FINDING 2022-013 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 47 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Education Stabilization Fund established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and further funded by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRSSA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was for the purpose of preventing, preparing for, or responding to the Novel Coronavirus. Of 12 transfers from education stabilization funds, 6 did not have supporting documentation to provide sufficient explanation for how the use of funds prevented, prepared for, or responded to COVID-19. The total of unsupported transfers was $2,168,761. This amount was considered questioned costs. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.404 states in part: "A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. The question of reasonableness is particularly important when the non- Federal entity is predominantly federally funded. In determining reasonableness of a given cost, consideration must be given to: (a) Whether the cost is of a type generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the operation of the non-Federal entity or the proper and efficient performance of the Federal award. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 48 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Public Law 116-136, Section 18003(d) states: "Uses of Funds - A local educational agency that receives funds under this title may use funds for any of the following: (1) Any activity authorized by the ESEA of 1965, including the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Alaska Native Educational Equity, Support, and Assistance Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) ('IDEA'), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) ('the Perkins Act'), or subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). (2) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (3) Providing principals and others school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools. (4) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (5) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (6) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (7) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (8) Planning for and coordinating during long-term closures, including for how to provide meals to eligible students, how to provide technology for online learning to all students, how to provide guidance for carrying out requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) and how to ensure other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. (9) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and students with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (10) Providing mental health services and supports. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 49 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (11) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (12) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L. 116-260, section 313(d) states: "USES OF FUNDS.?A local educational agency that receives funds under this section may use the funds for any of the following: (1) Any activity authorized by the ESEA of 1965, including the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Alaska Native Educational Equity, Support, and Assistance Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) ('IDEA'), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) ('the Perkins Act'), or subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). (2) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (3) Providing principals and others school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools. (4) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (5) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (6) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (7) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (8) Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students, providing technology for online learning to all students, providing guidance for carrying out requirements under the IDEA and ensuring other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 50 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (9) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and children with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (10) Providing mental health services and supports. (11) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (12) Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care, of the local educational agency, including by? (A) Administering and using high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable, to accurately assess students' academic progress and assist educators in meeting students' academic needs, including through differentiating instruction. (B) Implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students. (C) Providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students, including in a distance learning environment. (D) Tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education. (13) School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs. (14) Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and nonmechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems, and window and door repair and replacement. (15) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, H.R. 1319, section 2001(e)states: "USES OF FUNDS.?A local educational agency that receives funds under this section? INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 51 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) shall reserve not less than 20 percent of such funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year programs, and ensure that such interventions respond to students' academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on the student subgroups described in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)), students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care; and (2) shall use the remaining funds for any of the following: (A) Any activity authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. (B) Any activity authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (C) Any activity authorized by the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. (D) Any activity authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. (E) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (F) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (G) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (H) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (I) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (J) Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students, providing technology for online learning to all students, providing guidance for carrying out requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and ensuring other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. (K) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and children with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (L) Providing mental health services and supports, including through the implementation of evidence-based full-service community schools. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 52 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (M) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (N) Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care, of the local educational agency, including by? (i) administering and using high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable, to accurately assess students' academic progress and assist educators in meeting students' academic needs, including through differentiating instruction; (ii) implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students; (iii) providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students, including in a distance learning environment; and (iv) tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education. (O) School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs. (P) Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and nonmechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems, and window and door repair and replacement. (Q) Developing strategies and implementing public health protocols including, to the greatest extent practicable, policies in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the reopening and operation of school facilities to effectively maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff. (R) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." Cause Management had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance or that supporting documentation would have been maintained and available for audit related to the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 53 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Questioned Costs Questioned costs of $2,168,761 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report
FINDING 2022-013 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425U Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 47 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. The Education Stabilization Fund established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and further funded by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRSSA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was for the purpose of preventing, preparing for, or responding to the Novel Coronavirus. Of 12 transfers from education stabilization funds, 6 did not have supporting documentation to provide sufficient explanation for how the use of funds prevented, prepared for, or responded to COVID-19. The total of unsupported transfers was $2,168,761. This amount was considered questioned costs. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: . . . (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.404 states in part: "A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. The question of reasonableness is particularly important when the non- Federal entity is predominantly federally funded. In determining reasonableness of a given cost, consideration must be given to: (a) Whether the cost is of a type generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the operation of the non-Federal entity or the proper and efficient performance of the Federal award. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 48 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Public Law 116-136, Section 18003(d) states: "Uses of Funds - A local educational agency that receives funds under this title may use funds for any of the following: (1) Any activity authorized by the ESEA of 1965, including the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Alaska Native Educational Equity, Support, and Assistance Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) ('IDEA'), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) ('the Perkins Act'), or subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). (2) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (3) Providing principals and others school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools. (4) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (5) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (6) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (7) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (8) Planning for and coordinating during long-term closures, including for how to provide meals to eligible students, how to provide technology for online learning to all students, how to provide guidance for carrying out requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) and how to ensure other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. (9) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and students with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (10) Providing mental health services and supports. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 49 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (11) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (12) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L. 116-260, section 313(d) states: "USES OF FUNDS.?A local educational agency that receives funds under this section may use the funds for any of the following: (1) Any activity authorized by the ESEA of 1965, including the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Alaska Native Educational Equity, Support, and Assistance Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) ('IDEA'), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) ('the Perkins Act'), or subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). (2) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (3) Providing principals and others school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools. (4) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (5) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (6) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (7) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (8) Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students, providing technology for online learning to all students, providing guidance for carrying out requirements under the IDEA and ensuring other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 50 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (9) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and children with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (10) Providing mental health services and supports. (11) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (12) Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care, of the local educational agency, including by? (A) Administering and using high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable, to accurately assess students' academic progress and assist educators in meeting students' academic needs, including through differentiating instruction. (B) Implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students. (C) Providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students, including in a distance learning environment. (D) Tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education. (13) School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs. (14) Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and nonmechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems, and window and door repair and replacement. (15) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, H.R. 1319, section 2001(e)states: "USES OF FUNDS.?A local educational agency that receives funds under this section? INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 51 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (1) shall reserve not less than 20 percent of such funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year programs, and ensure that such interventions respond to students' academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on the student subgroups described in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)), students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care; and (2) shall use the remaining funds for any of the following: (A) Any activity authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. (B) Any activity authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (C) Any activity authorized by the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. (D) Any activity authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. (E) Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies with State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (F) Activities to address the unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population. (G) Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of local educational agencies. (H) Training and professional development for staff of the local educational agency on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases. (I) Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a local educational agency, including buildings operated by such agency. (J) Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students, providing technology for online learning to all students, providing guidance for carrying out requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and ensuring other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements. (K) Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and children with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment. (L) Providing mental health services and supports, including through the implementation of evidence-based full-service community schools. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 52 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (M) Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (N) Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care, of the local educational agency, including by? (i) administering and using high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable, to accurately assess students' academic progress and assist educators in meeting students' academic needs, including through differentiating instruction; (ii) implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students; (iii) providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students, including in a distance learning environment; and (iv) tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education. (O) School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs. (P) Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and nonmechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems, and window and door repair and replacement. (Q) Developing strategies and implementing public health protocols including, to the greatest extent practicable, policies in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the reopening and operation of school facilities to effectively maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff. (R) Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency." Cause Management had not designed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance or that supporting documentation would have been maintained and available for audit related to the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 53 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect The failure to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. Questioned Costs Questioned costs of $2,168,761 were identified as detailed in the Condition and Context. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure that documentation will be maintained and available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report
Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Head Start ALN# 93.600 US Department of Health & Human Services Federal Grant/Contract Number: 10CH011215-02; 10CH011215-03; 10HE000901-01 Grant period – 2021 & 2022 Criteria – Per 2 CFR 200.303, the non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should follow 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). Per 2 CFR section 200.403 – Factors affecting allowability of costs – Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: paragraph (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles; paragraph (g) Be adequately documented. Per 2 CFR section 200.404 – Reasonable costs – A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. Per 2 CFR section 200.405 – Allocable costs –focuses on how costs are allocable, ensuring they are directly tied to the federal award or its benefits. Per 2 CFR 200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that are supported by a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated and that are incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity. Condition – The following exceptions were noted during testing of 138 program disbursements, 93 payroll disbursements, and 100 journal entry transactions: • 20 invoices could not be located related to program disbursements • 6 invoices tested did not agree to the approved allocation of Head Start expenses • 1 timecard could not be located • multiple instances where an approved pay rate covering the appropriate time-period could not be obtained • 12 instances where supporting documentation for journal entries to adjust Head Start expenses could not be obtained. Cause – Turnover in staff and the passage of time since the period under audit has caused documentation to be misplaced. Effect – Inadequate or inconsistent documentation of expenses may result in erroneous or fraudulent transactions occurring, loss of funding, or disallowed costs. Questioned Costs – $151,608. Recommendation – Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the expense. Management’s Response – Management has reviewed and accepted the finding. See “Corrective Action Plan”.
Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Head Start ALN# 93.600 US Department of Health & Human Services Federal Grant/Contract Number: 10CH011215-02; 10CH011215-03; 10HE000901-01 Grant period – 2021 & 2022 Criteria – Per 2 CFR 200.303, the non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should follow 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). Per 2 CFR section 200.403 – Factors affecting allowability of costs – Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: paragraph (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles; paragraph (g) Be adequately documented. Per 2 CFR section 200.404 – Reasonable costs – A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. Per 2 CFR section 200.405 – Allocable costs –focuses on how costs are allocable, ensuring they are directly tied to the federal award or its benefits. Per 2 CFR 200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that are supported by a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated and that are incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity. Condition – The following exceptions were noted during testing of 138 program disbursements, 93 payroll disbursements, and 100 journal entry transactions: • 20 invoices could not be located related to program disbursements • 6 invoices tested did not agree to the approved allocation of Head Start expenses • 1 timecard could not be located • multiple instances where an approved pay rate covering the appropriate time-period could not be obtained • 12 instances where supporting documentation for journal entries to adjust Head Start expenses could not be obtained. Cause – Turnover in staff and the passage of time since the period under audit has caused documentation to be misplaced. Effect – Inadequate or inconsistent documentation of expenses may result in erroneous or fraudulent transactions occurring, loss of funding, or disallowed costs. Questioned Costs – $151,608. Recommendation – Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the expense. Management’s Response – Management has reviewed and accepted the finding. See “Corrective Action Plan”.
Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Head Start ALN# 93.600 US Department of Health & Human Services Federal Grant/Contract Number: 10CH011215-02; 10CH011215-03; 10HE000901-01 Grant period – 2021 & 2022 Criteria – Per 2 CFR 200.303, the non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should follow 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). Per 2 CFR section 200.403 – Factors affecting allowability of costs – Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: paragraph (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles; paragraph (g) Be adequately documented. Per 2 CFR section 200.404 – Reasonable costs – A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. Per 2 CFR section 200.405 – Allocable costs –focuses on how costs are allocable, ensuring they are directly tied to the federal award or its benefits. Per 2 CFR 200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that are supported by a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated and that are incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity. Condition – The following exceptions were noted during testing of 138 program disbursements, 93 payroll disbursements, and 100 journal entry transactions: • 20 invoices could not be located related to program disbursements • 6 invoices tested did not agree to the approved allocation of Head Start expenses • 1 timecard could not be located • multiple instances where an approved pay rate covering the appropriate time-period could not be obtained • 12 instances where supporting documentation for journal entries to adjust Head Start expenses could not be obtained. Cause – Turnover in staff and the passage of time since the period under audit has caused documentation to be misplaced. Effect – Inadequate or inconsistent documentation of expenses may result in erroneous or fraudulent transactions occurring, loss of funding, or disallowed costs. Questioned Costs – $151,608. Recommendation – Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the expense. Management’s Response – Management has reviewed and accepted the finding. See “Corrective Action Plan”.
Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Head Start ALN# 93.600 US Department of Health & Human Services Federal Grant/Contract Number: 10CH011215-02; 10CH011215-03; 10HE000901-01 Grant period – 2021 & 2022 Criteria – Per 2 CFR 200.303, the non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should follow 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). Per 2 CFR section 200.403 – Factors affecting allowability of costs – Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: paragraph (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles; paragraph (g) Be adequately documented. Per 2 CFR section 200.404 – Reasonable costs – A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. Per 2 CFR section 200.405 – Allocable costs –focuses on how costs are allocable, ensuring they are directly tied to the federal award or its benefits. Per 2 CFR 200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that are supported by a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated and that are incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity. Condition – The following exceptions were noted during testing of 138 program disbursements, 93 payroll disbursements, and 100 journal entry transactions: • 20 invoices could not be located related to program disbursements • 6 invoices tested did not agree to the approved allocation of Head Start expenses • 1 timecard could not be located • multiple instances where an approved pay rate covering the appropriate time-period could not be obtained • 12 instances where supporting documentation for journal entries to adjust Head Start expenses could not be obtained. Cause – Turnover in staff and the passage of time since the period under audit has caused documentation to be misplaced. Effect – Inadequate or inconsistent documentation of expenses may result in erroneous or fraudulent transactions occurring, loss of funding, or disallowed costs. Questioned Costs – $151,608. Recommendation – Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the expense. Management’s Response – Management has reviewed and accepted the finding. See “Corrective Action Plan”.
Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Head Start ALN# 93.600 US Department of Health & Human Services Federal Grant/Contract Number: 10CH011215-02; 10CH011215-03; 10HE000901-01 Grant period – 2021 & 2022 Criteria – Per 2 CFR 200.303, the non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should follow 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). Per 2 CFR section 200.403 – Factors affecting allowability of costs – Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: paragraph (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles; paragraph (g) Be adequately documented. Per 2 CFR section 200.404 – Reasonable costs – A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. Per 2 CFR section 200.405 – Allocable costs –focuses on how costs are allocable, ensuring they are directly tied to the federal award or its benefits. Per 2 CFR 200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that are supported by a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated and that are incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity. Condition – The following exceptions were noted during testing of 138 program disbursements, 93 payroll disbursements, and 100 journal entry transactions: • 20 invoices could not be located related to program disbursements • 6 invoices tested did not agree to the approved allocation of Head Start expenses • 1 timecard could not be located • multiple instances where an approved pay rate covering the appropriate time-period could not be obtained • 12 instances where supporting documentation for journal entries to adjust Head Start expenses could not be obtained. Cause – Turnover in staff and the passage of time since the period under audit has caused documentation to be misplaced. Effect – Inadequate or inconsistent documentation of expenses may result in erroneous or fraudulent transactions occurring, loss of funding, or disallowed costs. Questioned Costs – $151,608. Recommendation – Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the expense. Management’s Response – Management has reviewed and accepted the finding. See “Corrective Action Plan”.
Activities Allowed or Unallowed/Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Head Start ALN# 93.600 US Department of Health & Human Services Federal Grant/Contract Number: 10CH011215-02; 10CH011215-03; 10HE000901-01 Grant period – 2021 & 2022 Criteria – Per 2 CFR 200.303, the non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should follow 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). Per 2 CFR section 200.403 – Factors affecting allowability of costs – Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: paragraph (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles; paragraph (g) Be adequately documented. Per 2 CFR section 200.404 – Reasonable costs – A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. Per 2 CFR section 200.405 – Allocable costs –focuses on how costs are allocable, ensuring they are directly tied to the federal award or its benefits. Per 2 CFR 200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that are supported by a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated and that are incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity. Condition – The following exceptions were noted during testing of 138 program disbursements, 93 payroll disbursements, and 100 journal entry transactions: • 20 invoices could not be located related to program disbursements • 6 invoices tested did not agree to the approved allocation of Head Start expenses • 1 timecard could not be located • multiple instances where an approved pay rate covering the appropriate time-period could not be obtained • 12 instances where supporting documentation for journal entries to adjust Head Start expenses could not be obtained. Cause – Turnover in staff and the passage of time since the period under audit has caused documentation to be misplaced. Effect – Inadequate or inconsistent documentation of expenses may result in erroneous or fraudulent transactions occurring, loss of funding, or disallowed costs. Questioned Costs – $151,608. Recommendation – Documentation should be prepared, reviewed, and retained to support the expense. Management’s Response – Management has reviewed and accepted the finding. See “Corrective Action Plan”.
Criteria: Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), Part 200, Subpart E defines and discusses the federal cost principles that apply to federal awards administered by nonprofit organizations. The applicable sections of these cost principes are as follows: • 2 CFR 200.403 Factors affecting allowability of costs • 2 CFR 200.404 Reasonable costs • 2 CFR 200.405 Allocable costs • 2 CFR 200.413 Direct costs • 2 CFR 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs Condition: The following were noted as related to compliance with allowable costs, cost allocation and federal cost principles: • Internal control on time spent by employees related to administrative functions or other indirect cost activities has not been properly designed or implemented. • All employee time, including employees and professional services contractors are being recorded directly to programs. Time spent on indirect activities is not being properly identified or properly allocated to programs. • A portion of time of the Operations Manager (Chief Executive of the Organization) is spent related to administrative time or other indirect cost activities. However, none of that time has been identified or charged as indirect costs. • The time card for the Operations Manager (Chief Executive of the Organization) is not reviewed or approved by a board member or other senior executive of the Organization. • The accounting services of AIRS is being provided by a third-party outsourced accountant. The costs related to these services were improperly recorded as direct personnel costs to the program rather than properly classified as indirect costs. • Payroll taxes, employee benefits and other allowable employee related expenses were allocated to the program in a manner that does not accurately reflect the relative benefits received. These costs were allocated to the program as a percentage of total payroll costs, however, the percentage used exceeds that actual percentage of these costs as a percentage of total payroll costs. • A reasonable, consistent and uniform cost allocation methodology has not been properly designed or implemented. Costs that benefit both federal programs, non-federal programs and indirect costs are not being allocated properly across and to federal programs, non-federal programs and indirect costs in a reasonable, consistent and uniform manner. • Certain direct costs charged to the program were not based on actual costs incurred and the amounts charged were not adequately supported. • Indirect costs were not properly identified and segregated from direct costs. • Allowable indirect costs were not charged to the federal program. Cause: AIRS accounting staff and senior management do not appear to have a full and complete understanding of Uniform Guidance or of the applicable federal cost principles. Management has not properly applied the applicable federal costs principles in 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart E to the costs charged to the federal program. Effect: Payroll costs and allowable employee related expenses, certain direct costs, allocable direct costs and indirect costs were not properly charged to the federal program. In order to estimate the questioned costs, the auditor, with the assistance of management, developed a costs allocation methodology that charges costs to the federal program in a reasonable, consistent and uniform manner in compliance with the costs principles contained in 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart E. The primarily characteristics of this methodology are as follows: • Based upon discussions with management, review of the job description, roles and responsibilities of the Operations Manager and using prior experience and comparison to similar nonprofit organizations; an estimate of the percentage of time spent by the Operations Manager related to administration and other indirect activities was developed. • The time for the outsourced accounting services provider was removed from direct personnel costs and charged to indirect costs. • After the above revisions were made, the auditor assisted management in reallocating payroll costs across all federal and nonfederal programs and to indirect costs in a reasonable, consistent and uniform manner. • Allowable payroll taxes, benefits and other employee related expense charges were estimated using the actual percentage of these expenses as a percentage of total allowable payroll costs. • Non-allocable direct costs were charged to the program at the actual amount of those costs incurred. • Allocable direct costs charges were estimated by allocating those costs to the federal program on the basis of allowable payroll costs charged to program as a percentage of total allowable payroll costs (percentage of payroll methodology). This methodology is in compliance with the requirements of 2 CFR 200.405 and appears to produce a result that reasonably estimates the proportional benefit of these costs to all federal and non-federal programs, and to indirect cost activities. • Indirect costs were estimated and charged to the program using the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in 2 CFR 200.414. Questioned Costs: Using the methodology described above, the auditor has estimated total federal expenditures allowable to the program of $247,119. However, AIRS has charged federal expenditures of $272,781 to the program. Therefore, the estimated questioned costs related to this program are $25,662. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: Senior management and accounting personnel should create procedures to ensure that direct program costs are charged at the actual amounts incurred, develop a payroll cost allocation methodology, and an allocable direct cost allocation methodology that ensures that costs are reasonably, consistently and uniformly charged to and across all federal and non-federal programs and to indirect costs relative to the proportional benefit of those costs, and in compliance with the applicable federal cost principles in 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart E. Management and the board should consider providing senior management, accounting personnel and applicable program personnel additional training and education related to the proper application of and compliance with the federal costs principles as defined in 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart E. Management and the board may also want to consider engaging a third-party CPA or other accounting professional who has extensive prior skills, knowledge and experience related to Uniform Guidance and federal cost principles. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs with this audit finding.
Criteria: Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), Part 200, Subpart E defines and discusses the federal cost principles that apply to federal awards administered by nonprofit organizations. The applicable sections of these cost principes are as follows: • 2 CFR 200.403 Factors affecting allowability of costs • 2 CFR 200.404 Reasonable costs • 2 CFR 200.405 Allocable costs • 2 CFR 200.413 Direct costs • 2 CFR 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs Condition: The following were noted as related to compliance with allowable costs, cost allocation and federal cost principles: • Internal control on time spent by employees related to administrative functions or other indirect cost activities has not been properly designed or implemented. • All employee time, including employees and professional services contractors are being recorded directly to programs. Time spent on indirect activities is not being properly identified or properly allocated to programs. • A portion of time of the Operations Manager (Chief Executive of the Organization) is spent related to administrative time or other indirect cost activities. However, none of that time has been identified or charged as indirect costs. • The time card for the Operations Manager (Chief Executive of the Organization) is not reviewed or approved by a board member or other senior executive of the Organization. • The accounting services of AIRS is being provided by a third-party outsourced accountant. The costs related to these services were improperly recorded as direct personnel costs to the program rather than properly classified as indirect costs. • Payroll taxes, employee benefits and other allowable employee related expenses were allocated to the program in a manner that does not accurately reflect the relative benefits received. These costs were allocated to the program as a percentage of total payroll costs, however, the percentage used exceeds that actual percentage of these costs as a percentage of total payroll costs. • A reasonable, consistent and uniform cost allocation methodology has not been properly designed or implemented. Costs that benefit both federal programs, non-federal programs and indirect costs are not being allocated properly across and to federal programs, non-federal programs and indirect costs in a reasonable, consistent and uniform manner. • Certain direct costs charged to the program were not based on actual costs incurred and the amounts charged were not adequately supported. • Indirect costs were not properly identified and segregated from direct costs. • Allowable indirect costs were not charged to the federal program. Cause: AIRS accounting staff and senior management do not appear to have a full and complete understanding of Uniform Guidance or of the applicable federal cost principles. Management has not properly applied the applicable federal costs principles in 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart E to the costs charged to the federal program. Effect: Payroll costs and allowable employee related expenses, certain direct costs, allocable direct costs and indirect costs were not properly charged to the federal program. In order to estimate the questioned costs, the auditor, with the assistance of management, developed a costs allocation methodology that charges costs to the federal program in a reasonable, consistent and uniform manner in compliance with the costs principles contained in 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart E. The primarily characteristics of this methodology are as follows: • Based upon discussions with management, review of the job description, roles and responsibilities of the Operations Manager and using prior experience and comparison to similar nonprofit organizations; an estimate of the percentage of time spent by the Operations Manager related to administration and other indirect activities was developed. • The time for the outsourced accounting services provider was removed from direct personnel costs and charged to indirect costs. • After the above revisions were made, the auditor assisted management in reallocating payroll costs across all federal and nonfederal programs and to indirect costs in a reasonable, consistent and uniform manner. • Allowable payroll taxes, benefits and other employee related expense charges were estimated using the actual percentage of these expenses as a percentage of total allowable payroll costs. • Non-allocable direct costs were charged to the program at the actual amount of those costs incurred. • Allocable direct costs charges were estimated by allocating those costs to the federal program on the basis of allowable payroll costs charged to program as a percentage of total allowable payroll costs (percentage of payroll methodology). This methodology is in compliance with the requirements of 2 CFR 200.405 and appears to produce a result that reasonably estimates the proportional benefit of these costs to all federal and non-federal programs, and to indirect cost activities. • Indirect costs were estimated and charged to the program using the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in 2 CFR 200.414. Questioned Costs: Using the methodology described above, the auditor has estimated total federal expenditures allowable to the program of $247,119. However, AIRS has charged federal expenditures of $272,781 to the program. Therefore, the estimated questioned costs related to this program are $25,662. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: Senior management and accounting personnel should create procedures to ensure that direct program costs are charged at the actual amounts incurred, develop a payroll cost allocation methodology, and an allocable direct cost allocation methodology that ensures that costs are reasonably, consistently and uniformly charged to and across all federal and non-federal programs and to indirect costs relative to the proportional benefit of those costs, and in compliance with the applicable federal cost principles in 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart E. Management and the board should consider providing senior management, accounting personnel and applicable program personnel additional training and education related to the proper application of and compliance with the federal costs principles as defined in 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart E. Management and the board may also want to consider engaging a third-party CPA or other accounting professional who has extensive prior skills, knowledge and experience related to Uniform Guidance and federal cost principles. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs with this audit finding.