Prior Year Finding Number: 2022-002 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Program: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Pass through Entity: District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education -Office of Out of School Times Grant and Youth Outcomes, District of Columbia Human Services Rehousing Stabilization Program - Safe Passage Safe Blocks, D.C. Office of the Deputy Mayor Office Victim Services and Justice Grants and Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants Successful Reentry Program CFDA #: 21.027 Award #: 2023-SPSB-011-CSC, 2023-CSC-04, CW1010626, and 2023-AARPA-2004 Award Year: 10/01/2022-09/30/2023! Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires that non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. In addition, 2 CFR 200.430 – 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: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a federal award as a direct cost if any other incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed program in either the current or a prior period. (g) Be adequately documented. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to §200.308(e)(3). The Personnel Section of the Executed Contract indicated specifies that: A. All staff, volunteers, and contractors, collectively called program personnel, who have regular unsupervised contact and direct interactions with youth, must possess the requisite training, qualifications, clearances, and competency to perform the duties to which they are assigned. B. All program personnel must have the following background checks in order to comply with the District of Columbia’s Criminal Background Checks for the Protection of Children Act of 2004. DC Code §§ 4-1501.01 – 4-1501.11 and other OST Office requirements: • DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Child Protection Registry (CPR); • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check; • Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Criminal Background Check; and • National Sex Offender Registry. C. Any program personnel with the following felony convictions are not permitted to work or volunteer with children and youth: 1. Murder, attempted murder, manslaughter or arson; 2. Assault, battery, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, mayhem, or threats to do bodily harm; 3. Burglary; 4. Robbery; 5. Kidnapping; 6. Illegal use or possession of a firearm; 7. Sexual offenses, including indecent exposure; promoting, procuring, compelling, soliciting, or engaging in prostitution; corrupting minors (sexual relations with children); molesting; voyeurism; committing sex acts in public; incest; rape; sexual assault; sexual battery; or sexual abuse; but excluding sodomy between consenting adults; 8. Child abuse or cruelty to children; or 9. Unlawful distribution or possession of or possession with intent to distribute, a controlled substance. Condition: We sampled 60 payroll expense transactions and noted the following: • Four (4) instances in which time charged to this program was not recorded in the timesheets reviewed for the periods tested. The total of these transactions were $12,087. • Six (6) payroll transactions did not satisfy the prohibited felony background requirements as specified in the Safe Passage Safe Block grant agreement for personnel hired under this award. The total of these transactions were $16,404. • Six (6) payroll transactions from the Safe Passage Safe Block award did not show evidence of clearance by the D.C. Child and Family Services Child Protection Registry (CPR) and 2 CPRs provided were outside of the period tested. In addition, 5 CPR and First Aid training documentation were not provided. The total of these transactions were $15,585. Two (2) files did not show evidence of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) criminal background checks as a condition for employment. Eight (8) MPD files requested were not provided. The total of these transactions were $39,102. Twenty-two (22) National Sex Offenders Registry records were not provided for persons hired under the program. This registry was managed directly by a District Agency and was not submitted to CSC. The total of these transactions were $71,408. Questioned Costs: $154,586 Context: This is a condition identified per review of CSC’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The known amount of the payroll transactions totaled $154,586. Effect: CSC is not in compliance with the stated provisions of the grant awards. Failure to properly review and support expenses can result in noncompliance with laws and regulations along with loss of funding. Cause: CSC did not appear to have adequate policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with the required stipulations regarding background. Recommendation: We recommend that CSC ensure that personnel hired under the grant meet all the background and other checks within the stipulated time frame outlined in the grant agreement. We also recommend that CSC improve internal controls to ensure adherence to Federal regulations related to the fiscal and administrative requirements for expending and accounting for expenses incurred and reported.
Prior Year Finding Number: 2022-002 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Program: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Pass through Entity: District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education -Office of Out of School Times Grant and Youth Outcomes, District of Columbia Human Services Rehousing Stabilization Program - Safe Passage Safe Blocks, D.C. Office of the Deputy Mayor Office Victim Services and Justice Grants and Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants Successful Reentry Program CFDA #: 21.027 Award #: 2023-SPSB-011-CSC, 2023-CSC-04, CW1010626, and 2023-AARPA-2004 Award Year: 10/01/2022-09/30/2023! Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires that non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. In addition, 2 CFR 200.430 – 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: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a federal award as a direct cost if any other incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed program in either the current or a prior period. (g) Be adequately documented. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to §200.308(e)(3). The Personnel Section of the Executed Contract indicated specifies that: A. All staff, volunteers, and contractors, collectively called program personnel, who have regular unsupervised contact and direct interactions with youth, must possess the requisite training, qualifications, clearances, and competency to perform the duties to which they are assigned. B. All program personnel must have the following background checks in order to comply with the District of Columbia’s Criminal Background Checks for the Protection of Children Act of 2004. DC Code §§ 4-1501.01 – 4-1501.11 and other OST Office requirements: • DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Child Protection Registry (CPR); • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check; • Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Criminal Background Check; and • National Sex Offender Registry. C. Any program personnel with the following felony convictions are not permitted to work or volunteer with children and youth: 1. Murder, attempted murder, manslaughter or arson; 2. Assault, battery, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, mayhem, or threats to do bodily harm; 3. Burglary; 4. Robbery; 5. Kidnapping; 6. Illegal use or possession of a firearm; 7. Sexual offenses, including indecent exposure; promoting, procuring, compelling, soliciting, or engaging in prostitution; corrupting minors (sexual relations with children); molesting; voyeurism; committing sex acts in public; incest; rape; sexual assault; sexual battery; or sexual abuse; but excluding sodomy between consenting adults; 8. Child abuse or cruelty to children; or 9. Unlawful distribution or possession of or possession with intent to distribute, a controlled substance. Condition: We sampled 60 payroll expense transactions and noted the following: • Four (4) instances in which time charged to this program was not recorded in the timesheets reviewed for the periods tested. The total of these transactions were $12,087. • Six (6) payroll transactions did not satisfy the prohibited felony background requirements as specified in the Safe Passage Safe Block grant agreement for personnel hired under this award. The total of these transactions were $16,404. • Six (6) payroll transactions from the Safe Passage Safe Block award did not show evidence of clearance by the D.C. Child and Family Services Child Protection Registry (CPR) and 2 CPRs provided were outside of the period tested. In addition, 5 CPR and First Aid training documentation were not provided. The total of these transactions were $15,585. Two (2) files did not show evidence of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) criminal background checks as a condition for employment. Eight (8) MPD files requested were not provided. The total of these transactions were $39,102. Twenty-two (22) National Sex Offenders Registry records were not provided for persons hired under the program. This registry was managed directly by a District Agency and was not submitted to CSC. The total of these transactions were $71,408. Questioned Costs: $154,586 Context: This is a condition identified per review of CSC’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The known amount of the payroll transactions totaled $154,586. Effect: CSC is not in compliance with the stated provisions of the grant awards. Failure to properly review and support expenses can result in noncompliance with laws and regulations along with loss of funding. Cause: CSC did not appear to have adequate policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with the required stipulations regarding background. Recommendation: We recommend that CSC ensure that personnel hired under the grant meet all the background and other checks within the stipulated time frame outlined in the grant agreement. We also recommend that CSC improve internal controls to ensure adherence to Federal regulations related to the fiscal and administrative requirements for expending and accounting for expenses incurred and reported.
Prior Year Finding Number: 2022-002 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Program: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Pass through Entity: District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education -Office of Out of School Times Grant and Youth Outcomes, District of Columbia Human Services Rehousing Stabilization Program - Safe Passage Safe Blocks, D.C. Office of the Deputy Mayor Office Victim Services and Justice Grants and Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants Successful Reentry Program CFDA #: 21.027 Award #: 2023-SPSB-011-CSC, 2023-CSC-04, CW1010626, and 2023-AARPA-2004 Award Year: 10/01/2022-09/30/2023! Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires that non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. In addition, 2 CFR 200.430 – 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: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a federal award as a direct cost if any other incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed program in either the current or a prior period. (g) Be adequately documented. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to §200.308(e)(3). The Personnel Section of the Executed Contract indicated specifies that: A. All staff, volunteers, and contractors, collectively called program personnel, who have regular unsupervised contact and direct interactions with youth, must possess the requisite training, qualifications, clearances, and competency to perform the duties to which they are assigned. B. All program personnel must have the following background checks in order to comply with the District of Columbia’s Criminal Background Checks for the Protection of Children Act of 2004. DC Code §§ 4-1501.01 – 4-1501.11 and other OST Office requirements: • DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Child Protection Registry (CPR); • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check; • Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Criminal Background Check; and • National Sex Offender Registry. C. Any program personnel with the following felony convictions are not permitted to work or volunteer with children and youth: 1. Murder, attempted murder, manslaughter or arson; 2. Assault, battery, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, mayhem, or threats to do bodily harm; 3. Burglary; 4. Robbery; 5. Kidnapping; 6. Illegal use or possession of a firearm; 7. Sexual offenses, including indecent exposure; promoting, procuring, compelling, soliciting, or engaging in prostitution; corrupting minors (sexual relations with children); molesting; voyeurism; committing sex acts in public; incest; rape; sexual assault; sexual battery; or sexual abuse; but excluding sodomy between consenting adults; 8. Child abuse or cruelty to children; or 9. Unlawful distribution or possession of or possession with intent to distribute, a controlled substance. Condition: We sampled 60 payroll expense transactions and noted the following: • Four (4) instances in which time charged to this program was not recorded in the timesheets reviewed for the periods tested. The total of these transactions were $12,087. • Six (6) payroll transactions did not satisfy the prohibited felony background requirements as specified in the Safe Passage Safe Block grant agreement for personnel hired under this award. The total of these transactions were $16,404. • Six (6) payroll transactions from the Safe Passage Safe Block award did not show evidence of clearance by the D.C. Child and Family Services Child Protection Registry (CPR) and 2 CPRs provided were outside of the period tested. In addition, 5 CPR and First Aid training documentation were not provided. The total of these transactions were $15,585. Two (2) files did not show evidence of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) criminal background checks as a condition for employment. Eight (8) MPD files requested were not provided. The total of these transactions were $39,102. Twenty-two (22) National Sex Offenders Registry records were not provided for persons hired under the program. This registry was managed directly by a District Agency and was not submitted to CSC. The total of these transactions were $71,408. Questioned Costs: $154,586 Context: This is a condition identified per review of CSC’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The known amount of the payroll transactions totaled $154,586. Effect: CSC is not in compliance with the stated provisions of the grant awards. Failure to properly review and support expenses can result in noncompliance with laws and regulations along with loss of funding. Cause: CSC did not appear to have adequate policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with the required stipulations regarding background. Recommendation: We recommend that CSC ensure that personnel hired under the grant meet all the background and other checks within the stipulated time frame outlined in the grant agreement. We also recommend that CSC improve internal controls to ensure adherence to Federal regulations related to the fiscal and administrative requirements for expending and accounting for expenses incurred and reported.
Prior Year Finding Number: 2022-002 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Program: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Pass through Entity: District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education -Office of Out of School Times Grant and Youth Outcomes, District of Columbia Human Services Rehousing Stabilization Program - Safe Passage Safe Blocks, D.C. Office of the Deputy Mayor Office Victim Services and Justice Grants and Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants Successful Reentry Program CFDA #: 21.027 Award #: 2023-SPSB-011-CSC, 2023-CSC-04, CW1010626, and 2023-AARPA-2004 Award Year: 10/01/2022-09/30/2023! Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires that non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. In addition, 2 CFR 200.430 – 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: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a federal award as a direct cost if any other incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed program in either the current or a prior period. (g) Be adequately documented. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to §200.308(e)(3). The Personnel Section of the Executed Contract indicated specifies that: A. All staff, volunteers, and contractors, collectively called program personnel, who have regular unsupervised contact and direct interactions with youth, must possess the requisite training, qualifications, clearances, and competency to perform the duties to which they are assigned. B. All program personnel must have the following background checks in order to comply with the District of Columbia’s Criminal Background Checks for the Protection of Children Act of 2004. DC Code §§ 4-1501.01 – 4-1501.11 and other OST Office requirements: • DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Child Protection Registry (CPR); • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check; • Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Criminal Background Check; and • National Sex Offender Registry. C. Any program personnel with the following felony convictions are not permitted to work or volunteer with children and youth: 1. Murder, attempted murder, manslaughter or arson; 2. Assault, battery, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, mayhem, or threats to do bodily harm; 3. Burglary; 4. Robbery; 5. Kidnapping; 6. Illegal use or possession of a firearm; 7. Sexual offenses, including indecent exposure; promoting, procuring, compelling, soliciting, or engaging in prostitution; corrupting minors (sexual relations with children); molesting; voyeurism; committing sex acts in public; incest; rape; sexual assault; sexual battery; or sexual abuse; but excluding sodomy between consenting adults; 8. Child abuse or cruelty to children; or 9. Unlawful distribution or possession of or possession with intent to distribute, a controlled substance. Condition: We sampled 60 payroll expense transactions and noted the following: • Four (4) instances in which time charged to this program was not recorded in the timesheets reviewed for the periods tested. The total of these transactions were $12,087. • Six (6) payroll transactions did not satisfy the prohibited felony background requirements as specified in the Safe Passage Safe Block grant agreement for personnel hired under this award. The total of these transactions were $16,404. • Six (6) payroll transactions from the Safe Passage Safe Block award did not show evidence of clearance by the D.C. Child and Family Services Child Protection Registry (CPR) and 2 CPRs provided were outside of the period tested. In addition, 5 CPR and First Aid training documentation were not provided. The total of these transactions were $15,585. Two (2) files did not show evidence of Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) criminal background checks as a condition for employment. Eight (8) MPD files requested were not provided. The total of these transactions were $39,102. Twenty-two (22) National Sex Offenders Registry records were not provided for persons hired under the program. This registry was managed directly by a District Agency and was not submitted to CSC. The total of these transactions were $71,408. Questioned Costs: $154,586 Context: This is a condition identified per review of CSC’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The known amount of the payroll transactions totaled $154,586. Effect: CSC is not in compliance with the stated provisions of the grant awards. Failure to properly review and support expenses can result in noncompliance with laws and regulations along with loss of funding. Cause: CSC did not appear to have adequate policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with the required stipulations regarding background. Recommendation: We recommend that CSC ensure that personnel hired under the grant meet all the background and other checks within the stipulated time frame outlined in the grant agreement. We also recommend that CSC improve internal controls to ensure adherence to Federal regulations related to the fiscal and administrative requirements for expending and accounting for expenses incurred and reported.
2023-001: Allocable Costs/Cost Principles - Reporting of Payroll based on budget. Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name: Assistance Listing Number 93.696, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grant Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 1H79SM086680-01, Program Grant Period 09/29/2022-09/29/2023 Pass-through Entity: N/A Type: Material weakness in internal controls and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding: No Criteria: Per 2 CFR 200.430(i)(1)(viii)(c), the auditee’s system of internal must include control processes to review after-the-fact interim charges made to a Federal award based on budget estimates. All necessary adjustment must be made such that the final amount charged to the Federal award is accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Condition: The Authority allocated wages and fringe benefits to the program based on the grant budget, with no adjustment made to actual time spent. Identification of How Likely Questioned Costs Were Computed: A schedule was prepared of time and attendance reports for the year which was compared to the amount charged to the grant. Known Questioned Costs: $19,693 Context: The Authority charged wage and fringe benefit for all employees providing services under the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grant based on budget amounts for the fiscal year. A schedule was prepared by management of the time spent on the grant for all employees for the year, which was compared to budget. Cause/Effect: Management was under the understanding that since the budget had been approved by the grantor that they were allowed to charge the budgeted amount to the grant. As a result, wages and fringe benefits charged to the grant were overstated based on time and attendance reports. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority review all federally funded grants and implement a review process to ensure the amount charged to the Federal award is based on the time the employees spend on providing the services. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action Plan: See attached corrective action plan.
Finding Number: 2023-001 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ALN: 14.157 Compliance Requirement: Special Test and Provisions – Use of Project Funds-Payroll Activities Criteria – The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires that non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Additionally, salaries and wages charged to Federal awards are subject to the standards of documentation as described by 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) and must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: • Be incorporated into the organization’s official records: • Reasonable reflects the total activity for which the employee is compensated across all grant-related and non-grant-related activities (100% effort) and • Support the distribution of employee salary across multiple activities or cost objectives. Condition – For ALN 14.157, we sampled and selected 25 out of 173 payroll expenditures and noted six (6) instances where timesheets were not available for review. Questioned Cost – $9,172 Context – This is a condition identified per review of The Project’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The total payroll expenditure charged to the program in fiscal year 2023 is $203,516. The total amount sampled is $24,219. The known amount of the exceptions is $9,172. Effect – The Project is not in compliance with he stated provision. Failure to properly review and support expenditures can result in noncompliance with laws and regulations along with loss of funding. Cause – Timesheets appear to have been misfiled and were not available for review upon request. Recommendation – Management should ensure timesheets are properly filed and be available for review upon request. Views of Responsible Officials – Timesheets were misfiled by a new employee responsible for sorting and filing timesheets. Several employee folders were searched for misplaced timesheets, and some were found; However, the six missing timesheets were not found. This program is physically located in St. Thomas, and the original timesheets arrive at the administrative office about a week after the payroll is processed. A faxed copy of the original timesheets is used for review before processing payroll. Going forward, time sheet sorting and filing by new employees will be monitored more closely for proper sorting and filing
Finding 2023-010 – Salaries and Wages (Allowable Costs) Information on Federal Programs: Environmental Finance Center Grants – Assistance Listing No. 66.203 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant No. 539001D, Grant period July 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023 Grant No. 5127620, Grant period October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023 Grant No. 5126607, Grant period July 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023 Criteria or Specific Requirements: According to 2 CFR Section 200.430(g), charges to Federal grants for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed and the records must: a. Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; b. Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; c. Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100 percent of compensated activities; d. Encompass federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity's written policy; e. Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; f. Support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities, which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity; and g. Budget estimates (i.e., estimates determined before the services are performed) alone do not qualify as support for charges to Federal awards. Condition: For the period from October 2022 through May 2023, U.S. Water Alliance did not have a timekeeping system in place. A timekeeping system was implemented in June of 2023, that provides for employees to record hours worked for specific cost objectives, including Federal grants. There are limitations to the timekeeping system’s capabilities. One is no availability to run timesheet reports for closed grants after the grant period ends. Second is the need to manually adjust hours transferred from the timekeeping system to the payroll processing system due to semi-monthly payroll processing and the need to have total number of hours equal to 86.67 for salaried employees. For these three awards, budget estimates or relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees and active projects were used throughout the entire grant period, even after the timekeeping system was put in place. No reconciliation between the budget estimates or relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees and active projects and the hours recorded in the timekeeping system was completed even for the period in which the timekeeping system was in place. Cause: A timekeeping system was not implemented until June 2023. Effect: Salary expenditures that are not charged in accordance with the standards referenced above may be questioned or disallowed by the Federal agency. Perspective: Qualitative reports on activities on these three awards indicate there was work performed; however, due to lack of quantitative support for hours charged to the grant, it is unable to be determined whether the number of hours and ultimately dollars charged for personnel costs for these three awards are the actual hours spent on activities for these three awards. Questioned Costs: Undetermined. Repeat Finding: Not applicable. Recommendation: U.S. Water Alliance should utilize the timekeeping system data for reporting personnel costs for all Federal awards. U.S. Water Alliance should also revisit its procedures for transferring data from the timekeeping system to the payroll processing system and ultimately the general ledger, and should implement proper internal controls to ensure that the amount of hours and salary expenditures charged to grants in the general ledger reconcile to the hours reported by the timekeeping system and amounts reported by the payroll processing system. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: A new timekeeping system was implemented in June 2023 to allocate work hours specific to cost objectives, including Federal Grants. While there are limitations to the system, the allocations are transferred from the timekeeping system upon supervisor approval to the Prism (HRIS) Portal and used to prepare payment vouchers. From the HRIS system, we can produce labor allocation reports reflecting how the time was originally allocated in the timekeeping system. The US Water Alliance indeed operates on a semi-monthly payroll period. It has allowed the Alliance to have fixed pay dates though they may not fall on the same day of the week each month. If the pay date falls on a weekend or holiday, the pay date is typically the business day prior. Because all months are not the same length, the size of the paycheck could vary in that the first paycheck could cover 13-14 days and the second paycheck could cover 15-16 days. To eliminate the variation in the size of the paycheck, specifically for salaried employees, the total yearly salary is evenly divided between 24 payments resulting in the same paycheck amount each time. This division results in 86.67 hours paid in each paycheck and will at times require our payroll partner to adjust the hours allocated downward or upward to equal 86.67. In the rare case that work hours are adjusted upward, the work hours are allocated to the primary funding source for the position. The process has worked traditionally as the Alliance has no hourly employees. Specifically for the three awards referenced, reconciliation between the budget estimates, relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees and active projects, and the hours recorded in the timekeeping system were completed. Staff opted to continue reporting on relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees as opposed to shifting as the timekeeping system was very new and staff experienced a significant learning curve. Additionally, there were only two months left in the grant period. Relative level of effort was carefully documented internally via calendars, Monday.com project management software, and Excel spreadsheets. Since its implementation, staff have been better trained in the use of the timekeeping system. We are also transitioning to a new timekeeping system in December 2024 with enhanced reporting and ease of use. The Alliance will also shift to a bi-weekly payroll period effectively reducing the need to adjust work hour allocations upward or downward to equal 86.67 hours.
Finding 2023-010 – Salaries and Wages (Allowable Costs) Information on Federal Programs: Environmental Finance Center Grants – Assistance Listing No. 66.203 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant No. 539001D, Grant period July 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023 Grant No. 5127620, Grant period October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023 Grant No. 5126607, Grant period July 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023 Criteria or Specific Requirements: According to 2 CFR Section 200.430(g), charges to Federal grants for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed and the records must: a. Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; b. Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; c. Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100 percent of compensated activities; d. Encompass federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity's written policy; e. Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; f. Support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities, which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity; and g. Budget estimates (i.e., estimates determined before the services are performed) alone do not qualify as support for charges to Federal awards. Condition: For the period from October 2022 through May 2023, U.S. Water Alliance did not have a timekeeping system in place. A timekeeping system was implemented in June of 2023, that provides for employees to record hours worked for specific cost objectives, including Federal grants. There are limitations to the timekeeping system’s capabilities. One is no availability to run timesheet reports for closed grants after the grant period ends. Second is the need to manually adjust hours transferred from the timekeeping system to the payroll processing system due to semi-monthly payroll processing and the need to have total number of hours equal to 86.67 for salaried employees. For these three awards, budget estimates or relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees and active projects were used throughout the entire grant period, even after the timekeeping system was put in place. No reconciliation between the budget estimates or relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees and active projects and the hours recorded in the timekeeping system was completed even for the period in which the timekeeping system was in place. Cause: A timekeeping system was not implemented until June 2023. Effect: Salary expenditures that are not charged in accordance with the standards referenced above may be questioned or disallowed by the Federal agency. Perspective: Qualitative reports on activities on these three awards indicate there was work performed; however, due to lack of quantitative support for hours charged to the grant, it is unable to be determined whether the number of hours and ultimately dollars charged for personnel costs for these three awards are the actual hours spent on activities for these three awards. Questioned Costs: Undetermined. Repeat Finding: Not applicable. Recommendation: U.S. Water Alliance should utilize the timekeeping system data for reporting personnel costs for all Federal awards. U.S. Water Alliance should also revisit its procedures for transferring data from the timekeeping system to the payroll processing system and ultimately the general ledger, and should implement proper internal controls to ensure that the amount of hours and salary expenditures charged to grants in the general ledger reconcile to the hours reported by the timekeeping system and amounts reported by the payroll processing system. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: A new timekeeping system was implemented in June 2023 to allocate work hours specific to cost objectives, including Federal Grants. While there are limitations to the system, the allocations are transferred from the timekeeping system upon supervisor approval to the Prism (HRIS) Portal and used to prepare payment vouchers. From the HRIS system, we can produce labor allocation reports reflecting how the time was originally allocated in the timekeeping system. The US Water Alliance indeed operates on a semi-monthly payroll period. It has allowed the Alliance to have fixed pay dates though they may not fall on the same day of the week each month. If the pay date falls on a weekend or holiday, the pay date is typically the business day prior. Because all months are not the same length, the size of the paycheck could vary in that the first paycheck could cover 13-14 days and the second paycheck could cover 15-16 days. To eliminate the variation in the size of the paycheck, specifically for salaried employees, the total yearly salary is evenly divided between 24 payments resulting in the same paycheck amount each time. This division results in 86.67 hours paid in each paycheck and will at times require our payroll partner to adjust the hours allocated downward or upward to equal 86.67. In the rare case that work hours are adjusted upward, the work hours are allocated to the primary funding source for the position. The process has worked traditionally as the Alliance has no hourly employees. Specifically for the three awards referenced, reconciliation between the budget estimates, relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees and active projects, and the hours recorded in the timekeeping system were completed. Staff opted to continue reporting on relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees as opposed to shifting as the timekeeping system was very new and staff experienced a significant learning curve. Additionally, there were only two months left in the grant period. Relative level of effort was carefully documented internally via calendars, Monday.com project management software, and Excel spreadsheets. Since its implementation, staff have been better trained in the use of the timekeeping system. We are also transitioning to a new timekeeping system in December 2024 with enhanced reporting and ease of use. The Alliance will also shift to a bi-weekly payroll period effectively reducing the need to adjust work hour allocations upward or downward to equal 86.67 hours.
Finding 2023-010 – Salaries and Wages (Allowable Costs) Information on Federal Programs: Environmental Finance Center Grants – Assistance Listing No. 66.203 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant No. 539001D, Grant period July 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023 Grant No. 5127620, Grant period October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023 Grant No. 5126607, Grant period July 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023 Criteria or Specific Requirements: According to 2 CFR Section 200.430(g), charges to Federal grants for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed and the records must: a. Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; b. Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; c. Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100 percent of compensated activities; d. Encompass federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity's written policy; e. Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; f. Support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities, which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity; and g. Budget estimates (i.e., estimates determined before the services are performed) alone do not qualify as support for charges to Federal awards. Condition: For the period from October 2022 through May 2023, U.S. Water Alliance did not have a timekeeping system in place. A timekeeping system was implemented in June of 2023, that provides for employees to record hours worked for specific cost objectives, including Federal grants. There are limitations to the timekeeping system’s capabilities. One is no availability to run timesheet reports for closed grants after the grant period ends. Second is the need to manually adjust hours transferred from the timekeeping system to the payroll processing system due to semi-monthly payroll processing and the need to have total number of hours equal to 86.67 for salaried employees. For these three awards, budget estimates or relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees and active projects were used throughout the entire grant period, even after the timekeeping system was put in place. No reconciliation between the budget estimates or relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees and active projects and the hours recorded in the timekeeping system was completed even for the period in which the timekeeping system was in place. Cause: A timekeeping system was not implemented until June 2023. Effect: Salary expenditures that are not charged in accordance with the standards referenced above may be questioned or disallowed by the Federal agency. Perspective: Qualitative reports on activities on these three awards indicate there was work performed; however, due to lack of quantitative support for hours charged to the grant, it is unable to be determined whether the number of hours and ultimately dollars charged for personnel costs for these three awards are the actual hours spent on activities for these three awards. Questioned Costs: Undetermined. Repeat Finding: Not applicable. Recommendation: U.S. Water Alliance should utilize the timekeeping system data for reporting personnel costs for all Federal awards. U.S. Water Alliance should also revisit its procedures for transferring data from the timekeeping system to the payroll processing system and ultimately the general ledger, and should implement proper internal controls to ensure that the amount of hours and salary expenditures charged to grants in the general ledger reconcile to the hours reported by the timekeeping system and amounts reported by the payroll processing system. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: A new timekeeping system was implemented in June 2023 to allocate work hours specific to cost objectives, including Federal Grants. While there are limitations to the system, the allocations are transferred from the timekeeping system upon supervisor approval to the Prism (HRIS) Portal and used to prepare payment vouchers. From the HRIS system, we can produce labor allocation reports reflecting how the time was originally allocated in the timekeeping system. The US Water Alliance indeed operates on a semi-monthly payroll period. It has allowed the Alliance to have fixed pay dates though they may not fall on the same day of the week each month. If the pay date falls on a weekend or holiday, the pay date is typically the business day prior. Because all months are not the same length, the size of the paycheck could vary in that the first paycheck could cover 13-14 days and the second paycheck could cover 15-16 days. To eliminate the variation in the size of the paycheck, specifically for salaried employees, the total yearly salary is evenly divided between 24 payments resulting in the same paycheck amount each time. This division results in 86.67 hours paid in each paycheck and will at times require our payroll partner to adjust the hours allocated downward or upward to equal 86.67. In the rare case that work hours are adjusted upward, the work hours are allocated to the primary funding source for the position. The process has worked traditionally as the Alliance has no hourly employees. Specifically for the three awards referenced, reconciliation between the budget estimates, relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees and active projects, and the hours recorded in the timekeeping system were completed. Staff opted to continue reporting on relative level of effort by percent of full-time employees as opposed to shifting as the timekeeping system was very new and staff experienced a significant learning curve. Additionally, there were only two months left in the grant period. Relative level of effort was carefully documented internally via calendars, Monday.com project management software, and Excel spreadsheets. Since its implementation, staff have been better trained in the use of the timekeeping system. We are also transitioning to a new timekeeping system in December 2024 with enhanced reporting and ease of use. The Alliance will also shift to a bi-weekly payroll period effectively reducing the need to adjust work hour allocations upward or downward to equal 86.67 hours.
Finding Number: 2023-001 – Time Allocation and Budget Monitoring Federal Agencies: United States Department of State Federal Programs: All programs under Assistance Listing Number 19.345 Assistance Listing Numbers: 19.345 Award Identification Number and Year: All awards under Assistance Listing Number 19.345 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 1. Time and Effort Reporting: According to 2 CFR §200.430(i), charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must be supported by a system of internal controls that provide reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. 2. Budget Management: Per 2 CFR §200.308, recipients of Federal funds must monitor actual expenditures against the approved budget to ensure funds are used for allowable activities and to avoid over- or underspending. Condition: CIPE did not properly allocate employee time to Federal programs in accordance with actual time worked, resulting in inaccurate charges to Federal awards. Additionally, CIPE did not maintain adequate oversight of budget-to-actual expenditures, leading to potential mismanagement of Federal funds. Cause: 1. The misallocation of Federal funds was primarily due to a lack of adequate training for staff on time and effort requirements and failure to implement adequate tracking systems. 2. The Budget Oversight deficiency was due primarily to a lack of regular budget reviews, inadequate financial reporting processes, and turnover in key personnel. Effect or Potential Effect: 1. The misallocation of employee time increases the risk of unallowable costs being charged to Federal programs, which could result in questioned costs and potential repayment of funds. 2. Lack of oversight over budget-to-actual expenditures may lead to noncompliance with grant requirements, inefficient use of funds, or missed opportunities to reallocate resources effectively. Questioned Costs: None Context: This finding is considered systemic rather than isolated. The entity has not had prior findings related to time allocations or budget monitoring in recent years. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if Applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend that CIPE: 1. Establish and enforce a robust time and effort reporting system to ensure employee time is allocated accurately and in compliance with Federal regulations. Provide training to employees and supervisors on proper reporting requirements. 2. Implement regular budget-to-actual reviews to identify variances and take corrective actions promptly. Develop a formalized process for financial oversight that includes periodic reporting to management and grant administrators.
Criteria 2 CFR Section 200.403 and Section 200.430 requires all costs charged to federal awards by nonfederal entities to be allowable, allocable, and adequately documented. Specifically, payroll costs must reflect actual time worked and be supported by appropriate review and approval processes. Condition The Organization was unable to provide documentary evidence that costs were charged to federal awards in compliance with the requirements of the Uniform Guidance. We identified multiple instances in which expenditures were charged to federal award programs for costs that were not allowable or documentation provided by the Organization lacked documentary evidence of review by appropriate individuals. Cause The supporting documentation for charging costs to federal awards provided by the Organization was not consistently reviewed on a timely basis by supervisory personnel. Effect Key controls over the Organization’s compliance with allowable cost requirements for federal award programs were not functioning as designed. Questioned Costs $12,814 Context There were six instances in which the Organization’s payroll hours charged to federal awards exceeded the 80-hour limit per individual per pay period and were not detected by employees. In addition, there were four instances in which the Organization was unable to provide any documentary evidence of review by supervisory personnel. The extrapolation of unallowable costs identified during sample testing to the related population resulted in projected likely questioned costs of $256,199 from a total population of approximately $10.1 million of related costs. Recommendation The Organization should adhere to its policies and procedures regarding supervisory review of documentation to support the allowability of costs charged to federal awards. Furthermore, we recommend that the personnel reviewing support for allowable costs initial or sign off on such support to provide evidence of their actions. In addition, the Organization should review, and possibly revise, its policies and procedures for preventing or detecting and correcting unallowable costs charged to federal awards to ensure consistent application of those policies and procedures to all costs charged to federal awards. Views of Responsible Officials See the accompanying Corrective Action Plan.
AAIHB distributed gift cards to both salaried employees and independent contractors as a gesture of appreciation for working extended hours related to COVID-19 contact tracing efforts. The total value of the gift cards was approximately $4,125 and was charged to the COVID-19: Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grant (AL #93.231). For contractors, these gift cards were provided in addition to their regular compensation. The gift card disbursements were not processed through payroll nor formalized in contract terms, and there is no documentation indicating the entity obtained approval from the awarding agency. In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.403, costs charged to federal awards must be necessary, reasonable, allocable, and conform to limitations set forth in federal regulations. Per 2 CFR § 200.421(e)(3), the cost of gifts—including cash or cash equivalents such as gift cards—is generally unallowable. Compensation for employees must comply with 2 CFR § 200.430, including support through written policies and documentation of time and effort. Contractor payments must align with procurement standards in 2 CFR § 200.318–200.324 and be governed by written contracts. The use of federal funds to provide gift cards constitutes an unallowable cost under Uniform Guidance. The questioned amount may be subject to repayment to the awarding agency or passthrough entity. The auditee sought to recognize the extraordinary efforts of personnel during the COVID-19 public health response. However, they were unaware that the use of gift cards for this purpose was inconsistent with Uniform Guidance and lacked prior approval or supporting policy. We recommend the auditee discontinue the use of federal funds for gift card distributions. All compensation for employees should be processed through payroll, supported by appropriate documentation and internal policies. Payments to contractors should be governed by written contracts and comply with applicable procurement standards. If the auditee believes these costs are justifiable, they should consult the awarding agency for a determination and, if necessary, reimburse the federal award.
Finding Number: 2023-019 Prior Year Finding Number: 2022-020 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Payroll Activities Program: U.S. Department of Agriculture Government Department/Agency: Department of Human Services (DHS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Cluster (SNAP) ALN: 10.551, 10.561 Award #: Various Award Period: 10/01/21 - 09/30/22 10/01/22 – 09/30/23 Criteria – The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires the non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (1.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonable ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and other terms and conditions of the Federal Award. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of internal control that should include controls over its activities allowed or unallowed, allowable cost/cost principal process. CFR 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowed under federal awards, they must be adequately documented. Additionally, salaries and wages charged to Federal awards are subject to the standards of documentation as described by 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) and must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: - Be incorporated into the organization’s official records. - Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated across all grant-related and non-grant related activities (100%); and - Support the distribution of employee salary across multiple activities or cost objectives. Condition – During our testing of allowable costs for payroll expenditures incurred throughout the year, we sampled and selected 60 of 1,798 payroll disbursements and noted the following: - 34 instances in which DHS did not consistently apply the funding allocation. The hours that should have been split 50/50 between federal and local were charged 100% to the program. - 5 instances in which the hours recorded on the employees’ timesheets did not agree with the hours recorded per the payroll register. - 1 instance in which the employee timesheet was not provided for the pay cycle tested. - 1 instance in which the employee timesheet was not approved by personnel authorized to do so. - 4 instances in which COVID-19 telework hours were not split 50/50 as required by the employees’ funding allocation and charged 100% to the program. Further, we noted that internal controls identified did not appear to be operating at a level of precision to ensure compliance with the above-mentioned requirements. Questioned Costs – Not Determinable. Context – This is a condition identified per review of DHS’ compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The total payroll expenditures charged to the program in fiscal year 2023 were $3,942,422. The amount sampled is $168,409. The known amount of inconsistencies noted is $53,501. Effect – An ineffective control system related to review of transactions to ensure that only allowable costs are allocated to federal programs can lead to noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of grant agreements that could ultimately lead to disallowed costs for the major programs. Cause – DHS does not appear to have adequate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable cost principles and ensure that an appropriate level of review and approval was completed prior to charging costs to a federal program. Recommendation – We recommend that DHS reevaluate and improve internal controls to ensure adherence to federal regulations related to the fiscal administrative requirement for expending and accounting for payroll and to ensure proper and accurate funding allocation of payroll cost. Views of Responsible Officials – The Government concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. The Department of Human Services (DHS) adopted the electronic Timeforce (STATS) system for payroll, replacing manual processes. Time and attendance are approved through management levels, with payroll based on Notice of Personnel Action (NOPA) cost centers. Financial Analysts reconcile payroll, and a workflow ensures accurate NOPA listings for payroll purposes. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Government’s Corrective Action Plan attached as Appendix B to the Single Audit Report.
Finding Number: 2023-022 Prior Year Finding Number: 2022-023 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Payroll Activities Program: U.S. Department of Agriculture Government Department/Agency: Department of Education (VIDE) Child Nutrition Cluster ALN: 10.555, 10.559, 10.582 Award #: 1VI300308, 4VI300308, 4VI308908 Award Period: 10/01/2021 – 09/30/2022 10/01/2022 – 09/30/2023 10/01/2022 – 09/30/2024 Criteria – The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires the nonfederal entities receiving Federal awards (1.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonable ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and other terms and conditions of the Federal Award. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of internal control that should include controls over its activities allowed or unallowed, allowable cost/cost principal process. CFR 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowed under federal awards, they must be adequately documented. Additionally, salaries and wages charged to Federal awards are subject to the standards of documentation as described by 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) and must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: - Be incorporated into the organization’s official records. - Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated across all grantrelated and non-grant related activities (100%); and - Support the distribution of employee salary across multiple activities or cost objectives. Condition – During our testing of allowable costs for payroll expenditures incurred throughout the year, we sampled and selected 20 of 196 payroll disbursements and noted the following: - 11 instances where the approved timesheet for the pay period selected was not available for review. - 20 instances where VIDE did not provide support that time and effort is charged in accordance with A-87 requirements. - 4 instances where the NOPA provided did not include any evidence that the employee was approved to be federally reimbursed for the project code utilized in the payroll register. - 4 instances where the employee’s pay rate in the approved NOPA provided did not agree with the pay rate in the payroll register. As a result, it does not appear that the controls in place are operating at a level of precision to ensure compliance with the compliance requirement. Questioned Costs – $10,789. Context – This is a condition identified per review of VIDE’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The total payroll expenditures charged to the program in fiscal year 2023 was $196,740. The amount sampled is $21,572. The known amount of the instances of inconsistent funding allocation is $10,789. Effect – An ineffective control system related to review of transactions to ensure that only allowable costs are allocated to federal programs can lead to noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of grant agreements that could ultimately lead to disallowed costs for the major programs. Cause – VIDE does not appear to have adequate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable cost principles and ensure that an appropriate level of review and approval was completed prior to charging costs to a federal program. Recommendation – We recommend that VIDE reevaluate and improve internal controls to ensure adherence to federal regulations related to the fiscal administrative requirement for expending and accounting for payroll and to ensure proper and accurate funding allocation of payroll cost. Views of Responsible Officials – The Government concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. VIDE will develop and institute stricter fiscal controls to address the root causes of documentation and allocation discrepancies for this program. To prevent discrepancies including unapproved project codes and pay rate mismatches between NOPAs and payroll registers, the Fiscal Team will take the lead in preparing and maintaining the official staffing list for federally funded personnel within this program, an effort that involves reviewing the grant application for all positions and informing HR of required action entries. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Government’s Corrective Action Plan attached as Appendix B to the Single Audit Report.
Finding Number: 2023-029 Prior Year Finding Number: 2022-026 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Payroll Activities Program: U.S. Department of Defense Government Department/Agency: Office of the Adjutant General (OTAG) National Guard Military Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Projects ALN: 12.401 Award #: W9127P-23-2-1001, W9127P-22-2-1001 Award Period: 10/01/2021 – 09/30/2022 10/01/2022 – 09/30/2023 Criteria – CFR 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowed under federal awards, they must be adequately documented. Additionally, salaries and wages charged to Federal awards are subject to the standards of documentation as described by 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) and must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: - Be incorporated into the organization’s official records. - Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated across all grant-related and non-grant related activities (100%); and - Support the distribution of employee salary across multiple activities or cost objectives. The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires that non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition – We sampled and selected 60 out of 652 payroll transactions and noted the following: - 1 instance where health insurance costs continued to be charged to the program after the employee retired, with no related time and effort. - 1 instance where the employee pay rate did not agree to the pay rate listed on their NOPA form. - 7 instances where the timesheet for the pay period selected was not provided. Further, it does not appear that the controls in place are operating at a level of precision to ensure compliance with the allowable costs/cost principles compliance requirements. Questioned Costs – Not determinable. Context – This is a condition identified per review of OTAG’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The total amount of payroll expenditures charged to the program during fiscal year 2023 were $1,810,965 and the total amount of our sample was $188,082. The known amount of the exceptions amounted to $26,694. Effect – OTAG is not in compliance with the stated provisions. Failure to properly review and support expenditures can result in noncompliance with laws and regulations along with loss of funding. Cause – OTAG does not appear to have adequate policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with applicable cost principles stipulations. Recommendation – We recommend that OTAG improve internal controls to ensure adherence to Federal regulations related to the fiscal and administrative requirements for expending and accounting for payroll expenditures. Views of Responsible Officials – The Government concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. OTAG implemented enhanced payroll controls including a dual manual and electronic timesheet system, verification of pay rates against NOPA forms, and separation controls to discontinue benefit charges upon employee separation or retirement. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Government’s Corrective Action Plan attached as Appendix B to the Single Audit Report.
Finding Number: 2023-033 Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Payroll Activities Program: U.S. Department of the Interior Government Department/Agency: Department of Planning and Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Cluster ALN: 15.605, 15.611 Award #: Various Award Period: Various Criteria – The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires the non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (1.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonable ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and other terms and conditions of the Federal Award. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of internal control that should include controls over its activities allowed or unallowed, allowable cost/cost principal process. CFR 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowed under federal awards, they must be adequately documented. Additionally, salaries and wages charged to Federal awards are subject to the standards of documentation as described by 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) and must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: - Be incorporated into the organization’s official records. - Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated across all grant-related and non-grant related activities (100%); and - Support the distribution of employee salary across multiple activities or cost objectives. Condition – During our testing of allowable costs for payroll expenditures incurred throughout the year, we sampled and selected 60 of 620 payroll disbursements and noted the following: - 8 instances where the approved timesheet for the pay period selected were not available for review. - 10 instances where an employees assigned project code documented on the Notice of Personnel Action was not a project code associated with the grant. Additionally, the payroll register reflected a different project code for these transactions. - 1 instance with a variance between the hours reported on the payroll register and the hours reported on the Detail Check History. As a result, it does not appear that the controls in place are operating at a level of precision to ensure compliance with the compliance requirement. Questioned Costs – $38,914. Context – This is a condition identified per review of the Government’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The total payroll expenditures charged to the program in fiscal year 2023 was $1,572,926. The amount sampled is $165,134. The value of transactions with exceptions totaled $38,914. Effect – An ineffective control system related to review of transactions to ensure that only allowable costs are allocated to federal programs can lead to noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of grant agreements that could ultimately lead to disallowed costs for the major programs. Cause – The Government does not appear to have adequate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable cost principles and ensure that an appropriate level of review and approval was completed prior to charging costs to a federal program. Recommendation – We recommend that the Government reevaluate and improve internal controls to ensure adherence to federal regulations related to the fiscal administrative requirement for expending and accounting for payroll and to ensure proper and accurate funding allocation of payroll cost. Views of Responsible Officials – The Government concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. We recognize that these findings highlight areas where improvements are necessary to ensure better compliance with applicable policies and regulations governing payroll and grant management. We are committed to implementing corrective actions and enhancing the internal controls to prevent recurrence. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Government’s Corrective Action Plan attached as Appendix B to the Single Audit Report.
Finding Number: 2023-049 Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Payroll Activities Program: U.S. Department of Education Government Department/Agency: Department of Education (VIDE) Special Education Cluster ALN: 84.027A, 84.027X Award #: Various Award Period: Various Criteria – The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires the non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonable ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and other terms and conditions of the Federal Award. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of internal control that should include controls over its activities allowed or unallowed, allowable cost/cost principal process. CFR 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowed under federal awards, they must be adequately documented. Additionally, salaries and wages charged to Federal awards are subject to the standards of documentation as described by 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) and must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: - Be incorporated into the organization’s official records. - Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated across all grant-related and non-grant related activities (100%); and - Support the distribution of employee salary across multiple activities or cost objectives. Furthermore, CFR 200.113 requires that an applicant, recipient, or subrecipient of a Federal award must promptly disclose, in writing, whenever it has credible evidence of the commission of a violation of Federal criminal law involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery, or gratuity violations found in Title 18 of the United States Code, or a violation of the civil False Claims Act, in connection with the Federal award (including any activities or subawards thereunder). The disclosure must be made to the Federal agency, the agency’s Office of Inspector General, and the pass-through entity (if applicable). Condition – During our testing of allowable costs for payroll expenditures incurred throughout the year, we sampled and selected 40 of 2,573 payroll disbursements and noted 2 instances where the employee’s pay rate in the approved Notice of Personnel Action provided did not agree with the pay rate in the payroll register. Additionally, a fraud incident related to falsified payroll timesheet entries charged to this program was discovered and investigated during the year. It was discovered that bus driver timesheets were being approved with falsified time entries. An analysis conducted by VIDE determined the amount of theft to be $5,221. This incident was not disclosed or reported to the Federal awarding agency as required. As a result, it does not appear that the controls in place are operating at a level of precision to ensure compliance with the compliance requirement. Questioned Costs – $5,221. Context – This is a condition identified per review of VIDE’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The total payroll expenditures charged to the program in fiscal year 2023 was $5,744,863. The amount sampled is $102,945. Effect – An ineffective control system related to review of transactions to ensure that only allowable costs are allocated to federal programs can lead to noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of grant agreements that could ultimately lead to disallowed costs for the major programs. Cause – VIDE does not appear to have adequate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable cost principles and ensure that an appropriate level of review was completed prior to charging costs to a federal program. Recommendation – We recommend that VIDE reevaluate and improve internal controls to ensure adherence to federal regulations related to the fiscal administrative requirement for expending and accounting for payroll transactions. Additionally, fraud incident should be reported to the appropriate federal awarding agency in accordance with mandatory disclosure requirements. Views of Responsible Officials – The Government concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. VIDE is taking immediate action to align payroll controls with our established fiscal improvement plan and to institutionalize a mandatory federal reporting protocol for fraud. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Government’s Corrective Action Plan attached as Appendix B to the Single Audit Report.
Finding Number 2023-052 Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Payroll Activities Program: U.S. Department of Education Government Department/Agency: Department of Education (VIDE) Consolidated Grant to the Outlying Areas ALN: 84.403A Award #: Various Award Period: Various Criteria – The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires the non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (1.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonable ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and other terms and conditions of the Federal Award. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of internal control that should include controls over its activities allowed or unallowed, allowable cost/cost principal process. CFR 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowed under federal awards, they must be adequately documented. Additionally, salaries and wages charged to Federal awards are subject to the standards of documentation as described by 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) and must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: - Be incorporated into the organization’s official records. - Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated across all grant-related and non-grant related activities (100%); and - Support the distribution of employee salary across multiple activities or cost objectives. Condition – During our testing of allowable costs for payroll expenditures incurred throughout the year, we sampled and selected 40 of 4,518 payroll disbursements and noted the following: - 18 instances where the approved timesheet for the pay period selected were not available for review. - 2 instances where the per diem support were not readily identifiable. - 1 instance where the employee’s pay rate in the approved NOPA provided did not agree with the pay rate in the payroll register. As a result, it does not appear that the controls in place are operating at a level of precision to ensure compliance with the compliance requirement. Questioned Costs – Not determinable. Context – This is a condition identified per review of VIDE’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The total payroll expenditures charged to the program in fiscal year 2023 was $7,738,716. The amount sampled is $95,985. Effect – An ineffective control system related to review of transactions to ensure that only allowable costs are allocated to federal programs can lead to noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of grant agreements that could ultimately lead to disallowed costs for the major programs. Cause – VIDE does not appear to have adequate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable cost principles and ensure that an appropriate level of review and approval was completed prior to charging costs to a federal program. Recommendation – We recommend that VIDE reevaluate and improve internal controls to ensure adherence to federal regulations related to the fiscal administrative requirement for expending and accounting for payroll and to ensure proper and accurate funding allocation of payroll cost. Views of Responsible Officials – The Government concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. VIDE is taking immediate action to align payroll controls with the established fiscal improvement plan. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Government’s Corrective Action Plan attached as Appendix B to the Single Audit Report.
Finding Number: 2023-056 Prior Year Finding Number: 2022-052 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Payroll Activities Program: U.S. Department of Education Government Department/Agency: Department of Education (VIDE) COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund State Educational Agency (Outlying Areas) (ESF-SEA) ALN: 84.425A Award #: S425A200004, S425A210004 Award Period: 06/22/2020 – 09/30/2022 01/13/2021 – 09/30/2023 COVID-19 – American Rescue Plan – Outlying Areas State Educational Agency (ARP-OA SEA) ALN: 84.425X Award #: S425X210004 Award Period: 04/08/2021 – 09/30/2024 Criteria – The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires that non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Additionally, salaries and wages charged to Federal awards are subject to the standards of documentation as described by 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) and must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: - Be incorporated into the organization’s official records: - Reasonable reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated across all grant-related and non-grant related activities (100% effort); and - Support the distribution of employee salary across multiple activities or cost objectives. Condition – For ALN 84.425 subprogram A and X, we sampled and selected 60 of 6,465 payroll expenditures and noted the following: - 29 instances where the timesheet for the pay period selected were not available for review. - 1 instance where the hours recorded on the employees’ timesheets did not agree with the hours recorded per the payroll register. - 1 instance where the check detail payment support was not available for review. Further, it does not appear that the controls in place are operating at a level of precision to ensure compliance with the activities allowed or unallowed and allowable costs/cost principles compliance requirements. Questioned Costs – $74,108. Context – This is a condition identified per review of VIDE’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The total payroll expenditures charged to program in fiscal year 2022 is $9,237,083. Total amount sampled is $116,136. The known amount of the exceptions is $74,108. Effect – Failure to properly review and support expenditures can result in noncompliance with laws and regulations along with loss of funding. Cause – VIDE does not appear to have adequate policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with applicable cost principles and maintenance of underlying documentation. Recommendation – We recommend that VIDE improve internal controls to ensure adherence to Federal regulations related to the fiscal and administrative requirements for expending and accounting for payroll expenditures. Where employees work on multiple activities or cost objectives, a distribution of salaries or wages should be supported by personnel activity reports (time and attendance) or equivalent documents. Such information should also be monitored, retained, and approved by a responsible official of VIDE in a timely manner. Views of Responsible Officials - The Government concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. VIDE is addressing audit findings related to payroll activities by enhancing internal controls to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Key measures include improving timesheet management through electronic submission, mandatory supervisor review, and secure storage. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Government’s Corrective Action Plan attached as Appendix B to the Single Audit Report.
Finding Number: 2023-063 Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Payroll Activities Program: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Government Department/Agency: Department of Human Services (DHS) Head Start Cluster ALN: 93.356, 93.600 Award #: Various Award Period: Various Criteria – The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires that non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. CFR 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowed under federal awards, they must be adequately documented. Additionally, salaries and wages charged to Federal awards are subject to the standards of documentation as described by 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) and must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: - Be incorporated into the organization’s official records. - Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated across all grant-related and non-grant related activities (100%); and - Support the distribution of employee salary across multiple activities or cost objectives. Condition – During our testing of allowable costs for payroll expenditures incurred throughout the year, we sampled and selected 60 of 2,941 payroll disbursements and noted 1 instance where fringe benefits were incorrectly charged to the program. We found the employer share of fringe benefits charged to the program with no associated time and effort by the employee. The employee retired and the fringe benefit continued to be charged to the program subsequent to retirement. Further, we noted that internal controls identified did not appear to be operating at a level of precision to ensure compliance with the above-mentioned requirements. Questioned Costs - $4,688. Context – This is a condition identified per review of DHS’ compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. The total payroll expenditures charged to the program in fiscal year 2023 were $7,037,992. The amount sampled is $150,246. The known amount of instances of noncompliance is $4,688, which represents the fringe benefits charged to the program for the entire fiscal year with no associated time and effort by the employee. Effect – An ineffective control system related to review of transactions to ensure that only allowable costs are allocated to federal programs can lead to noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of grant agreements that could ultimately lead to disallowed costs for the major programs. Cause – DHS does not appear to have adequate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable cost principles and ensure that an appropriate level of review and approval was completed prior to charging costs to a federal program. Recommendation – We recommend that DHS reevaluate and improve internal controls to ensure adherence to federal regulations related to the fiscal administrative requirement for expending and accounting for payroll and to ensure proper and accurate funding allocation of payroll cost. Views of Responsible Officials - The Government concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. DHS has incorporated into its internal controls a step to ensure that the accounts, in retrospect, are reconciled to the actual Flex earning report. DHS intends on meeting with the Department of Finance to identify the nuances that create postings to occur contrary to the Flex Earning Report account coding. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Government’s Corrective Action Plan attached as Appendix B to the Single Audit Report.
Finding Number: 2023-074 Prior Year Finding Number: 2022-071 Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Program: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Government Department/Agency: Department of Human Services (DHS) Social Services Block Grant ALN: 93.667 Award #: Various Award Period: Various Criteria – CFR 200.403(g) states that for costs to be allowed under federal awards, they must be adequately documented. Additionally, salaries and wages charged to Federal awards are subject to the standards of documentation as described by 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) and must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: - Be incorporated into the organization’s official records. - Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated across all grant-related and non-grant related activities (100%); and - Support the distribution of employee salary across multiple activities or cost objectives. Further, the Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires the non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonable ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and other terms and conditions of the Federal Award. Condition – We sampled and selected 60 of 1,380 payroll transactions and noted the following: - 2 instances in which the project code on an employee’s Notice of Personnel Action (NOPA), which is used to record time and effort to the appropriate grant, was expired and had not been updated. During the fiscal year, program personnel did make adjustments to ensure the employee’s time and effort was recorded to the correct grant. - 1 instance in which the hours noted per the employee’s timesheet did not agree to the hours in the payroll register. We also sampled 60 of 251 non-payroll transactions and noted the following: - 18 expenditures that do not seem to conform to DHS requirements for disbursing program funds. - 6 instances where the approved requisition was not available for review. - 1 instance where the invoice date is prior to the date of the Purchase Order. - 1 instance where no supporting documentation was available for review other than the approved requisition. Questioned Costs – Not determinable. Context – This is a condition identified per review of compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. Total amount of payroll expenditures charged to the program in fiscal year 2023 were $3,343,590. Total amount sampled is $180,273. The known amount of the exceptions is $408. Total amount of non-payroll expenditures charged to the program in fiscal year 2023 were $2,551,775. Total amount sampled is $1,004,88. The known amount of the exception is $388,742. Effect - Failure to properly review and support expenditures can result in noncompliance with laws and regulations along with loss of funding. Cause – DHS does not appear to have adequate policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with applicable cost principles and maintenance of underlying documentation. Recommendation – We recommend that DHS improve internal controls to ensure adherence to federal regulations related to the fiscal and administrative requirements for expending and accounting for payroll and non-payroll expenditures. Views of Responsible Officials - The Government concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. The Department of Human Services (DHS) adopted the electronic Timeforce (STATS) system for payroll, replacing manual processes. Time and attendance are approved through management levels, with payroll based on Notice of Personnel Action (NOPA) cost centers. Financial Analysts reconcile payroll, and a workflow ensures accurate NOPA listings for payroll purposes. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Government’s Corrective Action Plan attached as Appendix B to the Single Audit Report.
Finding 2023-001 – Material Weakness: Allowable Costs & Activities – Compliance and Control Finding ALN 84.215K – Innovative Approaches to Literacy; Full-Service Community Schools; and Promise Neighborhood Federal Grant Award: S215K220184 (09/12/2022 – 9/30/2023) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity: None Federal Award Identification Number: N/A Fiscal Year: For the year ended August 31, 2023 Criteria Or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.430(i)(1) requires charges to federal awards for salaries and wages be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Condition: We noted through procedures performed that allocated salaries and wages were based on an estimated percentage of time to be devoted to the grant-funded programs as opposed to actual hours worked, resulting in a potential over-allocation or under-allocation of expenditures. Cause: Internal controls over compliance put in place by management were not designed effectively to ensure a review of allocated versus actual hours worked by the federal grant was performed and that proof of such reviews was documented and retained. Effect: Instances of noncompliance were not detected by management. Questioned Costs: $159,527 of known questioned costs, which represent the total allocated salary costs of the 6 full-time salaried employees allocated to the grant, were identified in our testing sample Context: Of the sample of 40 individual costs charged to the grant, 6 were allocated salary costs of full-time, salaried employees. For these 6 payroll items, allocated salary costs were based on the estimated, budgeted percentage of time expected to be devoted by each employee to the grant-funded programs. The St. Louis Symphony did not maintain documentation to support the actual time and effort of each employee charged to the grant. Identification As A Repeat Finding: Not applicable Recommendation: For employees working on grant-funded programs, management should develop a time-keeping process to track and verify that the amount of time charged to the grant is accurate and based on the employee’s time spent working on the grant. Documented review and approval of this time allocation by the employee’s supervisor should be maintained. Views Of Responsible Officials: Management’s belief, based on discussions with the staff involved in these grant-funded programs, is that the amount of time the 6 staff members worked actually meets or exceeds their budgeted percentage of time. However, management now understands the requirement to fully document their actual time spent on this type of grant-funded program.
Finding Number 2023-001: Represents a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance with Western Maine Community Action, Inc.’s major federal programs. Repeat Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Nonmaterial Noncompliance Description: Payroll Expenditures – Approval of Time Sheets Major Programs: AL#10.557 - WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – Award numbers: CD3-21-4658B and CD3-22-4658B AL#21.023 – COVID-19 - Emergency Rental Assistance – No award numbers Questioned Costs: None How the questioned costs were computed: N/A Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs, Cost Principles Condition: Out of a sample of 40 payroll transactions there was 1 where the timesheet that was not properly approved by the supervisor prior to payroll being processed. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.430(i) states that “Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated;”. Cause: The Organization does not have the proper review process in place to ensure that the timesheets are reviewed by supervisors prior to payroll being processed. Effect: Without proper review and approval of the hours allocated to the grants on the employee timesheets, it is possible that grants could be over or undercharged. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement systems and procedures to ensure timesheets are approved by supervisors prior to payroll being processed, to ensure grants are charged for the correct amount of payroll expenses. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has committed to a corrective action plan.
Finding Number 2023-001: Represents a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance with Western Maine Community Action, Inc.’s major federal programs. Repeat Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Nonmaterial Noncompliance Description: Payroll Expenditures – Approval of Time Sheets Major Programs: AL#10.557 - WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – Award numbers: CD3-21-4658B and CD3-22-4658B AL#21.023 – COVID-19 - Emergency Rental Assistance – No award numbers Questioned Costs: None How the questioned costs were computed: N/A Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs, Cost Principles Condition: Out of a sample of 40 payroll transactions there was 1 where the timesheet that was not properly approved by the supervisor prior to payroll being processed. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.430(i) states that “Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated;”. Cause: The Organization does not have the proper review process in place to ensure that the timesheets are reviewed by supervisors prior to payroll being processed. Effect: Without proper review and approval of the hours allocated to the grants on the employee timesheets, it is possible that grants could be over or undercharged. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement systems and procedures to ensure timesheets are approved by supervisors prior to payroll being processed, to ensure grants are charged for the correct amount of payroll expenses. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has committed to a corrective action plan.
Finding Number 2023-001: Represents a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance with Western Maine Community Action, Inc.’s major federal programs. Repeat Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Nonmaterial Noncompliance Description: Payroll Expenditures – Approval of Time Sheets Major Programs: AL#10.557 - WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – Award numbers: CD3-21-4658B and CD3-22-4658B AL#21.023 – COVID-19 - Emergency Rental Assistance – No award numbers Questioned Costs: None How the questioned costs were computed: N/A Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs, Cost Principles Condition: Out of a sample of 40 payroll transactions there was 1 where the timesheet that was not properly approved by the supervisor prior to payroll being processed. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.430(i) states that “Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated;”. Cause: The Organization does not have the proper review process in place to ensure that the timesheets are reviewed by supervisors prior to payroll being processed. Effect: Without proper review and approval of the hours allocated to the grants on the employee timesheets, it is possible that grants could be over or undercharged. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement systems and procedures to ensure timesheets are approved by supervisors prior to payroll being processed, to ensure grants are charged for the correct amount of payroll expenses. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has committed to a corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 – Material Weakness: Allowable Costs & Activities – Compliance and Control Finding ALN 84.215K – Innovative Approaches to Literacy; Full-Service Community Schools; and Promise Neighborhood Federal Grant Award: S215K220184 (09/12/2022 – 9/30/2023) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity: None Federal Award Identification Number: N/A Fiscal Year: For the year ended August 31, 2023 Criteria Or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.430(i)(1) requires charges to federal awards for salaries and wages be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Condition: We noted through procedures performed that allocated salaries and wages were based on an estimated percentage of time to be devoted to the grant-funded programs as opposed to actual hours worked, resulting in a potential over-allocation or under-allocation of expenditures. Cause: Internal controls over compliance put in place by management were not designed effectively to ensure a review of allocated versus actual hours worked by the federal grant was performed and that proof of such reviews was documented and retained. Effect: Instances of noncompliance were not detected by management. Questioned Costs: $159,527 of known questioned costs, which represent the total allocated salary costs of the 6 full-time salaried employees allocated to the grant, were identified in our testing sample Context: Of the sample of 40 individual costs charged to the grant, 6 were allocated salary costs of full-time, salaried employees. For these 6 payroll items, allocated salary costs were based on the estimated, budgeted percentage of time expected to be devoted by each employee to the grant-funded programs. The St. Louis Symphony did not maintain documentation to support the actual time and effort of each employee charged to the grant. Identification As A Repeat Finding: Not applicable Recommendation: For employees working on grant-funded programs, management should develop a time-keeping process to track and verify that the amount of time charged to the grant is accurate and based on the employee’s time spent working on the grant. Documented review and approval of this time allocation by the employee’s supervisor should be maintained. Views Of Responsible Officials: Management’s belief, based on discussions with the staff involved in these grant-funded programs, is that the amount of time the 6 staff members worked actually meets or exceeds their budgeted percentage of time. However, management now understands the requirement to fully document their actual time spent on this type of grant-funded program.
Finding Number 2023-001: Represents a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance with Western Maine Community Action, Inc.’s major federal programs. Repeat Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Nonmaterial Noncompliance Description: Payroll Expenditures – Approval of Time Sheets Major Programs: AL#10.557 - WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – Award numbers: CD3-21-4658B and CD3-22-4658B AL#21.023 – COVID-19 - Emergency Rental Assistance – No award numbers Questioned Costs: None How the questioned costs were computed: N/A Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs, Cost Principles Condition: Out of a sample of 40 payroll transactions there was 1 where the timesheet that was not properly approved by the supervisor prior to payroll being processed. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.430(i) states that “Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated;”. Cause: The Organization does not have the proper review process in place to ensure that the timesheets are reviewed by supervisors prior to payroll being processed. Effect: Without proper review and approval of the hours allocated to the grants on the employee timesheets, it is possible that grants could be over or undercharged. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement systems and procedures to ensure timesheets are approved by supervisors prior to payroll being processed, to ensure grants are charged for the correct amount of payroll expenses. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has committed to a corrective action plan.
Finding Number 2023-001: Represents a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance with Western Maine Community Action, Inc.’s major federal programs. Repeat Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Nonmaterial Noncompliance Description: Payroll Expenditures – Approval of Time Sheets Major Programs: AL#10.557 - WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – Award numbers: CD3-21-4658B and CD3-22-4658B AL#21.023 – COVID-19 - Emergency Rental Assistance – No award numbers Questioned Costs: None How the questioned costs were computed: N/A Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs, Cost Principles Condition: Out of a sample of 40 payroll transactions there was 1 where the timesheet that was not properly approved by the supervisor prior to payroll being processed. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.430(i) states that “Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated;”. Cause: The Organization does not have the proper review process in place to ensure that the timesheets are reviewed by supervisors prior to payroll being processed. Effect: Without proper review and approval of the hours allocated to the grants on the employee timesheets, it is possible that grants could be over or undercharged. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement systems and procedures to ensure timesheets are approved by supervisors prior to payroll being processed, to ensure grants are charged for the correct amount of payroll expenses. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has committed to a corrective action plan.
Finding Number 2023-001: Represents a significant deficiency in internal control over compliance with Western Maine Community Action, Inc.’s major federal programs. Repeat Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Nonmaterial Noncompliance Description: Payroll Expenditures – Approval of Time Sheets Major Programs: AL#10.557 - WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – Award numbers: CD3-21-4658B and CD3-22-4658B AL#21.023 – COVID-19 - Emergency Rental Assistance – No award numbers Questioned Costs: None How the questioned costs were computed: N/A Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs, Cost Principles Condition: Out of a sample of 40 payroll transactions there was 1 where the timesheet that was not properly approved by the supervisor prior to payroll being processed. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.430(i) states that “Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated;”. Cause: The Organization does not have the proper review process in place to ensure that the timesheets are reviewed by supervisors prior to payroll being processed. Effect: Without proper review and approval of the hours allocated to the grants on the employee timesheets, it is possible that grants could be over or undercharged. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement systems and procedures to ensure timesheets are approved by supervisors prior to payroll being processed, to ensure grants are charged for the correct amount of payroll expenses. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has committed to a corrective action plan.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Corporation for National and Community Services Assistance Listing Numbers 94.006 – AmeriCorps State and National Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Organization was unable to provide applicable payroll documentation for the period August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 in order to validate compliance and internal controls over Activities Allowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles as it relates to payroll charges to the Federal grant. Management charged payroll to the program based on budget. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per AmeriCorps general terms and conditions, the recipient must maintain financial management systems that comply with 2 CFR § 200.302(b). The recipient’s financial management systems must be capable of distinguishing expenditures attributable to this award from expenditures not attributable to this award. The systems must be able to identify costs by program year and by budget category, and to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. For all recipient’s financial management requirements and responsibilities, refer to Subparts D and E of 2 CFR Part 200. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
U.S. Department of Treasury Assistance Listing Numbers 21.027 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: During our testing of payroll transactions for the program, we noted 24 out of 40 exceptions. For 16 selections, we did not receive the timesheets to substantiate the amount charged to the grant. We were unable to determine whether the salaries that were charged to the program accurately reflect the actual effort on the program. For 8 selections, the employees and tutors were assigned to a single cost objective for the grant, thus, not showing the effort by funding source, which is needed to calculate the actual effort for this Federal grant. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
U.S. Department of Treasury Assistance Listing Numbers 21.027 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: During our testing of payroll transactions for the program, we noted 24 out of 40 exceptions. For 16 selections, we did not receive the timesheets to substantiate the amount charged to the grant. We were unable to determine whether the salaries that were charged to the program accurately reflect the actual effort on the program. For 8 selections, the employees and tutors were assigned to a single cost objective for the grant, thus, not showing the effort by funding source, which is needed to calculate the actual effort for this Federal grant. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
U.S. Department of Treasury Assistance Listing Numbers 21.027 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: During our testing of payroll transactions for the program, we noted 24 out of 40 exceptions. For 16 selections, we did not receive the timesheets to substantiate the amount charged to the grant. We were unable to determine whether the salaries that were charged to the program accurately reflect the actual effort on the program. For 8 selections, the employees and tutors were assigned to a single cost objective for the grant, thus, not showing the effort by funding source, which is needed to calculate the actual effort for this Federal grant. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
U.S. Department of Treasury Assistance Listing Numbers 21.027 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Compliance and Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle (Payroll) Repeat Finding: No Condition: During our testing of payroll transactions for the program, we noted 24 out of 40 exceptions. For 16 selections, we did not receive the timesheets to substantiate the amount charged to the grant. We were unable to determine whether the salaries that were charged to the program accurately reflect the actual effort on the program. For 8 selections, the employees and tutors were assigned to a single cost objective for the grant, thus, not showing the effort by funding source, which is needed to calculate the actual effort for this Federal grant. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award. The characteristics of internal controls are presented in the context of the components of internal controls discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per 2 CFR section 200.430(a)(3)(i): (a) General. Compensation for personal services includes all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the Federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. Compensation for personal services may also include fringe benefits which are addressed in §200.431 Compensation—fringe benefits. Costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses (1) Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; (ii) Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; (iii) Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; (iv) Encompass both federally assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; (v) Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; and (vi) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the time and effort process, therefore recording and retention of supporting documentation was not properly adhered to in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Salaries and wages were not properly supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Salary and wage charges were not able to be reconciled to the time distribution records. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implement policies and procedures to track, calculate and document adjustments from budget salary charges to actual after-the-fact charges that should be charged to the Federal award based on the employee time distribution records. This needs to be performed at least on an annual basis.
Allowable Costs/Cost Principles - Time and Effort Reporting (Repeat Observation) Federal Program Information U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.600, Head Start Program and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership/Babies Step Forward; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.569/93.558, 477 Cluster; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.568, Low-Income Energy Assistance; U.S. Department of Energy, CFDA Number 81.042, Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons; U.S. Department of Justice, CFDA Number 16.575, Crime Victim Assistance; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, CFDA Number 64.033, Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Corporation for National and Community Service, CFDA Number 94.011, Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Cluster Criteria The Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.430 (2 CFR 200.430) requires that charges to federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Budget estimates determined prior to services being performed by personnel may be used for interim accounting processes, but the organization’s internal controls must include a process to review these charges after services have been performed to make any necessary adjustments to ensure that final amounts charged to federal awards are accurate, allowable and properly allocated. Budget estimates alone do not qualify as support for charges to federal awards. Charges for salaries and wages must be supported by documentation that is incorporated into the official records of the organization. Condition For the year ended July 31, 2023, WestCOP and Affiliates used status change forms to document an estimation of the distribution of employees’ salaries and wages among specific programs. Management’s process is to complete a status change form for an employee upon hire and then modify the form when there is a significant change in an employee’s duties impacting the allocation of time and effort among programs. The accounting department uses the distribution documented in the status change form to determine how to charge an employee’s compensation to programs and federal awards. While management has communicated to the auditors that regular reviews of actual personnel time and effort were performed during the year ended July 31, 2023, there is no formal documentation of this review process. Questioned Costs Not determinable. Context For all major programs tested, management did not provide documentation of its review of actual personnel time and effort after employee services were provided, such as personnel time reports or any other documented analysis of how personnel actually spent their time versus the estimates. Personnel costs represent a significant component of the total cost charged to the three major programs for the year ended July 31, 2023. We were able to recalculate the charges based on the estimated distributions per employee status change forms. Several selected employees for each program also spend 100% of their time on the programs, so allocations are not applicable. Effect WestCOP and Affiliates were unable to demonstrate that personnel costs charged to the major federal award programs reflected actual time incurred on the programs that were properly supported in compliance with the time and effort reporting requirements described in 2 CFR 200.430. Cause Management does not have a formal, documented process to review actual personnel time and effort after employee services are performed to ensure that charges to federal awards based on estimates are accurate. Charges to federal awards are based on estimates documented in personnel status change forms prior to services being performed. While these forms may be updated periodically to reflect changes in estimates of personnel time and effort, the updates are not supported by any documented analysis of actual time and effort. Recommendation Management can continue using the estimates of the distribution of employees’ time per status change forms for interim accounting processes. However, we recommend that management formally document a process to periodically review the actual distribution of employee time and effort among federally-funded programs. Management can determine the frequency of this documentation, but we recommend that such review be formally documented at least monthly. Documentation could be in the form of personnel time and effort reports reflecting the distribution of actual time among programs prepared by employees and reviewed by direct supervisors. Alternatively, management personnel familiar with employees’ activities, such as direct supervisors, could prepare periodic analyses of the distribution of employee time and effort to support allocations and charges of salaries and wages to federal awards. Views Of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions For employees who are paid in full or in part with federal and other funds, management will increase the frequency of the time and effort reporting to quarterly intervals. Specifically, employees will document their time and effort based on funding sources for each payroll period; and at the end each quarter, management will review and compare the actual time and effort percentages with the current ADP Labor Distribution Report for reasonableness. The Management review report will be used as a basis to effect changes to the labor distribution report using the employee status change forms. The time and effort documentation will be available for audit. The implementation of the Corrective Action Plan did not commence until fiscal year 2025 given the timing of the fiscal year 2021 and 2022 audits and receipt of this finding.
Allowable Costs/Cost Principles - Time and Effort Reporting (Repeat Observation) Federal Program Information U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.600, Head Start Program and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership/Babies Step Forward; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.569/93.558, 477 Cluster; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.568, Low-Income Energy Assistance; U.S. Department of Energy, CFDA Number 81.042, Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons; U.S. Department of Justice, CFDA Number 16.575, Crime Victim Assistance; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, CFDA Number 64.033, Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Corporation for National and Community Service, CFDA Number 94.011, Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Cluster Criteria The Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.430 (2 CFR 200.430) requires that charges to federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Budget estimates determined prior to services being performed by personnel may be used for interim accounting processes, but the organization’s internal controls must include a process to review these charges after services have been performed to make any necessary adjustments to ensure that final amounts charged to federal awards are accurate, allowable and properly allocated. Budget estimates alone do not qualify as support for charges to federal awards. Charges for salaries and wages must be supported by documentation that is incorporated into the official records of the organization. Condition For the year ended July 31, 2023, WestCOP and Affiliates used status change forms to document an estimation of the distribution of employees’ salaries and wages among specific programs. Management’s process is to complete a status change form for an employee upon hire and then modify the form when there is a significant change in an employee’s duties impacting the allocation of time and effort among programs. The accounting department uses the distribution documented in the status change form to determine how to charge an employee’s compensation to programs and federal awards. While management has communicated to the auditors that regular reviews of actual personnel time and effort were performed during the year ended July 31, 2023, there is no formal documentation of this review process. Questioned Costs Not determinable. Context For all major programs tested, management did not provide documentation of its review of actual personnel time and effort after employee services were provided, such as personnel time reports or any other documented analysis of how personnel actually spent their time versus the estimates. Personnel costs represent a significant component of the total cost charged to the three major programs for the year ended July 31, 2023. We were able to recalculate the charges based on the estimated distributions per employee status change forms. Several selected employees for each program also spend 100% of their time on the programs, so allocations are not applicable. Effect WestCOP and Affiliates were unable to demonstrate that personnel costs charged to the major federal award programs reflected actual time incurred on the programs that were properly supported in compliance with the time and effort reporting requirements described in 2 CFR 200.430. Cause Management does not have a formal, documented process to review actual personnel time and effort after employee services are performed to ensure that charges to federal awards based on estimates are accurate. Charges to federal awards are based on estimates documented in personnel status change forms prior to services being performed. While these forms may be updated periodically to reflect changes in estimates of personnel time and effort, the updates are not supported by any documented analysis of actual time and effort. Recommendation Management can continue using the estimates of the distribution of employees’ time per status change forms for interim accounting processes. However, we recommend that management formally document a process to periodically review the actual distribution of employee time and effort among federally-funded programs. Management can determine the frequency of this documentation, but we recommend that such review be formally documented at least monthly. Documentation could be in the form of personnel time and effort reports reflecting the distribution of actual time among programs prepared by employees and reviewed by direct supervisors. Alternatively, management personnel familiar with employees’ activities, such as direct supervisors, could prepare periodic analyses of the distribution of employee time and effort to support allocations and charges of salaries and wages to federal awards. Views Of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions For employees who are paid in full or in part with federal and other funds, management will increase the frequency of the time and effort reporting to quarterly intervals. Specifically, employees will document their time and effort based on funding sources for each payroll period; and at the end each quarter, management will review and compare the actual time and effort percentages with the current ADP Labor Distribution Report for reasonableness. The Management review report will be used as a basis to effect changes to the labor distribution report using the employee status change forms. The time and effort documentation will be available for audit. The implementation of the Corrective Action Plan did not commence until fiscal year 2025 given the timing of the fiscal year 2021 and 2022 audits and receipt of this finding.
Allowable Costs/Cost Principles - Time and Effort Reporting (Repeat Observation) Federal Program Information U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.600, Head Start Program and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership/Babies Step Forward; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.569/93.558, 477 Cluster; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.568, Low-Income Energy Assistance; U.S. Department of Energy, CFDA Number 81.042, Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons; U.S. Department of Justice, CFDA Number 16.575, Crime Victim Assistance; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, CFDA Number 64.033, Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Corporation for National and Community Service, CFDA Number 94.011, Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Cluster Criteria The Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.430 (2 CFR 200.430) requires that charges to federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Budget estimates determined prior to services being performed by personnel may be used for interim accounting processes, but the organization’s internal controls must include a process to review these charges after services have been performed to make any necessary adjustments to ensure that final amounts charged to federal awards are accurate, allowable and properly allocated. Budget estimates alone do not qualify as support for charges to federal awards. Charges for salaries and wages must be supported by documentation that is incorporated into the official records of the organization. Condition For the year ended July 31, 2023, WestCOP and Affiliates used status change forms to document an estimation of the distribution of employees’ salaries and wages among specific programs. Management’s process is to complete a status change form for an employee upon hire and then modify the form when there is a significant change in an employee’s duties impacting the allocation of time and effort among programs. The accounting department uses the distribution documented in the status change form to determine how to charge an employee’s compensation to programs and federal awards. While management has communicated to the auditors that regular reviews of actual personnel time and effort were performed during the year ended July 31, 2023, there is no formal documentation of this review process. Questioned Costs Not determinable. Context For all major programs tested, management did not provide documentation of its review of actual personnel time and effort after employee services were provided, such as personnel time reports or any other documented analysis of how personnel actually spent their time versus the estimates. Personnel costs represent a significant component of the total cost charged to the three major programs for the year ended July 31, 2023. We were able to recalculate the charges based on the estimated distributions per employee status change forms. Several selected employees for each program also spend 100% of their time on the programs, so allocations are not applicable. Effect WestCOP and Affiliates were unable to demonstrate that personnel costs charged to the major federal award programs reflected actual time incurred on the programs that were properly supported in compliance with the time and effort reporting requirements described in 2 CFR 200.430. Cause Management does not have a formal, documented process to review actual personnel time and effort after employee services are performed to ensure that charges to federal awards based on estimates are accurate. Charges to federal awards are based on estimates documented in personnel status change forms prior to services being performed. While these forms may be updated periodically to reflect changes in estimates of personnel time and effort, the updates are not supported by any documented analysis of actual time and effort. Recommendation Management can continue using the estimates of the distribution of employees’ time per status change forms for interim accounting processes. However, we recommend that management formally document a process to periodically review the actual distribution of employee time and effort among federally-funded programs. Management can determine the frequency of this documentation, but we recommend that such review be formally documented at least monthly. Documentation could be in the form of personnel time and effort reports reflecting the distribution of actual time among programs prepared by employees and reviewed by direct supervisors. Alternatively, management personnel familiar with employees’ activities, such as direct supervisors, could prepare periodic analyses of the distribution of employee time and effort to support allocations and charges of salaries and wages to federal awards. Views Of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions For employees who are paid in full or in part with federal and other funds, management will increase the frequency of the time and effort reporting to quarterly intervals. Specifically, employees will document their time and effort based on funding sources for each payroll period; and at the end each quarter, management will review and compare the actual time and effort percentages with the current ADP Labor Distribution Report for reasonableness. The Management review report will be used as a basis to effect changes to the labor distribution report using the employee status change forms. The time and effort documentation will be available for audit. The implementation of the Corrective Action Plan did not commence until fiscal year 2025 given the timing of the fiscal year 2021 and 2022 audits and receipt of this finding.
Allowable Costs/Cost Principles - Time and Effort Reporting (Repeat Observation) Federal Program Information U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.600, Head Start Program and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership/Babies Step Forward; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.569/93.558, 477 Cluster; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 93.568, Low-Income Energy Assistance; U.S. Department of Energy, CFDA Number 81.042, Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons; U.S. Department of Justice, CFDA Number 16.575, Crime Victim Assistance; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, CFDA Number 64.033, Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Corporation for National and Community Service, CFDA Number 94.011, Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Cluster Criteria The Code of Federal Regulations Section 200.430 (2 CFR 200.430) requires that charges to federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Budget estimates determined prior to services being performed by personnel may be used for interim accounting processes, but the organization’s internal controls must include a process to review these charges after services have been performed to make any necessary adjustments to ensure that final amounts charged to federal awards are accurate, allowable and properly allocated. Budget estimates alone do not qualify as support for charges to federal awards. Charges for salaries and wages must be supported by documentation that is incorporated into the official records of the organization. Condition For the year ended July 31, 2023, WestCOP and Affiliates used status change forms to document an estimation of the distribution of employees’ salaries and wages among specific programs. Management’s process is to complete a status change form for an employee upon hire and then modify the form when there is a significant change in an employee’s duties impacting the allocation of time and effort among programs. The accounting department uses the distribution documented in the status change form to determine how to charge an employee’s compensation to programs and federal awards. While management has communicated to the auditors that regular reviews of actual personnel time and effort were performed during the year ended July 31, 2023, there is no formal documentation of this review process. Questioned Costs Not determinable. Context For all major programs tested, management did not provide documentation of its review of actual personnel time and effort after employee services were provided, such as personnel time reports or any other documented analysis of how personnel actually spent their time versus the estimates. Personnel costs represent a significant component of the total cost charged to the three major programs for the year ended July 31, 2023. We were able to recalculate the charges based on the estimated distributions per employee status change forms. Several selected employees for each program also spend 100% of their time on the programs, so allocations are not applicable. Effect WestCOP and Affiliates were unable to demonstrate that personnel costs charged to the major federal award programs reflected actual time incurred on the programs that were properly supported in compliance with the time and effort reporting requirements described in 2 CFR 200.430. Cause Management does not have a formal, documented process to review actual personnel time and effort after employee services are performed to ensure that charges to federal awards based on estimates are accurate. Charges to federal awards are based on estimates documented in personnel status change forms prior to services being performed. While these forms may be updated periodically to reflect changes in estimates of personnel time and effort, the updates are not supported by any documented analysis of actual time and effort. Recommendation Management can continue using the estimates of the distribution of employees’ time per status change forms for interim accounting processes. However, we recommend that management formally document a process to periodically review the actual distribution of employee time and effort among federally-funded programs. Management can determine the frequency of this documentation, but we recommend that such review be formally documented at least monthly. Documentation could be in the form of personnel time and effort reports reflecting the distribution of actual time among programs prepared by employees and reviewed by direct supervisors. Alternatively, management personnel familiar with employees’ activities, such as direct supervisors, could prepare periodic analyses of the distribution of employee time and effort to support allocations and charges of salaries and wages to federal awards. Views Of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions For employees who are paid in full or in part with federal and other funds, management will increase the frequency of the time and effort reporting to quarterly intervals. Specifically, employees will document their time and effort based on funding sources for each payroll period; and at the end each quarter, management will review and compare the actual time and effort percentages with the current ADP Labor Distribution Report for reasonableness. The Management review report will be used as a basis to effect changes to the labor distribution report using the employee status change forms. The time and effort documentation will be available for audit. The implementation of the Corrective Action Plan did not commence until fiscal year 2025 given the timing of the fiscal year 2021 and 2022 audits and receipt of this finding.