FINDING 2022-014 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Cash Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Cash Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the requirements related to the grant agreement and the Cash Management compliance requirement. The School Corporation requested reimbursement based off a calculation with the budgeted line items instead of actual grant expenses. For 19 of 20 reimbursement requests tested, the School Corporation was unable to provide adequate supporting documentation. Due to the lack of supporting documentation, it was not possible to determine if grant payments were reimbursements of expenditures or advance payments. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 54 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.305(b) states in part: "For non-Federal entities other than states, payments methods must minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the United States Treasury or the pass-through entity and the disbursement by the non-Federal entity whether the payment is made by electronic funds transfer, or issuance or redemption of checks, warrants, or payment by other means. . . . (3) Reimbursement is the preferred method when the requirements in paragraph (b) cannot be met, when the Federal awarding agency sets a specific condition per ? 200.208, or when the non-Federal entity requests payment by reimbursement. . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (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 ?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ." Cause Management had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance or that supporting documentation would have been maintained and available for audit related to the Cash Management compliance requirement. Effect The failure to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Cash Management compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Cash Management compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-015 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. The School Corporation purchased playground equipment for their elementary schools with Education Stabilization Funds. Sleepy Hollow Play System $7,600, Merriment - Wood $12,548, Sweet Tooth Play System $9,373, and Richardson Play System $9,192 were not added to a detailed listing of capital assets that would include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of the funding for the property (including the federal award identification number (FAIN)), who holds the title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, and the use and condition of the property. In addition, assets were not properly safeguarded and maintained. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 56 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . . (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. . . ." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-016 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 57 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation filed the four required Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data reports. However, none of the reports were supported by the School Corporation's records. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.334 states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following: . . . (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 ?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . . (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, obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income and interest and be supported by source documentation. . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." Cause Management had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured that supporting documentation would have been maintained and available for audit related to the Reporting compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 58 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-013 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 47 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Education Stabilization Fund established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and further funded by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRSSA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was for the purpose of preventing, preparing for, or responding to the Novel Coronavirus. Of 12 transfers from education stabilization funds, 6 did not have supporting documentation to provide sufficient explanation for how the use of funds prevented, prepared for, or responded to COVID-19. The total of unsupported transfers was $2,168,761. This amount was considered questioned costs. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.404 states in part: "A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. The question of reasonableness is particularly important when the non- Federal entity is predominantly federally funded. In determining reasonableness of a given cost, consideration must be given to: (a) Whether the cost is of a type generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the operation of the non-Federal entity or the proper and efficient performance of the Federal award. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 48 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Public Law 116-136, Section 18003(d) states: "Uses of Funds - A local educational agency that receives funds under this title may use funds for any of the following: (1) Any activity authorized by the ESEA of 1965, including the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Alaska Native Educational Equity, Support, and Assistance Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) ('IDEA'), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) ('the Perkins Act'), or subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). (2) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (3) Providing principals and others school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools. (4) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (5) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (6) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (7) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (8) Planning for and coordinating during long-term closures, including for how to provide meals to eligible students, how to provide technology for online learning to all students, how to provide guidance for carrying out requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) and how to ensure other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. (9) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and students with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (10) Providing mental health services and supports. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 49 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (11) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (12) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L. 116-260, section 313(d) states: "USES OF FUNDS.?A local educational agency that receives funds under this section may use the funds for any of the following: (1) Any activity authorized by the ESEA of 1965, including the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Alaska Native Educational Equity, Support, and Assistance Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) ('IDEA'), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) ('the Perkins Act'), or subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). (2) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (3) Providing principals and others school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools. (4) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (5) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (6) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (7) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (8) Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students, providing technology for online learning to all students, providing guidance for carrying out requirements under the IDEA and ensuring other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 50 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (9) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and children with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (10) Providing mental health services and supports. (11) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (12) Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care, of the local educational agency, including by? (A) Administering and using high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable, to accurately assess students' academic progress and assist educators in meeting students' academic needs, including through differentiating instruction. (B) Implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students. (C) Providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students, including in a distance learning environment. (D) Tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education. (13) School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs. (14) Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and nonmechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems, and window and door repair and replacement. (15) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, H.R. 1319, section 2001(e)states: "USES OF FUNDS.?A local educational agency that receives funds under this section? INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 51 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) shall reserve not less than 20 percent of such funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year programs, and ensure that such interventions respond to students' academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on the student subgroups described in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)), students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care; and (2) shall use the remaining funds for any of the following: (A) Any activity authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. (B) Any activity authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (C) Any activity authorized by the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. (D) Any activity authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. (E) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (F) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (G) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (H) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (I) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (J) Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students, providing technology for online learning to all students, providing guidance for carrying out requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and ensuring other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. (K) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and children with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (L) Providing mental health services and supports, including through the implementation of evidence-based full-service community schools. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 52 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (M) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (N) Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care, of the local educational agency, including by? (i) administering and using high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable, to accurately assess students' academic progress and assist educators in meeting students' academic needs, including through differentiating instruction; (ii) implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students; (iii) providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students, including in a distance learning environment; and (iv) tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education. (O) School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs. (P) Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and nonmechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems, and window and door repair and replacement. (Q) Developing strategies and implementing public health protocols including, to the greatest extent practicable, policies in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the reopening and operation of school facilities to effectively maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff. (R) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." Cause Management had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance or that supporting documentation would have been maintained and available for audit related to the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 53 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Questioned Costs Questioned costs of $2,168,761 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report
FINDING 2022-014 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Cash Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Cash Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the requirements related to the grant agreement and the Cash Management compliance requirement. The School Corporation requested reimbursement based off a calculation with the budgeted line items instead of actual grant expenses. For 19 of 20 reimbursement requests tested, the School Corporation was unable to provide adequate supporting documentation. Due to the lack of supporting documentation, it was not possible to determine if grant payments were reimbursements of expenditures or advance payments. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 54 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.305(b) states in part: "For non-Federal entities other than states, payments methods must minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the United States Treasury or the pass-through entity and the disbursement by the non-Federal entity whether the payment is made by electronic funds transfer, or issuance or redemption of checks, warrants, or payment by other means. . . . (3) Reimbursement is the preferred method when the requirements in paragraph (b) cannot be met, when the Federal awarding agency sets a specific condition per ? 200.208, or when the non-Federal entity requests payment by reimbursement. . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (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 ?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ." Cause Management had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance or that supporting documentation would have been maintained and available for audit related to the Cash Management compliance requirement. Effect The failure to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Cash Management compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Cash Management compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-015 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. The School Corporation purchased playground equipment for their elementary schools with Education Stabilization Funds. Sleepy Hollow Play System $7,600, Merriment - Wood $12,548, Sweet Tooth Play System $9,373, and Richardson Play System $9,192 were not added to a detailed listing of capital assets that would include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of the funding for the property (including the federal award identification number (FAIN)), who holds the title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, and the use and condition of the property. In addition, assets were not properly safeguarded and maintained. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 56 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . . (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. . . ." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-016 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 57 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation filed the four required Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data reports. However, none of the reports were supported by the School Corporation's records. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.334 states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following: . . . (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 ?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . . (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, obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income and interest and be supported by source documentation. . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." Cause Management had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured that supporting documentation would have been maintained and available for audit related to the Reporting compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 58 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-013 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 47 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Education Stabilization Fund established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and further funded by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRSSA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was for the purpose of preventing, preparing for, or responding to the Novel Coronavirus. Of 12 transfers from education stabilization funds, 6 did not have supporting documentation to provide sufficient explanation for how the use of funds prevented, prepared for, or responded to COVID-19. The total of unsupported transfers was $2,168,761. This amount was considered questioned costs. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.404 states in part: "A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. The question of reasonableness is particularly important when the non- Federal entity is predominantly federally funded. In determining reasonableness of a given cost, consideration must be given to: (a) Whether the cost is of a type generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the operation of the non-Federal entity or the proper and efficient performance of the Federal award. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 48 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Public Law 116-136, Section 18003(d) states: "Uses of Funds - A local educational agency that receives funds under this title may use funds for any of the following: (1) Any activity authorized by the ESEA of 1965, including the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Alaska Native Educational Equity, Support, and Assistance Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) ('IDEA'), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) ('the Perkins Act'), or subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). (2) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (3) Providing principals and others school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools. (4) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (5) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (6) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (7) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (8) Planning for and coordinating during long-term closures, including for how to provide meals to eligible students, how to provide technology for online learning to all students, how to provide guidance for carrying out requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) and how to ensure other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. (9) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and students with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (10) Providing mental health services and supports. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 49 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (11) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (12) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L. 116-260, section 313(d) states: "USES OF FUNDS.?A local educational agency that receives funds under this section may use the funds for any of the following: (1) Any activity authorized by the ESEA of 1965, including the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Alaska Native Educational Equity, Support, and Assistance Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) ('IDEA'), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) ('the Perkins Act'), or subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). (2) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (3) Providing principals and others school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools. (4) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (5) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (6) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (7) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (8) Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students, providing technology for online learning to all students, providing guidance for carrying out requirements under the IDEA and ensuring other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 50 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (9) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and children with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (10) Providing mental health services and supports. (11) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (12) Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care, of the local educational agency, including by? (A) Administering and using high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable, to accurately assess students' academic progress and assist educators in meeting students' academic needs, including through differentiating instruction. (B) Implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students. (C) Providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students, including in a distance learning environment. (D) Tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education. (13) School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs. (14) Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and nonmechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems, and window and door repair and replacement. (15) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, H.R. 1319, section 2001(e)states: "USES OF FUNDS.?A local educational agency that receives funds under this section? INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 51 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) shall reserve not less than 20 percent of such funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year programs, and ensure that such interventions respond to students' academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on the student subgroups described in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)), students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care; and (2) shall use the remaining funds for any of the following: (A) Any activity authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. (B) Any activity authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (C) Any activity authorized by the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. (D) Any activity authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. (E) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (F) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (G) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (H) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (I) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (J) Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students, providing technology for online learning to all students, providing guidance for carrying out requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and ensuring other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. (K) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and children with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (L) Providing mental health services and supports, including through the implementation of evidence-based full-service community schools. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 52 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (M) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (N) Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care, of the local educational agency, including by? (i) administering and using high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable, to accurately assess students' academic progress and assist educators in meeting students' academic needs, including through differentiating instruction; (ii) implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students; (iii) providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students, including in a distance learning environment; and (iv) tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education. (O) School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs. (P) Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and nonmechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems, and window and door repair and replacement. (Q) Developing strategies and implementing public health protocols including, to the greatest extent practicable, policies in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the reopening and operation of school facilities to effectively maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff. (R) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." Cause Management had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance or that supporting documentation would have been maintained and available for audit related to the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 53 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Questioned Costs Questioned costs of $2,168,761 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report
FINDING 2022-014 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Cash Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Cash Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the requirements related to the grant agreement and the Cash Management compliance requirement. The School Corporation requested reimbursement based off a calculation with the budgeted line items instead of actual grant expenses. For 19 of 20 reimbursement requests tested, the School Corporation was unable to provide adequate supporting documentation. Due to the lack of supporting documentation, it was not possible to determine if grant payments were reimbursements of expenditures or advance payments. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 54 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.305(b) states in part: "For non-Federal entities other than states, payments methods must minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the United States Treasury or the pass-through entity and the disbursement by the non-Federal entity whether the payment is made by electronic funds transfer, or issuance or redemption of checks, warrants, or payment by other means. . . . (3) Reimbursement is the preferred method when the requirements in paragraph (b) cannot be met, when the Federal awarding agency sets a specific condition per ? 200.208, or when the non-Federal entity requests payment by reimbursement. . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (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 ?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ." Cause Management had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance or that supporting documentation would have been maintained and available for audit related to the Cash Management compliance requirement. Effect The failure to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Cash Management compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Cash Management compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-015 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. The School Corporation purchased playground equipment for their elementary schools with Education Stabilization Funds. Sleepy Hollow Play System $7,600, Merriment - Wood $12,548, Sweet Tooth Play System $9,373, and Richardson Play System $9,192 were not added to a detailed listing of capital assets that would include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of the funding for the property (including the federal award identification number (FAIN)), who holds the title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, and the use and condition of the property. In addition, assets were not properly safeguarded and maintained. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 56 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. . . . (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. . . ." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement could have resulted in the loss of federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-016 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with the requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 57 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation filed the four required Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data reports. However, none of the reports were supported by the School Corporation's records. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.334 states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following: . . . (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 ?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . . (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, obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income and interest and be supported by source documentation. . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." Cause Management had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured that supporting documentation would have been maintained and available for audit related to the Reporting compliance requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 58 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Title: COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund ? Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund - Institutional Portion (Assistance Listing No. 84.425F)Grant Award Period: July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 Grant Identification Numbers: P425F203954 ? 20A Compliance Requirement: Procurement, Suspension and Debarment Criteria: 2 CFR 200.318(a) requires the non-Federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity?s documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR 200.214 states that non-Federal entities are subject to the non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations implemented at 2 CFR 180.300. 2 CFR 180.300 specifies that before entering into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, the entity must verify that the counterparty with whom they intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. 2 CFR 200.303 requires nonfederal entities to, among other things, 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. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure compliance with procurement, suspension and debarment standards. Conditions Found: During the audit, it was identified that the College did not have a procurement policy in order to comply with 2 CFR 200.318(a). As a result of the lack of a policy, expenditures were made that were not in compliance with the procurement requirements of 2 CFR 200.317 through 2 CFR 200.327. Additionally, it was identified that the College did not obtain evidence that the expenditures made during the period were in compliance with the suspension and debarment requirements of 2 CFR 200.214 and 2 CFR 180.300. Further, it was identified that the College did not have effective internal controls over procurement, suspension and debarment in accordance with 2 CFR 200.303. Total expenditures for 84.425F that were subject to procurement, suspension and debarment compliance requirements were $847,652. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: Not determinable Repeat Finding: This finding is a repeat finding in the immediately prior audit. In the prior year, this was reported as finding 2021-001. Cause and Effect: The College did not perform procedures to evidence that the transactions entered into were with counterparties which met the requirements of 2 CFR 200.214 and 2 CFR 180.300. The College did not have an effective system of internal control in place to ensure the procurement, suspension and debarment compliance requirements in 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.327 and 2 CFR 200.214 and 2 CFR 180.300. The College does not typically expend federal awards that are subject to the Uniform Guidance procurement requirements, and as such, management did not have policies in place prior to receiving these federal awards to comply with procurement, suspension and debarment compliance requirements. In response to the prior year finding, management is in process of implementing procurement policies to meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. Recommendation: We recommend the College enhance its internal control to ensure that the College has a policy and effective internal controls in place to ensure that the College conforms to required federal procurement, suspension and debarment procedures. View of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding and are in the process of finalizing policies and procedures to comply with procurement, suspension and debarment standards. Beginning in April 2022, in response to the prior year finding, the College began to ensure vendors were not suspended and debarred for all HEERF funds, including reviewing prior vendors with which HEERF funds were expended. Further, management began obtaining quotes for certain purchases that are being reimbursed by HEERF funds. Consistent with our corrective action plan, we implemented formal written policies and procedures during fiscal year 2023.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Federal Program Name: Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.752 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: MD 1701-A64, 2020 Award Period: July 1, 2020 ? July 1, 2025 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Per 2CFR ? 200.303(a), non-Federal entities 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). COSO/Internal Control Framework defines control activities as ?policies and procedures that help ensure management?s directives are carried out.? Management review controls are defined as, ?the activities of a person, different than the preparer, through analyzing and performing oversight of activities performed, and is an integral part of any internal control structure.? Questioned Costs: None Condition/Context: The Commission did not have a documented review/ approval process in place for equipment and inventory expenditures charged to the grant for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. In addition, the Commission did not maintain evidence of the approval of equipment and inventory expenditures charged to the grant. Cause: The Commission does not have sufficient policies and procedures over internal controls to ensure review and approval of grant expenditures are properly documented. Effect: Expenditures may be charged to the grant that are not eligible. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Commission formalize policies and procedures over internal controls to ensure review and approval of equipment and inventory expenditures are properly documented. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
FA 2022-001 Strengthen Controls over Expenditures Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Internal Control Impact: Significant Deficiency Compliance Impact: Nonmaterial Noncompliance Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity: Georgia Department of Education AL Numbers and Titles: COVID-19 84.425D ? Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund COVID-19 84.425U ? American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Federal Award Numbers: S425D210012 (Year: 2021), S425U210012 (Year: 2021) Questioned Costs: $16,384 Description: A review of expenditures charged to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund program revealed instances in which expenditures had not been properly approved by the pass-through entity. Background: On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act was designed to mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in a variety of ways, including providing additional funding for local educational agencies (LEAs) navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Provisions included in Title VIII of the CARES Act created the Education Stabilization Fund to provide financial resources to educational entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. The CARES Act allocated $30.75 billion, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act allocated an additional $81.9 billion, and the American Rescue Plan Act added $165.1 billion in funding to the Education Stabilization Fund. Multiple Education Stabilization Fund subprograms were created and allotted funding through the various COVID-19-related legislation. Of these programs, the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund was created to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation. ESSER funding was granted to the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). GaDOE is responsible for distributing funds to LEAs and overseeing the expenditure of funds by LEAs. ESSER funds totaling $2,438,975.58 were expended and reported on the Banks County Board of Education?s Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for fiscal year 2022. Criteria: As a recipient of federal awards, the School District is required to establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards that provides reasonable assurance of managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards pursuant to Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), Section 200.303 ? Internal Controls. Additionally, provisions included in the Uniform Guidance, Section 200.403 ? Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs state that ?costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles, (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items, (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity? (g) Be adequately documented?? To assist school districts in improving their financial management systems and associated compliance over federal programs, GaDOE published the Financial Management for Georgia Local Units of Administration (FMGLUA) manual. The FMGLUA manual requires that LEAs submit a budget as part of each federal program?s Consolidated Application process. The program budget reflects details regarding the manner in which each school district intends to expend the program funds. The Consolidated Application, including the budget, for each program must be reviewed and approved by GaDOE personnel before the LEA is authorized to expend program funds. Amendments to the budget are to be submitted to and approved by GaDOE when a school district intends to spend funds in a manner not initially reported. Further, LEA personnel must also provide program-specific assurances related to the ESSER program within the Consolidated Application system. These assurances are reflected in the Uniform Guidance, Section 200.415 ? Required Certifications, and include provisions that require LEAs ?to assure that expenditures are proper and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Federal award and approved project budgets...? Condition: A sample of 36 non-personal services expenditures was randomly selected for testing using a non-statistical sampling approach. Two individually significant items were also selected for testing. These expenditures were reviewed to determine if appropriate internal controls were implemented, and applicable compliance requirements were met. It was noted that four expenditures totaling $16,384 were not appropriately approved by GaDOE through the Consolidated Application process as required. Questioned Costs: Upon testing a sample of $417,627 in ESSER program expenditures, known questioned costs of $3,384 were identified. Using the population being sampled, which totaled $1,668,399, we project the likely questioned costs to be approximately $13,518. In addition, known questioned costs identified for improper payments associated with individually significant items tested totaled $13,000; therefore, the known and likely questioned costs identified for all unallowable payments throughout the sample and individually significant items tested totaled $16,384 and $26,518, respectively. Cause: The School District did not have effective internal control procedures in place around the ESSER program to ensure that all expenditures were compliant with applicable policies and regulations. Effect: The School District was not in compliance with the Uniform Guidance or GaDOE guidance related to the ESSER program. Failure to accurately develop and amend budget information through the Consolidated Application process and verify compliance with applicable policies and regulations prior to the expenditure of federal program funds may expose the School District to unnecessary financial strains and shortages as GaDOE may require the School District to return funds associated with unapproved and unallowable expenditures. Recommendation: The School District should revise current internal control procedures related to the ESSER program. Where vulnerable, the School District should develop and/or modify its policies and procedures to ensure that potential expenditures are approved through the Consolidated Application process and deemed to be allowable before spending federal funds. In addition, management should develop and implement a monitoring process to ensure that control procedures are being followed. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with this finding.
FA 2022-001 Strengthen Controls over Expenditures Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Internal Control Impact: Significant Deficiency Compliance Impact: Nonmaterial Noncompliance Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity: Georgia Department of Education AL Numbers and Titles: COVID-19 84.425D ? Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund COVID-19 84.425U ? American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Federal Award Numbers: S425D210012 (Year: 2021), S425U210012 (Year: 2021) Questioned Costs: $16,384 Description: A review of expenditures charged to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund program revealed instances in which expenditures had not been properly approved by the pass-through entity. Background: On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act was designed to mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in a variety of ways, including providing additional funding for local educational agencies (LEAs) navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Provisions included in Title VIII of the CARES Act created the Education Stabilization Fund to provide financial resources to educational entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. The CARES Act allocated $30.75 billion, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act allocated an additional $81.9 billion, and the American Rescue Plan Act added $165.1 billion in funding to the Education Stabilization Fund. Multiple Education Stabilization Fund subprograms were created and allotted funding through the various COVID-19-related legislation. Of these programs, the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund was created to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation. ESSER funding was granted to the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). GaDOE is responsible for distributing funds to LEAs and overseeing the expenditure of funds by LEAs. ESSER funds totaling $2,438,975.58 were expended and reported on the Banks County Board of Education?s Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for fiscal year 2022. Criteria: As a recipient of federal awards, the School District is required to establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards that provides reasonable assurance of managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards pursuant to Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), Section 200.303 ? Internal Controls. Additionally, provisions included in the Uniform Guidance, Section 200.403 ? Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs state that ?costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles, (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items, (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity? (g) Be adequately documented?? To assist school districts in improving their financial management systems and associated compliance over federal programs, GaDOE published the Financial Management for Georgia Local Units of Administration (FMGLUA) manual. The FMGLUA manual requires that LEAs submit a budget as part of each federal program?s Consolidated Application process. The program budget reflects details regarding the manner in which each school district intends to expend the program funds. The Consolidated Application, including the budget, for each program must be reviewed and approved by GaDOE personnel before the LEA is authorized to expend program funds. Amendments to the budget are to be submitted to and approved by GaDOE when a school district intends to spend funds in a manner not initially reported. Further, LEA personnel must also provide program-specific assurances related to the ESSER program within the Consolidated Application system. These assurances are reflected in the Uniform Guidance, Section 200.415 ? Required Certifications, and include provisions that require LEAs ?to assure that expenditures are proper and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Federal award and approved project budgets...? Condition: A sample of 36 non-personal services expenditures was randomly selected for testing using a non-statistical sampling approach. Two individually significant items were also selected for testing. These expenditures were reviewed to determine if appropriate internal controls were implemented, and applicable compliance requirements were met. It was noted that four expenditures totaling $16,384 were not appropriately approved by GaDOE through the Consolidated Application process as required. Questioned Costs: Upon testing a sample of $417,627 in ESSER program expenditures, known questioned costs of $3,384 were identified. Using the population being sampled, which totaled $1,668,399, we project the likely questioned costs to be approximately $13,518. In addition, known questioned costs identified for improper payments associated with individually significant items tested totaled $13,000; therefore, the known and likely questioned costs identified for all unallowable payments throughout the sample and individually significant items tested totaled $16,384 and $26,518, respectively. Cause: The School District did not have effective internal control procedures in place around the ESSER program to ensure that all expenditures were compliant with applicable policies and regulations. Effect: The School District was not in compliance with the Uniform Guidance or GaDOE guidance related to the ESSER program. Failure to accurately develop and amend budget information through the Consolidated Application process and verify compliance with applicable policies and regulations prior to the expenditure of federal program funds may expose the School District to unnecessary financial strains and shortages as GaDOE may require the School District to return funds associated with unapproved and unallowable expenditures. Recommendation: The School District should revise current internal control procedures related to the ESSER program. Where vulnerable, the School District should develop and/or modify its policies and procedures to ensure that potential expenditures are approved through the Consolidated Application process and deemed to be allowable before spending federal funds. In addition, management should develop and implement a monitoring process to ensure that control procedures are being followed. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with this finding.
FA 2022-001 Strengthen Controls over Expenditures Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Internal Control Impact: Significant Deficiency Compliance Impact: Nonmaterial Noncompliance Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity: Georgia Department of Education AL Numbers and Titles: COVID-19 84.425D ? Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund COVID-19 84.425U ? American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Federal Award Numbers: S425D210012 (Year: 2021), S425U210012 (Year: 2021) Questioned Costs: $16,384 Description: A review of expenditures charged to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund program revealed instances in which expenditures had not been properly approved by the pass-through entity. Background: On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act was designed to mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in a variety of ways, including providing additional funding for local educational agencies (LEAs) navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Provisions included in Title VIII of the CARES Act created the Education Stabilization Fund to provide financial resources to educational entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. The CARES Act allocated $30.75 billion, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act allocated an additional $81.9 billion, and the American Rescue Plan Act added $165.1 billion in funding to the Education Stabilization Fund. Multiple Education Stabilization Fund subprograms were created and allotted funding through the various COVID-19-related legislation. Of these programs, the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund was created to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation. ESSER funding was granted to the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). GaDOE is responsible for distributing funds to LEAs and overseeing the expenditure of funds by LEAs. ESSER funds totaling $2,438,975.58 were expended and reported on the Banks County Board of Education?s Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for fiscal year 2022. Criteria: As a recipient of federal awards, the School District is required to establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards that provides reasonable assurance of managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards pursuant to Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), Section 200.303 ? Internal Controls. Additionally, provisions included in the Uniform Guidance, Section 200.403 ? Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs state that ?costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles, (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items, (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity? (g) Be adequately documented?? To assist school districts in improving their financial management systems and associated compliance over federal programs, GaDOE published the Financial Management for Georgia Local Units of Administration (FMGLUA) manual. The FMGLUA manual requires that LEAs submit a budget as part of each federal program?s Consolidated Application process. The program budget reflects details regarding the manner in which each school district intends to expend the program funds. The Consolidated Application, including the budget, for each program must be reviewed and approved by GaDOE personnel before the LEA is authorized to expend program funds. Amendments to the budget are to be submitted to and approved by GaDOE when a school district intends to spend funds in a manner not initially reported. Further, LEA personnel must also provide program-specific assurances related to the ESSER program within the Consolidated Application system. These assurances are reflected in the Uniform Guidance, Section 200.415 ? Required Certifications, and include provisions that require LEAs ?to assure that expenditures are proper and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Federal award and approved project budgets...? Condition: A sample of 36 non-personal services expenditures was randomly selected for testing using a non-statistical sampling approach. Two individually significant items were also selected for testing. These expenditures were reviewed to determine if appropriate internal controls were implemented, and applicable compliance requirements were met. It was noted that four expenditures totaling $16,384 were not appropriately approved by GaDOE through the Consolidated Application process as required. Questioned Costs: Upon testing a sample of $417,627 in ESSER program expenditures, known questioned costs of $3,384 were identified. Using the population being sampled, which totaled $1,668,399, we project the likely questioned costs to be approximately $13,518. In addition, known questioned costs identified for improper payments associated with individually significant items tested totaled $13,000; therefore, the known and likely questioned costs identified for all unallowable payments throughout the sample and individually significant items tested totaled $16,384 and $26,518, respectively. Cause: The School District did not have effective internal control procedures in place around the ESSER program to ensure that all expenditures were compliant with applicable policies and regulations. Effect: The School District was not in compliance with the Uniform Guidance or GaDOE guidance related to the ESSER program. Failure to accurately develop and amend budget information through the Consolidated Application process and verify compliance with applicable policies and regulations prior to the expenditure of federal program funds may expose the School District to unnecessary financial strains and shortages as GaDOE may require the School District to return funds associated with unapproved and unallowable expenditures. Recommendation: The School District should revise current internal control procedures related to the ESSER program. Where vulnerable, the School District should develop and/or modify its policies and procedures to ensure that potential expenditures are approved through the Consolidated Application process and deemed to be allowable before spending federal funds. In addition, management should develop and implement a monitoring process to ensure that control procedures are being followed. Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with this finding.
Criteria or specific requirement: According to ? 2 CFR 200.303, Internal Controls, 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. According to 2 CFR 200.1, Period of Performance is defined as the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date, which may include one or more funded portions, or budget periods. Condition: ? 93.958 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $50,701. ? 93.243 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $5,233. Questioned costs: None. Context: We noted the Organization is not in compliance with requirements related to the period of performance. Cause: The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization update their method of allocating expenditures to federal awards based on the incurred date, rather than paid date. Views of responsible officials: Management concurs with the audit finding. As the previous process for grant salary, fringe, and indirect billings was based on salary paid date this resulted in expenses on certain grants being allocated prior to the period of performance. While this was at least in part offset by eligible grant expenses not being billed at the end of the grant period, it was not in compliance with 2 CFR 200.1 for period of performance. The CFO, supported by the Controller and Grants Manager, will immediately update the controls and grants billing processes to be based on incurred date rather than paid date.
Criteria or specific requirement: According to ? 2 CFR 200.303, Internal Controls, 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. According to 2 CFR 200.1, Period of Performance is defined as the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date, which may include one or more funded portions, or budget periods. Condition: ? 93.958 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $50,701. ? 93.243 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $5,233. Questioned costs: None. Context: We noted the Organization is not in compliance with requirements related to the period of performance. Cause: The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization update their method of allocating expenditures to federal awards based on the incurred date, rather than paid date. Views of responsible officials: Management concurs with the audit finding. As the previous process for grant salary, fringe, and indirect billings was based on salary paid date this resulted in expenses on certain grants being allocated prior to the period of performance. While this was at least in part offset by eligible grant expenses not being billed at the end of the grant period, it was not in compliance with 2 CFR 200.1 for period of performance. The CFO, supported by the Controller and Grants Manager, will immediately update the controls and grants billing processes to be based on incurred date rather than paid date.
Criteria or specific requirement: According to ? 2 CFR 200.303 Internal controls, 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. According to HRSA's Provider Relief Lost Revenues Guide, grants would be excluded from the Patient Care Lost Revenue calculation. Condition: The Organization included grant revenue recognized within the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Period 3 Lost Revenues calculation and Period 3 report. The Organization was able to recalculate their Period 3 Lost Revenues utilizing Option 1, 2019 actuals to 2020 actuals, less grant revenues recognized, which resulted in Lost Revenues of $1,329,975. Total PRF Period 3 funds received was $1,000,765. The Organization did not utilize any of the PRF Period 3 funds to reimburse expenditures. Questioned costs: None. Context: The Organization's PRF Period 3 report currently includes grant revenues within the 2019-2022 Actuals tables within the other section. Cause: Management Oversight. Effect: Future Lost Revenues available to be reimbursed by future PRF funds is currently less as shown on the PRF Period 3 report as the PRF Period 3 report includes grant revenues. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization provide HRSA with their revised Lost Revenues calculation as the current eligible lost revenues reported on the PRF Period 3 report appears to be understated. Views of responsible officials: Management concurs with the finding. Due to the complexity and lack of clarity on PRF reporting, the period 3 lost revenues calculation was understated. The HRSA portal is closed so Mental Health Partners is not able to provide an updated and current lost revenue report for Period 3. However, the Mental Health Partners has not received and does not anticipate receiving any additional PRF funds, so no future impact is expected or additional corrective action needed. Should additional funds be received, the CFO and Controller will adjust future reporting as needed.
Criteria or specific requirement: According to ? 2 CFR 200.303, Internal Controls, 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. According to 2 CFR 200.1, Period of Performance is defined as the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date, which may include one or more funded portions, or budget periods. Condition: ? 93.958 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $50,701. ? 93.243 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $5,233. Questioned costs: None. Context: We noted the Organization is not in compliance with requirements related to the period of performance. Cause: The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization update their method of allocating expenditures to federal awards based on the incurred date, rather than paid date. Views of responsible officials: Management concurs with the audit finding. As the previous process for grant salary, fringe, and indirect billings was based on salary paid date this resulted in expenses on certain grants being allocated prior to the period of performance. While this was at least in part offset by eligible grant expenses not being billed at the end of the grant period, it was not in compliance with 2 CFR 200.1 for period of performance. The CFO, supported by the Controller and Grants Manager, will immediately update the controls and grants billing processes to be based on incurred date rather than paid date.
Assistance Listings number and name: 97.024 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program Award number and year: 0727200-056, April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 Federal agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Pass-through grantor: United Way Compliance requirement: Subrecipient monitoring Questioned costs: Unknown Condition?The County?s Grants Management and Innovation Department awarded $1.6 million to 1 of 2 subrecipients during the year, or 15 percent of the Department?s $10.6 million total program expenditures, but did not perform all the required monitoring activities of the subrecipient?s activities or compliance with the award terms and program requirements. Specifically, the Department performed insufficient monitoring during the year, which consisted only of reviewing and approving the subrecipient?s invoices of program expenditures for reimbursement. However, those monitoring procedures alone were not sufficient to evaluate whether the subrecipient used program monies in accordance with the award terms and program requirements. Effect?The Department?s lack of required monitoring increased the risk that the $1.6 million of program monies the Department awarded to this subrecipient may not have been spent in accordance with the award terms and program requirements. Cause?Department management reported that it had a previous contractor relationship with the subrecipient and had not reevaluated the substance of its federal award agreement with it, as required by federal regulation, to properly identify the need to implement subrecipient monitoring procedures. Criteria?Federal regulations require the County to evaluate the substance of its federal award agreements with other parties to determine whether each of the other parties receiving the monies have the role of a subrecipient or contractor and whether they are required to comply with any of the federal program?s requirements that the County should monitor (2 Code of Federal Regulation [CFR] ?200.331). Additionally, federal regulations require the County to monitor subrecipients, which includes required monitoring procedures for assessing the risk of each subrecipient?s noncompliance and monitoring activities based on those risk assessments; verifying single audits were conducted timely; following up on and ensuring corrective action is taken on audit findings that could potentially affect the program; and issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award. Those federal regulations also provide that monitoring procedures may include reviewing financial and performance reports, providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters, and performing onsite reviews, selective audits, and/or other monitoring procedures (2 CFR ?200.332[b] and [d ? e]). Also, federal regulation requires establishing and maintaining effective internal control over federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the federal program is being managed in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and award terms (2 CFR ?200.303). Recommendations?The Department should: 1. Evaluate the substance of its federal award agreements with other parties to determine whether each of the other parties receiving the monies have the role of a subrecipient or contractor and whether they are required to comply with any of the federal program?s requirements that the Department should monitor. 2. Ensure it performs required monitoring of its subrecipients and their compliance with the award terms and program requirements by following its existing policies and procedures that require the Department to: a. Assess the risk of each subrecipient?s noncompliance and carry out monitoring activities based on those risk assessments such as reviewing financial and performance reports, providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters, and performing on-site reviews, selective audits, and/or other monitoring procedures. b. Verify subrecipients receive timely single audits, follow up on and ensure that corrective action is taken on any audit findings that could potentially affect the program, and issue management decisions for any audit findings pertaining to the federal award. c. Maintain documentation of monitoring procedures demonstrating they were performed, including the monitoring procedures? results and any County actions taken, if appropriate. The County?s corrective action plan at the end of this report includes the views and planned corrective action of its responsible officials. We are not required to audit and have not audited these responses and planned corrective actions and therefore provide no assurances as to their accuracy.
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 requires that a non-federal entity must ?(a) 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.? Condition: All Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) grantees must submit monthly and quarterly reports. Monthly reports capture details specific to that month while quarterly reports contain several cumulative fields covering all activity from the date of the grant award through the quarter close. These reports provide financial and performance data regarding grantee administration of their ERA projects and capture program design in addition to program status data elements. Quarterly reports are intended to capture standard financial and performance data, as well as detailed information on qualifying direct and indirect expenditures pursuant to the government-wide Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting requirements and in accordance with Section 15011 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, as amended and interpreted in the U.S. Department of Treasury?s reporting and compliance guidance on Treasury.gov. The reports submitted by the Organization to the Sonoma County Community Development Commission inaccurately reported total expenditures to date due to a formula error. However, monthly expenditures reported and claimed for reimbursement were determined to be accurate. Cause: Internal controls over preparation of complete and accurate reporting were not properly implemented. Effect: The Organization reflected inaccurate information in the report submitted to the Sonoma County Community Development Commission. Questioned Cost: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization develop and implement a more robust system for the preparation and submission of reporting data. The process should include a secondary review and approval of the report and underlying data by someone other than the preparer. Views of Responsible Officials: See Corrective Action Plan
2022-002: Material Weakness related to Cash Management Department of Labor WIOA Cluster AL #17.258 WIOA Adult Program AL #17.259 WIOA Youth Activities AL #17.278 WIOA Dislocated Worker Formula Grants Department of Treasury AL# 21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund Condition: Cash draws from WIOA Cluster and Coronavirus Relief Fund grants exceeded the amount needed to cover allowable costs. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.303(a) a 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. Cause: Staffing issues resulted in funds being overdrawn and inaccuracies in reconciling the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development?s system and the general ledger. Effect: Approximately $286,000 of WIOA Cluster funds and $94,000 of Coronavirus Relief Funds were drawn in excess of allowable costs incurred. Recommendation: Management needs to work with the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development to refund the overdrawn funds or apply the funds to allowable costs in the upcoming fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Staffing changes have occurred, and the fiscal management duties have been outsourced to a third party which has experience with Workforce Boards and related grants. The few Fiscal Agent is working with IN DWD to correct these errors.
2022-002: Material Weakness related to Cash Management Department of Labor WIOA Cluster AL #17.258 WIOA Adult Program AL #17.259 WIOA Youth Activities AL #17.278 WIOA Dislocated Worker Formula Grants Department of Treasury AL# 21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund Condition: Cash draws from WIOA Cluster and Coronavirus Relief Fund grants exceeded the amount needed to cover allowable costs. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.303(a) a 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. Cause: Staffing issues resulted in funds being overdrawn and inaccuracies in reconciling the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development?s system and the general ledger. Effect: Approximately $286,000 of WIOA Cluster funds and $94,000 of Coronavirus Relief Funds were drawn in excess of allowable costs incurred. Recommendation: Management needs to work with the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development to refund the overdrawn funds or apply the funds to allowable costs in the upcoming fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Staffing changes have occurred, and the fiscal management duties have been outsourced to a third party which has experience with Workforce Boards and related grants. The few Fiscal Agent is working with IN DWD to correct these errors.
2022-002: Material Weakness related to Cash Management Department of Labor WIOA Cluster AL #17.258 WIOA Adult Program AL #17.259 WIOA Youth Activities AL #17.278 WIOA Dislocated Worker Formula Grants Department of Treasury AL# 21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund Condition: Cash draws from WIOA Cluster and Coronavirus Relief Fund grants exceeded the amount needed to cover allowable costs. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.303(a) a 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. Cause: Staffing issues resulted in funds being overdrawn and inaccuracies in reconciling the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development?s system and the general ledger. Effect: Approximately $286,000 of WIOA Cluster funds and $94,000 of Coronavirus Relief Funds were drawn in excess of allowable costs incurred. Recommendation: Management needs to work with the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development to refund the overdrawn funds or apply the funds to allowable costs in the upcoming fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Staffing changes have occurred, and the fiscal management duties have been outsourced to a third party which has experience with Workforce Boards and related grants. The few Fiscal Agent is working with IN DWD to correct these errors.
2022-002: Material Weakness related to Cash Management Department of Labor WIOA Cluster AL #17.258 WIOA Adult Program AL #17.259 WIOA Youth Activities AL #17.278 WIOA Dislocated Worker Formula Grants Department of Treasury AL# 21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund Condition: Cash draws from WIOA Cluster and Coronavirus Relief Fund grants exceeded the amount needed to cover allowable costs. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.303(a) a 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. Cause: Staffing issues resulted in funds being overdrawn and inaccuracies in reconciling the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development?s system and the general ledger. Effect: Approximately $286,000 of WIOA Cluster funds and $94,000 of Coronavirus Relief Funds were drawn in excess of allowable costs incurred. Recommendation: Management needs to work with the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development to refund the overdrawn funds or apply the funds to allowable costs in the upcoming fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Staffing changes have occurred, and the fiscal management duties have been outsourced to a third party which has experience with Workforce Boards and related grants. The few Fiscal Agent is working with IN DWD to correct these errors.
2022-002: Material Weakness related to Cash Management Department of Labor WIOA Cluster AL #17.258 WIOA Adult Program AL #17.259 WIOA Youth Activities AL #17.278 WIOA Dislocated Worker Formula Grants Department of Treasury AL# 21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund Condition: Cash draws from WIOA Cluster and Coronavirus Relief Fund grants exceeded the amount needed to cover allowable costs. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.303(a) a 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. Cause: Staffing issues resulted in funds being overdrawn and inaccuracies in reconciling the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development?s system and the general ledger. Effect: Approximately $286,000 of WIOA Cluster funds and $94,000 of Coronavirus Relief Funds were drawn in excess of allowable costs incurred. Recommendation: Management needs to work with the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development to refund the overdrawn funds or apply the funds to allowable costs in the upcoming fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Staffing changes have occurred, and the fiscal management duties have been outsourced to a third party which has experience with Workforce Boards and related grants. The few Fiscal Agent is working with IN DWD to correct these errors.
2022-002: Material Weakness related to Cash Management Department of Labor WIOA Cluster AL #17.258 WIOA Adult Program AL #17.259 WIOA Youth Activities AL #17.278 WIOA Dislocated Worker Formula Grants Department of Treasury AL# 21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund Condition: Cash draws from WIOA Cluster and Coronavirus Relief Fund grants exceeded the amount needed to cover allowable costs. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.303(a) a 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. Cause: Staffing issues resulted in funds being overdrawn and inaccuracies in reconciling the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development?s system and the general ledger. Effect: Approximately $286,000 of WIOA Cluster funds and $94,000 of Coronavirus Relief Funds were drawn in excess of allowable costs incurred. Recommendation: Management needs to work with the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development to refund the overdrawn funds or apply the funds to allowable costs in the upcoming fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Staffing changes have occurred, and the fiscal management duties have been outsourced to a third party which has experience with Workforce Boards and related grants. The few Fiscal Agent is working with IN DWD to correct these errors.
2022-002: Material Weakness related to Cash Management Department of Labor WIOA Cluster AL #17.258 WIOA Adult Program AL #17.259 WIOA Youth Activities AL #17.278 WIOA Dislocated Worker Formula Grants Department of Treasury AL# 21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund Condition: Cash draws from WIOA Cluster and Coronavirus Relief Fund grants exceeded the amount needed to cover allowable costs. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.303(a) a 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. Cause: Staffing issues resulted in funds being overdrawn and inaccuracies in reconciling the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development?s system and the general ledger. Effect: Approximately $286,000 of WIOA Cluster funds and $94,000 of Coronavirus Relief Funds were drawn in excess of allowable costs incurred. Recommendation: Management needs to work with the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development to refund the overdrawn funds or apply the funds to allowable costs in the upcoming fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Staffing changes have occurred, and the fiscal management duties have been outsourced to a third party which has experience with Workforce Boards and related grants. The few Fiscal Agent is working with IN DWD to correct these errors.
2022-002: Material Weakness related to Cash Management Department of Labor WIOA Cluster AL #17.258 WIOA Adult Program AL #17.259 WIOA Youth Activities AL #17.278 WIOA Dislocated Worker Formula Grants Department of Treasury AL# 21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund Condition: Cash draws from WIOA Cluster and Coronavirus Relief Fund grants exceeded the amount needed to cover allowable costs. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.303(a) a 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. Cause: Staffing issues resulted in funds being overdrawn and inaccuracies in reconciling the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development?s system and the general ledger. Effect: Approximately $286,000 of WIOA Cluster funds and $94,000 of Coronavirus Relief Funds were drawn in excess of allowable costs incurred. Recommendation: Management needs to work with the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development to refund the overdrawn funds or apply the funds to allowable costs in the upcoming fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Staffing changes have occurred, and the fiscal management duties have been outsourced to a third party which has experience with Workforce Boards and related grants. The few Fiscal Agent is working with IN DWD to correct these errors.
2022-002: Material Weakness related to Cash Management Department of Labor WIOA Cluster AL #17.258 WIOA Adult Program AL #17.259 WIOA Youth Activities AL #17.278 WIOA Dislocated Worker Formula Grants Department of Treasury AL# 21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund Condition: Cash draws from WIOA Cluster and Coronavirus Relief Fund grants exceeded the amount needed to cover allowable costs. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.303(a) a 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. Cause: Staffing issues resulted in funds being overdrawn and inaccuracies in reconciling the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development?s system and the general ledger. Effect: Approximately $286,000 of WIOA Cluster funds and $94,000 of Coronavirus Relief Funds were drawn in excess of allowable costs incurred. Recommendation: Management needs to work with the State of Indiana Department of Workforce Development to refund the overdrawn funds or apply the funds to allowable costs in the upcoming fiscal year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Staffing changes have occurred, and the fiscal management duties have been outsourced to a third party which has experience with Workforce Boards and related grants. The few Fiscal Agent is working with IN DWD to correct these errors.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.553, 10.555 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the reporting compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure accurate information was presented in order to be in compliance with the reporting requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of effective reviews could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by the review process not ensuring there was accurate reporting of the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: There were $60 of known questioned costs identified. The known questioned costs were calculated taking the number of meals (both breakfast and lunch) overclaimed or underclaimed times the IDOE reimbursement rates for lunch and breakfast for the month tested. The net overclaimed reimbursement amount for the four months tested was $60. Context: For all four monthly claims selected for testing, there was no formal evidence of the sponsor claim reimbursement summary being reviewed by someone independent of who prepared the sponsor claim reimbursement summary prior to submission. Additionally, we noted that for one claim in the sample of four, the meal counts were overclaimed for the month. In October 2020, the School Corporation overclaimed breakfast by 43 meals and underclaimed lunch by 11 meals. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the School Corporation establish a review control to verify the sponsor claim reimbursement summaries are correct. This review should be performed by someone other than the individual submitting the claims and we recommend this review be formally documented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.553, 10.555 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the reporting compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure accurate information was presented in order to be in compliance with the reporting requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of effective reviews could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by the review process not ensuring there was accurate reporting of the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: There were $60 of known questioned costs identified. The known questioned costs were calculated taking the number of meals (both breakfast and lunch) overclaimed or underclaimed times the IDOE reimbursement rates for lunch and breakfast for the month tested. The net overclaimed reimbursement amount for the four months tested was $60. Context: For all four monthly claims selected for testing, there was no formal evidence of the sponsor claim reimbursement summary being reviewed by someone independent of who prepared the sponsor claim reimbursement summary prior to submission. Additionally, we noted that for one claim in the sample of four, the meal counts were overclaimed for the month. In October 2020, the School Corporation overclaimed breakfast by 43 meals and underclaimed lunch by 11 meals. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the School Corporation establish a review control to verify the sponsor claim reimbursement summaries are correct. This review should be performed by someone other than the individual submitting the claims and we recommend this review be formally documented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster ? Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.553, 10.555 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the reporting compliance requirement. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure accurate information was presented in order to be in compliance with the reporting requirements. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of effective reviews could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by the review process not ensuring there was accurate reporting of the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: There were $60 of known questioned costs identified. The known questioned costs were calculated taking the number of meals (both breakfast and lunch) overclaimed or underclaimed times the IDOE reimbursement rates for lunch and breakfast for the month tested. The net overclaimed reimbursement amount for the four months tested was $60. Context: For all four monthly claims selected for testing, there was no formal evidence of the sponsor claim reimbursement summary being reviewed by someone independent of who prepared the sponsor claim reimbursement summary prior to submission. Additionally, we noted that for one claim in the sample of four, the meal counts were overclaimed for the month. In October 2020, the School Corporation overclaimed breakfast by 43 meals and underclaimed lunch by 11 meals. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the School Corporation establish a review control to verify the sponsor claim reimbursement summaries are correct. This review should be performed by someone other than the individual submitting the claims and we recommend this review be formally documented. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: COVID-19 ? Education Stabilization Fund ? Reporting, Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 ? Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting, Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following: (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 ?? 200.328 Financial reporting . . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting and Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirements. Reporting The School Corporation was required to submit two Annual Data Reports to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) to meet federal reporting requirements for ESSER grant awards. The first report was for the period of March 13, 2020 to September 30, 2020 and was due by January 21, 2021. The second report was for the period of October 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 and was due by May 13, 2022. For both reports that were submitted, there was segregation of duties between the preparation of the report and the review and submission of the report by someone other than the preparer. However, the review was not sufficient to prevent the following error: ? In the second report, the amounts reported as expended did not agree to the underlying expenditure records of the School Corporation for ESSER I and ESSER II awards. Per discussion with the Treasurer, the amount in the report included expenditures through the report due date of May 13, 2022 rather than through the reporting period end date of June 30, 2021. This resulted in an overstatement of expenditures of $83,000 for ESSER I and $184,000 for ESSER II. Equipment and Real Property Management During our testing of equipment and real property management, it was noted that the School Corporation had not conducted a physical inventory during the last two years as required. Identification as a repeat finding: No. Recommendation: Reporting: We recommended someone other than the preparer of the report perform a documented review prior to submission to validate the accuracy and completeness of the data submitted. Equipment and Real Property Management: We recommended that the School Corporation conduct a physical inventory at least once every two years to comply with the federal and state requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: COVID-19 ? Education Stabilization Fund ? Reporting, Equipment and Real Property Management Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 ? Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting, Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Finding: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with 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). . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following: (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 ?? 200.328 Financial reporting . . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting and Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirements. Reporting The School Corporation was required to submit two Annual Data Reports to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) to meet federal reporting requirements for ESSER grant awards. The first report was for the period of March 13, 2020 to September 30, 2020 and was due by January 21, 2021. The second report was for the period of October 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 and was due by May 13, 2022. For both reports that were submitted, there was segregation of duties between the preparation of the report and the review and submission of the report by someone other than the preparer. However, the review was not sufficient to prevent the following error: ? In the second report, the amounts reported as expended did not agree to the underlying expenditure records of the School Corporation for ESSER I and ESSER II awards. Per discussion with the Treasurer, the amount in the report included expenditures through the report due date of May 13, 2022 rather than through the reporting period end date of June 30, 2021. This resulted in an overstatement of expenditures of $83,000 for ESSER I and $184,000 for ESSER II. Equipment and Real Property Management During our testing of equipment and real property management, it was noted that the School Corporation had not conducted a physical inventory during the last two years as required. Identification as a repeat finding: No. Recommendation: Reporting: We recommended someone other than the preparer of the report perform a documented review prior to submission to validate the accuracy and completeness of the data submitted. Equipment and Real Property Management: We recommended that the School Corporation conduct a physical inventory at least once every two years to comply with the federal and state requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
2022-001 Department of Health and Human Services Federal Financial Assistance Listing #93.889, 22SC091990 National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs, Period of Performance, Cash Management and Reporting Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: 2CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and conditions of the federal award. Condition: No independent secondary level of review or approval is performed relating to compliance. One employee is involved in preparing, reviewing and approving information. Additionally, internal control procedures documented within Coalition?s Grant Management Policy have not been updated since departure of the Grant Management Director. Cause: The Coalition hasn?t formally adopted and implemented updated internal control procedures since departure of the Grant Management Director. Effect: Without established controls over activities allowed and allowable costs, period of performance, cash management and reporting, there is a reasonable possibility that the Coalition would not detect noncompliance in the normal course of performing duties and correct them in a timely manner. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Testing was performed over the compliance requirements as follows: -Activities Allowed, Allowable Costs and Period of Performance ? A non-statistical sample of 60 nonpayroll transactions were selected for testing, accounting for approximately $379,111 of $749,012 total non-payroll costs charged to the federal award. Additionally, all Executive Director wages charged to the federal award were tested. -Cash Management ? A non-statistical sample of 13 out of 64 draw requests were selected for testing. -Reporting ? the close-out report required to be filed in the fiscal year was tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend that management implement procedures and control processes to incorporate and document an independent review and approval. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.
2022-002 Department of Health and Human Services Federal Financial Assistance Listing #93.889, 22SC091990 National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program Equipment and Real Property Management Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: 2CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and conditions of the federal award. 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1) requires property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 2 CFR 200.313(d)(2) requires a physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. Condition: The following matters were identified during testing: a) No independent secondary level of review or approval is performed. One employee is involved in preparing, reviewing and approving information. Additionally, internal control procedures documented within Coalition?s Grant Management Policy have not been updated since departure of the Grant Management Director. b) Property records lack descriptive elements as required by 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), including source of funding, acquisition date and cost. c) A physical inventory of equipment has not been performed within the last two years. Cause: The Coalition hasn?t formally adopted and implemented updated internal control procedures since departure of the Grant Management Director. Additionally, the Coalition was unaware of federal requirements pertaining to the descriptive elements of property records required and the completion of a physical inventory of property every two years. Effect: Without established controls over equipment and real property management, there is risk that equipment could be misappropriated, unallowable equipment purchases could be charged to the federal award and an increased risk federal agency wouldn?t be reimbursed if federal-funded equipment was disposed of. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: There were three fixed asset purchases charged to the federal award within the fiscal year of which all were tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend that management implement procedures and control processes to incorporate and document an independent review and approval over equipment compliance requirements, comply with property record requirements, and perform a bi-annual physical inventory of the equipment. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.
2022-003 Department of Health and Human Services Federal Financial Assistance Listing #93.889, 22SC091990 National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program Procurement, Suspension and Debarment Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and conditions of the federal award. 2 CFR 200.318 requires documentation to be retained to detail the history of procurements. In addition, as outlined in 2 CFR 180, recipients must not utilize any vendor which is suspended or debarred or is otherwise excluded from the central contractor registry. Condition: The following matters were identified during testing: a) No independent secondary level of review or approval is performed. One employee is involved in preparing, reviewing and approving information. Additionally, internal control procedures documented within Coalition?s Grant Management Policy have not been updated since departure of the Grant Management Director. b) 15 instances identified in our sample of expenditures in which the transaction exceeded the Coalition?s micro-purchase threshold, required a price analysis, however, the price analysis was not documented or completed. c) The Coalition?s procurement policy does not include all the required elements as outlined in the Uniform Guidance. d) Five vendors were not verified against the central contractor registry prior to the expenses being incurred to ensure that the vendor was not suspended or debarred. Cause: The Coalition hasn?t formally adopted and implemented updated internal control procedures since departure of the Grant Management Director. Additionally, the Coalition did not retain documentation to support the history of procurement in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Lastly, the internal control process ensuring vendors are verified against the central contractor registry was not followed. Effect: Without established controls over procurement, suspension and debarment, there is a reasonable possibility that the Coalition would not detect errors in the normal course of performing duties and correct them in a timely manner. Without retaining supporting documentation detailing the history of procurement, demonstrating that the program complies with laws, regulations, and other compliance requirements is difficult. Lastly, failing to verify vendors against the central contractor registry may result in the Coalition contracting for services with ineligible parties. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Testing was performed over the compliance requirements as follows; -Procurement - A non-statistical sample of 60 non-payroll transactions were selected for testing, accounting for approximately $379,111 of $749,012 total non-payroll costs charged to the federal award. -Suspension and Debarment - all five vendors with transactions equaling or exceeding $25,000 were selected for suspension and debarment testing. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend that management implement procedures and control processes to incorporate and document an independent review and approval over procurement, suspension and debarment, update the procurement policy to include Uniform Guidance elements, retain documentation on price analysis for transactions over the micro-purchase threshold and verification of vendors against the central contractor registry. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.
2022-004 Department of Health and Human Services Federal Financial Assistance Listing #93.889, 22SC091990 National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program Earmarking Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and conditions of the federal award. Condition: The following matters were identified during testing: a) No independent secondary level of review or approval is performed. One employee is involved in preparing, reviewing and approving information. b) No ongoing analysis is completed over comparison of actual expenditures to earmarked expenditures. Cause: The Coalition hasn?t formally adopted and implemented updated internal control procedures to track actual costs to earmarked expenditure thresholds. Effect: Without established controls over earmarking, there is a reasonable possibility that the Coalition would not detect errors in the normal course of performing duties and correct them in a timely manner. Lack of an ongoing analysis of budgeted expenses to actual could result in the Coalition expending more funds than originally earmarked within the grant agreement. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Testing was performed over each of the three earmarking requirements identified within the grant agreement. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend that management implement procedures and control processes to incorporate and document an independent review and approval over earmarking, including a periodic analysis of actual expenditures to earmarked expenditures. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.
2022-001 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.568/10.569 Passed Through: The Arizona Department of Economic Security Pass Through Number: CtR052634 Award Period: July 1, 2021 ? June 30, 2022 Type of Finding ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Condition/Context ? Internal control procedures over eligibility requirements for 1 of 40 eligibility sheets tested indicated there was no certifying signature by the eligible recipient agency volunteer, there was no evidence of secondary review by the distribution agency program officials. Criteria ? In accordance with the Compliance Supplement, Part 6 ? Internal Control, 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Cause ? Clerical oversight. Effect ? Noncompliance with the Compliance Supplement and Uniform Guidance. Repeat Finding ? Yes Questioned Costs ? None Recommendation ? Distribution site files should be reviewed by a responsible individual for compliance with federal award requirements. The review should be documented. Additionally, training on applicable federal award requirements and internal control monitoring activities should be conducted with program staff and distribution agencies. View of Responsible Officials - There is no disagreement with the audit findings
2022-002 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.568/10.569 Passed Through: The Arizona Department of Economic Security Pass Through Number: CtR052634 Award Period: July 1, 2021 ? June 30, 2022 Type of Finding ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Condition/Context ? Internal control procedures over procurement requirements did not ensure compliance with federal awards. For 1 of 8 vendors tested, there was no documented evidence that the vendor was reviewed and approved in accordance with the Organization?s procurement policy. Criteria ? In accordance with Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200.318(i) requires that an entity maintain records sufficient to detail history of procurement including the rationale for the method of procurement, contractor selection, and the basis for the contract price. 2 CFR 200.303(a) requires an entity to establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the award in compliance with Federal statutes. Cause ? Clerical oversight. Effect ? Noncompliance with the Compliance Supplement and Uniform Guidance. Repeat Finding ? No Questioned Costs ? None Recommendation ? The Organization complete procurement forms or another form of documentation showing that a vendor was approved and that procurement processes were appropriately performed. View of Responsible Officials - There is no disagreement with the audit findings.
2022-001 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.568/10.569 Passed Through: The Arizona Department of Economic Security Pass Through Number: CtR052634 Award Period: July 1, 2021 ? June 30, 2022 Type of Finding ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Condition/Context ? Internal control procedures over eligibility requirements for 1 of 40 eligibility sheets tested indicated there was no certifying signature by the eligible recipient agency volunteer, there was no evidence of secondary review by the distribution agency program officials. Criteria ? In accordance with the Compliance Supplement, Part 6 ? Internal Control, 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Cause ? Clerical oversight. Effect ? Noncompliance with the Compliance Supplement and Uniform Guidance. Repeat Finding ? Yes Questioned Costs ? None Recommendation ? Distribution site files should be reviewed by a responsible individual for compliance with federal award requirements. The review should be documented. Additionally, training on applicable federal award requirements and internal control monitoring activities should be conducted with program staff and distribution agencies. View of Responsible Officials - There is no disagreement with the audit findings
2022-002 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.568/10.569 Passed Through: The Arizona Department of Economic Security Pass Through Number: CtR052634 Award Period: July 1, 2021 ? June 30, 2022 Type of Finding ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Condition/Context ? Internal control procedures over procurement requirements did not ensure compliance with federal awards. For 1 of 8 vendors tested, there was no documented evidence that the vendor was reviewed and approved in accordance with the Organization?s procurement policy. Criteria ? In accordance with Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200.318(i) requires that an entity maintain records sufficient to detail history of procurement including the rationale for the method of procurement, contractor selection, and the basis for the contract price. 2 CFR 200.303(a) requires an entity to establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the award in compliance with Federal statutes. Cause ? Clerical oversight. Effect ? Noncompliance with the Compliance Supplement and Uniform Guidance. Repeat Finding ? No Questioned Costs ? None Recommendation ? The Organization complete procurement forms or another form of documentation showing that a vendor was approved and that procurement processes were appropriately performed. View of Responsible Officials - There is no disagreement with the audit findings.
2022-001 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.568/10.569 Passed Through: The Arizona Department of Economic Security Pass Through Number: CtR052634 Award Period: July 1, 2021 ? June 30, 2022 Type of Finding ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Condition/Context ? Internal control procedures over eligibility requirements for 1 of 40 eligibility sheets tested indicated there was no certifying signature by the eligible recipient agency volunteer, there was no evidence of secondary review by the distribution agency program officials. Criteria ? In accordance with the Compliance Supplement, Part 6 ? Internal Control, 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Cause ? Clerical oversight. Effect ? Noncompliance with the Compliance Supplement and Uniform Guidance. Repeat Finding ? Yes Questioned Costs ? None Recommendation ? Distribution site files should be reviewed by a responsible individual for compliance with federal award requirements. The review should be documented. Additionally, training on applicable federal award requirements and internal control monitoring activities should be conducted with program staff and distribution agencies. View of Responsible Officials - There is no disagreement with the audit findings
2022-002 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.568/10.569 Passed Through: The Arizona Department of Economic Security Pass Through Number: CtR052634 Award Period: July 1, 2021 ? June 30, 2022 Type of Finding ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Condition/Context ? Internal control procedures over procurement requirements did not ensure compliance with federal awards. For 1 of 8 vendors tested, there was no documented evidence that the vendor was reviewed and approved in accordance with the Organization?s procurement policy. Criteria ? In accordance with Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200.318(i) requires that an entity maintain records sufficient to detail history of procurement including the rationale for the method of procurement, contractor selection, and the basis for the contract price. 2 CFR 200.303(a) requires an entity to establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the award in compliance with Federal statutes. Cause ? Clerical oversight. Effect ? Noncompliance with the Compliance Supplement and Uniform Guidance. Repeat Finding ? No Questioned Costs ? None Recommendation ? The Organization complete procurement forms or another form of documentation showing that a vendor was approved and that procurement processes were appropriately performed. View of Responsible Officials - There is no disagreement with the audit findings.
2022-014: U.S. Department of Education Passed through State of Nevada Department of Education Charter Schools, 84.282 Passed through State of Nevada Public Charter School Authority Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers, 84.287 COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund, 84.425 Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Grant Award Number: Affects all grant awards included under assistance listings 84.282, 84.287, and 84.425 on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) section 200.303 provides that non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. A key component of effective internal control is the segregation of duties through a review and approval process. Condition: Costs charged to the program did not have evidence of review by an individual independent of the preparation of the allocation of costs to the program. Cause: The School did not have adequate internal controls to ensure review of costs charged to the program occurred and was documented. Effect: Unallowable costs may be charged to the program and not detected by the School. Questioned Costs: None noted Context/Sampling: Charter Schools, 84.282 A non-statistical sample of 11 goods and services transactions out of a population of 33 and the total population of three payroll transactions was selected for testing. There was no evidence of review on any of the 14 transactions tested. The 14 transactions totaled $780,268 out of the aggregate total expenditure population of $999,390. Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers, 84.287 A non-statistical sample of four payroll transactions out of a population of eight was selected for testing. There was no evidence of review on any of the four transactions. The four transactions totaled $147,028 out of the aggregate total expenditure population of $223,954. Education Stabilization Fund, 84.425 A non-statistical sample of three requests for reimbursement out of a population of 7 was selected for testing. There were 61 transactions tested as part of those three requests for reimbursement. There was no evidence of review on any of the 61 transactions tested. The 61 transactions totaled $1,023,333 out of the aggregate total expenditure population of $2,437,914. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend the School enhance internal controls to ensure review of costs charged to the program occurs and is documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding.
2022-017: U.S. Department of Education Passed through State of Nevada Department of Education Charter Schools, 84.282 Passed through State of Nevada Public Charter School Authority Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers, 84.287 COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund, 84.425 Other Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Grant Award Number: Affects all grant awards included under assistance listings 84.282, 84.287, and 84.425 on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Criteria: Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) requires the School to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). In addition, Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) section 200.303 provides that non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. A key component of effective internal control is the segregation of duties through a review and approval process of the SEFA. Condition: There was no evidence of review and approval on the preparation of the initial SEFA and adjustments were required to ensure it was fairly stated. Cause: The School did not have adequate internal controls to provide for the review of journal entries that allocate expenses to federal programs or the SEFA to ensure total federal expenditures were appropriately reported on the SEFA. Effect: Misstatements on the SEFA could occur and not be detected by the School. Questioned Costs: None noted Context/Sampling: No sampling was used; all program expenditures on the SEFA were reconciled to supporting records. Prior to correction, the Charter School program was understated by $42,212 and the Education Stabilization Fund was overstated by $45,670. In the aggregate, the SEFA was overstated by $265,802. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: Yes ? prior year finding 2021-002. Recommendation: We recommend the School enhance internal controls to provide for the review of journal entries that allocate expenses to federal programs and the SEFA to ensure total federal expenditures are appropriately reported on the SEFA. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding.
2022-014: U.S. Department of Education Passed through State of Nevada Department of Education Charter Schools, 84.282 Passed through State of Nevada Public Charter School Authority Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers, 84.287 COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund, 84.425 Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Grant Award Number: Affects all grant awards included under assistance listings 84.282, 84.287, and 84.425 on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) section 200.303 provides that non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. A key component of effective internal control is the segregation of duties through a review and approval process. Condition: Costs charged to the program did not have evidence of review by an individual independent of the preparation of the allocation of costs to the program. Cause: The School did not have adequate internal controls to ensure review of costs charged to the program occurred and was documented. Effect: Unallowable costs may be charged to the program and not detected by the School. Questioned Costs: None noted Context/Sampling: Charter Schools, 84.282 A non-statistical sample of 11 goods and services transactions out of a population of 33 and the total population of three payroll transactions was selected for testing. There was no evidence of review on any of the 14 transactions tested. The 14 transactions totaled $780,268 out of the aggregate total expenditure population of $999,390. Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers, 84.287 A non-statistical sample of four payroll transactions out of a population of eight was selected for testing. There was no evidence of review on any of the four transactions. The four transactions totaled $147,028 out of the aggregate total expenditure population of $223,954. Education Stabilization Fund, 84.425 A non-statistical sample of three requests for reimbursement out of a population of 7 was selected for testing. There were 61 transactions tested as part of those three requests for reimbursement. There was no evidence of review on any of the 61 transactions tested. The 61 transactions totaled $1,023,333 out of the aggregate total expenditure population of $2,437,914. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend the School enhance internal controls to ensure review of costs charged to the program occurs and is documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding.
2022-015: U.S. Department of Education Passed through State of Nevada Public Charter School Authority Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers, 84.287 Cash Management Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Grant Award Number: Affects all grant awards included under assistance listing 84.287 on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) section 200.303 provides that non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. A key component of effective internal control is the segregation of duties through a review and approval process. Condition: Requests for reimbursement did not have evidence of review and approval by an individual independent of the preparation process. Cause: The School did not have adequate internal controls to ensure review of requests for reimbursement occurred and was documented. Effect: Unallowable costs may be charged to the program and not detected by the School. Questioned Costs: None noted Context/Sampling: A non-statistical sample of two out of a population of four requests for reimbursement was selected for testing. There was no evidence of review on either of the two requests tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend the School enhance internal controls to ensure review of requests for reimbursement occur and is documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding.