Go Utah Did Not Implement Internal Controls for Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements(Go Utah)Federal Agency: Department of the TreasuryAssistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFederal Award Number: N/AQuestioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AThe Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) did not establish internal controls to ensure compliance with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Go Utah also did not properly communicate key federal grant information or evaluate and monitor its subrecipient for compliance purposes as required by 2 CRF 200.332.The Department of Treasury?s Final Rule requires recipients of funds to ?establish rigorous oversight and internal control processes to monitor compliance with any applicable requirements, including compliance by subrecipients.? 2 CFR 200.303 also requires the establishment of effective internal control for federal programs.Go Utah was unaware that subrecipient monitoring requirements were applicable to its program. Failure to establish internal controls, adequately communicate key federal program information to subrecipients and perform risk evaluation, and monitoring procedures may result in the subrecipient?s noncompliance with federal funds and potential misuse of federal funds.Recommendation:We recommend Go Utah:1. Gain an understanding of subrecipient requirements and establish internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements; and2. Communicate all required federal award information to sub-recipients.Go Utah?s Response:We agree. While internal controls were insufficient, they were not completely absent. For example: (1) we implemented the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Appropriation Tracking and Documentation Form, and (2) all sub-recipients signed contracts that included internal controls such as requirements for status reports, performance measures, and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Go Utah Did Not Implement Internal Controls for Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements(Go Utah)Federal Agency: Department of the TreasuryAssistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFederal Award Number: N/AQuestioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AThe Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) did not establish internal controls to ensure compliance with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Go Utah also did not properly communicate key federal grant information or evaluate and monitor its subrecipient for compliance purposes as required by 2 CRF 200.332.The Department of Treasury?s Final Rule requires recipients of funds to ?establish rigorous oversight and internal control processes to monitor compliance with any applicable requirements, including compliance by subrecipients.? 2 CFR 200.303 also requires the establishment of effective internal control for federal programs.Go Utah was unaware that subrecipient monitoring requirements were applicable to its program. Failure to establish internal controls, adequately communicate key federal program information to subrecipients and perform risk evaluation, and monitoring procedures may result in the subrecipient?s noncompliance with federal funds and potential misuse of federal funds.Recommendation:We recommend Go Utah:1. Gain an understanding of subrecipient requirements and establish internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements; and2. Communicate all required federal award information to sub-recipients.Go Utah?s Response:We agree. While internal controls were insufficient, they were not completely absent. For example: (1) we implemented the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Appropriation Tracking and Documentation Form, and (2) all sub-recipients signed contracts that included internal controls such as requirements for status reports, performance measures, and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Go Utah Did Not Implement Internal Controls for Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements(Go Utah)Federal Agency: Department of the TreasuryAssistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFederal Award Number: N/AQuestioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AThe Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) did not establish internal controls to ensure compliance with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Go Utah also did not properly communicate key federal grant information or evaluate and monitor its subrecipient for compliance purposes as required by 2 CRF 200.332.The Department of Treasury?s Final Rule requires recipients of funds to ?establish rigorous oversight and internal control processes to monitor compliance with any applicable requirements, including compliance by subrecipients.? 2 CFR 200.303 also requires the establishment of effective internal control for federal programs.Go Utah was unaware that subrecipient monitoring requirements were applicable to its program. Failure to establish internal controls, adequately communicate key federal program information to subrecipients and perform risk evaluation, and monitoring procedures may result in the subrecipient?s noncompliance with federal funds and potential misuse of federal funds.Recommendation:We recommend Go Utah:1. Gain an understanding of subrecipient requirements and establish internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements; and2. Communicate all required federal award information to sub-recipients.Go Utah?s Response:We agree. While internal controls were insufficient, they were not completely absent. For example: (1) we implemented the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Appropriation Tracking and Documentation Form, and (2) all sub-recipients signed contracts that included internal controls such as requirements for status reports, performance measures, and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Go Utah Did Not Implement Internal Controls for Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements(Go Utah)Federal Agency: Department of the TreasuryAssistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFederal Award Number: N/AQuestioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AThe Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) did not establish internal controls to ensure compliance with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Go Utah also did not properly communicate key federal grant information or evaluate and monitor its subrecipient for compliance purposes as required by 2 CRF 200.332.The Department of Treasury?s Final Rule requires recipients of funds to ?establish rigorous oversight and internal control processes to monitor compliance with any applicable requirements, including compliance by subrecipients.? 2 CFR 200.303 also requires the establishment of effective internal control for federal programs.Go Utah was unaware that subrecipient monitoring requirements were applicable to its program. Failure to establish internal controls, adequately communicate key federal program information to subrecipients and perform risk evaluation, and monitoring procedures may result in the subrecipient?s noncompliance with federal funds and potential misuse of federal funds.Recommendation:We recommend Go Utah:1. Gain an understanding of subrecipient requirements and establish internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements; and2. Communicate all required federal award information to sub-recipients.Go Utah?s Response:We agree. While internal controls were insufficient, they were not completely absent. For example: (1) we implemented the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Appropriation Tracking and Documentation Form, and (2) all sub-recipients signed contracts that included internal controls such as requirements for status reports, performance measures, and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Go Utah Did Not Implement Internal Controls for Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements(Go Utah)Federal Agency: Department of the TreasuryAssistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFederal Award Number: N/AQuestioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AThe Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) did not establish internal controls to ensure compliance with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Go Utah also did not properly communicate key federal grant information or evaluate and monitor its subrecipient for compliance purposes as required by 2 CRF 200.332.The Department of Treasury?s Final Rule requires recipients of funds to ?establish rigorous oversight and internal control processes to monitor compliance with any applicable requirements, including compliance by subrecipients.? 2 CFR 200.303 also requires the establishment of effective internal control for federal programs.Go Utah was unaware that subrecipient monitoring requirements were applicable to its program. Failure to establish internal controls, adequately communicate key federal program information to subrecipients and perform risk evaluation, and monitoring procedures may result in the subrecipient?s noncompliance with federal funds and potential misuse of federal funds.Recommendation:We recommend Go Utah:1. Gain an understanding of subrecipient requirements and establish internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements; and2. Communicate all required federal award information to sub-recipients.Go Utah?s Response:We agree. While internal controls were insufficient, they were not completely absent. For example: (1) we implemented the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Appropriation Tracking and Documentation Form, and (2) all sub-recipients signed contracts that included internal controls such as requirements for status reports, performance measures, and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Go Utah Did Not Implement Internal Controls for Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements(Go Utah)Federal Agency: Department of the TreasuryAssistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFederal Award Number: N/AQuestioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AThe Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) did not establish internal controls to ensure compliance with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Go Utah also did not properly communicate key federal grant information or evaluate and monitor its subrecipient for compliance purposes as required by 2 CRF 200.332.The Department of Treasury?s Final Rule requires recipients of funds to ?establish rigorous oversight and internal control processes to monitor compliance with any applicable requirements, including compliance by subrecipients.? 2 CFR 200.303 also requires the establishment of effective internal control for federal programs.Go Utah was unaware that subrecipient monitoring requirements were applicable to its program. Failure to establish internal controls, adequately communicate key federal program information to subrecipients and perform risk evaluation, and monitoring procedures may result in the subrecipient?s noncompliance with federal funds and potential misuse of federal funds.Recommendation:We recommend Go Utah:1. Gain an understanding of subrecipient requirements and establish internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements; and2. Communicate all required federal award information to sub-recipients.Go Utah?s Response:We agree. While internal controls were insufficient, they were not completely absent. For example: (1) we implemented the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Appropriation Tracking and Documentation Form, and (2) all sub-recipients signed contracts that included internal controls such as requirements for status reports, performance measures, and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Go Utah Did Not Implement Internal Controls for Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements(Go Utah)Federal Agency: Department of the TreasuryAssistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFederal Award Number: N/AQuestioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AThe Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) did not establish internal controls to ensure compliance with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Go Utah also did not properly communicate key federal grant information or evaluate and monitor its subrecipient for compliance purposes as required by 2 CRF 200.332.The Department of Treasury?s Final Rule requires recipients of funds to ?establish rigorous oversight and internal control processes to monitor compliance with any applicable requirements, including compliance by subrecipients.? 2 CFR 200.303 also requires the establishment of effective internal control for federal programs.Go Utah was unaware that subrecipient monitoring requirements were applicable to its program. Failure to establish internal controls, adequately communicate key federal program information to subrecipients and perform risk evaluation, and monitoring procedures may result in the subrecipient?s noncompliance with federal funds and potential misuse of federal funds.Recommendation:We recommend Go Utah:1. Gain an understanding of subrecipient requirements and establish internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements; and2. Communicate all required federal award information to sub-recipients.Go Utah?s Response:We agree. While internal controls were insufficient, they were not completely absent. For example: (1) we implemented the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Appropriation Tracking and Documentation Form, and (2) all sub-recipients signed contracts that included internal controls such as requirements for status reports, performance measures, and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Go Utah Did Not Implement Internal Controls for Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements(Go Utah)Federal Agency: Department of the TreasuryAssistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFederal Award Number: N/AQuestioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AThe Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) did not establish internal controls to ensure compliance with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Go Utah also did not properly communicate key federal grant information or evaluate and monitor its subrecipient for compliance purposes as required by 2 CRF 200.332.The Department of Treasury?s Final Rule requires recipients of funds to ?establish rigorous oversight and internal control processes to monitor compliance with any applicable requirements, including compliance by subrecipients.? 2 CFR 200.303 also requires the establishment of effective internal control for federal programs.Go Utah was unaware that subrecipient monitoring requirements were applicable to its program. Failure to establish internal controls, adequately communicate key federal program information to subrecipients and perform risk evaluation, and monitoring procedures may result in the subrecipient?s noncompliance with federal funds and potential misuse of federal funds.Recommendation:We recommend Go Utah:1. Gain an understanding of subrecipient requirements and establish internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements; and2. Communicate all required federal award information to sub-recipients.Go Utah?s Response:We agree. While internal controls were insufficient, they were not completely absent. For example: (1) we implemented the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Appropriation Tracking and Documentation Form, and (2) all sub-recipients signed contracts that included internal controls such as requirements for status reports, performance measures, and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Go Utah Did Not Implement Internal Controls for Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements(Go Utah)Federal Agency: Department of the TreasuryAssistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFederal Award Number: N/AQuestioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AThe Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) did not establish internal controls to ensure compliance with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Go Utah also did not properly communicate key federal grant information or evaluate and monitor its subrecipient for compliance purposes as required by 2 CRF 200.332.The Department of Treasury?s Final Rule requires recipients of funds to ?establish rigorous oversight and internal control processes to monitor compliance with any applicable requirements, including compliance by subrecipients.? 2 CFR 200.303 also requires the establishment of effective internal control for federal programs.Go Utah was unaware that subrecipient monitoring requirements were applicable to its program. Failure to establish internal controls, adequately communicate key federal program information to subrecipients and perform risk evaluation, and monitoring procedures may result in the subrecipient?s noncompliance with federal funds and potential misuse of federal funds.Recommendation:We recommend Go Utah:1. Gain an understanding of subrecipient requirements and establish internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements; and2. Communicate all required federal award information to sub-recipients.Go Utah?s Response:We agree. While internal controls were insufficient, they were not completely absent. For example: (1) we implemented the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Appropriation Tracking and Documentation Form, and (2) all sub-recipients signed contracts that included internal controls such as requirements for status reports, performance measures, and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Go Utah Did Not Implement Internal Controls for Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements(Go Utah)Federal Agency: Department of the TreasuryAssistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFederal Award Number: N/AQuestioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AThe Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) did not establish internal controls to ensure compliance with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Go Utah also did not properly communicate key federal grant information or evaluate and monitor its subrecipient for compliance purposes as required by 2 CRF 200.332.The Department of Treasury?s Final Rule requires recipients of funds to ?establish rigorous oversight and internal control processes to monitor compliance with any applicable requirements, including compliance by subrecipients.? 2 CFR 200.303 also requires the establishment of effective internal control for federal programs.Go Utah was unaware that subrecipient monitoring requirements were applicable to its program. Failure to establish internal controls, adequately communicate key federal program information to subrecipients and perform risk evaluation, and monitoring procedures may result in the subrecipient?s noncompliance with federal funds and potential misuse of federal funds.Recommendation:We recommend Go Utah:1. Gain an understanding of subrecipient requirements and establish internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements; and2. Communicate all required federal award information to sub-recipients.Go Utah?s Response:We agree. While internal controls were insufficient, they were not completely absent. For example: (1) we implemented the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Appropriation Tracking and Documentation Form, and (2) all sub-recipients signed contracts that included internal controls such as requirements for status reports, performance measures, and compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Subrecipients Not Tracked for Monitoring of Single Audit Reports(Department of Workforce Services)Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human ServicesAssistance Listing Number and Title: 93.575 Child Care and Development Block GrantFederal Award Number: 2101UTCCDF, 21UTCSC6Questioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AFour of 26 entities receiving Child Care funds as a subrecipient were not included on DWS?s Single Audit tracking log. This log was reviewed and approved, but did not detect these missing subrecipients. 2 CFR 200.332(f) requires the DWS to ?verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F? of Uniform Guidance. These entities were not included in the tracking log because the query used to pull Child Care subrecipient entities had an error in it. Because DWS did not identify the subrecipients for review, the subrecipients may not have been audited as required and follow up on findings related to DWS subawards may not have occurred as required. Potential internal control weaknesses or noncompliance at the subrecipient could occur without being detected by the DWS.Recommendation:We recommend DWS strengthen their internal controls to ensure query criteria to pull subrecipients is complete.DWS?s Response:We agree with the finding.
Subrecipients Not Tracked for Monitoring of Single Audit Reports(Department of Workforce Services)Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human ServicesAssistance Listing Number and Title: 93.575 Child Care and Development Block GrantFederal Award Number: 2101UTCCDF, 21UTCSC6Questioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AFour of 26 entities receiving Child Care funds as a subrecipient were not included on DWS?s Single Audit tracking log. This log was reviewed and approved, but did not detect these missing subrecipients. 2 CFR 200.332(f) requires the DWS to ?verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F? of Uniform Guidance. These entities were not included in the tracking log because the query used to pull Child Care subrecipient entities had an error in it. Because DWS did not identify the subrecipients for review, the subrecipients may not have been audited as required and follow up on findings related to DWS subawards may not have occurred as required. Potential internal control weaknesses or noncompliance at the subrecipient could occur without being detected by the DWS.Recommendation:We recommend DWS strengthen their internal controls to ensure query criteria to pull subrecipients is complete.DWS?s Response:We agree with the finding.
Subrecipients Not Tracked for Monitoring of Single Audit Reports(Department of Workforce Services)Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human ServicesAssistance Listing Number and Title: 93.575 Child Care and Development Block GrantFederal Award Number: 2101UTCCDF, 21UTCSC6Questioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AFour of 26 entities receiving Child Care funds as a subrecipient were not included on DWS?s Single Audit tracking log. This log was reviewed and approved, but did not detect these missing subrecipients. 2 CFR 200.332(f) requires the DWS to ?verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F? of Uniform Guidance. These entities were not included in the tracking log because the query used to pull Child Care subrecipient entities had an error in it. Because DWS did not identify the subrecipients for review, the subrecipients may not have been audited as required and follow up on findings related to DWS subawards may not have occurred as required. Potential internal control weaknesses or noncompliance at the subrecipient could occur without being detected by the DWS.Recommendation:We recommend DWS strengthen their internal controls to ensure query criteria to pull subrecipients is complete.DWS?s Response:We agree with the finding.
Subrecipients Not Tracked for Monitoring of Single Audit Reports(Department of Workforce Services)Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human ServicesAssistance Listing Number and Title: 93.575 Child Care and Development Block GrantFederal Award Number: 2101UTCCDF, 21UTCSC6Questioned Costs: N/APass-through Entity: N/APrior Year Single Audit Report Finding Number: N/AFour of 26 entities receiving Child Care funds as a subrecipient were not included on DWS?s Single Audit tracking log. This log was reviewed and approved, but did not detect these missing subrecipients. 2 CFR 200.332(f) requires the DWS to ?verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F? of Uniform Guidance. These entities were not included in the tracking log because the query used to pull Child Care subrecipient entities had an error in it. Because DWS did not identify the subrecipients for review, the subrecipients may not have been audited as required and follow up on findings related to DWS subawards may not have occurred as required. Potential internal control weaknesses or noncompliance at the subrecipient could occur without being detected by the DWS.Recommendation:We recommend DWS strengthen their internal controls to ensure query criteria to pull subrecipients is complete.DWS?s Response:We agree with the finding.
Reference Number:2022-010Prior Year Finding:NoFederal Agency:U.S. Department of the TreasuryState Agency:Department of Community AffairsFederal Program:COVID-19 - Homeowner Assistance FundAssistance Listing Number:21.026Award Number and Year:HAF0019 (2021)Compliance Requirement:Subrecipient MonitoringType of FindingSignificant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance ? Per 2 CFR section 200.332(a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward.Required information includes:i. Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier);ii. Subrecipient's unique entity identifier;iii. Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN);iv. Federal Award Date (see the definition of Federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency;v. Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date;vi. Subaward Budget Period Start and End Date;vii. Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient;viii. Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current financial obligation;ix. Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity;x. Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA);xi. Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the Pass-through entity;xii. Assistance Listings number and Title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the Assistance Listings Number at time of disbursement;xiii. Identification of whether the award is R&D; andxiv. Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per section 200.414.2 CFR section 200.332 also states that pass-through entities must:(d) Evaluate each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, which may include consideration of such factors as:1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards;2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a Single Audit in accordance with Subpart F - Audit Requirements of this part, and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program;3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems;4) The extent and results of Federal awarding agency monitoring (e.g., if the subrecipient also receives Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency).(e) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include:(1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity.(2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means.(3) Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by ? 200.521 Management decision.(f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F - Audit Requirements of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient's Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in ? 200.501 Audit requirements.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 be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition:The Department of Community Affairs (Department) did not comply with subrecipient monitoring requirements for the program.Context:The Department issued one subaward under the program and it was noted that the subaward did not include all required Federal Award information, nor did the Department perform a risk assessment of the subrecipient or perform monitoring activities for the award.Questioned costs:None noted.Cause:The Department?s procedures and controls were not effective to ensure the subaward was issued in compliance with Federal requirements, nor that it performed a risk assessment or timely monitoring of subrecipient.Effect:Excluding the required federal grant award information at the time of the subaward may cause subrecipients and their auditors to be uninformed about specific program and other regulations that apply to the funds they receive. There is also the potential for subrecipients to have incomplete Schedules of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in their Single Audit reports, and federal funds may not be properly audited at the subrecipient level in accordance with the Uniform Guidance.Not conducting during the award monitoring may result in a failure of the Division to detect that its subrecipients used subawards for unauthorized purposes, managed them in violation of the terms and conditions of the subawards, or that subaward performance goals were not achieved.Without ensuring subrecipients have obtained audits as required by Subpart F, there is an increased risk that subrecipients could be inappropriately spending and/or inaccurately tracking and reporting federal funds over multiple year periods, and these discrepancies may not be properly monitored, detected, and corrected by Division personnel on a timely basis.Recommendation:The Department should review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required information is included in all subawards, that proper subrecipient monitoring is conducted, and that evaluation of independent audits is performed.Views of responsible officials:As recommended, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will review current procedures to ensure that all subaward information required by the federal Uniform Guidance is included in all subaward contracts and grant agreements. The DCA has also reviewed its current subrecipient monitoring procedures for standard subawards made by the agency and has determined that no internal control enhancements are required. The HAF award was a unique grant relationship for DCA in that the entire award was passed through to another New Jersey State government agency that is a direct affiliate of the Department. Monitoring procedures were determined based on the close working relationship with our affiliate organization and the fact that less than 1 percent of the grant award was expended through June 30, 2022. Current procedures included a risk assessment of the subrecipient and performance of the single audit desk review of the independent audit report. In addition, the Director of Audit, and the Executive Director of the subgrantee affiliate participate in weekly meetings where updates on the program status can be determined. DCA?s subrecipient monitoring plan also includes the hiring of an Integrity Monitor to oversee and monitor the use of the HAF funds as well as compliance with all HAF program reporting requirements. As program disbursement activity is continuing to increase with the HAF program(s) created more fully up and running, DCA is currently targeting the Integrity Monitor hire to take place sometime within the next three to six months.
Lack of Internal Controls and Noncompliance with Subrecipient Monitoring Requirement –Coronavirus Relief Fund (Repeat Finding - 2021-001) FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of the Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.019 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Coronavirus Relief Fund FEDERAL AWARD NUMBER: SLT0259 FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2021 CONTROL CATEGORY: Subrecipient Monitoring QUESTIONED COSTS: $176,562 Condition: During the process of documenting the County’s internal controls regarding federal disbursements, we noted that Oklahoma County has not established the following procedures to ensure compliance with the Subrecipient Monitoring requirements: • Identify the award and applicable requirements to the subrecipients. • Evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward (2 CFR section 200.332(b)). • Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals (2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f)). Further, when performing tests over compliance of the federal grant, it was noted that the County did not perform any subrecipient monitoring procedures. In addition, subaward agreements were not designed to ensure the subrecipients understand and use the funds in accordance with federal regulations, and terms and conditions of the subaward. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure the County complies with federal laws and regulations and grant agreements. Effect of Condition: This condition resulted in noncompliance with federal laws and regulations and grant agreements. Recommendation: OSAI recommends the County comply with federal laws and regulations and grant agreements by creating award agreements that are designed and implemented to ensure Subrecipient Monitoring is performed. Management Response: Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners: Oklahoma County will comply with federal laws and regulations and grant agreements by creating award agreements that are designed and implemented to ensure Subrecipient Monitoring is performed. Criteria: GAO Standards – Section 2 – Establishing an Effective Internal Control System – OV2.23 states in part: Objectives of an Entity – Compliance Objectives Management conducts activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. As part of specifying compliance objectives, the entity determines which laws and regulations apply to the entity. Management is expected to set objectives that incorporate these requirements. 2 CFR § 200.303(a) Internal Controls reads as follows: The non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. 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 § 200.332 states: All pass-through entities must: (a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward… (b) Evaluate each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section,… (c) Consider imposing specific subaward conditions upon a subrecipient if appropriate as described in § 200.208. (d) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals areachieved. ... (e) Depending upon the pass-through entity's assessment of risk posed by the subrecipient (as described in paragraph (b) of this section), the following monitoring tools may be useful for the pass-through entity to ensure proper accountability and compliance with program requirements and achievement of performance goals. (f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient's Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in § 200.501. (g) Consider whether the results of the subrecipient's audits, on-site reviews, or other monitoring indicate conditions that necessitate adjustments to the pass-through entity's own records. (h) Consider taking enforcement action against noncompliant subrecipients as described in § 200.339 of this part and in program regulations.
Lack of Internal Controls and Noncompliance with Subrecipient Monitoring Requirement – Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Repeat Finding – 2021-002) FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of the Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.023 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Emergency Rental Assistance Program FEDERAL AWARD NUMBER: ERAE0514, ERAE0418 FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2022 CONTROL CATEGORY: Subrecipient Monitoring QUESTIONED COSTS: $13,241,928 Condition: During the process of documenting the County’s internal controls regarding federal disbursements, we noted that Oklahoma County has not established the following procedures to ensure compliance with the Subrecipient Monitoring requirements: • Identify the award and applicable requirements to the subrecipients. • Evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward (2 CFR section 200.332(b)). • Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals (2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f)). Further, when performing tests over compliance of the federal grant, it was noted that the County did not perform any subrecipient monitoring procedures. In addition, subaward agreements were not designed to ensure the subrecipients understand and use the funds in accordance with federal regulations, and terms and conditions of the subaward. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure the County complies with federal laws and regulations and grant agreements. Effect of Condition: This condition resulted in noncompliance with federal laws and regulations and grant agreements. Recommendation: OSAI recommends the County comply with federal laws and regulations and grant agreements by creating award agreements that are designed and implemented to ensure Subrecipient Monitoring is performed. Management Response: Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners: Oklahoma County will comply with federal laws and regulations and grant agreements by creating award agreements that are designed and implemented to ensure Subrecipient Monitoring is performed. Criteria: GAO Standards – Section 2 – Establishing an Effective Internal Control System – OV2.23 states in part: Objectives of an Entity – Compliance Objectives Management conducts activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. As part of specifying compliance objectives, the entity determines which laws and regulations apply to the entity. Management is expected to set objectives that incorporate these requirements. 2 CFR § 200.303(a) Internal Controls reads as follows: The non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. 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 § 200.332 states: All pass-through entities must: (a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward… (b) Evaluate each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, . . . (c) Consider imposing specific subaward conditions upon a subrecipient if appropriate as described in § 200.208. (d) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. … (e) Depending upon the pass-through entity's assessment of risk posed by the subrecipient (as described in paragraph (b) of this section), the following monitoring tools may be useful for the pass-through entity to ensure proper accountability and compliance with program requirements and achievement of performance goals (f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient's Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in § 200.501. (g) Consider whether the results of the subrecipient's audits, on-site reviews, or other monitoring indicate conditions that necessitate adjustments to the pass-through entity's own records. (h) Consider taking enforcement action against noncompliant subrecipients as described in § 200.339 of this part and in program regulations.
Finding 2022-004 – Subrecipient Monitoring U.S. Department of Homeland Security Montana Department of Disaster and Emergency Services BRIC: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities – ALN 97.047 Subrecipient Monitoring Condition: There is no internal control system to perform subrecipient monitoring. The County has one subrecipient under this award and the total subaward is $832,156. The County did not comply with the subrecipient monitor requirements including: identify the award and applicable requirements to the subrecipient, evaluate the subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance for purpose of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring, and monitor the subrecipient. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.332,a pass-through entity (PTE) must: 1) clearly identify to the subrecipient the award and applicable requirements, 2) evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward, and 3) monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals. In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of the subrecipient risk or subrecipient monitoring, activities must include: a) reviewing financial and programmatic reports required by the PTE, b) following-up and ensuring the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal awards provided to the subrecipient from the PTE detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means and c) issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the PTE. Cause: The County does not have formal policies in place for subrecipient monitoring. Effect: A failure to perform subrecipient monitoring could result in noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward, as well as adjustments to the County’s own records. Questioned Costs: Unknown Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding from the prior audit. Recommendation: The County should adopt formal policies and procedures for subrecipient monitoring in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding. See separate corrective action plan.
FINDING NO: 2022-002 - Subrecipient Monitoring (Repeated from Prior Year Findings 21-003, 20-004, 19-005, 18-004, and 17-003) Federal Program: McKinney Education for Homeless Children Project No: 21-4920-00 and 22-4920-00 Federal Assistance Listing No: 84.196A Passed Through: Illinois State Board of Education Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education AND Federal Program: COVID-19 ARP - McKinney Education for Homeless Children Project No: 22-4998-HM Federal Assistance Listing No: 84.425W Passed Through: Illinois State Board of Education Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Criteria/Specific Requirement: A. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) require the Regional Office to ensure any subrecipient monitoring using federal funds be consistent with the standards set forth in the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR 200.332. B. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) section 200.303 Internal Controls states the following: “The non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.” Condition: Audit procedures revealed that ROE #47 was not properly monitoring subrecipients in accordance with the Uniform Guidance standards as follows: McKinney Education for Homeless Children – for three (3) of three (3) subrecipients tested, ROE #47: • Did not evaluate the risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward. • Did not determine whether the subrecipient met the 2 CFR 200 Subpart F Audit requirements criteria for a single audit. COVID-19 ARP - McKinney Education for Homeless Children – for two (2) of two (2) subrecipients tested, ROE #47: • Did not identify the subaward and applicable requirements in the agreements. • Did not evaluate the risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward. • Did not conduct subrecipient monitoring procedures. • Did not determine whether the subrecipient met the 2 CFR 200 Subpart F Audit requirements criteria for a single audit. Questioned Costs: None Context: The Regional Office of Education #47 expended a total of $990,919 of federal awards in fiscal year 2022, of which $274,520 in McKinney Education for Homeless Children and $61,075 in COVID-19 ARP - McKinney Education for Homeless Children were passed-through to subrecipients. Effect: The Regional Office of Education #47 is not in compliance with Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200.332 as it relates to subrecipient monitoring requirements. Additionally, the effect of noncompliance can result in questioned costs. Cause: Regional Office management had not been asked to distribute Federal ARP funds before. All the funds were distributed to public school districts that are subject to state audits every year themselves and we mistakenly did not follow up to get the results of their audits. Recommendation: We recommend that the Regional Office of Education #47 establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards to ensure subrecipients are properly monitored as required by 2 CFR 200.332. This includes: a. Identifying the subaward and applicable requirements in the agreements; b. Evaluating the risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; c. Conducting subrecipient monitoring procedures; and d. Determining whether the subrecipient met the requirement criteria of 2 CFR 200 Subpart F Audit requirements for a single audit. Management’s Response: Effective April 2024, the Regional Office will formally identify the subaward and the applicable requirements in our agreements. We will conduct subrecipient monitoring procedures. We will determine if the subrecipient met the requirement criteria of 2 CFR 200 Subpart F Audit requirements for a single audit.
FINDING NO: 2022-002 - Subrecipient Monitoring (Repeated from Prior Year Findings 21-003, 20-004, 19-005, 18-004, and 17-003) Federal Program: McKinney Education for Homeless Children Project No: 21-4920-00 and 22-4920-00 Federal Assistance Listing No: 84.196A Passed Through: Illinois State Board of Education Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education AND Federal Program: COVID-19 ARP - McKinney Education for Homeless Children Project No: 22-4998-HM Federal Assistance Listing No: 84.425W Passed Through: Illinois State Board of Education Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Criteria/Specific Requirement: A. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) require the Regional Office to ensure any subrecipient monitoring using federal funds be consistent with the standards set forth in the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR 200.332. B. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) section 200.303 Internal Controls states the following: “The non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.” Condition: Audit procedures revealed that ROE #47 was not properly monitoring subrecipients in accordance with the Uniform Guidance standards as follows: McKinney Education for Homeless Children – for three (3) of three (3) subrecipients tested, ROE #47: • Did not evaluate the risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward. • Did not determine whether the subrecipient met the 2 CFR 200 Subpart F Audit requirements criteria for a single audit. COVID-19 ARP - McKinney Education for Homeless Children – for two (2) of two (2) subrecipients tested, ROE #47: • Did not identify the subaward and applicable requirements in the agreements. • Did not evaluate the risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward. • Did not conduct subrecipient monitoring procedures. • Did not determine whether the subrecipient met the 2 CFR 200 Subpart F Audit requirements criteria for a single audit. Questioned Costs: None Context: The Regional Office of Education #47 expended a total of $990,919 of federal awards in fiscal year 2022, of which $274,520 in McKinney Education for Homeless Children and $61,075 in COVID-19 ARP - McKinney Education for Homeless Children were passed-through to subrecipients. Effect: The Regional Office of Education #47 is not in compliance with Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200.332 as it relates to subrecipient monitoring requirements. Additionally, the effect of noncompliance can result in questioned costs. Cause: Regional Office management had not been asked to distribute Federal ARP funds before. All the funds were distributed to public school districts that are subject to state audits every year themselves and we mistakenly did not follow up to get the results of their audits. Recommendation: We recommend that the Regional Office of Education #47 establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards to ensure subrecipients are properly monitored as required by 2 CFR 200.332. This includes: a. Identifying the subaward and applicable requirements in the agreements; b. Evaluating the risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; c. Conducting subrecipient monitoring procedures; and d. Determining whether the subrecipient met the requirement criteria of 2 CFR 200 Subpart F Audit requirements for a single audit. Management’s Response: Effective April 2024, the Regional Office will formally identify the subaward and the applicable requirements in our agreements. We will conduct subrecipient monitoring procedures. We will determine if the subrecipient met the requirement criteria of 2 CFR 200 Subpart F Audit requirements for a single audit.
Finding 2022-006 Internal Control and Compliance over Subrecipient Monitoring Information on the Federal Program: Assistance Listing Number(s): 17.258, 17.259, 17.278 Federal Program Name: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Pass-Through Entity: California Employment Development Department Federal Award Number and Award Year: AA311008 - FY21-22 Criteria: Title 2 - Grants and Agreements. Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance. Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements. Standards for Financial and Program Management. §200.303 Internal controls (2 CFR 200.303): 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). Title 2: Grants and Agreements, Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements, Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance, Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements, Subrecipient Monitoring and Management, §200.331 Requirements for pass-through entities (2 CFR 200.331): All pass-through entities must: (a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward. Required information includes: (1) Federal award identification. i. Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier); ii. Subrecipient's unique entity identifier; iii. Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); iv. Federal Award Date (see the definition of Federal award date in § 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency; v. Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; vi. Subaward Budget Period Start and End Date; vii. Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient; viii. Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current financial obligation; ix. Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity; x. Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); xi. Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding xii. Assistance Listings number and Title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the Assistance Listings Number at time of disbursement; xiii. Identification of whether the award is R&D; and xiv. Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per § 200.414.; (2) All requirements imposed by the pass-through entity on the subrecipient so that the Federal award is used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the Federal award; (3) Any additional requirements that the pass-through entity imposes on the subrecipient in order for the pass-through entity to meet its own responsibility to the Federal awarding agency including identification of any required financial and performance reports; Title 2: Grants and Agreements, Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements, Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance, Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements, Subrecipient Monitoring and Management, §200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities (2 CFR 200.332): All pass-through entities must: (a) Evaluate each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, which may include consideration of such factors as: (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a Single Audit in accordance with Subpart F of this part, and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems; and (4) The extent and results of Federal awarding agency monitoring (e.g., if the subrecipient also receives Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency). Condition: During our testing of the Imperial County Workforce Development Office’s (ICWDO) provisions for subrecipient monitoring under the WIOA Cluster, we noted the following instances: For one (1) of the one (1) subrecipient selected for testing, there was no review or approval over the monitoring procedures performed by ICWDO monitoring staff. The entire population of one (1) subrecipient. • The following information was not provided at the time of the subaward for one (1) of the one (1) subaward selected for testing: o Federal award identification number o Federal award date of award to recipient by the Federal agency o Name of federal awarding agency o Federal Financial Assistance Listing/CFDA Number o Identification of whether the award is research and development • The County did not document their evaluation of each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance Cause: The County’s ICWDO department does not have a formal procedure in place for the department’s review and approval over the monitoring procedures performed by the department over its subrecipients. The ICWDO department did not ensure that the required award information and applicable requirements were communicated to the subrecipients and did not maintain documentation of their evaluation of each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance. Effect: The County’s ICWDO department did not review and approve monitoring procedures performed over its subrecipients. Additionally, the ICWDO department did not maintain policies and procedures to align with the Subrecipient Monitoring requirements in 2 CFR 200.332 (a) and 200.332(b). Identification as a Repeat Finding, If Applicable: Yes. See Finding 2021-008. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified. Recommendation: Social Services should continue to monitor compliance with its policies to ensure case workers follow the established guidelines for redetermination of the recipients of need and amount of assistance and retain acceptable documentation to support the determinations. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: See separate Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2022-006 Internal Control and Compliance over Subrecipient Monitoring Information on the Federal Program: Assistance Listing Number(s): 17.258, 17.259, 17.278 Federal Program Name: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Pass-Through Entity: California Employment Development Department Federal Award Number and Award Year: AA311008 - FY21-22 Criteria: Title 2 - Grants and Agreements. Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance. Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements. Standards for Financial and Program Management. §200.303 Internal controls (2 CFR 200.303): 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). Title 2: Grants and Agreements, Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements, Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance, Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements, Subrecipient Monitoring and Management, §200.331 Requirements for pass-through entities (2 CFR 200.331): All pass-through entities must: (a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward. Required information includes: (1) Federal award identification. i. Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier); ii. Subrecipient's unique entity identifier; iii. Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); iv. Federal Award Date (see the definition of Federal award date in § 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency; v. Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; vi. Subaward Budget Period Start and End Date; vii. Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient; viii. Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current financial obligation; ix. Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity; x. Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); xi. Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding xii. Assistance Listings number and Title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the Assistance Listings Number at time of disbursement; xiii. Identification of whether the award is R&D; and xiv. Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per § 200.414.; (2) All requirements imposed by the pass-through entity on the subrecipient so that the Federal award is used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the Federal award; (3) Any additional requirements that the pass-through entity imposes on the subrecipient in order for the pass-through entity to meet its own responsibility to the Federal awarding agency including identification of any required financial and performance reports; Title 2: Grants and Agreements, Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements, Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance, Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements, Subrecipient Monitoring and Management, §200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities (2 CFR 200.332): All pass-through entities must: (a) Evaluate each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, which may include consideration of such factors as: (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a Single Audit in accordance with Subpart F of this part, and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems; and (4) The extent and results of Federal awarding agency monitoring (e.g., if the subrecipient also receives Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency). Condition: During our testing of the Imperial County Workforce Development Office’s (ICWDO) provisions for subrecipient monitoring under the WIOA Cluster, we noted the following instances: For one (1) of the one (1) subrecipient selected for testing, there was no review or approval over the monitoring procedures performed by ICWDO monitoring staff. The entire population of one (1) subrecipient. • The following information was not provided at the time of the subaward for one (1) of the one (1) subaward selected for testing: o Federal award identification number o Federal award date of award to recipient by the Federal agency o Name of federal awarding agency o Federal Financial Assistance Listing/CFDA Number o Identification of whether the award is research and development • The County did not document their evaluation of each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance Cause: The County’s ICWDO department does not have a formal procedure in place for the department’s review and approval over the monitoring procedures performed by the department over its subrecipients. The ICWDO department did not ensure that the required award information and applicable requirements were communicated to the subrecipients and did not maintain documentation of their evaluation of each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance. Effect: The County’s ICWDO department did not review and approve monitoring procedures performed over its subrecipients. Additionally, the ICWDO department did not maintain policies and procedures to align with the Subrecipient Monitoring requirements in 2 CFR 200.332 (a) and 200.332(b). Identification as a Repeat Finding, If Applicable: Yes. See Finding 2021-008. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified. Recommendation: Social Services should continue to monitor compliance with its policies to ensure case workers follow the established guidelines for redetermination of the recipients of need and amount of assistance and retain acceptable documentation to support the determinations. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: See separate Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2022-006 Internal Control and Compliance over Subrecipient Monitoring Information on the Federal Program: Assistance Listing Number(s): 17.258, 17.259, 17.278 Federal Program Name: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Pass-Through Entity: California Employment Development Department Federal Award Number and Award Year: AA311008 - FY21-22 Criteria: Title 2 - Grants and Agreements. Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance. Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements. Standards for Financial and Program Management. §200.303 Internal controls (2 CFR 200.303): 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). Title 2: Grants and Agreements, Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements, Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance, Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements, Subrecipient Monitoring and Management, §200.331 Requirements for pass-through entities (2 CFR 200.331): All pass-through entities must: (a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward. Required information includes: (1) Federal award identification. i. Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier); ii. Subrecipient's unique entity identifier; iii. Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); iv. Federal Award Date (see the definition of Federal award date in § 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency; v. Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; vi. Subaward Budget Period Start and End Date; vii. Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient; viii. Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current financial obligation; ix. Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity; x. Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); xi. Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding xii. Assistance Listings number and Title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the Assistance Listings Number at time of disbursement; xiii. Identification of whether the award is R&D; and xiv. Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per § 200.414.; (2) All requirements imposed by the pass-through entity on the subrecipient so that the Federal award is used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the Federal award; (3) Any additional requirements that the pass-through entity imposes on the subrecipient in order for the pass-through entity to meet its own responsibility to the Federal awarding agency including identification of any required financial and performance reports; Title 2: Grants and Agreements, Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements, Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance, Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements, Subrecipient Monitoring and Management, §200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities (2 CFR 200.332): All pass-through entities must: (a) Evaluate each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, which may include consideration of such factors as: (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a Single Audit in accordance with Subpart F of this part, and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems; and (4) The extent and results of Federal awarding agency monitoring (e.g., if the subrecipient also receives Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency). Condition: During our testing of the Imperial County Workforce Development Office’s (ICWDO) provisions for subrecipient monitoring under the WIOA Cluster, we noted the following instances: For one (1) of the one (1) subrecipient selected for testing, there was no review or approval over the monitoring procedures performed by ICWDO monitoring staff. The entire population of one (1) subrecipient. • The following information was not provided at the time of the subaward for one (1) of the one (1) subaward selected for testing: o Federal award identification number o Federal award date of award to recipient by the Federal agency o Name of federal awarding agency o Federal Financial Assistance Listing/CFDA Number o Identification of whether the award is research and development • The County did not document their evaluation of each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance Cause: The County’s ICWDO department does not have a formal procedure in place for the department’s review and approval over the monitoring procedures performed by the department over its subrecipients. The ICWDO department did not ensure that the required award information and applicable requirements were communicated to the subrecipients and did not maintain documentation of their evaluation of each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance. Effect: The County’s ICWDO department did not review and approve monitoring procedures performed over its subrecipients. Additionally, the ICWDO department did not maintain policies and procedures to align with the Subrecipient Monitoring requirements in 2 CFR 200.332 (a) and 200.332(b). Identification as a Repeat Finding, If Applicable: Yes. See Finding 2021-008. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified. Recommendation: Social Services should continue to monitor compliance with its policies to ensure case workers follow the established guidelines for redetermination of the recipients of need and amount of assistance and retain acceptable documentation to support the determinations. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: See separate Corrective Action Plan.
Criteria: Internal 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 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). Compliance: Monitoring the activities of the subrecipients as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals (2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f)). Condition: the County did not provide documentation to support subrecipient monitoring for all subawards issued during fiscal year 2022. Cause: the County’s Finance Office was unaware of subrecipient monitoring requirements for all federally funded subawards of $25,000 or more. Questioned Costs: None Effect: Federal funds may be used for purposes that are not in accordance with the terms of the grant agreement. Recommendation: We recommend the County review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all subrecipients are monitored and reviewed. Identification of Repeat Finding: This is a first year finding. Views of Responsible Officials: management agrees with the finding.
Finding 2022-007 — Lack of Internal Controls and Noncompliance with Subrecipient Monitoring – Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Repeat Finding 2021-013) FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of the Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.023 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Emergency Rental Assistance Program FEDERAL AWARD NUMBER: ERA0174, ERAE0225 FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2022 CONTROL CATEGORY: Subrecipient Monitoring QUESTIONED COSTS: $6,397,374 Condition: During the process of documenting the County’s internal controls regarding federal disbursements for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA), we noted that Cleveland County has not established the following procedures to ensure compliance with the Subrecipient Monitoring requirements: • Evaluate subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance for the purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward. • Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals. Further, while documenting controls over the subrecipient program and administrative expenditures for the ERA1, we noted the following: • The County was unable to provide supporting documents for the administrative costs of the consultant for this grant totaling $64,800. • The County was unable to provide supporting documentation of the subrecipient’s administrative expenditures totaling $453,067. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure the County complies with federal laws and regulations and grant agreements; and adequate subrecipient monitoring policies and procedures had not been established by the County prior to entering into agreements with subrecipients. Effect of Condition: This condition resulted in noncompliance with grant requirements. Also, the subrecipient may not be in compliance with the award terms and there is an increased risk of mismanagement and fraud by the subgrantees. Recommendation: OSAI recommends the County design and implement internal controls to ensure that it administers current and future ERA grants in accordance with applicable federal laws and grant requirements, including ensuring that grant subrecipients are properly informed of federal requirements related to allowable costs and that subrecipient monitoring procedures are designed and implemented. Subrecipients should be reimbursed for administrative costs based on supporting documentation for actual costs incurred rather than making advance payments for a set percentage of program funds advanced. Management Response: Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners: Cleveland County takes the auditor's findings seriously and has already implemented several improvements in documentation, monitoring, and reporting practices. Cleveland County is working toward improvements for fiscal year 2025 and has reconciled billing to align with the contract scope of work. However, we recognize the need for documented internal controls and are committed to addressing all recommendations to ensure compliance and transparency in future programs. The County appreciates the constructive feedback and will continue to refine its processes to better serve its citizens. Criteria: GAO Standards – Section 2 – Establishing an Effective Internal Control System – OV2.23 states in part: Objectives of an Entity – Compliance Objectives Management conducts activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. As part of specifying compliance objectives, the entity determines which laws and regulations apply to the entity. Management is expected to set objectives that incorporate these requirements. 2 CFR § 200.332 states in part: (e) Monitor the activities of a subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subrecipient complies with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward. The pass-through entity is responsible for monitoring the overall performance of a subrecipient to ensure that the goals and objectives of the subaward are achieved. In addition, identify procedures necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required by the terms and conditions of the award, subaward monitoring must include the following: 1. Reviewing financial and programmatic (performance and special reports) required by the Pass-Through Entity (PTE). The Consolidated Appropriations Act§ Section 501 (c)(5) Use of Funds - Administrative Costs states in part: (A) IN GENERAL. —Not more than 10 percent of the amount paid to an eligible grantee under this section may be used for administrative costs attributable to providing financial assistance and housing stability services under paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively, including for data collection and reporting requirements related to such funds. (B) NO OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. —Amounts paid under this section shall not be used for any administrative costs other than to the extent allowed under subparagraph (A). In addition, the U.S. Department of Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) FAQ #29 What are the applicable limitations on administrative expenses, states in part: Under ERAl, not more than 10 percent of the amount paid to a grantee may be used for administrative costs attributable to providing financial assistance and housing stability services to eligible households. Under ERA2, not more than 15 percent of the amount paid to a grantee may be used for administrative costs attributable to providing financial assistance, housing stability services, and other affordable rental housing and eviction prevention activities. 2 CFR § 200.332 states: All pass-through entities must: (a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward… (b) Evaluate each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section,… (c) Consider imposing specific subaward conditions upon a subrecipient if appropriate as described in § 200.208. (d) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. . . . (e) Depending upon the pass-through entity's assessment of risk posed by the subrecipient (as described in paragraph (b) of this section), the following monitoring tools may be useful for the pass-through entity to ensure proper accountability and compliance with program requirements and achievement of performance goals (f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient's Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in § 200.501. (g) Consider whether the results of the subrecipient's audits, on-site reviews, or other monitoring indicate conditions that necessitate adjustments to the pass-through entity's own records. (h) Consider taking enforcement action against noncompliant subrecipients as described in § 200.339 of this part and in program regulations.
Criteria Pursuant to Title 2, Subtitle A Chapter II, Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), “a non-Federal entity may concurrently receive Federal awards as a recipient, subrecipient, and a contractor, depending on the substance of its agreements with the Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities. Therefore, a pass-through entity must make case-by-case determinations whether each agreement it makes for the disbursement of Federal program funds casts the party receiving the funds in the role of a subrecipient or a contractor.” Condition We noted that the Organization did not make case-by-case determinations of each agreement with parties to which the Organization passed through Federal program funds to determine whether they were deemed to be either subrecipients or contractors. Cause Management had not updated its policies and procedures to incorporate the relevant Uniform Guidance subrecipient monitoring and management policies. Effect The lack of subrecipient monitoring and management policies of the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance by the Organization with the stipulated requirements for pass-through entities, as well as noncompliance of subrecipient requirements by the entities receiving the pass-through funds from the Organization. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provisions of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to their policies and procedures manual to ensure compliance with Federal standards. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action The Organization concurs with the recommendation. As part of our current policies and procedures review and revision process, we plan to incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR§ 200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to emphasize accountability and compliance in managing federal funds and subrecipients. Specifically and prospectively, effective November 1, 2024, the Organization’s practices will include: 1. Using a checklist for the determination of subrecipient or contractor classification as guidance, perform a comprehensive risk assessment before entering into any subrecipient agreement. 2. Provide identification details such as CFDA number, amount of federal funds obligated, and the award period for determined subrecipient awards. 3. Require subrecipients to submit programmatic and financial reports as specified in the subrecipient agreement. 4. As part of the subrecipient process, ensure subrecipients that expend $750,000 or more in federal funds during a fiscal year undergo a single audit in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F. Review their audit reports and address any findings related to their federal awards, taking appropriate corrective actions. Retroactively, for the audit periods July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, the Organization will perform a risk assessment of the existing subrecipient portfolio during this period to identify high-priority risks. The objective of this risk assessment review is to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks that could adversely impact the Organization’s ability to achieve its strategic, operational, and quality assurance goals, ensuring that all products, services, and processes align with established standards and fulfill processes. The above reflects the current planned practices of the Organization and the overall financial policies and procedures are in the process of being updated to align to the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance. The Organization has prioritized the completion and distribution of the updated financial policies and procedures by December 31, 2024.
Criteria Pursuant to Title 2, Subtitle A Chapter II, Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), “a non-Federal entity may concurrently receive Federal awards as a recipient, subrecipient, and a contractor, depending on the substance of its agreements with the Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities. Therefore, a pass-through entity must make case-by-case determinations whether each agreement it makes for the disbursement of Federal program funds casts the party receiving the funds in the role of a subrecipient or a contractor.” Condition We noted that the Organization did not make case-by-case determinations of each agreement with parties to which the Organization passed through Federal program funds to determine whether they were deemed to be either subrecipients or contractors. Cause Management had not updated its policies and procedures to incorporate the relevant Uniform Guidance subrecipient monitoring and management policies. Effect The lack of subrecipient monitoring and management policies of the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance by the Organization with the stipulated requirements for pass-through entities, as well as noncompliance of subrecipient requirements by the entities receiving the pass-through funds from the Organization. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provisions of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to their policies and procedures manual to ensure compliance with Federal standards. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action The Organization concurs with the recommendation. As part of our current policies and procedures review and revision process, we plan to incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR§ 200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to emphasize accountability and compliance in managing federal funds and subrecipients. Specifically and prospectively, effective November 1, 2024, the Organization’s practices will include: 1. Using a checklist for the determination of subrecipient or contractor classification as guidance, perform a comprehensive risk assessment before entering into any subrecipient agreement. 2. Provide identification details such as CFDA number, amount of federal funds obligated, and the award period for determined subrecipient awards. 3. Require subrecipients to submit programmatic and financial reports as specified in the subrecipient agreement. 4. As part of the subrecipient process, ensure subrecipients that expend $750,000 or more in federal funds during a fiscal year undergo a single audit in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F. Review their audit reports and address any findings related to their federal awards, taking appropriate corrective actions. Retroactively, for the audit periods July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, the Organization will perform a risk assessment of the existing subrecipient portfolio during this period to identify high-priority risks. The objective of this risk assessment review is to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks that could adversely impact the Organization’s ability to achieve its strategic, operational, and quality assurance goals, ensuring that all products, services, and processes align with established standards and fulfill processes. The above reflects the current planned practices of the Organization and the overall financial policies and procedures are in the process of being updated to align to the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance. The Organization has prioritized the completion and distribution of the updated financial policies and procedures by December 31, 2024.
Criteria Pursuant to Title 2, Subtitle A Chapter II, Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), “a non-Federal entity may concurrently receive Federal awards as a recipient, subrecipient, and a contractor, depending on the substance of its agreements with the Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities. Therefore, a pass-through entity must make case-by-case determinations whether each agreement it makes for the disbursement of Federal program funds casts the party receiving the funds in the role of a subrecipient or a contractor.” Condition We noted that the Organization did not make case-by-case determinations of each agreement with parties to which the Organization passed through Federal program funds to determine whether they were deemed to be either subrecipients or contractors. Cause Management had not updated its policies and procedures to incorporate the relevant Uniform Guidance subrecipient monitoring and management policies. Effect The lack of subrecipient monitoring and management policies of the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance by the Organization with the stipulated requirements for pass-through entities, as well as noncompliance of subrecipient requirements by the entities receiving the pass-through funds from the Organization. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provisions of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to their policies and procedures manual to ensure compliance with Federal standards. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action The Organization concurs with the recommendation. As part of our current policies and procedures review and revision process, we plan to incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR§ 200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to emphasize accountability and compliance in managing federal funds and subrecipients. Specifically and prospectively, effective November 1, 2024, the Organization’s practices will include: 1. Using a checklist for the determination of subrecipient or contractor classification as guidance, perform a comprehensive risk assessment before entering into any subrecipient agreement. 2. Provide identification details such as CFDA number, amount of federal funds obligated, and the award period for determined subrecipient awards. 3. Require subrecipients to submit programmatic and financial reports as specified in the subrecipient agreement. 4. As part of the subrecipient process, ensure subrecipients that expend $750,000 or more in federal funds during a fiscal year undergo a single audit in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F. Review their audit reports and address any findings related to their federal awards, taking appropriate corrective actions. Retroactively, for the audit periods July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, the Organization will perform a risk assessment of the existing subrecipient portfolio during this period to identify high-priority risks. The objective of this risk assessment review is to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks that could adversely impact the Organization’s ability to achieve its strategic, operational, and quality assurance goals, ensuring that all products, services, and processes align with established standards and fulfill processes. The above reflects the current planned practices of the Organization and the overall financial policies and procedures are in the process of being updated to align to the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance. The Organization has prioritized the completion and distribution of the updated financial policies and procedures by December 31, 2024.
Criteria Pursuant to Title 2, Subtitle A Chapter II, Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), “a non-Federal entity may concurrently receive Federal awards as a recipient, subrecipient, and a contractor, depending on the substance of its agreements with the Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities. Therefore, a pass-through entity must make case-by-case determinations whether each agreement it makes for the disbursement of Federal program funds casts the party receiving the funds in the role of a subrecipient or a contractor.” Condition We noted that the Organization did not make case-by-case determinations of each agreement with parties to which the Organization passed through Federal program funds to determine whether they were deemed to be either subrecipients or contractors. Cause Management had not updated its policies and procedures to incorporate the relevant Uniform Guidance subrecipient monitoring and management policies. Effect The lack of subrecipient monitoring and management policies of the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance by the Organization with the stipulated requirements for pass-through entities, as well as noncompliance of subrecipient requirements by the entities receiving the pass-through funds from the Organization. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provisions of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to their policies and procedures manual to ensure compliance with Federal standards. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action The Organization concurs with the recommendation. As part of our current policies and procedures review and revision process, we plan to incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR§ 200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to emphasize accountability and compliance in managing federal funds and subrecipients. Specifically and prospectively, effective November 1, 2024, the Organization’s practices will include: 1. Using a checklist for the determination of subrecipient or contractor classification as guidance, perform a comprehensive risk assessment before entering into any subrecipient agreement. 2. Provide identification details such as CFDA number, amount of federal funds obligated, and the award period for determined subrecipient awards. 3. Require subrecipients to submit programmatic and financial reports as specified in the subrecipient agreement. 4. As part of the subrecipient process, ensure subrecipients that expend $750,000 or more in federal funds during a fiscal year undergo a single audit in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F. Review their audit reports and address any findings related to their federal awards, taking appropriate corrective actions. Retroactively, for the audit periods July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, the Organization will perform a risk assessment of the existing subrecipient portfolio during this period to identify high-priority risks. The objective of this risk assessment review is to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks that could adversely impact the Organization’s ability to achieve its strategic, operational, and quality assurance goals, ensuring that all products, services, and processes align with established standards and fulfill processes. The above reflects the current planned practices of the Organization and the overall financial policies and procedures are in the process of being updated to align to the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance. The Organization has prioritized the completion and distribution of the updated financial policies and procedures by December 31, 2024.
Criteria Pursuant to Title 2, Subtitle A Chapter II, Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), “a non-Federal entity may concurrently receive Federal awards as a recipient, subrecipient, and a contractor, depending on the substance of its agreements with the Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities. Therefore, a pass-through entity must make case-by-case determinations whether each agreement it makes for the disbursement of Federal program funds casts the party receiving the funds in the role of a subrecipient or a contractor.” Condition We noted that the Organization did not make case-by-case determinations of each agreement with parties to which the Organization passed through Federal program funds to determine whether they were deemed to be either subrecipients or contractors. Cause Management had not updated its policies and procedures to incorporate the relevant Uniform Guidance subrecipient monitoring and management policies. Effect The lack of subrecipient monitoring and management policies of the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance by the Organization with the stipulated requirements for pass-through entities, as well as noncompliance of subrecipient requirements by the entities receiving the pass-through funds from the Organization. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provisions of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to their policies and procedures manual to ensure compliance with Federal standards. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action The Organization concurs with the recommendation. As part of our current policies and procedures review and revision process, we plan to incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR§ 200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to emphasize accountability and compliance in managing federal funds and subrecipients. Specifically and prospectively, effective November 1, 2024, the Organization’s practices will include: 1. Using a checklist for the determination of subrecipient or contractor classification as guidance, perform a comprehensive risk assessment before entering into any subrecipient agreement. 2. Provide identification details such as CFDA number, amount of federal funds obligated, and the award period for determined subrecipient awards. 3. Require subrecipients to submit programmatic and financial reports as specified in the subrecipient agreement. 4. As part of the subrecipient process, ensure subrecipients that expend $750,000 or more in federal funds during a fiscal year undergo a single audit in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F. Review their audit reports and address any findings related to their federal awards, taking appropriate corrective actions. Retroactively, for the audit periods July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, the Organization will perform a risk assessment of the existing subrecipient portfolio during this period to identify high-priority risks. The objective of this risk assessment review is to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks that could adversely impact the Organization’s ability to achieve its strategic, operational, and quality assurance goals, ensuring that all products, services, and processes align with established standards and fulfill processes. The above reflects the current planned practices of the Organization and the overall financial policies and procedures are in the process of being updated to align to the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance. The Organization has prioritized the completion and distribution of the updated financial policies and procedures by December 31, 2024.
Criteria Pursuant to Title 2, Subtitle A Chapter II, Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), “a non-Federal entity may concurrently receive Federal awards as a recipient, subrecipient, and a contractor, depending on the substance of its agreements with the Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities. Therefore, a pass-through entity must make case-by-case determinations whether each agreement it makes for the disbursement of Federal program funds casts the party receiving the funds in the role of a subrecipient or a contractor.” Condition We noted that the Organization did not make case-by-case determinations of each agreement with parties to which the Organization passed through Federal program funds to determine whether they were deemed to be either subrecipients or contractors. Cause Management had not updated its policies and procedures to incorporate the relevant Uniform Guidance subrecipient monitoring and management policies. Effect The lack of subrecipient monitoring and management policies of the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance by the Organization with the stipulated requirements for pass-through entities, as well as noncompliance of subrecipient requirements by the entities receiving the pass-through funds from the Organization. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provisions of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to their policies and procedures manual to ensure compliance with Federal standards. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action The Organization concurs with the recommendation. As part of our current policies and procedures review and revision process, we plan to incorporate the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR§ 200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance to emphasize accountability and compliance in managing federal funds and subrecipients. Specifically and prospectively, effective November 1, 2024, the Organization’s practices will include: 1. Using a checklist for the determination of subrecipient or contractor classification as guidance, perform a comprehensive risk assessment before entering into any subrecipient agreement. 2. Provide identification details such as CFDA number, amount of federal funds obligated, and the award period for determined subrecipient awards. 3. Require subrecipients to submit programmatic and financial reports as specified in the subrecipient agreement. 4. As part of the subrecipient process, ensure subrecipients that expend $750,000 or more in federal funds during a fiscal year undergo a single audit in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F. Review their audit reports and address any findings related to their federal awards, taking appropriate corrective actions. Retroactively, for the audit periods July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, the Organization will perform a risk assessment of the existing subrecipient portfolio during this period to identify high-priority risks. The objective of this risk assessment review is to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks that could adversely impact the Organization’s ability to achieve its strategic, operational, and quality assurance goals, ensuring that all products, services, and processes align with established standards and fulfill processes. The above reflects the current planned practices of the Organization and the overall financial policies and procedures are in the process of being updated to align to the subrecipient monitoring and management provision of 2 CFR §200.331 and 2 CFR §200.332 of the Uniform Guidance. The Organization has prioritized the completion and distribution of the updated financial policies and procedures by December 31, 2024.
2 CFR § 2900.4 gives regulatory effect to the U.S. Department of Labor for 2 CFR § 200.332(a)(3) which requires a pass-through entity to impose any additional requirements on the subrecipient necessary in order for the pass-through entity to meet its own responsibility to the Federal awarding agency including identification of any required financial and performance reports. Additionally, Ohio Admin. Code 5101:9-7-29 (D)(2)(c) requires WIOA local area fiscal agents to submit the completed quarterly financial statement to the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. Ohio Admin. Code § 5101:9-7-29(D)(1)(b)(i) further requires the fiscal agent, when reviewing the quarterly financial data, to reconcile any difference between the WIOA local area's financial records and financial data submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(E) states in part that as expenditures are incurred, they become accrued expenses and shall be reported as accruals. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(F) provides that the WIOA local area shall maintain documentation in accordance with the records retention requirements in rule 5101:9-9-21 of the Administrative Code. This documentation may be subject to inspection, monitoring, and audit by ODJFS and the Ohio auditor of state. Due to the lack of effect control procedures over reporting, the following issues were noted related to the quarterly submissions: 1. The quarterly financial certification for the third quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until December 1, 2021, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until February 14, 2022, the second quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until August 12, 2022, the third quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until November 16, 2022, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until February 13, 2023. These were considered late filings. 2. The fiscal agent did not maintain quarterly certification on file for the first quarter of calendar year 2022. Copies had to be obtained from CFIS and those copies were not the originals signed by approving authorities. 3. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide system reports from their accounting system that reconciled to the actual financial data (i.e. beginning balances, revenues, expenses, ending balances) submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. 4. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide any support for the amounts they reported as accruals on the certifications. 5. The ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2022 did not agree to the beginning balance reported for the third quarter of calendar year 2022, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2021 does not agree to the beginning balance of the third quarter of calendar year 2021, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the 4th quarter of calendar year 2021 did not agree to the beginning balance of the first quarter of calendar year 2022. 6. For the fourth quarter of 2021, the month to month beginning and ending balances do not agree. This could lead to questions regarding accuracy of the amounts reported to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The Consortium should develop and implement procedures to ensure quarterly reports are filed no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. In addition, all data reported thru these quarterly reports should be supported by the accounting system of the Fiscal Agent.
2 CFR § 2900.4 gives regulatory effect to the U.S. Department of Labor for 2 CFR § 200.332(a)(3) which requires a pass-through entity to impose any additional requirements on the subrecipient necessary in order for the pass-through entity to meet its own responsibility to the Federal awarding agency including identification of any required financial and performance reports. Additionally, Ohio Admin. Code 5101:9-7-29 (D)(2)(c) requires WIOA local area fiscal agents to submit the completed quarterly financial statement to the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. Ohio Admin. Code § 5101:9-7-29(D)(1)(b)(i) further requires the fiscal agent, when reviewing the quarterly financial data, to reconcile any difference between the WIOA local area's financial records and financial data submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(E) states in part that as expenditures are incurred, they become accrued expenses and shall be reported as accruals. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(F) provides that the WIOA local area shall maintain documentation in accordance with the records retention requirements in rule 5101:9-9-21 of the Administrative Code. This documentation may be subject to inspection, monitoring, and audit by ODJFS and the Ohio auditor of state. Due to the lack of effect control procedures over reporting, the following issues were noted related to the quarterly submissions: 1. The quarterly financial certification for the third quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until December 1, 2021, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until February 14, 2022, the second quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until August 12, 2022, the third quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until November 16, 2022, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until February 13, 2023. These were considered late filings. 2. The fiscal agent did not maintain quarterly certification on file for the first quarter of calendar year 2022. Copies had to be obtained from CFIS and those copies were not the originals signed by approving authorities. 3. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide system reports from their accounting system that reconciled to the actual financial data (i.e. beginning balances, revenues, expenses, ending balances) submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. 4. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide any support for the amounts they reported as accruals on the certifications. 5. The ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2022 did not agree to the beginning balance reported for the third quarter of calendar year 2022, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2021 does not agree to the beginning balance of the third quarter of calendar year 2021, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the 4th quarter of calendar year 2021 did not agree to the beginning balance of the first quarter of calendar year 2022. 6. For the fourth quarter of 2021, the month to month beginning and ending balances do not agree. This could lead to questions regarding accuracy of the amounts reported to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The Consortium should develop and implement procedures to ensure quarterly reports are filed no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. In addition, all data reported thru these quarterly reports should be supported by the accounting system of the Fiscal Agent.
2 CFR § 2900.4 gives regulatory effect to the U.S. Department of Labor for 2 CFR § 200.332(a)(3) which requires a pass-through entity to impose any additional requirements on the subrecipient necessary in order for the pass-through entity to meet its own responsibility to the Federal awarding agency including identification of any required financial and performance reports. Additionally, Ohio Admin. Code 5101:9-7-29 (D)(2)(c) requires WIOA local area fiscal agents to submit the completed quarterly financial statement to the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. Ohio Admin. Code § 5101:9-7-29(D)(1)(b)(i) further requires the fiscal agent, when reviewing the quarterly financial data, to reconcile any difference between the WIOA local area's financial records and financial data submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(E) states in part that as expenditures are incurred, they become accrued expenses and shall be reported as accruals. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(F) provides that the WIOA local area shall maintain documentation in accordance with the records retention requirements in rule 5101:9-9-21 of the Administrative Code. This documentation may be subject to inspection, monitoring, and audit by ODJFS and the Ohio auditor of state. Due to the lack of effect control procedures over reporting, the following issues were noted related to the quarterly submissions: 1. The quarterly financial certification for the third quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until December 1, 2021, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until February 14, 2022, the second quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until August 12, 2022, the third quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until November 16, 2022, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until February 13, 2023. These were considered late filings. 2. The fiscal agent did not maintain quarterly certification on file for the first quarter of calendar year 2022. Copies had to be obtained from CFIS and those copies were not the originals signed by approving authorities. 3. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide system reports from their accounting system that reconciled to the actual financial data (i.e. beginning balances, revenues, expenses, ending balances) submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. 4. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide any support for the amounts they reported as accruals on the certifications. 5. The ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2022 did not agree to the beginning balance reported for the third quarter of calendar year 2022, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2021 does not agree to the beginning balance of the third quarter of calendar year 2021, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the 4th quarter of calendar year 2021 did not agree to the beginning balance of the first quarter of calendar year 2022. 6. For the fourth quarter of 2021, the month to month beginning and ending balances do not agree. This could lead to questions regarding accuracy of the amounts reported to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The Consortium should develop and implement procedures to ensure quarterly reports are filed no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. In addition, all data reported thru these quarterly reports should be supported by the accounting system of the Fiscal Agent.
2 CFR § 2900.4 gives regulatory effect to the U.S. Department of Labor for 2 CFR § 200.332(a)(3) which requires a pass-through entity to impose any additional requirements on the subrecipient necessary in order for the pass-through entity to meet its own responsibility to the Federal awarding agency including identification of any required financial and performance reports. Additionally, Ohio Admin. Code 5101:9-7-29 (D)(2)(c) requires WIOA local area fiscal agents to submit the completed quarterly financial statement to the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. Ohio Admin. Code § 5101:9-7-29(D)(1)(b)(i) further requires the fiscal agent, when reviewing the quarterly financial data, to reconcile any difference between the WIOA local area's financial records and financial data submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(E) states in part that as expenditures are incurred, they become accrued expenses and shall be reported as accruals. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(F) provides that the WIOA local area shall maintain documentation in accordance with the records retention requirements in rule 5101:9-9-21 of the Administrative Code. This documentation may be subject to inspection, monitoring, and audit by ODJFS and the Ohio auditor of state. Due to the lack of effect control procedures over reporting, the following issues were noted related to the quarterly submissions: 1. The quarterly financial certification for the third quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until December 1, 2021, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until February 14, 2022, the second quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until August 12, 2022, the third quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until November 16, 2022, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until February 13, 2023. These were considered late filings. 2. The fiscal agent did not maintain quarterly certification on file for the first quarter of calendar year 2022. Copies had to be obtained from CFIS and those copies were not the originals signed by approving authorities. 3. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide system reports from their accounting system that reconciled to the actual financial data (i.e. beginning balances, revenues, expenses, ending balances) submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. 4. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide any support for the amounts they reported as accruals on the certifications. 5. The ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2022 did not agree to the beginning balance reported for the third quarter of calendar year 2022, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2021 does not agree to the beginning balance of the third quarter of calendar year 2021, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the 4th quarter of calendar year 2021 did not agree to the beginning balance of the first quarter of calendar year 2022. 6. For the fourth quarter of 2021, the month to month beginning and ending balances do not agree. This could lead to questions regarding accuracy of the amounts reported to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The Consortium should develop and implement procedures to ensure quarterly reports are filed no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. In addition, all data reported thru these quarterly reports should be supported by the accounting system of the Fiscal Agent.
2 CFR § 2900.4 gives regulatory effect to the U.S. Department of Labor for 2 CFR § 200.332(a)(3) which requires a pass-through entity to impose any additional requirements on the subrecipient necessary in order for the pass-through entity to meet its own responsibility to the Federal awarding agency including identification of any required financial and performance reports. Additionally, Ohio Admin. Code 5101:9-7-29 (D)(2)(c) requires WIOA local area fiscal agents to submit the completed quarterly financial statement to the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. Ohio Admin. Code § 5101:9-7-29(D)(1)(b)(i) further requires the fiscal agent, when reviewing the quarterly financial data, to reconcile any difference between the WIOA local area's financial records and financial data submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(E) states in part that as expenditures are incurred, they become accrued expenses and shall be reported as accruals. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(F) provides that the WIOA local area shall maintain documentation in accordance with the records retention requirements in rule 5101:9-9-21 of the Administrative Code. This documentation may be subject to inspection, monitoring, and audit by ODJFS and the Ohio auditor of state. Due to the lack of effect control procedures over reporting, the following issues were noted related to the quarterly submissions: 1. The quarterly financial certification for the third quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until December 1, 2021, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until February 14, 2022, the second quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until August 12, 2022, the third quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until November 16, 2022, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until February 13, 2023. These were considered late filings. 2. The fiscal agent did not maintain quarterly certification on file for the first quarter of calendar year 2022. Copies had to be obtained from CFIS and those copies were not the originals signed by approving authorities. 3. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide system reports from their accounting system that reconciled to the actual financial data (i.e. beginning balances, revenues, expenses, ending balances) submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. 4. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide any support for the amounts they reported as accruals on the certifications. 5. The ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2022 did not agree to the beginning balance reported for the third quarter of calendar year 2022, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2021 does not agree to the beginning balance of the third quarter of calendar year 2021, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the 4th quarter of calendar year 2021 did not agree to the beginning balance of the first quarter of calendar year 2022. 6. For the fourth quarter of 2021, the month to month beginning and ending balances do not agree. This could lead to questions regarding accuracy of the amounts reported to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The Consortium should develop and implement procedures to ensure quarterly reports are filed no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. In addition, all data reported thru these quarterly reports should be supported by the accounting system of the Fiscal Agent.
2 CFR § 2900.4 gives regulatory effect to the U.S. Department of Labor for 2 CFR § 200.332(a)(3) which requires a pass-through entity to impose any additional requirements on the subrecipient necessary in order for the pass-through entity to meet its own responsibility to the Federal awarding agency including identification of any required financial and performance reports. Additionally, Ohio Admin. Code 5101:9-7-29 (D)(2)(c) requires WIOA local area fiscal agents to submit the completed quarterly financial statement to the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. Ohio Admin. Code § 5101:9-7-29(D)(1)(b)(i) further requires the fiscal agent, when reviewing the quarterly financial data, to reconcile any difference between the WIOA local area's financial records and financial data submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(E) states in part that as expenditures are incurred, they become accrued expenses and shall be reported as accruals. Ohio Admin Code § 5101:9-7-04(F) provides that the WIOA local area shall maintain documentation in accordance with the records retention requirements in rule 5101:9-9-21 of the Administrative Code. This documentation may be subject to inspection, monitoring, and audit by ODJFS and the Ohio auditor of state. Due to the lack of effect control procedures over reporting, the following issues were noted related to the quarterly submissions: 1. The quarterly financial certification for the third quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until December 1, 2021, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021 was not filed until February 14, 2022, the second quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until August 12, 2022, the third quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until November 16, 2022, the fourth quarter of calendar year 2022 was not filed until February 13, 2023. These were considered late filings. 2. The fiscal agent did not maintain quarterly certification on file for the first quarter of calendar year 2022. Copies had to be obtained from CFIS and those copies were not the originals signed by approving authorities. 3. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide system reports from their accounting system that reconciled to the actual financial data (i.e. beginning balances, revenues, expenses, ending balances) submitted to BCFTA via CFIS. 4. For all submissions, the fiscal agent was unable to provide any support for the amounts they reported as accruals on the certifications. 5. The ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2022 did not agree to the beginning balance reported for the third quarter of calendar year 2022, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the second quarter of calendar year 2021 does not agree to the beginning balance of the third quarter of calendar year 2021, the ending balance reported on the quarterly financial certification for the 4th quarter of calendar year 2021 did not agree to the beginning balance of the first quarter of calendar year 2022. 6. For the fourth quarter of 2021, the month to month beginning and ending balances do not agree. This could lead to questions regarding accuracy of the amounts reported to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The Consortium should develop and implement procedures to ensure quarterly reports are filed no later than the tenth calendar day of the second month following the quarter the report represents. In addition, all data reported thru these quarterly reports should be supported by the accounting system of the Fiscal Agent.
Department: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Program Name: Emergency Solutions Grant Program Federal Assistance Listing Number: 14.231 Significant deficiency – Subrecipient monitoring Criteria: As described in Part 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.332 a pass-through entity must clearly identify to the subrecipient as a subaward and include certain key information at the time of the subaward. One such key item is the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing number. Condition: While performing our audit of the Organization’s subrecipient monitoring, we noted the Organization did not include Assistance Listing number to the subrecipient at the time of the subaward. Cause: The Organization has not implemented sufficient internal control policies to adhere to the requirements of Uniform Guidance. Effect: Noncompliance may impact future funding from federal and state awarding agencies. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the Organization develop agreements with subrecipients to properly reflect each of the required elements included in Part 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.332. View of Responsible Official: We agree with this finding and will include the relevant information in our subawards in the future.
Department: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Program Name: Emergency Solutions Grant Program Federal Assistance Listing Number: 14.231 Significant deficiency – Subrecipient monitoring Criteria: As described in Part 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.332 a pass-through entity must clearly identify to the subrecipient as a subaward and include certain key information at the time of the subaward. One such key item is the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing number. Condition: While performing our audit of the Organization’s subrecipient monitoring, we noted the Organization did not include Assistance Listing number to the subrecipient at the time of the subaward. Cause: The Organization has not implemented sufficient internal control policies to adhere to the requirements of Uniform Guidance. Effect: Noncompliance may impact future funding from federal and state awarding agencies. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the Organization develop agreements with subrecipients to properly reflect each of the required elements included in Part 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.332. View of Responsible Official: We agree with this finding and will include the relevant information in our subawards in the future.
Department: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Program Name: Emergency Solutions Grant Program Federal Assistance Listing Number: 14.231 Significant deficiency – Subrecipient monitoring Criteria: As described in Part 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.332 a pass-through entity must clearly identify to the subrecipient as a subaward and include certain key information at the time of the subaward. One such key item is the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing number. Condition: While performing our audit of the Organization’s subrecipient monitoring, we noted the Organization did not include Assistance Listing number to the subrecipient at the time of the subaward. Cause: The Organization has not implemented sufficient internal control policies to adhere to the requirements of Uniform Guidance. Effect: Noncompliance may impact future funding from federal and state awarding agencies. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the Organization develop agreements with subrecipients to properly reflect each of the required elements included in Part 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.332. View of Responsible Official: We agree with this finding and will include the relevant information in our subawards in the future.
Department: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Program Name: Emergency Solutions Grant Program Federal Assistance Listing Number: 14.231 Significant deficiency – Subrecipient monitoring Criteria: As described in Part 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.332 a pass-through entity must clearly identify to the subrecipient as a subaward and include certain key information at the time of the subaward. One such key item is the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing number. Condition: While performing our audit of the Organization’s subrecipient monitoring, we noted the Organization did not include Assistance Listing number to the subrecipient at the time of the subaward. Cause: The Organization has not implemented sufficient internal control policies to adhere to the requirements of Uniform Guidance. Effect: Noncompliance may impact future funding from federal and state awarding agencies. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the Organization develop agreements with subrecipients to properly reflect each of the required elements included in Part 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D, section 200.332. View of Responsible Official: We agree with this finding and will include the relevant information in our subawards in the future.
Condition: During the test of 100% of expenditures, two (2) expenditures totaling $570,080, for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, it was noted the County had one (1) subrecipient and the County did not have a subrecipient monitoring policy, and the County did not obtain subrecipient agreements comprising the following information: • Subrecipient name. • Subrecipient Authorized Representative and program contact information. • Subrecipient Employee Identification Number (EIN) and DUNS number. • Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN). • Name of Federal Awarding Agency. • Contact information for the official at the Federal Awarding Agency. • Catalog of Assistance Listing (AL) number and name. • Federal award date. • Total amount of the federal award and indirect cost rate. • Federal award project description. • Start and end date of the agreement. • Amount of federal funds budgeted for the agreement and indirect cost rate allowed. • A statement that all activities must be in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the federal award. The subrecipient should receive a copy of the award documents. • A detailed description of any additional requirements you want the subrecipient to be responsible for such as performance and/or financial reports, attending meetings and/or trainings, etc. • A statement about the monitoring activities, such as where/when they will take place; also include a statement indicating the subrecipient will collaborate on monitoring activities including providing requested financial documents. • A statement indicating if any of the items in the agreement change during the period of performance, the agreement will be amended. Provide close out terms and conditions. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure federal expenditures are made in accordance with compliance requirements. Effect of Condition: This condition resulted in noncompliance with federal grant guidelines. Recommendation: OSAI recommends the County gain an understanding of the requirements for this program and implement internal controls to ensure compliance with these requirements. Management Response: Board of County Commissioners: The Board of County Commissioners is responsible for the overall fiscal concerns of the county. See OKLA. STAT. Title 19, § 345. The Board of County Commissioners, with the cooperation and participation of all elected officials, reviews, develops and implements policies and procedures to create a strong internal control environment. The Board of County Commissioners will work with all elected officials, the third-party administrator, and federal, state and local partners to develop policies, procedures, and internal controls designed to accurately track grants, including the application process, verification, oversight, and reporting of grant requirements. These policies and procedures will be designed to identify requirements for recipients and sub-recipients of grants, ensure accurate equipment and real property management, procurement, recipient and subrecipient monitoring and reporting. Further, policies will ensure a proper understanding of all grant requirements and compliance of the same. To assist in this process, the Board of County Commissioners engaged a third-party administrator to oversee the grant process, including application, eligibility, review, requirements, contracting, recipient tracking and oversight, and documentation and reporting. The Board of County Commissioners will work with the third-party administrator to ensure proper grant administration. Criteria: 2 CFR 200 §200.332 Requirement for Pass-Through Entities states in part: All pass-through entities must: (a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. (2) All requirements imposed by the pass-through entity on the subrecipient so that the federal award is used in accordance with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the federal award. (5) A requirement that the subrecipient permit the pass-through entity and auditors to have access to the subrecipient’s records and financial statements as necessary for the pass-through entity to meet the requirements of this part. (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward.
Assistance Listing 93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Condition: Two out of two subrecipients selected for testing did not have one or more required elements defined in §2CFR 200.332 (a)(1) & (2) in their subrecipient agreements with the Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity. For one subrecipient, the contract did not contain specific language indicating the Federal assistance listing number or title. For the other subrecipient, the contract did not have the federal compliance language to ensure subrecipient’s compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms of the federal award. The funding source for this program is the PA Department of Human Services. Criteria: §2CFR 200.332 (a)(1) & (2) state that the pass-through entity must ensure every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient by including assistance listing numbers and titles, and the requirements imposed by the pass-through entity on the subrecipient so that the Federal award is used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effect: Failure to provide all the required subaward information may result in noncompliance at the subrecipient level. Cause: The Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity failed to include the required elements in the subrecipient agreements. Recommendation: We recommend that management modify and/or strengthen its current policies and procedures to ensure that all required award information and applicable requirements are communicated to subrecipients at the time of subaward. Views of the Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the finding and recommendation. Starting from FY2024, MOCEO will include a Notice of Award document for all subrecipients contracts. This document will contain the necessary OMB required information to clearly identify award details for the subrecipient. Contact Person: Allison Elliott, Director of Finance, Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity, 215-685-3626
Children and Youth Programs Assistance Listing 93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Assistance Listing 93.658 Foster Care – Title IV-E Act 148 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Condition: For all 32 sampled Department of Human Services (DHS) subrecipients, the subaward letters sent by DHS to its subrecipients did not identify either the federal program names or the assistance listing numbers. The programs are funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Criteria: Per the OMB’s Uniform Guidance 2 CFR section 200.332 (a)(1), the pass-through entity must ensure every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes certain required information at the time of the subaward. Required information includes the federal award identification, such as the assistance listing number and title, to ensure that the federal award is used in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Effect: Failure to provide all required subaward information to subrecipients may result in noncompliance at the subrecipient level. Cause: DHS failed to include the required elements in the subaward letters sent to subrecipients. Recommendation: DHS management should modify the subaward letters sent to subrecipients to include the federal program names and assistance listing numbers so that all required award information is communicated to subrecipients at the time of subaward. Views of the Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: Effective 10/13/23, DHS has been preparing FY24 funding allocation letters that will be sent to provider agencies immediately. Going forward, the funding allocation letters will go out at the beginning of the contract fiscal year. Contact Person: Landuleni Shipanga, Controller, Department of Human Services, 215-683-6366.
Children and Youth Programs Assistance Listing 93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Assistance Listing 93.658 Foster Care – Title IV-E Act 148 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Condition: For all 32 sampled Department of Human Services (DHS) subrecipients, the subaward letters sent by DHS to its subrecipients did not identify either the federal program names or the assistance listing numbers. The programs are funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Criteria: Per the OMB’s Uniform Guidance 2 CFR section 200.332 (a)(1), the pass-through entity must ensure every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes certain required information at the time of the subaward. Required information includes the federal award identification, such as the assistance listing number and title, to ensure that the federal award is used in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Effect: Failure to provide all required subaward information to subrecipients may result in noncompliance at the subrecipient level. Cause: DHS failed to include the required elements in the subaward letters sent to subrecipients. Recommendation: DHS management should modify the subaward letters sent to subrecipients to include the federal program names and assistance listing numbers so that all required award information is communicated to subrecipients at the time of subaward. Views of the Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: Effective 10/13/23, DHS has been preparing FY24 funding allocation letters that will be sent to provider agencies immediately. Going forward, the funding allocation letters will go out at the beginning of the contract fiscal year. Contact Person: Landuleni Shipanga, Controller, Department of Human Services, 215-683-6366.
Assistance Listings numbers and names: 14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program 14.231 COVID-19—Emergency Solutions Grant Program Award numbers and years: E-20-DW-04-001, July 1, 2020 through September 9, 2022 E-21-DC-04-001, July 1, 2021 through September 9, 2023 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Questioned costs: $1,425 Assistance Listings number and name: 14.267 Continuum of Care Program Award numbers and years: AZ0009L9T001912, October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021; AZ0118L9T002008, February 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022; AZ0011L9T002013, May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022; AZ0173L9T002004, July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022; AZ0009L9T002013, October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Questioned costs: $46,352 Compliance requirement: Subrecipient monitoring Total questioned costs: $47,777 Condition—Contrary to federal regulations and its federal award terms, the Department of Housing (ADOH) and Department of Economic Security (DES) reimbursed 1 nonprofit organization subrecipient for federal program costs totaling $47,777 during fiscal year 2022 that were unsupported, unallowable, and/or paid to the nonprofit organization’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements. Specifically, we reviewed 51 reimbursements that included Continuum of Care Program and Emergency Solutions Grant Program costs totaling $446,695 and $10,692 for the year, respectively, and found that the departments reimbursed the subrecipient for: • $35,562 for financial and accounting services, travel, and supplies that were paid to 1 of the nonprofit organization’s principal officers, who served as the Treasurer, and their company, which was not disclosed as a conflict of interest to both departments as required by federal laws. Also, the subrecipient allocated these costs to other federal programs and nonfederal activities; however, neither department verified that the allocation method the subrecipient used was reasonable or that the costs, as allocated, were allowed by the programs’ requirements. We noted that the allocation method used may have resulted in multiple programs being overbilled for these services by up to $5,087. (ADOH and DES) • $7,274 for bookkeeping services that were not adequately supported by sufficiently detailed invoices and a signed contract having a specified price rate for the services and terms; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts paid were appropriate. Further, the departments reimbursed the Treasurer’s family member, whose bookkeeping services company was not disclosed as a conflict of interest to the departments as required by federal regulations. Also, the subrecipient allocated these costs to other federal programs and nonfederal activities; however, the departments did not verify that the allocation method the subrecipient used was reasonable or that the costs, as allocated, were allowed by the programs’ requirements. (ADOH and DES) • $4,365 for repairs and maintenance, travel, and supplies that were paid to another principal officer who performed various handyman services, including plumbing, painting, and building repairs, that were not adequately supported by a contract having specified price rates for the services and terms; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts reimbursed by ADOH were appropriate. Further, ADOH reimbursed the principal officer, whose services were not disclosed as a conflict of interest to ADOH as required by its contract with the subrecipient and federal regulations. (ADOH) • $576 for incentive payments to the subrecipient’s executive director without documentation demonstrating it was authorized by an agreement, reasonable for the services performed as provided in the subrecipient’s policies, and consistent with compensation paid for similar work in other activities; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts reimbursed by ADOH were allowable. (ADOH) Additionally, contrary to federal regulations, the departments had not ensured that the subrecipient implemented competitive purchasing procedures when procuring the professional services and handyman services described above, and the subrecipient was unable to provide documentation that it had competitively procured the services. (ADOH and DES) The Continuum of Care and the Emergency Solutions Grant Programs were not audited as major federal programs for the State’s fiscal year 2022 single audit; therefore, the scope of our review was not sufficient to determine whether the departments or their subrecipients complied with all applicable federal requirements for these programs. During the audit, we became aware of the potentially noncompliant 51 reimbursements involving 1 of the departments’ nonprofit subrecipients with which they partner to carry out federal and State programs, including the Continuum of Care Program, the Emergency Solutions Grants Program, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), which was audited as a major federal program for fiscal year 2022, as well as the State Housing Trust Fund. Our review of select reimbursements to this subrecipient resulted in similar findings for the TANF federal program and the State Housing Trust Fund that are described in items 2022-114 and 2022-05, respectively. Effect—The departments’ lack of required monitoring increased the risk that the monies it awarded to 1 nonprofit organization may not have been spent in accordance with the award terms and program requirements. Further, the departments’ reimbursing the subrecipient for $47,777 of unallowable or unsupported costs and/or costs paid to the nonprofit organization’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements resulted in those monies being unavailable to be spent for their intended purpose of providing housing assistance to those in need. Consequently, the departments may be required to return these monies to the federal agencies in accordance with federal requirements.1 Cause—ADOH had not yet resumed all its subrecipient-monitoring activities, such as conducting on-site reviews and providing training and technical assistance, since suspending these activities during the COVID-19 pandemic during fiscal year 2020. Also, ADOH had not properly assessed this subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with its award contract and program requirements to determine the level of monitoring procedures or training the subrecipient needed. For example, ADOH was unaware that the subrecipient had not informed it of principal officers’ conflicts of interest so that ADOH could ensure that those principal officers or their immediate family member were not involved in decision-making related to those conflicts and selectively reviewed the related costs and activities for compliance purposes. Further, ADOH personnel responsible for reviewing and approving the subrecipient’s reimbursement requests reported to us that they were trained to not follow its policies and procedures but, instead, to approve any costs that had been previously reimbursed. As reported in finding 2022-114, although the DES subrecipient-monitoring policies and procedures did not require it to obtain from subrecipients documentation supporting charges for personal and contracted professional services to verify allowability when subrecipients requested reimbursement, the policies and procedures required an on-site monitoring visit once every 3 years for each subrecipient in which it reviews a sample of the subrecipient’s personal and professional services charges. However, DES had not performed an on-site monitoring visit of the nonprofit subrecipient since 2018 because it had not yet resumed all its subrecipient-monitoring activities, such as conducting on-site reviews and providing training and technical assistance, since suspending these activities during the COVID-19 pandemic during fiscal year 2020. In addition, DES had not properly assessed the subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with its award contract and program requirements to determine the level of monitoring procedures or training the subrecipient needed. For example, the Division was unaware that the subrecipient had not informed it of a principal officer’s conflicts of interest so that the Division could ensure that the principal officer or their immediate family member were not involved in decision-making related to those conflicts and selectively review the related costs and activities for compliance purposes. Criteria—Federal regulations require the Departments to monitor subrecipients and include required procedures for assessing the risk of each subrecipient’s noncompliance and implementing appropriate monitoring procedures to address those risk assessments; verifying single audits were conducted timely, if required; reviewing financial and performance reports; following up on and ensuring corrective action is taken on deficiencies that could potentially affect the program; and issuing management decisions on the results of audit findings or monitoring (2 CFR §§200.332, .339, and .521). Federal regulations provide that monitoring procedures the Departments may implement to address a subrecipient’s risk assessment include providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters and performing on-site reviews and selective audits of reimbursed costs (2 CFR §200.332[e]). Further, federal regulations require the Departments’ subrecipients to allocate allowable costs using a reasonable basis, to use competitive purchasing standards when procuring goods and services, and to disclose in writing to the Departments any potential conflicts of interest.2 Finally, federal regulation requires establishing and maintaining effective internal control over federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that federal programs are being managed in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and award terms (2 CFR §200.303). Recommendations—The Departments should: 1. Immediately stop reimbursing the nonprofit subrecipient for costs that are unsupported, unallowable, and/or paid to the nonprofit subrecipient’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements without obtaining documentation to support they comply with the program’s requirements and take appropriate enforcement actions in accordance with its subaward contract. (ADOH and DES) 2. Update its written policies and procedures for reviewing and approving subrecipient reimbursement requests to include a process to ensure costs are adequately supported and allowable in accordance with program requirements. (ADOH and DES) 3. Train personnel responsible for reviewing and approving subrecipient reimbursement requests on how to identify costs that are unallowable under federal regulations. (ADOH) 4. Assess the risk of each subrecipient’s noncompliance and perform the appropriate monitoring procedures based on the assessed risk, such as providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters and performing on-site reviews and selective audits of reimbursed costs for allowability. (ADOH and DES) 5. Ensure subrecipients allocate allowable costs using a reasonable basis, use competitive purchasing standards when procuring goods and services, and disclose in writing to the Departments any potential conflicts of interest. The Departments may need to provide training and technical assistance to subrecipients that addresses these compliance areas, including the Departments’ obtaining conflict-of-interest disclosures from subrecipients as part of the subaward contract, as an example, or otherwise establishing a communication mechanism for subrecipients to use as such conflicts arise. (ADOH and DES) 6. Continue to work with the nonprofit subrecipient to resolve the $47,777 in unallowable costs, including recovering these monies from the subrecipient and assessing the continued need to use this subrecipient for services. (ADOH and DES) 7. Work with the federal agencies to resolve the $47,777 of unallowable costs that it reimbursed, which may involve returning monies to the agencies. (ADOH and DES) The State’s corrective action plan at the end of this report includes the views and planned corrective action of its responsible officials. We are not required to and have not audited these responses and planned corrective actions and therefore provide no assurances as to their accuracy. 1 Federal Uniform Guidance requires federal awarding agencies to follow up on audit findings and issue a management decision to ensure the recipient takes appropriate and timely corrective action (2 CFR §200.513[c]). Further, it requires that federal awarding agencies’ management decisions clearly state whether or not the audit finding is sustained, the reasons for the decision, and the expected auditee action to repay disallowed costs, make financial adjustments, or take other action, as directed by the federal awarding agencies (2 CFR §200.521). 2 The applicable federal requirements related to allowable costs, competitive purchasing, and conflicts of interest can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 2 CFR §§200.112, .318-.327, and Subpart E, and 24 CFR §578.95 and 45 CFR §75.112.
Assistance Listings numbers and names: 14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program 14.231 COVID-19—Emergency Solutions Grant Program Award numbers and years: E-20-DW-04-001, July 1, 2020 through September 9, 2022 E-21-DC-04-001, July 1, 2021 through September 9, 2023 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Questioned costs: $1,425 Assistance Listings number and name: 14.267 Continuum of Care Program Award numbers and years: AZ0009L9T001912, October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021; AZ0118L9T002008, February 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022; AZ0011L9T002013, May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022; AZ0173L9T002004, July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022; AZ0009L9T002013, October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Questioned costs: $46,352 Compliance requirement: Subrecipient monitoring Total questioned costs: $47,777 Condition—Contrary to federal regulations and its federal award terms, the Department of Housing (ADOH) and Department of Economic Security (DES) reimbursed 1 nonprofit organization subrecipient for federal program costs totaling $47,777 during fiscal year 2022 that were unsupported, unallowable, and/or paid to the nonprofit organization’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements. Specifically, we reviewed 51 reimbursements that included Continuum of Care Program and Emergency Solutions Grant Program costs totaling $446,695 and $10,692 for the year, respectively, and found that the departments reimbursed the subrecipient for: • $35,562 for financial and accounting services, travel, and supplies that were paid to 1 of the nonprofit organization’s principal officers, who served as the Treasurer, and their company, which was not disclosed as a conflict of interest to both departments as required by federal laws. Also, the subrecipient allocated these costs to other federal programs and nonfederal activities; however, neither department verified that the allocation method the subrecipient used was reasonable or that the costs, as allocated, were allowed by the programs’ requirements. We noted that the allocation method used may have resulted in multiple programs being overbilled for these services by up to $5,087. (ADOH and DES) • $7,274 for bookkeeping services that were not adequately supported by sufficiently detailed invoices and a signed contract having a specified price rate for the services and terms; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts paid were appropriate. Further, the departments reimbursed the Treasurer’s family member, whose bookkeeping services company was not disclosed as a conflict of interest to the departments as required by federal regulations. Also, the subrecipient allocated these costs to other federal programs and nonfederal activities; however, the departments did not verify that the allocation method the subrecipient used was reasonable or that the costs, as allocated, were allowed by the programs’ requirements. (ADOH and DES) • $4,365 for repairs and maintenance, travel, and supplies that were paid to another principal officer who performed various handyman services, including plumbing, painting, and building repairs, that were not adequately supported by a contract having specified price rates for the services and terms; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts reimbursed by ADOH were appropriate. Further, ADOH reimbursed the principal officer, whose services were not disclosed as a conflict of interest to ADOH as required by its contract with the subrecipient and federal regulations. (ADOH) • $576 for incentive payments to the subrecipient’s executive director without documentation demonstrating it was authorized by an agreement, reasonable for the services performed as provided in the subrecipient’s policies, and consistent with compensation paid for similar work in other activities; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts reimbursed by ADOH were allowable. (ADOH) Additionally, contrary to federal regulations, the departments had not ensured that the subrecipient implemented competitive purchasing procedures when procuring the professional services and handyman services described above, and the subrecipient was unable to provide documentation that it had competitively procured the services. (ADOH and DES) The Continuum of Care and the Emergency Solutions Grant Programs were not audited as major federal programs for the State’s fiscal year 2022 single audit; therefore, the scope of our review was not sufficient to determine whether the departments or their subrecipients complied with all applicable federal requirements for these programs. During the audit, we became aware of the potentially noncompliant 51 reimbursements involving 1 of the departments’ nonprofit subrecipients with which they partner to carry out federal and State programs, including the Continuum of Care Program, the Emergency Solutions Grants Program, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), which was audited as a major federal program for fiscal year 2022, as well as the State Housing Trust Fund. Our review of select reimbursements to this subrecipient resulted in similar findings for the TANF federal program and the State Housing Trust Fund that are described in items 2022-114 and 2022-05, respectively. Effect—The departments’ lack of required monitoring increased the risk that the monies it awarded to 1 nonprofit organization may not have been spent in accordance with the award terms and program requirements. Further, the departments’ reimbursing the subrecipient for $47,777 of unallowable or unsupported costs and/or costs paid to the nonprofit organization’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements resulted in those monies being unavailable to be spent for their intended purpose of providing housing assistance to those in need. Consequently, the departments may be required to return these monies to the federal agencies in accordance with federal requirements.1 Cause—ADOH had not yet resumed all its subrecipient-monitoring activities, such as conducting on-site reviews and providing training and technical assistance, since suspending these activities during the COVID-19 pandemic during fiscal year 2020. Also, ADOH had not properly assessed this subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with its award contract and program requirements to determine the level of monitoring procedures or training the subrecipient needed. For example, ADOH was unaware that the subrecipient had not informed it of principal officers’ conflicts of interest so that ADOH could ensure that those principal officers or their immediate family member were not involved in decision-making related to those conflicts and selectively reviewed the related costs and activities for compliance purposes. Further, ADOH personnel responsible for reviewing and approving the subrecipient’s reimbursement requests reported to us that they were trained to not follow its policies and procedures but, instead, to approve any costs that had been previously reimbursed. As reported in finding 2022-114, although the DES subrecipient-monitoring policies and procedures did not require it to obtain from subrecipients documentation supporting charges for personal and contracted professional services to verify allowability when subrecipients requested reimbursement, the policies and procedures required an on-site monitoring visit once every 3 years for each subrecipient in which it reviews a sample of the subrecipient’s personal and professional services charges. However, DES had not performed an on-site monitoring visit of the nonprofit subrecipient since 2018 because it had not yet resumed all its subrecipient-monitoring activities, such as conducting on-site reviews and providing training and technical assistance, since suspending these activities during the COVID-19 pandemic during fiscal year 2020. In addition, DES had not properly assessed the subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with its award contract and program requirements to determine the level of monitoring procedures or training the subrecipient needed. For example, the Division was unaware that the subrecipient had not informed it of a principal officer’s conflicts of interest so that the Division could ensure that the principal officer or their immediate family member were not involved in decision-making related to those conflicts and selectively review the related costs and activities for compliance purposes. Criteria—Federal regulations require the Departments to monitor subrecipients and include required procedures for assessing the risk of each subrecipient’s noncompliance and implementing appropriate monitoring procedures to address those risk assessments; verifying single audits were conducted timely, if required; reviewing financial and performance reports; following up on and ensuring corrective action is taken on deficiencies that could potentially affect the program; and issuing management decisions on the results of audit findings or monitoring (2 CFR §§200.332, .339, and .521). Federal regulations provide that monitoring procedures the Departments may implement to address a subrecipient’s risk assessment include providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters and performing on-site reviews and selective audits of reimbursed costs (2 CFR §200.332[e]). Further, federal regulations require the Departments’ subrecipients to allocate allowable costs using a reasonable basis, to use competitive purchasing standards when procuring goods and services, and to disclose in writing to the Departments any potential conflicts of interest.2 Finally, federal regulation requires establishing and maintaining effective internal control over federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that federal programs are being managed in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and award terms (2 CFR §200.303). Recommendations—The Departments should: 1. Immediately stop reimbursing the nonprofit subrecipient for costs that are unsupported, unallowable, and/or paid to the nonprofit subrecipient’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements without obtaining documentation to support they comply with the program’s requirements and take appropriate enforcement actions in accordance with its subaward contract. (ADOH and DES) 2. Update its written policies and procedures for reviewing and approving subrecipient reimbursement requests to include a process to ensure costs are adequately supported and allowable in accordance with program requirements. (ADOH and DES) 3. Train personnel responsible for reviewing and approving subrecipient reimbursement requests on how to identify costs that are unallowable under federal regulations. (ADOH) 4. Assess the risk of each subrecipient’s noncompliance and perform the appropriate monitoring procedures based on the assessed risk, such as providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters and performing on-site reviews and selective audits of reimbursed costs for allowability. (ADOH and DES) 5. Ensure subrecipients allocate allowable costs using a reasonable basis, use competitive purchasing standards when procuring goods and services, and disclose in writing to the Departments any potential conflicts of interest. The Departments may need to provide training and technical assistance to subrecipients that addresses these compliance areas, including the Departments’ obtaining conflict-of-interest disclosures from subrecipients as part of the subaward contract, as an example, or otherwise establishing a communication mechanism for subrecipients to use as such conflicts arise. (ADOH and DES) 6. Continue to work with the nonprofit subrecipient to resolve the $47,777 in unallowable costs, including recovering these monies from the subrecipient and assessing the continued need to use this subrecipient for services. (ADOH and DES) 7. Work with the federal agencies to resolve the $47,777 of unallowable costs that it reimbursed, which may involve returning monies to the agencies. (ADOH and DES) The State’s corrective action plan at the end of this report includes the views and planned corrective action of its responsible officials. We are not required to and have not audited these responses and planned corrective actions and therefore provide no assurances as to their accuracy. 1 Federal Uniform Guidance requires federal awarding agencies to follow up on audit findings and issue a management decision to ensure the recipient takes appropriate and timely corrective action (2 CFR §200.513[c]). Further, it requires that federal awarding agencies’ management decisions clearly state whether or not the audit finding is sustained, the reasons for the decision, and the expected auditee action to repay disallowed costs, make financial adjustments, or take other action, as directed by the federal awarding agencies (2 CFR §200.521). 2 The applicable federal requirements related to allowable costs, competitive purchasing, and conflicts of interest can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 2 CFR §§200.112, .318-.327, and Subpart E, and 24 CFR §578.95 and 45 CFR §75.112.
Assistance Listings numbers and names: 14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program 14.231 COVID-19—Emergency Solutions Grant Program Award numbers and years: E-20-DW-04-001, July 1, 2020 through September 9, 2022 E-21-DC-04-001, July 1, 2021 through September 9, 2023 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Questioned costs: $1,425 Assistance Listings number and name: 14.267 Continuum of Care Program Award numbers and years: AZ0009L9T001912, October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021; AZ0118L9T002008, February 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022; AZ0011L9T002013, May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022; AZ0173L9T002004, July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022; AZ0009L9T002013, October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Questioned costs: $46,352 Compliance requirement: Subrecipient monitoring Total questioned costs: $47,777 Condition—Contrary to federal regulations and its federal award terms, the Department of Housing (ADOH) and Department of Economic Security (DES) reimbursed 1 nonprofit organization subrecipient for federal program costs totaling $47,777 during fiscal year 2022 that were unsupported, unallowable, and/or paid to the nonprofit organization’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements. Specifically, we reviewed 51 reimbursements that included Continuum of Care Program and Emergency Solutions Grant Program costs totaling $446,695 and $10,692 for the year, respectively, and found that the departments reimbursed the subrecipient for: • $35,562 for financial and accounting services, travel, and supplies that were paid to 1 of the nonprofit organization’s principal officers, who served as the Treasurer, and their company, which was not disclosed as a conflict of interest to both departments as required by federal laws. Also, the subrecipient allocated these costs to other federal programs and nonfederal activities; however, neither department verified that the allocation method the subrecipient used was reasonable or that the costs, as allocated, were allowed by the programs’ requirements. We noted that the allocation method used may have resulted in multiple programs being overbilled for these services by up to $5,087. (ADOH and DES) • $7,274 for bookkeeping services that were not adequately supported by sufficiently detailed invoices and a signed contract having a specified price rate for the services and terms; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts paid were appropriate. Further, the departments reimbursed the Treasurer’s family member, whose bookkeeping services company was not disclosed as a conflict of interest to the departments as required by federal regulations. Also, the subrecipient allocated these costs to other federal programs and nonfederal activities; however, the departments did not verify that the allocation method the subrecipient used was reasonable or that the costs, as allocated, were allowed by the programs’ requirements. (ADOH and DES) • $4,365 for repairs and maintenance, travel, and supplies that were paid to another principal officer who performed various handyman services, including plumbing, painting, and building repairs, that were not adequately supported by a contract having specified price rates for the services and terms; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts reimbursed by ADOH were appropriate. Further, ADOH reimbursed the principal officer, whose services were not disclosed as a conflict of interest to ADOH as required by its contract with the subrecipient and federal regulations. (ADOH) • $576 for incentive payments to the subrecipient’s executive director without documentation demonstrating it was authorized by an agreement, reasonable for the services performed as provided in the subrecipient’s policies, and consistent with compensation paid for similar work in other activities; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts reimbursed by ADOH were allowable. (ADOH) Additionally, contrary to federal regulations, the departments had not ensured that the subrecipient implemented competitive purchasing procedures when procuring the professional services and handyman services described above, and the subrecipient was unable to provide documentation that it had competitively procured the services. (ADOH and DES) The Continuum of Care and the Emergency Solutions Grant Programs were not audited as major federal programs for the State’s fiscal year 2022 single audit; therefore, the scope of our review was not sufficient to determine whether the departments or their subrecipients complied with all applicable federal requirements for these programs. During the audit, we became aware of the potentially noncompliant 51 reimbursements involving 1 of the departments’ nonprofit subrecipients with which they partner to carry out federal and State programs, including the Continuum of Care Program, the Emergency Solutions Grants Program, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), which was audited as a major federal program for fiscal year 2022, as well as the State Housing Trust Fund. Our review of select reimbursements to this subrecipient resulted in similar findings for the TANF federal program and the State Housing Trust Fund that are described in items 2022-114 and 2022-05, respectively. Effect—The departments’ lack of required monitoring increased the risk that the monies it awarded to 1 nonprofit organization may not have been spent in accordance with the award terms and program requirements. Further, the departments’ reimbursing the subrecipient for $47,777 of unallowable or unsupported costs and/or costs paid to the nonprofit organization’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements resulted in those monies being unavailable to be spent for their intended purpose of providing housing assistance to those in need. Consequently, the departments may be required to return these monies to the federal agencies in accordance with federal requirements.1 Cause—ADOH had not yet resumed all its subrecipient-monitoring activities, such as conducting on-site reviews and providing training and technical assistance, since suspending these activities during the COVID-19 pandemic during fiscal year 2020. Also, ADOH had not properly assessed this subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with its award contract and program requirements to determine the level of monitoring procedures or training the subrecipient needed. For example, ADOH was unaware that the subrecipient had not informed it of principal officers’ conflicts of interest so that ADOH could ensure that those principal officers or their immediate family member were not involved in decision-making related to those conflicts and selectively reviewed the related costs and activities for compliance purposes. Further, ADOH personnel responsible for reviewing and approving the subrecipient’s reimbursement requests reported to us that they were trained to not follow its policies and procedures but, instead, to approve any costs that had been previously reimbursed. As reported in finding 2022-114, although the DES subrecipient-monitoring policies and procedures did not require it to obtain from subrecipients documentation supporting charges for personal and contracted professional services to verify allowability when subrecipients requested reimbursement, the policies and procedures required an on-site monitoring visit once every 3 years for each subrecipient in which it reviews a sample of the subrecipient’s personal and professional services charges. However, DES had not performed an on-site monitoring visit of the nonprofit subrecipient since 2018 because it had not yet resumed all its subrecipient-monitoring activities, such as conducting on-site reviews and providing training and technical assistance, since suspending these activities during the COVID-19 pandemic during fiscal year 2020. In addition, DES had not properly assessed the subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with its award contract and program requirements to determine the level of monitoring procedures or training the subrecipient needed. For example, the Division was unaware that the subrecipient had not informed it of a principal officer’s conflicts of interest so that the Division could ensure that the principal officer or their immediate family member were not involved in decision-making related to those conflicts and selectively review the related costs and activities for compliance purposes. Criteria—Federal regulations require the Departments to monitor subrecipients and include required procedures for assessing the risk of each subrecipient’s noncompliance and implementing appropriate monitoring procedures to address those risk assessments; verifying single audits were conducted timely, if required; reviewing financial and performance reports; following up on and ensuring corrective action is taken on deficiencies that could potentially affect the program; and issuing management decisions on the results of audit findings or monitoring (2 CFR §§200.332, .339, and .521). Federal regulations provide that monitoring procedures the Departments may implement to address a subrecipient’s risk assessment include providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters and performing on-site reviews and selective audits of reimbursed costs (2 CFR §200.332[e]). Further, federal regulations require the Departments’ subrecipients to allocate allowable costs using a reasonable basis, to use competitive purchasing standards when procuring goods and services, and to disclose in writing to the Departments any potential conflicts of interest.2 Finally, federal regulation requires establishing and maintaining effective internal control over federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that federal programs are being managed in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and award terms (2 CFR §200.303). Recommendations—The Departments should: 1. Immediately stop reimbursing the nonprofit subrecipient for costs that are unsupported, unallowable, and/or paid to the nonprofit subrecipient’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements without obtaining documentation to support they comply with the program’s requirements and take appropriate enforcement actions in accordance with its subaward contract. (ADOH and DES) 2. Update its written policies and procedures for reviewing and approving subrecipient reimbursement requests to include a process to ensure costs are adequately supported and allowable in accordance with program requirements. (ADOH and DES) 3. Train personnel responsible for reviewing and approving subrecipient reimbursement requests on how to identify costs that are unallowable under federal regulations. (ADOH) 4. Assess the risk of each subrecipient’s noncompliance and perform the appropriate monitoring procedures based on the assessed risk, such as providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters and performing on-site reviews and selective audits of reimbursed costs for allowability. (ADOH and DES) 5. Ensure subrecipients allocate allowable costs using a reasonable basis, use competitive purchasing standards when procuring goods and services, and disclose in writing to the Departments any potential conflicts of interest. The Departments may need to provide training and technical assistance to subrecipients that addresses these compliance areas, including the Departments’ obtaining conflict-of-interest disclosures from subrecipients as part of the subaward contract, as an example, or otherwise establishing a communication mechanism for subrecipients to use as such conflicts arise. (ADOH and DES) 6. Continue to work with the nonprofit subrecipient to resolve the $47,777 in unallowable costs, including recovering these monies from the subrecipient and assessing the continued need to use this subrecipient for services. (ADOH and DES) 7. Work with the federal agencies to resolve the $47,777 of unallowable costs that it reimbursed, which may involve returning monies to the agencies. (ADOH and DES) The State’s corrective action plan at the end of this report includes the views and planned corrective action of its responsible officials. We are not required to and have not audited these responses and planned corrective actions and therefore provide no assurances as to their accuracy. 1 Federal Uniform Guidance requires federal awarding agencies to follow up on audit findings and issue a management decision to ensure the recipient takes appropriate and timely corrective action (2 CFR §200.513[c]). Further, it requires that federal awarding agencies’ management decisions clearly state whether or not the audit finding is sustained, the reasons for the decision, and the expected auditee action to repay disallowed costs, make financial adjustments, or take other action, as directed by the federal awarding agencies (2 CFR §200.521). 2 The applicable federal requirements related to allowable costs, competitive purchasing, and conflicts of interest can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 2 CFR §§200.112, .318-.327, and Subpart E, and 24 CFR §578.95 and 45 CFR §75.112.
Assistance Listings numbers and names: 14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program 14.231 COVID-19—Emergency Solutions Grant Program Award numbers and years: E-20-DW-04-001, July 1, 2020 through September 9, 2022 E-21-DC-04-001, July 1, 2021 through September 9, 2023 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Questioned costs: $1,425 Assistance Listings number and name: 14.267 Continuum of Care Program Award numbers and years: AZ0009L9T001912, October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021; AZ0118L9T002008, February 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022; AZ0011L9T002013, May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022; AZ0173L9T002004, July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022; AZ0009L9T002013, October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Questioned costs: $46,352 Compliance requirement: Subrecipient monitoring Total questioned costs: $47,777 Condition—Contrary to federal regulations and its federal award terms, the Department of Housing (ADOH) and Department of Economic Security (DES) reimbursed 1 nonprofit organization subrecipient for federal program costs totaling $47,777 during fiscal year 2022 that were unsupported, unallowable, and/or paid to the nonprofit organization’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements. Specifically, we reviewed 51 reimbursements that included Continuum of Care Program and Emergency Solutions Grant Program costs totaling $446,695 and $10,692 for the year, respectively, and found that the departments reimbursed the subrecipient for: • $35,562 for financial and accounting services, travel, and supplies that were paid to 1 of the nonprofit organization’s principal officers, who served as the Treasurer, and their company, which was not disclosed as a conflict of interest to both departments as required by federal laws. Also, the subrecipient allocated these costs to other federal programs and nonfederal activities; however, neither department verified that the allocation method the subrecipient used was reasonable or that the costs, as allocated, were allowed by the programs’ requirements. We noted that the allocation method used may have resulted in multiple programs being overbilled for these services by up to $5,087. (ADOH and DES) • $7,274 for bookkeeping services that were not adequately supported by sufficiently detailed invoices and a signed contract having a specified price rate for the services and terms; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts paid were appropriate. Further, the departments reimbursed the Treasurer’s family member, whose bookkeeping services company was not disclosed as a conflict of interest to the departments as required by federal regulations. Also, the subrecipient allocated these costs to other federal programs and nonfederal activities; however, the departments did not verify that the allocation method the subrecipient used was reasonable or that the costs, as allocated, were allowed by the programs’ requirements. (ADOH and DES) • $4,365 for repairs and maintenance, travel, and supplies that were paid to another principal officer who performed various handyman services, including plumbing, painting, and building repairs, that were not adequately supported by a contract having specified price rates for the services and terms; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts reimbursed by ADOH were appropriate. Further, ADOH reimbursed the principal officer, whose services were not disclosed as a conflict of interest to ADOH as required by its contract with the subrecipient and federal regulations. (ADOH) • $576 for incentive payments to the subrecipient’s executive director without documentation demonstrating it was authorized by an agreement, reasonable for the services performed as provided in the subrecipient’s policies, and consistent with compensation paid for similar work in other activities; therefore, we were unable to verify if the amounts reimbursed by ADOH were allowable. (ADOH) Additionally, contrary to federal regulations, the departments had not ensured that the subrecipient implemented competitive purchasing procedures when procuring the professional services and handyman services described above, and the subrecipient was unable to provide documentation that it had competitively procured the services. (ADOH and DES) The Continuum of Care and the Emergency Solutions Grant Programs were not audited as major federal programs for the State’s fiscal year 2022 single audit; therefore, the scope of our review was not sufficient to determine whether the departments or their subrecipients complied with all applicable federal requirements for these programs. During the audit, we became aware of the potentially noncompliant 51 reimbursements involving 1 of the departments’ nonprofit subrecipients with which they partner to carry out federal and State programs, including the Continuum of Care Program, the Emergency Solutions Grants Program, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), which was audited as a major federal program for fiscal year 2022, as well as the State Housing Trust Fund. Our review of select reimbursements to this subrecipient resulted in similar findings for the TANF federal program and the State Housing Trust Fund that are described in items 2022-114 and 2022-05, respectively. Effect—The departments’ lack of required monitoring increased the risk that the monies it awarded to 1 nonprofit organization may not have been spent in accordance with the award terms and program requirements. Further, the departments’ reimbursing the subrecipient for $47,777 of unallowable or unsupported costs and/or costs paid to the nonprofit organization’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements resulted in those monies being unavailable to be spent for their intended purpose of providing housing assistance to those in need. Consequently, the departments may be required to return these monies to the federal agencies in accordance with federal requirements.1 Cause—ADOH had not yet resumed all its subrecipient-monitoring activities, such as conducting on-site reviews and providing training and technical assistance, since suspending these activities during the COVID-19 pandemic during fiscal year 2020. Also, ADOH had not properly assessed this subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with its award contract and program requirements to determine the level of monitoring procedures or training the subrecipient needed. For example, ADOH was unaware that the subrecipient had not informed it of principal officers’ conflicts of interest so that ADOH could ensure that those principal officers or their immediate family member were not involved in decision-making related to those conflicts and selectively reviewed the related costs and activities for compliance purposes. Further, ADOH personnel responsible for reviewing and approving the subrecipient’s reimbursement requests reported to us that they were trained to not follow its policies and procedures but, instead, to approve any costs that had been previously reimbursed. As reported in finding 2022-114, although the DES subrecipient-monitoring policies and procedures did not require it to obtain from subrecipients documentation supporting charges for personal and contracted professional services to verify allowability when subrecipients requested reimbursement, the policies and procedures required an on-site monitoring visit once every 3 years for each subrecipient in which it reviews a sample of the subrecipient’s personal and professional services charges. However, DES had not performed an on-site monitoring visit of the nonprofit subrecipient since 2018 because it had not yet resumed all its subrecipient-monitoring activities, such as conducting on-site reviews and providing training and technical assistance, since suspending these activities during the COVID-19 pandemic during fiscal year 2020. In addition, DES had not properly assessed the subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with its award contract and program requirements to determine the level of monitoring procedures or training the subrecipient needed. For example, the Division was unaware that the subrecipient had not informed it of a principal officer’s conflicts of interest so that the Division could ensure that the principal officer or their immediate family member were not involved in decision-making related to those conflicts and selectively review the related costs and activities for compliance purposes. Criteria—Federal regulations require the Departments to monitor subrecipients and include required procedures for assessing the risk of each subrecipient’s noncompliance and implementing appropriate monitoring procedures to address those risk assessments; verifying single audits were conducted timely, if required; reviewing financial and performance reports; following up on and ensuring corrective action is taken on deficiencies that could potentially affect the program; and issuing management decisions on the results of audit findings or monitoring (2 CFR §§200.332, .339, and .521). Federal regulations provide that monitoring procedures the Departments may implement to address a subrecipient’s risk assessment include providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters and performing on-site reviews and selective audits of reimbursed costs (2 CFR §200.332[e]). Further, federal regulations require the Departments’ subrecipients to allocate allowable costs using a reasonable basis, to use competitive purchasing standards when procuring goods and services, and to disclose in writing to the Departments any potential conflicts of interest.2 Finally, federal regulation requires establishing and maintaining effective internal control over federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that federal programs are being managed in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and award terms (2 CFR §200.303). Recommendations—The Departments should: 1. Immediately stop reimbursing the nonprofit subrecipient for costs that are unsupported, unallowable, and/or paid to the nonprofit subrecipient’s principal officers or their immediate family member in violation of conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements without obtaining documentation to support they comply with the program’s requirements and take appropriate enforcement actions in accordance with its subaward contract. (ADOH and DES) 2. Update its written policies and procedures for reviewing and approving subrecipient reimbursement requests to include a process to ensure costs are adequately supported and allowable in accordance with program requirements. (ADOH and DES) 3. Train personnel responsible for reviewing and approving subrecipient reimbursement requests on how to identify costs that are unallowable under federal regulations. (ADOH) 4. Assess the risk of each subrecipient’s noncompliance and perform the appropriate monitoring procedures based on the assessed risk, such as providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters and performing on-site reviews and selective audits of reimbursed costs for allowability. (ADOH and DES) 5. Ensure subrecipients allocate allowable costs using a reasonable basis, use competitive purchasing standards when procuring goods and services, and disclose in writing to the Departments any potential conflicts of interest. The Departments may need to provide training and technical assistance to subrecipients that addresses these compliance areas, including the Departments’ obtaining conflict-of-interest disclosures from subrecipients as part of the subaward contract, as an example, or otherwise establishing a communication mechanism for subrecipients to use as such conflicts arise. (ADOH and DES) 6. Continue to work with the nonprofit subrecipient to resolve the $47,777 in unallowable costs, including recovering these monies from the subrecipient and assessing the continued need to use this subrecipient for services. (ADOH and DES) 7. Work with the federal agencies to resolve the $47,777 of unallowable costs that it reimbursed, which may involve returning monies to the agencies. (ADOH and DES) The State’s corrective action plan at the end of this report includes the views and planned corrective action of its responsible officials. We are not required to and have not audited these responses and planned corrective actions and therefore provide no assurances as to their accuracy. 1 Federal Uniform Guidance requires federal awarding agencies to follow up on audit findings and issue a management decision to ensure the recipient takes appropriate and timely corrective action (2 CFR §200.513[c]). Further, it requires that federal awarding agencies’ management decisions clearly state whether or not the audit finding is sustained, the reasons for the decision, and the expected auditee action to repay disallowed costs, make financial adjustments, or take other action, as directed by the federal awarding agencies (2 CFR §200.521). 2 The applicable federal requirements related to allowable costs, competitive purchasing, and conflicts of interest can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 2 CFR §§200.112, .318-.327, and Subpart E, and 24 CFR §578.95 and 45 CFR §75.112.
Assistance Listings number and name: 21.019 COVID-19 Coronavirus Relief Fund Award number and year: None Federal agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Compliance requirement: Subrecipient monitoring Questioned costs: Unknown Condition—The Arizona Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting (Office) awarded $8.5 million to 9 subrecipients during fiscal year 2022, or 6.6 percent of the Office’s $128.6 million total federal expenditures for this federal program, but did not perform all the required monitoring of the subrecipients’ activities or compliance with the award terms and program requirements. Specifically, the Office performed some monitoring during the year, which consisted only of reviewing some interim and the final financial and activity reports; however, those monitoring procedures alone were not sufficient to evaluate whether subrecipients used program monies in accordance with the terms and program requirements. Effect—The Office’s lack of required monitoring increases the risk that the $8.5 million of program monies the Office awarded to subrecipients may not have been spent in accordance with the award terms and program requirements. If monies are spent inconsistent with program requirements, those who were intended to benefit from the program may not receive all the services or other benefits they otherwise would have received. Cause—Office management reported that it did not have enough staff to perform its monitoring procedures, and instead, the Office performed only limited monitoring procedures. Specifically, the Office had policies and procedures to follow for performing the monitoring procedures for its subrecipients, including how it should consider and assess risk of each subrecipient and carry out required and various other monitoring procedures based on those risk assessments. However, Office management reported that its staffing levels were not sufficient to perform all the required procedures. Criteria—Federal regulations require the Office to monitor subrecipients, which includes required monitoring procedures for assessing the risk of each subrecipient’s noncompliance and monitoring activities based on those risk assessments; verifying single audits were conducted timely; following up on and ensuring corrective action is taken on audit findings that could potentially affect the program; and issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award. Those federal regulations also provide that monitoring procedures may include reviewing financial and performance reports, providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters, and performing on-site reviews, selective audits, and/or other monitoring procedures (2 CFR §§200.332[b] and [d – e]). Further, federal regulation requires establishing and maintaining effective internal control over federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the federal program is being managed in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and award terms (2 CFR §200.303). Recommendations—The Office should: 1. Ensure it performs required monitoring of its subrecipients and their compliance with the award terms and program requirements by following their established policies and procedures to: a. Assess the risk of each subrecipient’s noncompliance and carry out monitoring activities based on those risk assessments such as reviewing financial and performance reports, providing training or technical assistance on program-related matters, and performing on site reviews, selective audits, and/or other monitoring procedures. b. Verify subrecipients receive timely single audits, follow up on and ensure that corrective action is taken on audit findings that could potentially affect the program, and issue management decisions for audit findings pertaining to the federal award. c. Maintain documentation of monitoring procedures demonstrating they were performed, including the monitoring procedures’ results and any Office actions taken, if appropriate. 2. Allocate sufficient resources, such as staffing, to comply with the award terms and program requirements, and designate an individual to perform necessary subrecipient-monitoring procedures. The State’s corrective action plan at the end of this report includes the views and planned corrective action of its responsible officials. We are not required to and have not audited these responses and planned corrective actions and therefore provide no assurances as to their accuracy. This finding is similar to prior-year finding 2021-101 and was initially reported in fiscal year 2021.