreadsheet was documented resulting in requesting a recurring expenditure on two different pay requests. The correction was made the day of the audit through coding other expenditures matching the qualifying expenditures. In the future, the District spreadsheets will include reviews by the bookkeeper and superintendent to ensure the fund pay requests are correct and not repeated. By multiple reviews and the addition of PO number and date of pay request, this will easily define a possible "doubling up" of items for a pay request. This was one finding and all other accounts reviewed were correct and accurate. Additional expenditures were corrected and easily matched to the grant funds obtained through reimbursement. The new procedure will begin immediately.
Federal program information: Funding agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Title: Health Center Program Cluster Assistance listing numbers: 93.224 & 93.527 Award year and number: 2023 H80CS00036 Criteria: 2 CFR Section 200.302 of the Uniform Guidance requires that organizations maintain complete and detailed records that document the source and application of federal funds. Adequate recordkeeping is essential for financial accountability and compliance with accounting standards. Condition: Transactions reviewed were lacking itemized receipts from the supporting documentation; however, it should be noted that AHCH provided credit card statements for these transactions, which allowed for some level of verification. Questioned Costs: None Context: Of a sample of 25 transactions, two were missing itemized receipts from the supporting documentation. Cause: The missing itemized receipts may be due to oversight or lack of a robust internal control process for maintaining records. Effect: The absence of itemized receipts hinders the ability to verify the legitimacy and appropriateness of these transactions, which raises concerns about the accuracy of financial reporting and compliance with accounting standards and the Uniform Guidance. Auditor’s Recommendations: Management should enforce existing internal control procedures to ensure that all transactions are adequately documented with itemized receipts. Training and guidance should also be provided to staff responsible for record-keeping to emphasize the importance of maintaining complete and detailed documentation. Management’s Response: The finance team will work to ensure that the policy regarding the use of corporate credit cards is followed. All management staff that have organizational corporate cards will be retrained on the importance of obtaining itemized receipts. In the event a receipt is lost, regardless of verifying the legitimacy of the purchase with the purchase with the direct supervisor, the finance team will ensure that the expense is not charged to any federal funding.
Federal program information: Funding agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Title: Health Center Program Cluster Assistance listing numbers: 93.224 & 93.527 Award year and number: 2023 H80CS00036 Criteria: 2 CFR Section 200.302 of the Uniform Guidance requires that organizations maintain complete and detailed records that document the source and application of federal funds. Adequate recordkeeping is essential for financial accountability and compliance with accounting standards. Condition: Transactions reviewed were lacking itemized receipts from the supporting documentation; however, it should be noted that AHCH provided credit card statements for these transactions, which allowed for some level of verification. Questioned Costs: None Context: Of a sample of 25 transactions, two were missing itemized receipts from the supporting documentation. Cause: The missing itemized receipts may be due to oversight or lack of a robust internal control process for maintaining records. Effect: The absence of itemized receipts hinders the ability to verify the legitimacy and appropriateness of these transactions, which raises concerns about the accuracy of financial reporting and compliance with accounting standards and the Uniform Guidance. Auditor’s Recommendations: Management should enforce existing internal control procedures to ensure that all transactions are adequately documented with itemized receipts. Training and guidance should also be provided to staff responsible for record-keeping to emphasize the importance of maintaining complete and detailed documentation. Management’s Response: The finance team will work to ensure that the policy regarding the use of corporate credit cards is followed. All management staff that have organizational corporate cards will be retrained on the importance of obtaining itemized receipts. In the event a receipt is lost, regardless of verifying the legitimacy of the purchase with the purchase with the direct supervisor, the finance team will ensure that the expense is not charged to any federal funding.
Federal program information: Funding agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Title: Health Center Program Cluster Assistance listing numbers: 93.224 & 93.527 Award year and number: 2023 H80CS00036 Criteria: 2 CFR Section 200.302 of the Uniform Guidance requires that organizations maintain complete and detailed records that document the source and application of federal funds. Adequate recordkeeping is essential for financial accountability and compliance with accounting standards. Condition: Transactions reviewed were lacking itemized receipts from the supporting documentation; however, it should be noted that AHCH provided credit card statements for these transactions, which allowed for some level of verification. Questioned Costs: None Context: Of a sample of 25 transactions, two were missing itemized receipts from the supporting documentation. Cause: The missing itemized receipts may be due to oversight or lack of a robust internal control process for maintaining records. Effect: The absence of itemized receipts hinders the ability to verify the legitimacy and appropriateness of these transactions, which raises concerns about the accuracy of financial reporting and compliance with accounting standards and the Uniform Guidance. Auditor’s Recommendations: Management should enforce existing internal control procedures to ensure that all transactions are adequately documented with itemized receipts. Training and guidance should also be provided to staff responsible for record-keeping to emphasize the importance of maintaining complete and detailed documentation. Management’s Response: The finance team will work to ensure that the policy regarding the use of corporate credit cards is followed. All management staff that have organizational corporate cards will be retrained on the importance of obtaining itemized receipts. In the event a receipt is lost, regardless of verifying the legitimacy of the purchase with the purchase with the direct supervisor, the finance team will ensure that the expense is not charged to any federal funding.
Federal program information: Funding agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Title: Health Center Program Cluster Assistance listing numbers: 93.224 & 93.527 Award year and number: 2023 H80CS00036 Criteria: 2 CFR Section 200.302 of the Uniform Guidance requires that organizations maintain complete and detailed records that document the source and application of federal funds. Adequate recordkeeping is essential for financial accountability and compliance with accounting standards. Condition: Transactions reviewed were lacking itemized receipts from the supporting documentation; however, it should be noted that AHCH provided credit card statements for these transactions, which allowed for some level of verification. Questioned Costs: None Context: Of a sample of 25 transactions, two were missing itemized receipts from the supporting documentation. Cause: The missing itemized receipts may be due to oversight or lack of a robust internal control process for maintaining records. Effect: The absence of itemized receipts hinders the ability to verify the legitimacy and appropriateness of these transactions, which raises concerns about the accuracy of financial reporting and compliance with accounting standards and the Uniform Guidance. Auditor’s Recommendations: Management should enforce existing internal control procedures to ensure that all transactions are adequately documented with itemized receipts. Training and guidance should also be provided to staff responsible for record-keeping to emphasize the importance of maintaining complete and detailed documentation. Management’s Response: The finance team will work to ensure that the policy regarding the use of corporate credit cards is followed. All management staff that have organizational corporate cards will be retrained on the importance of obtaining itemized receipts. In the event a receipt is lost, regardless of verifying the legitimacy of the purchase with the purchase with the direct supervisor, the finance team will ensure that the expense is not charged to any federal funding.
Finding 2023-001- Allowable Activities (Significant Deficiency) Information on the federal program: U.S. Department of Treasury, Assistance Listing No. 21.027 Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: 2 CFR 200.302 and 2 CFR 200.303 require entities to establish and maintain internal controls and financial management procedures to provide reasonable assurance the award is managed in compliance with statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the award and to ensure federal award expenditures adequately supported by source documentation. Condition: We tested controls over disbursements to 9 hospitals during the year. For each hospital to receive funding they were to submit a staffing spreadsheet reporting their increased staffing costs due to COVID. Of the 9 tested, 4 hospitals supporting documentation was not readily available. Additional information, therefore, had to be obtained from the hospital to support the information reported by the hospital in the staffing spreadsheet. In addition, one of the 4 tested could not provide documentation that agreed to the amounts reported on the staffing spreadsheet. Cause: Salary information obtained in support of the staffing spreadsheet included Form 941, Employees Quarterly Federal Tax Return (941). However, some 941s are combined with other hospitals or filed by agency and did not agree to amounts submitted for reimbursement. Additional general ledger information had to be requested from the hospitals during the audit to reconcile to the amounts reported in the staffing spreadsheet. Effect: Internal Controls were not properly implemented to obtain source documentation to adequately support the amounts reported by the hospitals as additional staffing costs. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization strengthen its policies and procedures surrounding disbursements to hospitals to ensure the amounts reported were determined accurate and source documentation is retained to ensure compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: See Management’s View and Corrective Action Plan included at the end of the report.
21.027 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200.302(b)(7) requires the financial management system to include written procedures for determining the allowability of costs. Condition: City of Oregon City has not developed written procedures for determining the allowability of costs. Cause: Administration did not have written procedures for determining the allowability of costs. Effect: Unallowable costs could be charged to the program. Questioned Costs: None Perspective: Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs is integral to the proper design of internal controls. However, the results of audit procedures did not detect any costs which are not allowable charged to the program. Recommendations: Management should develop written procedures as required by 2 CFR Part 200.302(b)(7). Views of Responsible Officials: Management understands the requirement for written procedures for determining the allowability of costs. A formal policy and procedure was approved and adopted August 22, 2023. The opportunity to identify this finding arose due to new management staff and a new audit firm engaged with the June 30, 2022, audit, and we appreciate the opportunity to improve compliance.
Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Award Programs Audit Finding 2023-002 Significant Deficiency Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Passthrough Entity: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Assistance Listing Number and Federal Program: 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund – Elementary and Secondary Education Compliance Requirements: B. Allowable Costs and L. Reporting Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR part 200.302, the District is required to maintain financial management systems to trace funds to expenditures to establish that funds have been used according to Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The financial management system must provide for records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities, among other conditions. The reporting of the federal expenditures should be supported by these records. Amounts may not be expended from project funds on an arbitrary basis. Thus, it is critical to have a process in place to regularly reconcile underlying financial records with the grant reports. This will also help ensure correct revenue is being reported and underlying costs in the financial records are supported. Statement of Condition: During the course of our audit, we noted that the District requested reimbursement for expenses that were not properly supported by the necessary project codes and source codes in the financial management system. The grant payment request for reimbursements for respective Federal grants were not reconciled to the District’s general ledger and the classification of expenditures did not agree to what was detailed on the grant payment request for reimbursements. Statement of Cause: Control procedures were not in place to reconcile the general ledger project codes to the grant payment request for reimbursement for the grant. Statement of Effect: Without timely reconciliations and monitoring processes, grant expenditures can be omitted or overstated on submitted grant payment request for reimbursements or other grant noncompliance can be overlooked. This could result in missed funding or noncompliance with grant agreements which could lead to adverse conditions with the grantors. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs. Perspective Information: This appears to be a systemic problem because after reviewing other grants received by the District, the correct project codes and source codes were not being properly utilized. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the District develop written procedures that require grant payment request for reimbursements and any other required reporting to be reconciled to the internal accounting records prior to report submission. The District must be able to specifically identify and provide support for every expenditure that is reimbursed. A review should be performed to ensure the expenditures are properly classified and allowable. This process should be attainable if each grant utilizes the proper project codes and sources codes as required by the grant agreements. The reconciliation should be monitored by someone not responsible for the recording and procedures should be put in place to ensure the reconciliation is being performed timely. Views of Responsible Officials: The District will correct and resubmit previous ASBRs, and will institute proactive measures where the Superintendent, or other designated District representative, will verify that the District’s accounting software records mirror the accurate totals for expense codes, including project codes, before future reimbursement requests for federal funds are submitted. See Correction Action Plan.
Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Award Programs Audit Finding 2023-002 Significant Deficiency Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Passthrough Entity: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Assistance Listing Number and Federal Program: 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund – Elementary and Secondary Education Compliance Requirements: B. Allowable Costs and L. Reporting Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR part 200.302, the District is required to maintain financial management systems to trace funds to expenditures to establish that funds have been used according to Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The financial management system must provide for records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities, among other conditions. The reporting of the federal expenditures should be supported by these records. Amounts may not be expended from project funds on an arbitrary basis. Thus, it is critical to have a process in place to regularly reconcile underlying financial records with the grant reports. This will also help ensure correct revenue is being reported and underlying costs in the financial records are supported. Statement of Condition: During the course of our audit, we noted that the District requested reimbursement for expenses that were not properly supported by the necessary project codes and source codes in the financial management system. The grant payment request for reimbursements for respective Federal grants were not reconciled to the District’s general ledger and the classification of expenditures did not agree to what was detailed on the grant payment request for reimbursements. Statement of Cause: Control procedures were not in place to reconcile the general ledger project codes to the grant payment request for reimbursement for the grant. Statement of Effect: Without timely reconciliations and monitoring processes, grant expenditures can be omitted or overstated on submitted grant payment request for reimbursements or other grant noncompliance can be overlooked. This could result in missed funding or noncompliance with grant agreements which could lead to adverse conditions with the grantors. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs. Perspective Information: This appears to be a systemic problem because after reviewing other grants received by the District, the correct project codes and source codes were not being properly utilized. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the District develop written procedures that require grant payment request for reimbursements and any other required reporting to be reconciled to the internal accounting records prior to report submission. The District must be able to specifically identify and provide support for every expenditure that is reimbursed. A review should be performed to ensure the expenditures are properly classified and allowable. This process should be attainable if each grant utilizes the proper project codes and sources codes as required by the grant agreements. The reconciliation should be monitored by someone not responsible for the recording and procedures should be put in place to ensure the reconciliation is being performed timely. Views of Responsible Officials: The District will correct and resubmit previous ASBRs, and will institute proactive measures where the Superintendent, or other designated District representative, will verify that the District’s accounting software records mirror the accurate totals for expense codes, including project codes, before future reimbursement requests for federal funds are submitted. See Correction Action Plan.
Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Award Programs Audit Finding 2023-002 Significant Deficiency Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Passthrough Entity: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Assistance Listing Number and Federal Program: 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund – Elementary and Secondary Education Compliance Requirements: B. Allowable Costs and L. Reporting Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR part 200.302, the District is required to maintain financial management systems to trace funds to expenditures to establish that funds have been used according to Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The financial management system must provide for records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities, among other conditions. The reporting of the federal expenditures should be supported by these records. Amounts may not be expended from project funds on an arbitrary basis. Thus, it is critical to have a process in place to regularly reconcile underlying financial records with the grant reports. This will also help ensure correct revenue is being reported and underlying costs in the financial records are supported. Statement of Condition: During the course of our audit, we noted that the District requested reimbursement for expenses that were not properly supported by the necessary project codes and source codes in the financial management system. The grant payment request for reimbursements for respective Federal grants were not reconciled to the District’s general ledger and the classification of expenditures did not agree to what was detailed on the grant payment request for reimbursements. Statement of Cause: Control procedures were not in place to reconcile the general ledger project codes to the grant payment request for reimbursement for the grant. Statement of Effect: Without timely reconciliations and monitoring processes, grant expenditures can be omitted or overstated on submitted grant payment request for reimbursements or other grant noncompliance can be overlooked. This could result in missed funding or noncompliance with grant agreements which could lead to adverse conditions with the grantors. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs. Perspective Information: This appears to be a systemic problem because after reviewing other grants received by the District, the correct project codes and source codes were not being properly utilized. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the District develop written procedures that require grant payment request for reimbursements and any other required reporting to be reconciled to the internal accounting records prior to report submission. The District must be able to specifically identify and provide support for every expenditure that is reimbursed. A review should be performed to ensure the expenditures are properly classified and allowable. This process should be attainable if each grant utilizes the proper project codes and sources codes as required by the grant agreements. The reconciliation should be monitored by someone not responsible for the recording and procedures should be put in place to ensure the reconciliation is being performed timely. Views of Responsible Officials: The District will correct and resubmit previous ASBRs, and will institute proactive measures where the Superintendent, or other designated District representative, will verify that the District’s accounting software records mirror the accurate totals for expense codes, including project codes, before future reimbursement requests for federal funds are submitted. See Correction Action Plan.
Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Award Programs Audit Finding 2023-003 Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Passthrough Entity: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Assistance Listing Number and Federal Program: 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund – Elementary and Secondary Education Compliance Requirements: B. Allowable Costs and L. Reporting Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR part 200.302, the District is required to maintain financial management systems to trace funds to expenditures to establish that funds have been used according to Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The financial management system must provide for records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities, among other conditions. The reporting of the federal expenditures should be supported by these records. Amounts may not be expended from project funds on an arbitrary basis. Thus, it is critical to have a process in place to regularly reconcile underlying financial records with the grant reports. This will also help ensure correct revenue is being reported and underlying costs in the financial records are supported. Statement of Condition: During the course of our audit, we noted that the District requested reimbursement for expenses that were not properly supported by the necessary project codes and source codes in the financial management system. The grant payment request for reimbursements for respective Federal grants were not reconciled to the District’s general ledger and the classification of expenditures did not agree to what was detailed on the grant payment request for reimbursements. Additionally, the calculation for allocating expenses and the journal entries made were not approved. The District must be able to specifically identify and provide support for every Federal expenditure that is reimbursed. Statement of Cause: Control procedures were not in place to reconcile the general ledger project codes to the grant payment request for reimbursement for the grant. The District failed to review expenses throughout the year to ensure transactions were properly classified. Controls were not in place to properly review expense allocations or journal entries. Statement of Effect: Without timely reconciliations and monitoring processes, grant expenditures can be omitted or overstated on submitted grant reports or other grant noncompliance can be overlooked. This could result in missed funding or noncompliance with grant agreements which could lead to adverse conditions with the grantors. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs. Perspective Information: This appears to be a systemic problem because after reviewing other grants received by the District, the correct project codes and source codes were not being properly utilized. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the District develop written procedures that require grant payment request for reimbursements and any other required reporting to be reconciled to the internal accounting records prior to report submission. The District must be able to specifically identify and provide support for every expenditure that is reimbursed. A review should be performed to ensure the expenditures are properly classified and allowable. This process should be attainable if each grant utilizes the proper project codes and sources codes as required by the grant agreements. The reconciliation should be monitored by someone not responsible for the recording and procedures should be put in place to ensure the reconciliation is being performed timely. Controls should be implemented for adjustments that need to be made to be reviewed by a person other than the one recording the adjustment. Evidence of reconciliations and reviews should be clearly identifiable. Views of Responsible Officials: The Hannibal School District received millions of one-time federal grant monies to assist with expenditures incurred as a result of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Although these funds were hugely helpful, minimal guidance was available. This is not a finding that has been presented to us in the past. The school district has received federal and state grants annually that are reconciled to the appropriate project codes and this process will be diligently followed as in prior years. For example, the district was awarded the Immediate Responses Services grant in Fall 2023. The expenditure project codes for this grant have been provided by grant guidance and any and all expenditures will be coded using these expenditures codes. This should prevent any need for future journal entries moving forward. This process is an example of the systematic process that will be followed for all grants. See Corrective Action Plan.
Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Award Programs Audit Finding 2023-003 Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Passthrough Entity: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Assistance Listing Number and Federal Program: 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund – Elementary and Secondary Education Compliance Requirements: B. Allowable Costs and L. Reporting Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR part 200.302, the District is required to maintain financial management systems to trace funds to expenditures to establish that funds have been used according to Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The financial management system must provide for records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities, among other conditions. The reporting of the federal expenditures should be supported by these records. Amounts may not be expended from project funds on an arbitrary basis. Thus, it is critical to have a process in place to regularly reconcile underlying financial records with the grant reports. This will also help ensure correct revenue is being reported and underlying costs in the financial records are supported. Statement of Condition: During the course of our audit, we noted that the District requested reimbursement for expenses that were not properly supported by the necessary project codes and source codes in the financial management system. The grant payment request for reimbursements for respective Federal grants were not reconciled to the District’s general ledger and the classification of expenditures did not agree to what was detailed on the grant payment request for reimbursements. Additionally, the calculation for allocating expenses and the journal entries made were not approved. The District must be able to specifically identify and provide support for every Federal expenditure that is reimbursed. Statement of Cause: Control procedures were not in place to reconcile the general ledger project codes to the grant payment request for reimbursement for the grant. The District failed to review expenses throughout the year to ensure transactions were properly classified. Controls were not in place to properly review expense allocations or journal entries. Statement of Effect: Without timely reconciliations and monitoring processes, grant expenditures can be omitted or overstated on submitted grant reports or other grant noncompliance can be overlooked. This could result in missed funding or noncompliance with grant agreements which could lead to adverse conditions with the grantors. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs. Perspective Information: This appears to be a systemic problem because after reviewing other grants received by the District, the correct project codes and source codes were not being properly utilized. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the District develop written procedures that require grant payment request for reimbursements and any other required reporting to be reconciled to the internal accounting records prior to report submission. The District must be able to specifically identify and provide support for every expenditure that is reimbursed. A review should be performed to ensure the expenditures are properly classified and allowable. This process should be attainable if each grant utilizes the proper project codes and sources codes as required by the grant agreements. The reconciliation should be monitored by someone not responsible for the recording and procedures should be put in place to ensure the reconciliation is being performed timely. Controls should be implemented for adjustments that need to be made to be reviewed by a person other than the one recording the adjustment. Evidence of reconciliations and reviews should be clearly identifiable. Views of Responsible Officials: The Hannibal School District received millions of one-time federal grant monies to assist with expenditures incurred as a result of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Although these funds were hugely helpful, minimal guidance was available. This is not a finding that has been presented to us in the past. The school district has received federal and state grants annually that are reconciled to the appropriate project codes and this process will be diligently followed as in prior years. For example, the district was awarded the Immediate Responses Services grant in Fall 2023. The expenditure project codes for this grant have been provided by grant guidance and any and all expenditures will be coded using these expenditures codes. This should prevent any need for future journal entries moving forward. This process is an example of the systematic process that will be followed for all grants. See Corrective Action Plan.
Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Award Programs Audit Finding 2023-003 Material Weakness Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Passthrough Entity: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Assistance Listing Number and Federal Program: 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund – Elementary and Secondary Education Compliance Requirements: B. Allowable Costs and L. Reporting Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR part 200.302, the District is required to maintain financial management systems to trace funds to expenditures to establish that funds have been used according to Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The financial management system must provide for records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities, among other conditions. The reporting of the federal expenditures should be supported by these records. Amounts may not be expended from project funds on an arbitrary basis. Thus, it is critical to have a process in place to regularly reconcile underlying financial records with the grant reports. This will also help ensure correct revenue is being reported and underlying costs in the financial records are supported. Statement of Condition: During the course of our audit, we noted that the District requested reimbursement for expenses that were not properly supported by the necessary project codes and source codes in the financial management system. The grant payment request for reimbursements for respective Federal grants were not reconciled to the District’s general ledger and the classification of expenditures did not agree to what was detailed on the grant payment request for reimbursements. Additionally, the calculation for allocating expenses and the journal entries made were not approved. The District must be able to specifically identify and provide support for every Federal expenditure that is reimbursed. Statement of Cause: Control procedures were not in place to reconcile the general ledger project codes to the grant payment request for reimbursement for the grant. The District failed to review expenses throughout the year to ensure transactions were properly classified. Controls were not in place to properly review expense allocations or journal entries. Statement of Effect: Without timely reconciliations and monitoring processes, grant expenditures can be omitted or overstated on submitted grant reports or other grant noncompliance can be overlooked. This could result in missed funding or noncompliance with grant agreements which could lead to adverse conditions with the grantors. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs. Perspective Information: This appears to be a systemic problem because after reviewing other grants received by the District, the correct project codes and source codes were not being properly utilized. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the District develop written procedures that require grant payment request for reimbursements and any other required reporting to be reconciled to the internal accounting records prior to report submission. The District must be able to specifically identify and provide support for every expenditure that is reimbursed. A review should be performed to ensure the expenditures are properly classified and allowable. This process should be attainable if each grant utilizes the proper project codes and sources codes as required by the grant agreements. The reconciliation should be monitored by someone not responsible for the recording and procedures should be put in place to ensure the reconciliation is being performed timely. Controls should be implemented for adjustments that need to be made to be reviewed by a person other than the one recording the adjustment. Evidence of reconciliations and reviews should be clearly identifiable. Views of Responsible Officials: The Hannibal School District received millions of one-time federal grant monies to assist with expenditures incurred as a result of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Although these funds were hugely helpful, minimal guidance was available. This is not a finding that has been presented to us in the past. The school district has received federal and state grants annually that are reconciled to the appropriate project codes and this process will be diligently followed as in prior years. For example, the district was awarded the Immediate Responses Services grant in Fall 2023. The expenditure project codes for this grant have been provided by grant guidance and any and all expenditures will be coded using these expenditures codes. This should prevent any need for future journal entries moving forward. This process is an example of the systematic process that will be followed for all grants. See Corrective Action Plan.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, California Department of Social Services Federal Financial Assistance Listing/CFDA Number 93.575 Award Year 2022/23 Child Care and Development Fund Cluster Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Instance of Non-Compliance Criteria: Title 2 CFR Section 200.302(b)(7) of the Uniform Guidance requires all non-Federal entities establish written procedures to implement the requirements for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principles and the conditions of the Federal award. Condition: The Commission has not established written procedures for determining allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principles or the conditions of the Federal award. Cause: The Commission’s procedures did not ensure the required written procedures were developed and implemented in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Effect: The Commission has not complied with Title 2 CFR Section 200.302(b)(7) regarding establishing written procedures for determining the allowability of costs. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: The condition noted above was identified during our procedures related to allowable costs. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: Yes – 2022-001 Recommendation: We recommend the Commission establish policies and formalize written procedures related to allowable costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principles. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees. See separately issued Corrective Action Plan.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, California Department of Social Services Federal Financial Assistance Listing/CFDA Number 93.575 Award Year 2022/23 Child Care and Development Fund Cluster Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Instance of Non-Compliance Criteria: Title 2 CFR Section 200.302(b)(7) of the Uniform Guidance requires all non-Federal entities establish written procedures to implement the requirements for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principles and the conditions of the Federal award. Condition: The Commission has not established written procedures for determining allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principles or the conditions of the Federal award. Cause: The Commission’s procedures did not ensure the required written procedures were developed and implemented in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Effect: The Commission has not complied with Title 2 CFR Section 200.302(b)(7) regarding establishing written procedures for determining the allowability of costs. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: The condition noted above was identified during our procedures related to allowable costs. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: Yes – 2022-001 Recommendation: We recommend the Commission establish policies and formalize written procedures related to allowable costs in accordance with Subpart E – Cost Principles. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees. See separately issued Corrective Action Plan.
2023-003 Compliance and Internal Controls over Allowable Costs (Significant Deficiency) Assistance Listing Number 64.033 VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families, VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families – Shallow Subsidy, and VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families – Legal Services 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Funding U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Criteria: Under 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), non‐federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, grantees are required to have a detailed breakout of these costs along with any supporting documents for those expenses for auditing and oversight. Title 2 CFR 200.302 requires the financial management system of each non-Federal entity provide records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities. Condition: We noted instances of the allocation rates being used to calculate amount of payroll costs to charge to grants did not agree to the hours incurred per approved timesheets. Cause: Certain payroll allocation spreadsheets used to calculate amounts to charge grants for payroll costs were not updated to agree with the approved timesheets. Effect: The Agency requested in error reimbursement for unallowable payroll costs. Questioned Costs: $1,617 Perspective: Errors were noted during periods when the prior accounting team was in place or during transition period as the new accounting staff were being hired. Such errors resulted in certain employees’ times under / over allocated, thus reducing overall financial impact. Recommendation: The Agency should update its payroll allocation spreadsheets to agree with the approved timesheets per payroll period to ensure only allowable payroll costs are charged to grants. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the recommendation, please see Corrective Action Plan
2023-003 Compliance and Internal Controls over Allowable Costs (Significant Deficiency) Assistance Listing Number 64.033 VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families, VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families – Shallow Subsidy, and VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families – Legal Services 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Funding U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Criteria: Under 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), non‐federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, grantees are required to have a detailed breakout of these costs along with any supporting documents for those expenses for auditing and oversight. Title 2 CFR 200.302 requires the financial management system of each non-Federal entity provide records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities. Condition: We noted instances of the allocation rates being used to calculate amount of payroll costs to charge to grants did not agree to the hours incurred per approved timesheets. Cause: Certain payroll allocation spreadsheets used to calculate amounts to charge grants for payroll costs were not updated to agree with the approved timesheets. Effect: The Agency requested in error reimbursement for unallowable payroll costs. Questioned Costs: $1,617 Perspective: Errors were noted during periods when the prior accounting team was in place or during transition period as the new accounting staff were being hired. Such errors resulted in certain employees’ times under / over allocated, thus reducing overall financial impact. Recommendation: The Agency should update its payroll allocation spreadsheets to agree with the approved timesheets per payroll period to ensure only allowable payroll costs are charged to grants. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the recommendation, please see Corrective Action Plan
2023-003 Compliance and Internal Controls over Allowable Costs (Significant Deficiency) Assistance Listing Number 64.033 VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families, VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families – Shallow Subsidy, and VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families – Legal Services 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Funding U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Criteria: Under 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), non‐federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, grantees are required to have a detailed breakout of these costs along with any supporting documents for those expenses for auditing and oversight. Title 2 CFR 200.302 requires the financial management system of each non-Federal entity provide records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities. Condition: We noted instances of the allocation rates being used to calculate amount of payroll costs to charge to grants did not agree to the hours incurred per approved timesheets. Cause: Certain payroll allocation spreadsheets used to calculate amounts to charge grants for payroll costs were not updated to agree with the approved timesheets. Effect: The Agency requested in error reimbursement for unallowable payroll costs. Questioned Costs: $1,617 Perspective: Errors were noted during periods when the prior accounting team was in place or during transition period as the new accounting staff were being hired. Such errors resulted in certain employees’ times under / over allocated, thus reducing overall financial impact. Recommendation: The Agency should update its payroll allocation spreadsheets to agree with the approved timesheets per payroll period to ensure only allowable payroll costs are charged to grants. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the recommendation, please see Corrective Action Plan
2023-002 Compliance and Internal Controls over Allowable Costs (Significant Deficiency) Assistance Listing Number 21.027 COVID - 19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds 2022-2023 Funding U.S. Department of Treasury Criteria: Under 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), non‐federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, grantees are required to have a detailed breakout of these costs along with any supporting documents for those expenses for auditing and oversight. Title 2 CFR 200.302 requires the financial management system of each non-Federal entity provide records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities. Condition: We noted instances of the allocation rates being used to calculate amount of payroll costs to charge to grants did not agree to the hours incurred per approved timesheets. Cause: Certain payroll allocation spreadsheets used to calculate amounts to charge grants for payroll costs were not updated to agree with the approved timesheets. Effect: The Agency requested in error reimbursement for unallowable payroll costs. Questioned Costs: $2,668 Perspective: Errors were noted during periods when the prior accounting team was in place or during transition period as the new accounting staff were being hired. Such errors resulted in certain employees’ times under / over allocated, thus reducing overall financial impact. Recommendation: The Agency should update its payroll allocation spreadsheets to agree with the approved timesheets per payroll period to ensure only allowable payroll costs are charged to grants. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the recommendation, please see Corrective Action Plan.
2023-002 Compliance and Internal Controls over Allowable Costs (Significant Deficiency) Assistance Listing Number 21.027 COVID - 19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds 2022-2023 Funding U.S. Department of Treasury Criteria: Under 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), non‐federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, grantees are required to have a detailed breakout of these costs along with any supporting documents for those expenses for auditing and oversight. Title 2 CFR 200.302 requires the financial management system of each non-Federal entity provide records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities. Condition: We noted instances of the allocation rates being used to calculate amount of payroll costs to charge to grants did not agree to the hours incurred per approved timesheets. Cause: Certain payroll allocation spreadsheets used to calculate amounts to charge grants for payroll costs were not updated to agree with the approved timesheets. Effect: The Agency requested in error reimbursement for unallowable payroll costs. Questioned Costs: $2,668 Perspective: Errors were noted during periods when the prior accounting team was in place or during transition period as the new accounting staff were being hired. Such errors resulted in certain employees’ times under / over allocated, thus reducing overall financial impact. Recommendation: The Agency should update its payroll allocation spreadsheets to agree with the approved timesheets per payroll period to ensure only allowable payroll costs are charged to grants. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the recommendation, please see Corrective Action Plan.
2023-002 Compliance and Internal Controls over Allowable Costs (Significant Deficiency) Assistance Listing Number 21.027 COVID - 19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds 2022-2023 Funding U.S. Department of Treasury Criteria: Under 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), non‐federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, grantees are required to have a detailed breakout of these costs along with any supporting documents for those expenses for auditing and oversight. Title 2 CFR 200.302 requires the financial management system of each non-Federal entity provide records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities. Condition: We noted instances of the allocation rates being used to calculate amount of payroll costs to charge to grants did not agree to the hours incurred per approved timesheets. Cause: Certain payroll allocation spreadsheets used to calculate amounts to charge grants for payroll costs were not updated to agree with the approved timesheets. Effect: The Agency requested in error reimbursement for unallowable payroll costs. Questioned Costs: $2,668 Perspective: Errors were noted during periods when the prior accounting team was in place or during transition period as the new accounting staff were being hired. Such errors resulted in certain employees’ times under / over allocated, thus reducing overall financial impact. Recommendation: The Agency should update its payroll allocation spreadsheets to agree with the approved timesheets per payroll period to ensure only allowable payroll costs are charged to grants. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the recommendation, please see Corrective Action Plan.
Federal Program: ALN 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) Condition: The Academy does not have formally documented written controls to ensure compliance with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirement, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), in regard to determining allowable costs, procurement procedures, and cash management. Criteria: 2 CFR § 200.302(b) requires the Academy to have written procedures related to managing cash from federal award, including determining the allowability of costs in accordance with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles. Additionally, 2 CFR § 318(a) and (c), requires the Academy to formally document procedures used for procurements made within federal programs, to demonstrate compliance with Uniform Guidance, which includes written standards of conduct that cover conflicts of interest and govern the performance of individuals engaged in procurement. Cause: The Academy’s policies and procedures have not been formally drafted and updated in written form to the extent sufficient to meet the requirements above. Effect: The failure to have written policies and procedures resulted in the Academy’s noncompliance with the requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Context: This is a general requirement that pertains to most federal grants. This was not identified via sampling procedures. Questioned Costs: None identified. Recommendation: We recommend the Academy review the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, particularly the sections referenced above, to obtain a better understanding of the related requirements under Uniform Guidance. Based on this understanding, we recommend the Academy adopt written policies and procedures pertaining to cash management, determining the allowability of costs, and procurement procedures for all federal programs. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with our recommendation. See corresponding Corrective Action Plan.
Federal Program: ALN 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) Condition: The Academy does not have formally documented written controls to ensure compliance with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirement, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), in regard to determining allowable costs, procurement procedures, and cash management. Criteria: 2 CFR § 200.302(b) requires the Academy to have written procedures related to managing cash from federal award, including determining the allowability of costs in accordance with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles. Additionally, 2 CFR § 318(a) and (c), requires the Academy to formally document procedures used for procurements made within federal programs, to demonstrate compliance with Uniform Guidance, which includes written standards of conduct that cover conflicts of interest and govern the performance of individuals engaged in procurement. Cause: The Academy’s policies and procedures have not been formally drafted and updated in written form to the extent sufficient to meet the requirements above. Effect: The failure to have written policies and procedures resulted in the Academy’s noncompliance with the requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Context: This is a general requirement that pertains to most federal grants. This was not identified via sampling procedures. Questioned Costs: None identified. Recommendation: We recommend the Academy review the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, particularly the sections referenced above, to obtain a better understanding of the related requirements under Uniform Guidance. Based on this understanding, we recommend the Academy adopt written policies and procedures pertaining to cash management, determining the allowability of costs, and procurement procedures for all federal programs. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with our recommendation. See corresponding Corrective Action Plan.
8. Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation): The compliance requirements for "L.Reporting", requires the District to maintain accurate accounting records for grant expenditures. In addition, per subpart D (Post Federal Award Requirements), § 200.302, the underlying accounts records must be adequately documented and consistent with the terms and conditions of the grant. 9. Condition: During compliance testing of the District's accounting records to the expenditure report filed with the Illinois State Board of Education, we noted the District overclaimed $134,309 of expenditures at 6/30/23. 10. Questioned Costs: $134,309. 11. Context: The District claimed expenditures that did not agree with their underlying accounting records. 12. Effect: The District was not compliant with reporting requirements. Inaccurate reporting resulted in the District being reimbursed for an additional $134,309 as of 6/30/23. As a result of the overclaim, federal expenditures were reduced on the SEFA from $739,399 to $605,090. 13. Cause: Upon review of the general ledger and quarterly expenditure report, it was determined that the District erroneously overstated their claim amount on two function object codes by a cumulative amount of $134,309. Under 1000-400, total expenditures were $9,298 but District claimed $9,399, resulting in an overclaim of $101. Under 2530-500, total expenditures were $595,792 but District claimed $730,000, resulting in an overclaim of $134,208. 14. Recommendation: We recommend that management review its policies and procedures and implement changes to strengthen internal control over federal reporting. Furthermore, we recommend the District to adequately document claimed expenditures that are consistent with the terms and conditions of each grant agreement. 15. Management's response: The District has agreed with the findings and recommendations as presented. See Corrective Action Plan provided by the District.
U.S. Department of Education Passed Through Kansas State Department of Education Program Name: Education Stabilization Fund Cluster Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.425W, 84.425U, 84.425D Finding 2023-001 SIGNIFICANT DEFICENCY AND MATERIAL NONCOMPLIANCE Internal Controls and Report Submissions Criteria: Pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 2 Grants and Agreements, Subpart D Post Federal Award Requirements, Section 200.303 “the non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.” Also pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 2 Grants and Agreements, Subpart D Post Federal Award Requirements, Section 200.302 Financial Management (2 CFR §200.302), “identification, in its accounts, of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received.” Condition: When investigating the controls related to Education Stabilization Fund reporting to the State of Kanas, we became aware that the same individual compiling the information is the same submitting the reports with no secondary review. During our examination of the reports submitted for the fiscal year, the report for the quarter ending June 2023 did not back to financial records by approximately $70,441. Cause: The controls related to reporting for Education Stabilization Fund are non-existent. Effect: There is no internal control related to reporting for Education Stabilization Fund. Questioned Costs: $70,441 Recommendations: The District should have an employee compare the Board Clerk’s supporting documentation and the Education Stabilization Fund spreadsheet report before its submission to the State of Kansas for its accuracy. After the approval by the secondary review employee, the report submitted should be printed, initialed by the secondary reviewer, stapled with the information used to compile the report and combined with all financial records for the fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The District agrees with the finding. See separate document for planned corrective actions.
2023-001 Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Reporting (Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA)) Information on the Major Federal Program: Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Assistance Listing Number: 97.024 Federal Assistance Listing Name: Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program Pass-through Awards under the Uniform Guidance Requirements: Pass-through Entity Award Name Award Period The United Way SE Family Center DC Phase 39 November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way SE Family Center DC ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Mont. Co Family Center Phase 39 November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Mont. Co Family Center ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Parish Partners PG Co Phase 39 November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Parish Partners PG Co ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Parish Partners Calvert Co ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Parish Partners Charles Co ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Angel’s Watch Charles Co ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way St. Josephine’s Shelter DC ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Adam’s Place Shelter DC ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way SMFB ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way SCC Food Pantry Phase 39 November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way SCC Food Pantry ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Phase HR22 April 13, 2022 to July 7, 2022 Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR part 200) Section §200.510(b) states in part: “The auditee must also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with CFR Section §200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended.” The schedule must provide total Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program. In accordance with §200.302 Financial Management, a non-Federal entity's financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by general and program-specific terms and conditions; and the tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that such funds have been used according to the Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following: (1) Identification, in its accounts, of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received. (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §200.327 Financial Reporting and §200.328 Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance. (3) Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for Federally-funded activities. (4) Effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property, and other assets.
2023-001 Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Reporting (Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA)) Information on the Major Federal Program: Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Assistance Listing Number: 97.024 Federal Assistance Listing Name: Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program Pass-through Awards under the Uniform Guidance Requirements: Pass-through Entity Award Name Award Period The United Way SE Family Center DC Phase 39 November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way SE Family Center DC ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Mont. Co Family Center Phase 39 November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Mont. Co Family Center ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Parish Partners PG Co Phase 39 November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Parish Partners PG Co ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Parish Partners Calvert Co ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Parish Partners Charles Co ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Angel’s Watch Charles Co ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way St. Josephine’s Shelter DC ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Adam’s Place Shelter DC ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way SMFB ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way SCC Food Pantry Phase 39 November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way SCC Food Pantry ARPAR November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023 The United Way Phase HR22 April 13, 2022 to July 7, 2022 Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR part 200) Section §200.510(b) states in part: “The auditee must also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with CFR Section §200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended.” The schedule must provide total Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program. In accordance with §200.302 Financial Management, a non-Federal entity's financial management systems, including records documenting compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award, must be sufficient to permit the preparation of reports required by general and program-specific terms and conditions; and the tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that such funds have been used according to the Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following: (1) Identification, in its accounts, of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received. (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §200.327 Financial Reporting and §200.328 Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance. (3) Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for Federally-funded activities. (4) Effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property, and other assets.
Finding Number: 2023-001 Federal Program: COVID-19 ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Federal Award Identification Number and Year: N/A, 2023 Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.425U Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting – Final Expenditure Report Pass-through Entity: Ohio Department of Education Repeat Finding: No Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance – Reporting of Final Expenditure Report Criteria: 2 C.F.R. § 3474.1 gives regulatory effect to the Department of Education for 2 C.F.R. § 200.302(b)(2) which states, in part, the financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in § 200.328. 2 C.F.R. § 200.328 states, in part, this information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the Federal award, but no less frequently than annually nor more frequently than quarterly except in unusual circumstances, for example where more frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring of the Federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes, and preferably in coordination with performance reporting. 2 C.F.R. § 200.344(a) states, in part, a subrecipient must submit to the pass-through entity, no later than 90 calendar days (or an earlier date as agreed upon by the pass-through entity and subrecipient) after the end date of the period of performance, all financial, performance, and other reports as required by the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Ohio Department of Education Grants Manual requires a final expenditure report (FER) to be submitted to show how grant funds were expended during the grant period for each project immediately after all financial obligations have been liquidated. FERs are to be submitted by September 30. Condition: The Academy did not start and submit the FER until October 3, 2022, three days after the deadline of September 30, 2022. Questioned Costs: None. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed: N/A Context: Auditor reviewed the FER via CCIP and noted the Academy did not start and submit the FER until October 3, 2022, which was three days after the deadline of September 30, 2022. Cause and Effect: The Academy did not have procedures in place to review and submit the Final Expenditure Report timely. As a result, the Academy filed the Final Expenditure Report after the required due date. Recommendation: We recommend that the Academy implement a process to ensure that the Final Expenditure Report is filed by the required due date. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: See Corrective Action Plan.
Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation): The compliance requirements for "L.Reporting", requires the District to maintain accurate accounting records for grant expenditures. In addition, per subpart D (Post Federal Award Requirements), § 200.302, the underlying accounting records must be adequately documented and consistent with the terms and conditions of the grant. Condition: During compliance testing of the District's accounting records to the expenditure report filed with the Illinois State Board of Education, we noted the District overclaimed $516 of expenditures at 6/30/23. Questioned Costs: $516. Context: The District claimed expenditures on their 6/30/23 expenditure report but should have been reported as OS Obligations at 6/30/23 and claimed as allowable expenses at 8/31/23. (1000-100 $480; 1000-200 $36). Effect: Upon review of the general ledger at 6/30/23 and quarterly expenditure report at 6/30/23, it was determined that the District claimed $480 under 1000-100 and $36 under 1000-200 that were expenditures paid in July 2023 and allowable on the 8/31/23 report but not the 6/30/23 and they should have been reported as OS Obligations at 6/30/23. After reviewing the 8/31/23 general ledger, these expenditures were considered allowable. Cause: Policies and procedures are in place that provide reasonable assurance that reports of federal awards submitted to ISBE are supported by the underlying accounting records and are fairly presented in accordance with program requirements. These policies and procedures were not followed when the expenditure report was prepared and filed. Recommendation: We recommend that management review its policies and procedures and implement changes to strengthen internal control over federal reporting. Furthermore, we recommend the District to adequately document claimed expenditures that are consistent with the terms and conditions of each grant agreement. Management's response: The District has agreed with the findings and recommendations as presented. See Corrective Action Plan provided by the School District.
Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation): The compliance requirements for "L.Reporting", requires the District to maintain accurate accounting records for grant expenditures. In addition, per subpart D (Post Federal Award Requirements), § 200.302, the underlying accounts records must be adequately documented and consistent with the terms and conditions of the grant. Condition: During compliance testing of the District's accounting records to the expenditure report filed with the Illinois State Board of Education, we noted the District overclaimed $4,000 of expenditures at 6/30/23. Questioned Costs: $4,000. Context: The Districts expenditures for 2210-300 at 6/30/23 were overclaimed by $4,000 due to a journal entry being made after expenditure report was submitted. Effect: The District has been in contact with ISBE and was approved to roll over the $4,000 as a prepayment to FY24 grant. Cause: Policies and procedures are in place that provide reasonable assurance that reports of federal awards submitted to ISBE are supported by the underlying accounting records and are fairly presented in accordance with program requirements. These policies and procedures were not followed when the expenditure report was prepared and filed. Recommendation: We recommend that management review its policies and procedures and implement changes to strengthen internal control over federal reporting. Furthermore, we recommend the District to adequately document claimed expenditures that are consistent with the terms and conditions of each grant agreement. Management's response: The District has agreed with the findings and recommendations as presented. See Corrective Action Plan provided by the School District.