Finding 2025-002 – Allowable Costs and Period of Performance (Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance)- (Partial repeat finding) Information on the Federal Program: U.S. Department of Education, Higher Education – Institutional Aid (Title III), Assistance Listing No. 84.031 Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E establishes cost principles to apply in determining costs under federal awards. Non-federal entities are also required to establish controls over the disbursement process to ensure compliance with allowable cost requirements. In addition, a non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and non-federal entities are also required to establish controls over the disbursement process to ensure compliance with period of performance requirements. [2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)]. Condition: We selected a sample of 25 non-payroll disbursements and 25 payroll disbursements charged to the grant. There were 44 pay checks tested in the sample of 25; of those 44, nine exceptions were noted. In four instances, there was no documented approved pay rate and in five instances, there was no approval for salary to be charged to the grant number and documentation showed unrestricted, a different account or offer letter had no Title III documentation. Cause: The College did not obtain proper approval by the Director of the program, expenses did not fit into the grant budget line items, approved pay rates were not properly documented as approved Title III expenses for the proper grant period. Effect: The College’s grant disbursements were not properly approved. Questioned Costs: $14,731 Recommendation: We recommend the College strengthen its policies and procedures surrounding payroll and non-payroll grant disbursements to ensure controls are functioning and compliant withfederal regulations. Views of Responsible Officials: See Management’s View and Corrective Action Plan included at the end of the report.
2025-001 Costs Incurred Beyond the Period of Performance Program Name/Assistance Listing Number: 93.788 Opioid STR Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Criteria: According to 2 CFR §§200.1, 200.308, 200.309, 200.344, and 200.403(h), a non-Federal entity may only charge allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of the Federal award’s period of performance, and any costs incurred before the Federal award was made that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity. All financial obligations incurred under the Federal award must be liquidated within the required time period. Costs incurred outside the approved period of performance are unallowable and constitute questioned costs. Condition: During cash disbursement testing, it was identified that costs totaling $56,017.62 were incurred after the end of the period of performance (which ended on September 30, 2024; grant ID 2401119 SOR 3.0 – SOS). Although the expenditures were allowable in nature, they were outside the approved period and therefore did not comply with the grant terms. Cause of Condition: The expenditures were incurred after the period of performance, possibly due to timing of invoicing. There was insufficient monitoring or review to ensure that all expenses were properly charged within the approved period. Potential Effect of Condition: The following are the potential effect based on the findings noted above: a. Non-Compliance: The Organization is at risk of non-compliance with the funding agreement, which may lead to questioned costs or repayment obligations. b. Financial Oversight Risk: Continued occurrence may indicate a lack of internal controls ensuring compliance with grant period requirements. Questioned Cost: $56,017.62 Recommendation: We recommend the following: a. Implement a monitoring process to ensure that all costs are incurred within the approved period of performance. b. Document and maintain a checklist of allowable expenses by period to prevent future occurrences of similar issues. Description of the Nature and Extent of Issues Reported: All expenditures outside the period of performance were identified during testing. The total known questioned cost is $56,017.62, which exceeds the $25,000 threshold for reporting under 2 CFR §200.516(a)(3). Management Response: Management concurred with the finding. During the current fiscal year, the Organization has implemented additional controls to ensure that all grant funding is expended within the timeframe allotted
8. Criteria or specific requirement: Per Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200) Subpart E, Cost Principles Section 200.403(b), Factors affecting allowability of costs, costs must conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. Per 2 CFR Section 200.308(b), Deviations from approved budget, the recipient must report deviations from the approved budget, project, or program scope, or objectives. The recipient must request prior approvals from the Federal agency or pass-through entity for budget and program plan revisions in accordance with this section. '9. Condition: Nine (9) employee payroll expenditures were claimed at an hourly rate greater than that approved by ISBE. 10. Cause: The District's internal controls over compliance were not functioning effectively to ensure claims for payroll expenditures were made at the approved hourly rate. '11. Effect: The District was not in compliance with the allowable costs/cost principles compliance requirement. '12. Questioned Costs: Questioned costs of $28,651 were computed based on the difference between the payroll expenditures claimed and the allowable amount calculated using the hourly rate approved by ISBE. '13. Context: From the population of one hundred (100) employees claimed under this grant, a sample of ten (10) employees were selected for testing. We noted nine (9) employee payroll expenditures were claimed at a rate greater than the rate allowable per the ISBE approved budget. A statistically valid sample was not utilized. 14. Recommendation: We recommend that management review its policies and procedures and implement changes to strengthen internal control over compliance. 15. Management's response: The District agrees with the auditor's finding and recommendation.
Criteria 2 CFR section 200.403, Factors affecting allowability of costs. Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following criteria 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 recipient or subrecipient. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. For example, a cost must not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for State and local governments and Indian Tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See § 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See §§ 200.300 through 200.309. (h) Administrative closeout costs may be incurred until the due date of the final report(s). If incurred, these costs must be liquidated prior to the due date of the final report(s) and charged to the final budget period of the award unless otherwise specified by the Federal agency. All other costs must be incurred during the approved budget period. At its discretion, the Federal agency is authorized to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods. See § 200.308(g)(3). 10th Edition Procurement Manual issued by the District in September 2023, Chapter 8 – What to Do When Item or Services Are Received A. Online Goods Receipts Prior to entering an online Goods Receipt (GR), schools and offices must have a copy of the vendor invoice and Purchase Order (PO). They are responsible for verifying the accuracy of the order and entering the “online receiver” into SAP immediately after delivery of materials. Partial receiving is acceptable to account only for materials actually received. Payments are processed based on materials that have been received online. F.1. Payment for Materials Accounts Payable will process payment when the following three items are matched in SAP: (1) Purchase Order, (2) Goods Receipt, and (3) vendor invoice. F.2.c. Contracted Professional Services Accounts Payable will process payments for contracted professional services when the following four items are matched: executed contract/amendment, Purchase Order, vendor invoice, and approved authorization for payment. F.3. Contract Close-Out Upon contract expiration or termination, the District must ensure all deliverables have been received, final invoices paid, indirect costs settled, and any unspent funds unencumbered and transferred to the appropriate District account. Condition As part of our review of cash disbursement expenditures, we selected a statistically valid sample of forty (40) cash disbursement transactions from each of the following programs: Title I, Title IV, and Perkins. We reviewed the supporting documentation for these transactions to determine whether the expenditures were allowable under program regulations, accurately charged to the programs, and appropriately supported in accordance with 2 CFR Section 200.403 and the District Procurement Manual. Title I: From the $3,265,728 sample tested (out of $48,286,535 total disbursements), we identified one (1) purchase order with a variance between the Goods Receipt (GR) and vendor invoice (IR) amounts. This discrepancy resulted in an overstatement of reported expenditures by $21,394. The District subsequently corrected this by reversing the amount to the expenditure accounts in FY 2026. Title IV: From the $560,572 sample tested (out of $9,999,536 total disbursements), we identified one (1) purchase order with a variance between the GR and IR amounts, resulting in an overstatement of reported expenditures by $94,500. The District subsequently corrected this by reversing the amount to the expenditure accounts in FY 2026. Perkins: Additionally, from a $329,432 sample (out of $5,738,606 total disbursements), we identified seven (7) disbursements totaling $868 that lacked adequate proof of delivery of materials. Supporting documentation, such as signed delivery receipts or equivalent evidence of goods received, was not available for these transactions. Cause and Effect These conditions occurred because adjustments were not made to the GR amounts to reflect changes in goods or services received after the initial recording. The unadjusted GR balances led to variances between the GR and IR amounts, resulting in overstatements of reported expenditures for the affected programs. In addition, the lack of adequate proof of delivery of materials occurred because GR were entered without supporting documentation to substantiate that the materials were received. This increased the risk of payment for goods not received, misstatement of expenditures, and noncompliance with federal cost documentation requirements under 2 CFR section 200.403(g). Questioned Costs • Title I (AL No. 84.010): $21,394 overstated due to GR-IR variance. • Title IV (AL No. 84.424A): $94,500 overstated due to GR-IR variance. • Perkins (AL No. 84.048): $868 lacked sufficient supporting documentation that the goods were received. Recommendation We recommend that the District: 1. Strengthen review and reconciliation procedures to ensure that adjustments to the Goods Receipt (GR) are made promptly to reflect actual goods or services received. 2. Enforce documentation controls to require that all Goods Receipts are supported by adequate proof of delivery (e.g., signed delivery receipts, receiving reports, or equivalent evidence) before processing payments. 3. Provide staff training on documentation and reconciliation requirements to ensure compliance with federal cost principles and the District Procurement Manual.
Identification of the Federal Program: Federal Agency and Program Name Assistance Listing # COVID-19 – Disaster Grants – Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) (FEMA) U.S. Department of Homeland Security Pass through grantor: Virginia Department of Emergency Management Pass through award number: 4512DR-VA Award Period: 1/21/2020 – 6/30/2022 97.036 Criteria or Specific Requirement (Including Statutory, Regulatory or Other Citation): 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. 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 and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).” 2 CFR 200.403(h) states: “Administrative closeout costs may be incurred until the due date of the final report(s). If incurred, these costs must be liquidated prior to the due date of the final report(s) and charged to the final budget period of the award unless otherwise specified by the Federal agency. All other costs must be incurred during the approved budget period. At its discretion, the Federal agency is authorized to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods. See § 200.308(g)(3).” Condition: The Authority did not validate the accuracy of the cost incurred dates and identify expenditures that were incurred outside of the period of performance related to assistance listing 97.036 – COVID-19 – Disaster Grants – Public Assistances (Presidentially Declared Disasters) (FEMA) prior to submission of the non-federal entity’s project worksheet. Cause: The Authority did not have sufficient internal controls to ensure that accuracy of the cost incurred dates or expenditures were incurred within the period of performance prior to submission of the non-federal entity’s project worksheet. Effect or Potential Effect: The Authority may inappropriately obtain funding for unallowable expenses or costs incurred outside the period of performance as a result of the reporting and verification of the completeness and accuracy of the cost incurred dates and expenditures included within the submission was not sufficient. Questioned Costs: $104,434 – represents the total payroll expenditures incurred after the end of the period of performance. Context: We identified $104,434 of payroll expenditures included in the submission of two force labor FEMA projects, resulting in duplicate costs being submitted to FEMA. The $104,434 was incorrectly included in the project that ended June 30, 2022 and was appropriately included in the project that began July 1, 2022. The costs in question are the payroll expenses from the second week of the pay period (June 26, 2022 through July 9, 2022) incurred after the end of the period of performance. The total obligation of the project worksheet that had the duplicate costs was $2,278,390. Management corrected the duplicated amount of the federal expenditures reported on the Schedule, in which total FEMA expenditures are $31,901,782 for the year ended June 30, 2025. The duplicate costs represent 4.6% of the related project and approximately 0.3% of total FEMA expenditures for the fiscal year. Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: The Authority’s policy and procedures should be designed to strengthen the internal controls over the review of the submissions to ensure accurate reporting as required by the Uniform Guidance. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding and the Authority has developed a plan to correct the finding.
Finding 2025-048 Compliance with Period of Performance for the Highway Safety Cluster The objective of the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Highway Traffic Safety Grant Programs (Highway Safety Cluster) is to provide a coordinated national highway safety program to reduce traffic crashes, deaths, injuries, and property damage. Non-federal entities apply for federal Highway Safety Cluster funds to add or improve safety features on highways and roads around the country. A condition of receiving these federal dollars is that the recipient must comply with various rules on how and when the money can be spent. The recipient must also establish and maintain effective internal controls to ensure compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. One of these requirements is that the Department must spend the funds within the period of performance identified in the grant award. For Fiscal Year 2025, the periods of performance for the Department’s grant awards for this program were each 4-year periods, as follows: October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2026; October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2027; and October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2028; depending on the year of grant funding. The Department requires a minimum of two staff that are a different reviewer and approver for all costs charged to the grant. Expenditures charged to the grant are reviewed and entered into the Department’s enterprise resource planning system, Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing (SAP), by grant coordinators, and then reviewed and approved by the Department’s headquarters business office staff. Grant coordinators that provide a first-level review of the grant expenditures entered into SAP and the Department’s headquarters business office staff should all be knowledgeable in allowable costs and period of performance requirements for the Highway Safety Cluster. What was the purpose of our audit work and what work was performed? The purpose of our audit work was to determine whether: the Department had adequate internal controls over federal period of performance requirements for the Highway Safety Cluster; the Department recorded Highway Safety Cluster expenditures during the approved period of performance for the Highway Safety Cluster during Fiscal Year 2025; and costs were allowable under the grant. As part of our audit work, we selected all seven expenditure transactions charged to the Highway Safety Cluster grant during the first 30 calendar days of the period of performance for the four grant awards in place during Fiscal Year 2025. For example, for the Fiscal Year 2025 grant awards, the beginning date of the period of performance was October 1, 2024, so we reviewed expenditures charged to the grant from October 1 through October 30, 2024. We reviewed the Department’s supporting documentation to support the date each expense was incurred and evidence of internal controls related to approval of the expense. Another purpose of our audit work was to determine whether the Department implemented our Fiscal Year 2024 audit recommendations to: • Enforce its existing policies and procedures that require that grant expenditures be allowable, and that two individuals review the related supporting documentation for compliance with grant requirements. This should include monitoring to ensure that Department personnel performing the reviews review the related supporting documentation for incurred dates in order to verify that expenditures comply with the applicable award period of performance; adjustments should be made for any expenditures charged to an award outside the proper period of performance. • Provide additional training to Department personnel on period of performance compliance requirements. The Department agreed with these recommendations and planned to implement them by June 2025. How were the results of the audit work measured? We measured the results of our audit work against the following requirements: • Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)] state that a non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or passthrough entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity. A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. A budget period represents the specific time frame approved by the federal awarding agency for using grant funds. • The Department’s internal control procedures over federal expenditure approval and processing require that all federal grant expenditures must have adequate supporting documentation, such as an invoice, purchase order, or reimbursement request, included with the transaction and the supporting documentation must be reviewed for allowability under the applicable federal grant program by two individuals. What problems did the audit work identify? Based on our audit work, we determined that the Department did not fully comply with the period of performance requirements for the Highway Safety Cluster during Fiscal Year 2025 and did not fully implement our prior audit recommendations. Based on our audit testwork, 2 of the 7 transactions selected for testing (29 percent) had expenses recorded to the grant that were incurred outside the period of performance; each expense was incurred one day prior to the start of the period of performance. We further verified with the Department that the expenditures were not specifically authorized by the federal awarding agency to be charged to the grant. These errors resulted in questioned costs totaling $347. Why did these problems occur? This problem occurred because the Department’s internal controls were not operating effectively to ensure that expenditures charged to the Highway Safety Cluster were incurred within the award’s period of performance. Specifically, the Department’s reviewers of the transactions for which the problems occurred did not ensure the transactions were fully within the period of performance. Both transactions related to employee reimbursements of travel expenses for the period September 30, 2024 through October 4, 2024. The Department’s reviewers did not identify that the expenses for September 30, 2024 should have been charged to a different grant award, and the Department did not split the invoice into two transactions to allocate the expenses to the appropriate grant award based on the period of performance of those grant awards. Department personnel did not appear to be sufficiently trained on the Highway Safety Cluster’s period of performance compliance requirements. Why do these problems matter? By failing to properly record expenditures to the Highway Safety Cluster within the grant award’s period of performance, the Department risks its costs being deemed unallowable by the federal awarding agency. See "Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs" for table/chart. Recommendation 2025-048 The Department of Transportation (Department) should ensure that it complies with federal Highway Safety Cluster grant period of performance requirements by: A. Enforcing its existing policies and procedures that require that grant expenditures be allowable, and that two individuals review the related supporting documentation for compliance with grant requirements. This should include ensuring that Department personnel performing the reviews review the related supporting documentation for incurred dates in order to verify that expenditures comply with the applicable award period of performance and making adjustments for any expenditures charged to an award outside the proper period of performance. B. Providing training to Department personnel to ensure that staff understand and can apply the period of performance requirements. Response Department of Transportation A. Agree Implementation Date: April 2026 The Department agrees with the recommendation. The Center for Accounting (CFA) and the Office of Transportation Safety (OTS) have coordinated to implement updated reviews and controls. This implementation involves reviewing current processes to ensure supporting documentation is vetted and grant compliance is verified prior to payment. It also includes assessing the need for increased monitoring to ensure initial program reviews are complete and accurate. This remediation effort was finalized on June 30, 2025, following the September 2024 transaction in question. Additionally, the Department plans to review the remediation plan with all relevant staff again this season. This will ensure that all supporting documentation is thoroughly vetted and that expenditures comply with the applicable award period of performance B. Agree Implementation Date: April 2026 The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) agrees with the recommendation. The Center for Accounting (CFA) and the Office of Transportation Safety (OTS) have coordinated on its implementation. The Department has assessed and updated training for staff responsible for reviewing and approving invoices for Highway Safety Cluster grants, with a specific focus on the period of performance. This training plan will be revisited and reviewed with all staff involved by April 2026.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84,027, 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number: H027A240076 Pass-Through Agency: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Pass-Through Number: 240-000558-2025-0131 Award Period: November 15, 2024 through June 30, 2026 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Other Matter Criteria or specific requirement: A non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award's period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308 200.309 and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition and Context: Four (4) of four expenditures in our statistically valid sample were charged to the grant but incurred outside of the period of performance. Questioned costs: Known & Likely: $27,874 Cause: Procedures were not in place to ensure that expenditures charged to the grant program were incurred within the period of performance in the grant award. Effect: Noncompliance with federal compliance requirements occurred. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend procedures be implemented to ensure that charges to the grant program are incurred within the period of performance included in the grant award. Views of responsible officials: We have reviewed the finding and have since implemented controls to ensure that expenditures are charged to a grant only after final approval has been issued in the grant portal. In this instance, the grant was submitted in a timely manner, and DESE provided comments that were addressed by the Hingham Public Schools grant writer. However, formal final approval had not yet been issued by DESE in the grant portal at the time the expenditures were posted to the grant.
FINDING 2025-006 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.027X, 84.173, 84.173X Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-148-PN01, 22611-148-ARP, 22619-148-PN01, 22619-148-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls to ensure transactions made with the special education grant funding occurred within the appropriate period of performance. Claims for the special education programs were paid without an appropriate level of review or oversight to ensure the expenditures charged to each grant were within the allowed time frame. Although the reimbursement requests submitted to the Indiana Department of Education were prepared and approved by two different employees, the School Corporation was unable to provide evidence of this review and approval process, which may have included a review of the costs included on each request to verify they were within the correct period of performance. Reimbursement requests lacked supporting documentation of the disbursements for the Special Education Grant. Detailed reports were not retained by the School Corporation to verify the vendor, payroll, and payroll benefits occurred during the period of performance. Due to comingling of funds, a total of $176,037 of disbursements charged to the 5200 IDEA Special Education Grant fund could not be directly tied to grant awards (22611-148-PN01, 22611-148-ARP, 22619-148-PN01, and 22619-148-ARP) to determine if these disbursements were in the allowed period of performance of each grant award. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 32 GRIFFITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS 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 200.1 states in part: ". . . Financial obligations, when referencing a recipient's or subrecipient's use of funds under a Federal award, means orders placed for property and services, contracts and subawards made, and similar transactions that require payment. . . . Period of performance means 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. Identification of the period of performance in the Federal award per § 200.211(b)(5) does not commit the awarding agency to fund the award beyond the currently approved budget period. . . . Unliquidated financial obligations means, for financial reports prepared on a cash basis, financial obligations incurred by the non-Federal entity that have not been paid (liquidated). . . ." 2 CFR 200.309 states: "If a Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity approves an extension, or if a recipient extends under § 200.308(e)(2), the Period of Performance will be amended to end at the completion of the extension. If termination occurs, the Period of Performance will be amended to end upon the effective date of termination. If a renewal award is issued, a distinct Period of Performance will begin." Cause Due to turnover of staffing in both the Special Education personnel and the School Corporation's administrative office, the School Corporation's management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreements and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not filed reimbursement requests in a timely manner. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance compliance requirement. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs We identified $176,037 in known questioned costs as noted above in the Condition and Context. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 33 GRIFFITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls, which includes ensuring grant expenditures are obligated and liquidated timely to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Period of Performance 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 Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number: H027A240103 Pass-Through Agency: New Hampshire Department of Education Pass-Through Number(s): 20230519, 20241089, 20250423 Award Period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: A nonfederal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308 200.309 and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition and Context: Two (2) of eight (8) transactions tested were incurred outside of the period of performance. Questioned costs: Below the reportable threshold. Cause: Procedures were not in place to ensure that expenditures charged to the grant program were incurred within the period of performance in the grant award for all applicable transactions. Effect: Noncompliance with federal requirements occurred. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend procedures be strengthened to ensure that charges to the grant program are incurred within the period of performance included in the grant award. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number: SLFRP1134 Pass-Through Agency: New Hampshire Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery Pass-Through Number(s): Unknown Award Period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: A nonfederal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308 200.309 and 200.403(h)). Specifically regarding SLFRF, recipients must obligate program funds by December 31, 2024. Condition and Context: A portion of the City’s SLFRF expenditures related to revenue loss were spent on the provision of government services. As part of the audit of the SLFRF grant, the City provided us with an initial list of expenditures related to revenue loss. We identified that some of the expenditures were not obligated by December 31, 2024. Subsequently, in accordance with question 17.19 of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Frequently Asked Questions dated April 29, 2025, the City re-allocated some of the expenditures related to revenue loss. The re-allocated expenditures met period of performance requirements (i.e., they were all obligated by December 31, 2024). Questioned costs: None Cause: Procedures were not in place to ensure that all expenditures initially charged to the grant program were obligated by December 31, 2024 (subsequently corrected as identified above). Effect: Noncompliance with federal requirements initially occurred (subsequently corrected as identified above). Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend procedures be strengthened to ensure that charges to the grant program are obligated and/or incurred within the period of performance. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Finding 2025-002: Noncompliance with OMB Compliance Supplement; Period of Performance (H) for Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 93.958 Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services Criteria: The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Sections 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h) states “a non-Federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award's period of performance and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entities.” Costs incurred before or after the period of performance are unallowable unless explicitly approved. Condition: During our testing of expenditures charged to ALN 93.958, we identified 2 transactions out of a total sample of 15 totaling $192 that were incurred outside of the award’s period of performance. Cause and Effect: The Center did not have the controls in place to perform a review of service dates to ensure they fell within the authorized period of performance. The effect of this condition increases the possibility that expenditures are unallowable per the grant being charged to the Federal program. Repeat Finding: No Questioned Costs: $192 Recommendation: Policies and procedures should be in place to ensure accurate reporting. A formal review process should be established to ensure compliance. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and response is included in the Corrective Action Plan.
2025-001 Improve Oversight Over Period of Performance of Federal Awards (Material Weakness) Federal Agency: Department of Education Cluster/Program: Special Education Cluster AL Number(s): 84.027/84.173 Award Year: 2025 Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Type of Finding Material Noncompliance Internal Control over Compliance – Material Weakness Criteria or Specific Requirement A non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308 200.309 and 200.403(h)). Management of the Town is also responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with federal requirements that have a direct and material effect on a federal program. A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis. Condition and Context During our review of 40 of the 281 invoices charged to the special education grant, we noted one instance where an invoice for special education transportation was charged to the 2025 grant year, however, a portion of these services occurred prior to the period of performance of the 2025 grant. This was not a statistically valid sample. Cause The Town has not established adequate procedures to ensure expenditures are expended within the authorized period of performance. Effect or Potential Effect Due to the weakness in internal control noted above, there are known and questioned costs reported related to contracted services incurred prior to the period of performance and charged to the grant, which could impact future grant funding. Questioned Costs The questioned costs associated with the portion of the invoice that occurred outside the authorized period of performance is $86,611. Recommendation The Town should implement controls to ensure that no costs are charged to a grant prior to the authorized period of performance. Views of Responsible Official Management agrees with the finding. Planned Corrective Action Management’s corrective action plan is included at the end of this report after the schedule of prior year findings.
Reference Number: 2025-007 Prior Year Finding: 2024-010 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor State Agency: Vermont Department of Labor Federal Program: Unemployment Insurance Assistance Listing Number: 17.225 Award Number and Year: 25A55UI000119 (10/1/2024 – 12/31/2027) Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: A non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308 200.309 and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Control: Per 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. These internal controls should comply 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: The Department of Labor (Department) charged costs to the federal grant prior to the allowable start of the period of performance and expenditures were missing evidence of approval prior to issuance of payment. Context: Nine of sixty transactions selected for testing were charged to the award before the allowable period of performance. The grant award start date was October 1, 2024, but costs were incurred in August and September 2024. Two of sixty transactions selected for testing were missing evidence of review and approval prior to issuance of the payment. Cause: The Department’s procedures and internal controls were not operating sufficiently to ensure that expenditures charged to the program were incurred within the award’s period of performance nor that payments were reviewed and approved prior to issuance. Effect: Unallowable costs were charged to the program. Questioned costs: $2,267, which represents the total incurred before the allowable period of performance. Recommendation: We recommend the Department review and enhance its procedures and controls to ensure that, prior to charging costs to the program, they are incurred within an award’s allowable period of performance and that payments are reviewed and approved by a supervisor who has knowledge of costs that are allowable under the program. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Finding 2025-002: (Significant Deficiency) AL#84.048: Career and Technical Education Basis Grants to States, U.S. Department of Education, Award No. V048A240016, Passed through the Kansas State Board of Education Condition: During testing of allowable expenditures and period of performance we identified five transactions totaling $3,485 that were charged to the grant before the period of performance start date. Criteria or Specific Requirement: According to 2 CFR 200.308 and 200.309, a Non-Federal entity may charge a Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the approved period of performance, unless the Federal awarding agency authorizes pre-award costs or other exceptions. Questioned Costs: $3,485 is known questioned costs. One transaction was related to stipend reimbursements, through additional review of stipend payment service dates as noted in the payroll system, 3 other stipend payments totaling $1,988 are likely questioned costs. Context: One transaction was identified during allowable expenditure testing. A $675 stipend for June 2024 services provided was charged to the grant award with a period of performance start date of July 1, 2024. We tested a total of 60 items in the allowable expenditure testing. Four transactions were identified during period of performance testing. A $90 travel reimbursement for the last week of June 2024 was charged to the grant award with a period of performance start date of July 1, 2024. We tested a total of 10 travel reimbursements. The other three transactions were incurred prior to July 1, 2024 totaled $2,720 related to a Reallocation Grant Award of $11,766 with a period of performance of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The total period of performance sample was 55 items. The sample sizes were determined based upon guidelines provided by the AICPA which is not a statistically valid sample. Cause: This program had turnover in the current year and with year-end system cut-off dates, these items were incorrectly charged to the wrong grant year. Effect: Costs incurred outside the period of performance may be unallowable, which could result in questioned costs and potential repayment to the Federal awarding agency. Recommendation: We recommend when there is staff turnover that training is provided related to the period of performance and how to identify which grant year is appropriate for each expenditure. Additionally, a secondary review should be completed to ensure transactions are properly charged to the correct grant year. Views of Responsible Officials (Unaudited): The District acknowledges the finding. The Budget Department will implement a training process for all internal budget analysts as well as Career and Technical Education (CTE) program managers and business office staff on the requirements of 2 CFR 200.308 and 200.309, focusing on the “Period of Performance” and allowable cost principles. Additionally, the Budget Department will establish both a quarterly and year-end reconciliation process where the CTE assigned budget analyst will compare all expenditures against the authorized period of performance dates listed in the Perkins V Local Grant Handbook and specific grant award terms.
Reference Number: 2025-021 Prior Year Finding: No Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Department Name: Department of Health and Social Services State Division: Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance Federal Program: Children’s Health Insurance Program Assistance Listing Number: 93.767 Award Number and Year: SAI000005399 (10/1/2023 – 9/30/2024) Compliance Requirement: Period of Performance Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance Criteria or Specific Requirement Compliance: A non-Federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308 200.309 and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Control: Per 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. These internal controls should comply 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 The Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (Division) was unable to provide evidence that expenditures were incurred during the grant’s allowable period of performance. Context Forty disbursement transactions recorded during September and October 2024 were selected for testing. For forty of forty transactions selected, the Division was unable to provide documentation that the costs were incurred during the grant’s period of performance. Cause The Division’s procedures and internal controls were not operating sufficiently to ensure that expenditures charged to the program were incurred within the award’s period of performance. Effect Costs could be deemed unallowable by the awarding agency if funds are expended and/or obligated outside of the allowable period of performance. Questioned Costs Undetermined. Recommendation The Division should review and enhance its procedures and internal controls to ensure that it maintains documentation that expenditures charged to the program are incurred within an award’s allowable period of performance. Views of Responsible Officials To prevent recurrence, we are implementing the following actions: 1. Enhanced Monitoring Controls o Establish a centralized tracking system for all awards, including start and end dates. 2. Staff Training and Accountability o Conduct mandatory training for program and finance staff on compliance with period of performance requirements. o Assign clear responsibility for monitoring award timelines to designated personnel. 3. Pre-Closeout Review Process o Introduce a formal pre-closeout review 60 days before the award end date to identify and resolve outstanding obligations. o Require certification from both program and finance leads confirming that all expenditures fall within the allowable period. 4. Post-Expenditure Review o Perform monthly reconciliation of expenditures against the period of performance. o Immediately flag and correct any discrepancies identified.
FINDING 2025-005 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - 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): S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2023-005. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 MICHIGAN CITY AREA SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context The COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak and assist schools in creating healthy learning environments, return students to classrooms, and address local needs. The ESF grant was further funded by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. The School Corporation did not have effective internal controls in place over the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement. A sample of 13 payroll claims paid from the School Corporation's ESF grant were selected for testing. Of the sample, 6 employee pay rates could not be verified to a School Board-approved, allowable hourly pay rate for a high dosage tutor position. High dosage tutors were paid anywhere from $20 to $77 an hour. The School Corporation was unable to provide documentation that the School Board approved a pay rate for the high dosage tutor positions during the audit period. The total amount paid to high dosage tutors during the audit period was $472,354, which were considered questioned costs. In addition, the School Corporation paid a consulting firm to provide general support to the finance department. The expenditures were deemed unallowable as there was no documentation available that the consultants were assisting the School Corporation in preventing, preparing for, and responding to COVID-19. The total amount expended to the consultant during the audit period was $514,156, which were considered questioned costs. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the costs noted above for the ESSER II and ESSER III grants. 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 the Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annual, from the date of 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. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 23 MICHIGAN CITY AREA SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 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. (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 recipient or subrecipient. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. For example, a cost must not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for State and local governments and Indian Tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See § 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See §§ 200.300 through 200.309. (h) Administrative closeout costs may be incurred until the due date of the final report(s). If incurred, these costs must be liquidated prior to the due date of the final report(s) and charged to the final budget period of the award unless otherwise specified by the Federal agency. All other costs must be incurred during the approved budget period. At its discretion, the Federal agency is authorized to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods. See § 200.308(g)(3). 2 CFR 200.430(i)(1) states in part: "Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities (for IHE, this per the IHE's definition of IBS); . . . (vii) Support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 24 MICHIGAN CITY AREA SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.404 states: "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. (b) The restraints or requirements imposed by such factors as: sound business practices; arm's-length bargaining; Federal, state, local, tribal, and other laws and regulations; and terms and conditions of the Federal award. (c) Market prices for comparable goods or services for the geographic area. (d) Whether the individuals concerned acted with prudence in the circumstances considering their responsibilities to the non-Federal entity, its employees, where applicable its students or membership, the public at large, and the Federal Government. (e) Whether the non-Federal entity significantly deviates from its established practices and policies regarding the incurrence of costs, which may unjustifiably increase the Federal award's cost." 34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance with program requirements." Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. No. 116-260, 134 Stat. 1924 (2020) states in part: "For an additional amount for "Education Stabilization Fund".to remain available through September 30, 2022, to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically, or internationally . . ." Cause Payroll records were incomplete as the School Corporation was unable to provide documentation that all rates of pay were approved by the School Board. The School Corporation did not include the consultants above in the budget submitted as part of the grant application, and so the School Corporation did not get the required prior approval for the purchases. Effect Without proper documentation, the allowability of the ESF grant expenditures cannot be substantiated, creating a risk that unallowable costs may be charged to the federal grant. Additionally, we could not determine how the expenditures met the purpose of the program. Questioned Costs We identified $986,510 in known questioned costs as described above in the Condition and Context. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 25 MICHIGAN CITY AREA SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Recommendation We recommend that management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure rates of pay are approved by the School Board and adequately documented and that costs are allowable. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Finding 2025.003 – Period of Performance – Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance Assistance Listing Number 14.267 - Continuum of Care, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Services, Pass-Through Entity: State of Connecticut Department of Housing, Award Number: 24DOH0901CX, Pass-Through Entity: United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, Award Number: 21DOH1001DA Criteria A non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award's period of performance that was authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections, 200.308, 200.309 and 200.403(h)). Condition Certain expenses were charged to the grant that were not properly obligated prior to the end of the grant period. Purchase orders were issued without placing the actual order, or the item was ordered after the period of performance concluded. Cause The Council did not have adequate policies, procedures and controls in place to ensure compliance with the requirements regarding period of performance. Effect or Potential Effect Inadequate controls over period of performance led to expenses charged to the grant that were not incurred during the required period of performance. Questioned Costs $2,113 Context We selected 5 expenditures for testing over the period of performance requirement. Out of the 5 expenditures tested, we noted 2 instances where expenditures were not spent or obligated appropriately in the right grant period. Identification as a Repeat Finding This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation We recommend that management implement additional controls and policies over period of performance. Staff who purchase items with grant funds should have additional training on period of performance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials TVCCA recognizes the validity of this finding. TVCCA is strengthening its period-of-performance controls by training all staff with purchasing authority, and finance staff, on grant deadlines, obligation definitions, and allowable spend-down periods. Internal controls will be enhanced by incorporating quarterly cutoff testing into the month-end close checklist. Additionally, cutoff testing results will be monitored quarterly as part of the quarter-end review process.
Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal program title: Health Centers Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.224/93.527 Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: 6/1/24-5/31/25 Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: A nonfederal entity may only charge allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency (2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309 and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition: Cost incurred prior to the start of the period of performance were charged to the grant. Questioned Costs: $2,979 Context: Two of thirteen transactions selected for testing. Cause: These costs related to a payroll period which crossed over two different grant budget periods, and the costs allocated to the grant were not prorated for the number of days within the period of performance. Effect: Unallowable costs may be allocated to the grant. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that only costs incurred during the period of performance be charged to the grant. For payroll in which pay periods extend over multiple budget periods, we recommend prorating the amount charged to the grant by the days worked within the grant period. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal program title: Health Centers Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.224/93.527 Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: 6/1/24-5/31/25 Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: A nonfederal entity may only charge allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency (2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309 and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition: Cost incurred prior to the start of the period of performance were charged to the grant. Questioned Costs: $2,979 Context: Two of thirteen transactions selected for testing. Cause: These costs related to a payroll period which crossed over two different grant budget periods, and the costs allocated to the grant were not prorated for the number of days within the period of performance. Effect: Unallowable costs may be allocated to the grant. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that only costs incurred during the period of performance be charged to the grant. For payroll in which pay periods extend over multiple budget periods, we recommend prorating the amount charged to the grant by the days worked within the grant period. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal program title: Health Centers Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.224/93.527 Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: 6/1/24-5/31/25 Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: A nonfederal entity may only charge allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency (2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309 and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition: Cost incurred prior to the start of the period of performance were charged to the grant. Questioned Costs: $2,979 Context: Two of thirteen transactions selected for testing. Cause: These costs related to a payroll period which crossed over two different grant budget periods, and the costs allocated to the grant were not prorated for the number of days within the period of performance. Effect: Unallowable costs may be allocated to the grant. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that only costs incurred during the period of performance be charged to the grant. For payroll in which pay periods extend over multiple budget periods, we recommend prorating the amount charged to the grant by the days worked within the grant period. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal program title: Health Centers Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.224/93.527 Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: 6/1/24-5/31/25 Type of Finding: Compliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: A nonfederal entity may only charge allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency (2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309 and 200.403(h)). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition: Cost incurred prior to the start of the period of performance were charged to the grant. Questioned Costs: $2,979 Context: Two of thirteen transactions selected for testing. Cause: These costs related to a payroll period which crossed over two different grant budget periods, and the costs allocated to the grant were not prorated for the number of days within the period of performance. Effect: Unallowable costs may be allocated to the grant. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that only costs incurred during the period of performance be charged to the grant. For payroll in which pay periods extend over multiple budget periods, we recommend prorating the amount charged to the grant by the days worked within the grant period. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name: Assistance Listing Number 64.033, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 20-MI-221-SS, 20-MI-221-LT, 20-MI-221 Pass-through Entity – N/A Finding Type – Significant deficiency in internal control over compliance Repeat Finding – No Criteria – Per 2 CFR § 200.403(h), cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. Budget period means the time interval from the start date of a funded portion of an award to the end date of that funded portion during which recipients are authorized to expend the funds awarded, including any funds carried forward or other revisions pursuant to 200.308. A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or passthrough entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity. Condition – During our testing for Period of Performance, it was noted that 1 out of 60 disbursements did not comply with the Period of Performance requirements as specified in the Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant agreement. Funds were disbursed for expenses incurred after the expiration date as noted in the grant agreement. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed – N/A Questioned Costs – None Cause/Effect – Management did not follow their internal controls to ensure that compliance with Period of Performance requirements were met. Recommendation – We recommend that the Organization establish procedures and internal, controls to ensure that all expenditures charged under the grant fall within the required Period of Performance requirements as specified in the grant agreement. View of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan – The Agency agrees with the finding. We will provide training to program managers who are approving program expenditures to ensure proper allocation of costs to the appropriate grant cycles. We will also update our purchasing procedures to ensure that the proper allocation of costs is reviewed prior to supervisor's approval of the cost.
2024-002: Significant Deficiency: Activities Allowed or Unallowable Costs/Cost Principles Criteria: In accordance with federal regulations, expenditures charged to federal awards must comply with the allowable cost principles outlined in 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E. Furthermore, recipients and subrecipients are required to operate within the parameters of the approved budget as specified in the grant agreement. Any budgetary revisions must receive prior written approval from the awarding federal agency or pass-through entity, pursuant to 2 CFR § 200.308. Section III: Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (Continued) 2024-002: Significant Deficiency: Activities Allowed or Unallowable Costs/Cost Principles (Continued) Condition: During our audit procedures, we noted that the Organization incurred expenditures in excess of the approved amounts within certain budget categories. The reallocation of funds between these categories exceeded the allowable threshold of 10%, as stipulated in the grant agreement, without obtaining the required prior approval. Cause: The Organization’s internal controls over compliance related to the review and reconciliation of budgeted amounts against actual expenditures charged to the grant were not adequately designed or implemented to detect and prevent variances. Effect: As a result, costs submitted for reimbursement exceeded the approved budgetary limits for certain budget line items established in the grant agreement, rendering a portion of the expenditures unallowable under federal regulations. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization’s management evaluate and strengthen internal control over compliance procedures to ensure expenditures consistently comply with federal cost principles and remain within approved budget line items. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and their response is included in the corrective action plan.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, 10.443 and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 A0242501X443G026 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Direct Award Periods: August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2027, September 1, 2023 through February 28, 2025, September 29, 2022 through September 30, 2027, September 27 2024 through September 26, 2027 and September 27, 2022 through June 30, 2026 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota-March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025, and September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System-January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 and September 1, 2018 through August 31, 2024. Criteria or Specific Requirement: In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.303, non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, changes in key personnel typically require prior written approval from the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity, as described in 2 CFR § 200.308(c)(2). Condition: During the audit, we noted that the Organization does not have documented internal controls or formal procedures in place to monitor and manage compliance with the key personnel requirements under its federal awards. Specifically, There is no control in place to identify or track which personnel are designated as “key personnel” in award documents. No procedures exist to ensure that required prior approvals are obtained from the federal awarding agency before any changes in key personnel are made. No review or oversight process is in place to ensure that key personnel are actively participating at the level of effort committed in the approved award. Cause: The Organization has not developed or implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with special terms and conditions related to key personnel requirements under federal awards. Effect or Potential Effect: The lack of internal controls over key personnel requirements increases the risk that required prior approvals may not be obtained when changes occur, or that personnel effort commitments are not being met. This could result in noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the award, potential disallowance of costs, or reputational risk with federal awarding agencies. Repeat Finding: This finding is a repeat of Finding 2023-007. Recommendation: The Organization should implement internal controls and written procedures to: Identify and track key personnel for each award, based on the approved budget or notice of award. Establish a process to ensure that prior written approval is obtained before any changes to key personnel are made. Monitor and document key personnel effort to ensure it aligns with award requirements and commitments. Provide training to relevant staff on the importance of key personnel compliance and the procedures for requesting changes. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement internal controls and document its policies and procedures related to key personnel.
Finding Number: 2024-003 Federal Program: CDBG – Entitlement Grants Cluster Federal Award Identification Number and Year: B-22-MC-39-0001, 2024 Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 14.218 Federal Awarding Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Pass-through Entity: None Repeat Finding: No Material Weakness and Noncompliance – Period of Performance Criteria: A non-Federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity sections 2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h). A period of performance may contain one or more budget periods. Condition: The City charged costs that were incurred prior to the beginning of the period of performance of the grant. Questioned Costs: Total of $44,198 Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed: Total known questioned costs of $22,110, and total projection of $22,088 for a total of $44,198. Context: During testing, we identified three operational journals with transactions that were incurred outside of the period of performance of the grant. The requirement is outlined in the funding approval/agreement and applicable guidelines referenced above. Cause and Effect: The City did not have internal controls in place to ensure that only costs that occurred within the period of performance were charged to grant. As a result, the City charged costs that were incurred prior to the start of the grant’s period of performance. Recommendation: The City should implement controls and processes to ensure costs are charged within the appropriate grant period. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: See Corrective Action Plan.
2024-010 Period of Performance Assistance Listing No.: 14.267 Continuum of Care Program Condition: The Organization was unable to demonstrate consistent controls over the period of performance requirement. Criteria: The requirements for the period of performance are contained in 2 CFR section 200.1 Definitions for “budget period,” “financial obligations,” “period of performance,” 2 CFR section 200.308 (revision of budget and program plans), 2 CFR section 200.309 (modifications to period of performance), 2 CFR section 200.344 (closeout), program legislation, federal awarding agency regulations; and the terms and conditions of the award. Questioned Costs There are no questioned costs. Cause: The Organization did not have good controls on ensuring the period of performance requirement was met due to staff turn over. Effect: The Organization could have incurred grant expenditures outside the grant period. Perspective: Two of forty items selected for testing did not have documentation of the control over compliance with the period of performance requirement. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat finding. See finding 2023-014. Based on timing of prior year audit the Organization did not have time to fully correct the issue. Recommendation: In order to prevent future occurences of this deficiency, RBT recommends that management expand controls to ensure that they are able to demonstrate that all expenses meet their procurement policy. Auditee's Response: The Organization agrees with the finding. See attached corrective action plan.
2024 – 003 Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.568 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G-2402LLIEA 6/1/2024; 2302ILLIEI 3/1/2023; G 2302ILLIEA 10/1/2022 Pass-Through Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Pass-Through Numbers: 23-221038; 23-274038; 23-224038 Award Period: June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)) requires that only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance be charged to the award. Effective internal controls should include procedures that involve costs charged to federal awards being reviewed and approved for proper period of performance. Condition: The County charged costs to the federal award after the end of the period of performance. Furthermore, although payroll transactions charged to the federal award were reviewed and approved, documentation of such review was not retained. Questioned Costs: $706 Context: 4 of 97 transactions tested were incurred after the period of performance end date. All 18 payroll transactions tested lacked documentation of review and approval. Cause: Costs were inadvertently claimed outside the period of performance. Documentation of review and approval for payroll transactions was also not retained. Effect: Charging costs outside the period of performance can result in unallowable costs being charged to federal awards, which could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements and potential repayment obligations. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-005. Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued) 2024 – 003 Period of Performance (Continued) Recommendation: We recommend that the County review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that only costs incurred within the period of performance are charged. Costs charged to federal awards should be reviewed and approved for proper period of performance, and documentation of such review should be retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2024 – 003 Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.568 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G-2402LLIEA 6/1/2024; 2302ILLIEI 3/1/2023; G 2302ILLIEA 10/1/2022 Pass-Through Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Pass-Through Numbers: 23-221038; 23-274038; 23-224038 Award Period: June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)) requires that only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance be charged to the award. Effective internal controls should include procedures that involve costs charged to federal awards being reviewed and approved for proper period of performance. Condition: The County charged costs to the federal award after the end of the period of performance. Furthermore, although payroll transactions charged to the federal award were reviewed and approved, documentation of such review was not retained. Questioned Costs: $706 Context: 4 of 97 transactions tested were incurred after the period of performance end date. All 18 payroll transactions tested lacked documentation of review and approval. Cause: Costs were inadvertently claimed outside the period of performance. Documentation of review and approval for payroll transactions was also not retained. Effect: Charging costs outside the period of performance can result in unallowable costs being charged to federal awards, which could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements and potential repayment obligations. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-005. Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued) 2024 – 003 Period of Performance (Continued) Recommendation: We recommend that the County review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that only costs incurred within the period of performance are charged. Costs charged to federal awards should be reviewed and approved for proper period of performance, and documentation of such review should be retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2024 – 003 Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.568 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G-2402LLIEA 6/1/2024; 2302ILLIEI 3/1/2023; G 2302ILLIEA 10/1/2022 Pass-Through Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Pass-Through Numbers: 23-221038; 23-274038; 23-224038 Award Period: June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)) requires that only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance be charged to the award. Effective internal controls should include procedures that involve costs charged to federal awards being reviewed and approved for proper period of performance. Condition: The County charged costs to the federal award after the end of the period of performance. Furthermore, although payroll transactions charged to the federal award were reviewed and approved, documentation of such review was not retained. Questioned Costs: $706 Context: 4 of 97 transactions tested were incurred after the period of performance end date. All 18 payroll transactions tested lacked documentation of review and approval. Cause: Costs were inadvertently claimed outside the period of performance. Documentation of review and approval for payroll transactions was also not retained. Effect: Charging costs outside the period of performance can result in unallowable costs being charged to federal awards, which could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements and potential repayment obligations. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-005. Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued) 2024 – 003 Period of Performance (Continued) Recommendation: We recommend that the County review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that only costs incurred within the period of performance are charged. Costs charged to federal awards should be reviewed and approved for proper period of performance, and documentation of such review should be retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2024 – 003 Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.568 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G-2402LLIEA 6/1/2024; 2302ILLIEI 3/1/2023; G 2302ILLIEA 10/1/2022 Pass-Through Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Pass-Through Numbers: 23-221038; 23-274038; 23-224038 Award Period: June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)) requires that only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance be charged to the award. Effective internal controls should include procedures that involve costs charged to federal awards being reviewed and approved for proper period of performance. Condition: The County charged costs to the federal award after the end of the period of performance. Furthermore, although payroll transactions charged to the federal award were reviewed and approved, documentation of such review was not retained. Questioned Costs: $706 Context: 4 of 97 transactions tested were incurred after the period of performance end date. All 18 payroll transactions tested lacked documentation of review and approval. Cause: Costs were inadvertently claimed outside the period of performance. Documentation of review and approval for payroll transactions was also not retained. Effect: Charging costs outside the period of performance can result in unallowable costs being charged to federal awards, which could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements and potential repayment obligations. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-005. Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued) 2024 – 003 Period of Performance (Continued) Recommendation: We recommend that the County review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that only costs incurred within the period of performance are charged. Costs charged to federal awards should be reviewed and approved for proper period of performance, and documentation of such review should be retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2024 – 003 Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.568 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G-2402LLIEA 6/1/2024; 2302ILLIEI 3/1/2023; G 2302ILLIEA 10/1/2022 Pass-Through Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Pass-Through Numbers: 23-221038; 23-274038; 23-224038 Award Period: June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)) requires that only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance be charged to the award. Effective internal controls should include procedures that involve costs charged to federal awards being reviewed and approved for proper period of performance. Condition: The County charged costs to the federal award after the end of the period of performance. Furthermore, although payroll transactions charged to the federal award were reviewed and approved, documentation of such review was not retained. Questioned Costs: $706 Context: 4 of 97 transactions tested were incurred after the period of performance end date. All 18 payroll transactions tested lacked documentation of review and approval. Cause: Costs were inadvertently claimed outside the period of performance. Documentation of review and approval for payroll transactions was also not retained. Effect: Charging costs outside the period of performance can result in unallowable costs being charged to federal awards, which could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements and potential repayment obligations. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-005. Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued) 2024 – 003 Period of Performance (Continued) Recommendation: We recommend that the County review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that only costs incurred within the period of performance are charged. Costs charged to federal awards should be reviewed and approved for proper period of performance, and documentation of such review should be retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2024 – 003 Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.568 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G-2402LLIEA 6/1/2024; 2302ILLIEI 3/1/2023; G 2302ILLIEA 10/1/2022 Pass-Through Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Pass-Through Numbers: 23-221038; 23-274038; 23-224038 Award Period: June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)) requires that only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance be charged to the award. Effective internal controls should include procedures that involve costs charged to federal awards being reviewed and approved for proper period of performance. Condition: The County charged costs to the federal award after the end of the period of performance. Furthermore, although payroll transactions charged to the federal award were reviewed and approved, documentation of such review was not retained. Questioned Costs: $706 Context: 4 of 97 transactions tested were incurred after the period of performance end date. All 18 payroll transactions tested lacked documentation of review and approval. Cause: Costs were inadvertently claimed outside the period of performance. Documentation of review and approval for payroll transactions was also not retained. Effect: Charging costs outside the period of performance can result in unallowable costs being charged to federal awards, which could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements and potential repayment obligations. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-005. Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued) 2024 – 003 Period of Performance (Continued) Recommendation: We recommend that the County review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that only costs incurred within the period of performance are charged. Costs charged to federal awards should be reviewed and approved for proper period of performance, and documentation of such review should be retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2024 – 003 Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.568 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G-2402LLIEA 6/1/2024; 2302ILLIEI 3/1/2023; G 2302ILLIEA 10/1/2022 Pass-Through Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Pass-Through Numbers: 23-221038; 23-274038; 23-224038 Award Period: June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)) requires that only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance be charged to the award. Effective internal controls should include procedures that involve costs charged to federal awards being reviewed and approved for proper period of performance. Condition: The County charged costs to the federal award after the end of the period of performance. Furthermore, although payroll transactions charged to the federal award were reviewed and approved, documentation of such review was not retained. Questioned Costs: $706 Context: 4 of 97 transactions tested were incurred after the period of performance end date. All 18 payroll transactions tested lacked documentation of review and approval. Cause: Costs were inadvertently claimed outside the period of performance. Documentation of review and approval for payroll transactions was also not retained. Effect: Charging costs outside the period of performance can result in unallowable costs being charged to federal awards, which could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements and potential repayment obligations. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-005. Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued) 2024 – 003 Period of Performance (Continued) Recommendation: We recommend that the County review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that only costs incurred within the period of performance are charged. Costs charged to federal awards should be reviewed and approved for proper period of performance, and documentation of such review should be retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2024 – 003 Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.568 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G-2402LLIEA 6/1/2024; 2302ILLIEI 3/1/2023; G 2302ILLIEA 10/1/2022 Pass-Through Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Pass-Through Numbers: 23-221038; 23-274038; 23-224038 Award Period: June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)) requires that only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance be charged to the award. Effective internal controls should include procedures that involve costs charged to federal awards being reviewed and approved for proper period of performance. Condition: The County charged costs to the federal award after the end of the period of performance. Furthermore, although payroll transactions charged to the federal award were reviewed and approved, documentation of such review was not retained. Questioned Costs: $706 Context: 4 of 97 transactions tested were incurred after the period of performance end date. All 18 payroll transactions tested lacked documentation of review and approval. Cause: Costs were inadvertently claimed outside the period of performance. Documentation of review and approval for payroll transactions was also not retained. Effect: Charging costs outside the period of performance can result in unallowable costs being charged to federal awards, which could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements and potential repayment obligations. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-005. Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued) 2024 – 003 Period of Performance (Continued) Recommendation: We recommend that the County review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that only costs incurred within the period of performance are charged. Costs charged to federal awards should be reviewed and approved for proper period of performance, and documentation of such review should be retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2024 – 003 Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.568 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G-2402LLIEA 6/1/2024; 2302ILLIEI 3/1/2023; G 2302ILLIEA 10/1/2022 Pass-Through Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Pass-Through Numbers: 23-221038; 23-274038; 23-224038 Award Period: June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)) requires that only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance be charged to the award. Effective internal controls should include procedures that involve costs charged to federal awards being reviewed and approved for proper period of performance. Condition: The County charged costs to the federal award after the end of the period of performance. Furthermore, although payroll transactions charged to the federal award were reviewed and approved, documentation of such review was not retained. Questioned Costs: $706 Context: 4 of 97 transactions tested were incurred after the period of performance end date. All 18 payroll transactions tested lacked documentation of review and approval. Cause: Costs were inadvertently claimed outside the period of performance. Documentation of review and approval for payroll transactions was also not retained. Effect: Charging costs outside the period of performance can result in unallowable costs being charged to federal awards, which could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements and potential repayment obligations. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-005. Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued) 2024 – 003 Period of Performance (Continued) Recommendation: We recommend that the County review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that only costs incurred within the period of performance are charged. Costs charged to federal awards should be reviewed and approved for proper period of performance, and documentation of such review should be retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
2024 – 003 Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.568 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: G-2402LLIEA 6/1/2024; 2302ILLIEI 3/1/2023; G 2302ILLIEA 10/1/2022 Pass-Through Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Pass-Through Numbers: 23-221038; 23-274038; 23-224038 Award Period: June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025; March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; October 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)) requires that only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance be charged to the award. Effective internal controls should include procedures that involve costs charged to federal awards being reviewed and approved for proper period of performance. Condition: The County charged costs to the federal award after the end of the period of performance. Furthermore, although payroll transactions charged to the federal award were reviewed and approved, documentation of such review was not retained. Questioned Costs: $706 Context: 4 of 97 transactions tested were incurred after the period of performance end date. All 18 payroll transactions tested lacked documentation of review and approval. Cause: Costs were inadvertently claimed outside the period of performance. Documentation of review and approval for payroll transactions was also not retained. Effect: Charging costs outside the period of performance can result in unallowable costs being charged to federal awards, which could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements and potential repayment obligations. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the prior year. The prior year finding number was 2023-005. Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued) 2024 – 003 Period of Performance (Continued) Recommendation: We recommend that the County review and strengthen its internal controls to ensure that only costs incurred within the period of performance are charged. Costs charged to federal awards should be reviewed and approved for proper period of performance, and documentation of such review should be retained. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Finding 2024-007 – Allowable Costs & Period of Performance (Material Weakness and Noncompliance) Information on the Federal Program: U.S. Department of Education, Higher Education- Institutional Aid (Title III), Assistance Listing No. 84.031 Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E establishes cost principles to apply in determining costs under federal awards. Non-federal entities are also required to establish controls over the disbursement process to ensure compliance with allowable cost requirements. In addition, a non-federal entity may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity (2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h)). Condition: We selected a sample of 25 non-payroll disbursements and 25 payroll disbursements charged to the grant. Of the 25 non-payroll, 4 were missing an approval by the Director of Title III Programs and 4 costs were not in the applicable budgets. In addition, 2 were charged to a fund code for a grant period that ended September 30, 2023. There were 44 pay checks tested in the sample of 25; of those 44, 31 exceptions were noted as having an issue around the approved pay rate documentation. In 9 instances, there was no documented approved pay rate, only support provided was a local salary schedule for multiple positions for 6 of the exceptions. In 15 instances, there was no approval for salary to be charged to the grant number and documentation showed unrestricted, a different account or offer letter had no Title III documentation. In 7 instances, the approved pay rate did not agree to actual paycheck report. Cause: The College did not obtain proper approval by the Director of the program, expenses did not fit into the grant budget line items, approved pay rates were not properly documented and the College continued to use funds after the grant period ended based on verbal instruction. Effect: The College’s grant disbursements were not properly approved. Questioned Costs: $35,461 Recommendation: We recommend the College strengthen its policies and procedures surrounding payroll and non-payroll grant disbursements to ensure controls are functioning and compliant with federal regulations Views of Responsible Officials: See Management’s View and Corrective Action Plan included at the end of the report.
FINDING 2024-021 National Guard Military Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Projects, ALN 12.401, Period of Performance - Extension Procedures See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table. Condition DMVA did not timely submit extension requests for cooperative agreement (CA) appendices sent to the USPFO for 2 (8%) of 24 appendices requiring extension requests during fiscal year 2024. For these 2 appendices, DMVA submitted the requests 111 days late. Criteria Federal regulation 2 CFR 200.303 requires the auditee to establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance the auditee is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards. Federal regulation 2 CFR 200.308 states a recipient must notify the federal agency in writing with the supporting justification and a revised period of performance at least 10 calendar days before the conclusions of the period of performance. The National Guard Bureau's Grants and Cooperative Agreement Policy Letter 21-07 indicates for projects and activities that cannot be completed before the end of a CA award's budget period of performance, the grantee must submit the extension request at least 10 days prior to the end of the period of performance. Cause DMVA's internal control and monitoring activities were not sufficient to ensure it timely submitted the required extension requests for CA appendices sent to the USPFO. Effect DMVA may have diminished the federal grantor agency's ability to ensure appropriate oversight and monitoring of the CA appendices. The federal grantor agency could issue sanctions or disallowances related to noncompliance. Known Questioned Costs None. Recommendation We recommend DMVA timely submit extension requests for CA appendices sent to the USPFO. Management Views DMVA agrees with the finding.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.
Research & Development Cluster Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Compliance with Federal Awards Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization should have processes and procedures in place to track key personnel compliance requirements, for the key personnel compliance requirement, per 2 CFR 200.308 (f) Condition: Auditor noted that 2 of the contracts had key personnel that was not being properly tracked. Cause: Internal control processes over tracking key personnel were not operating effectively. Effect: Errors noted with tracking key personnel. Questioned Costs: None Context: Out of the 17 samples that were tested, 2 of the samples were not in line with compliance requirements. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Repeat Finding: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that procedures associated with tracking key personnel be strengthened. Views of Responsible Officials and Correction Action: Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan” included at the end of this report.