Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance (Allowable Costs), and Noncompliance with Laws and Regulations. Condition: Fringe benefits, including bonus distributions and increased Health Savings Account (HSA) and retirement contributions, were provided and charged to federal programs in the absence of adequate written policies and procedures. Programs Affected: Child Welfare Continuum of Care programs; Assistance Listing Numbers: 93.558, 93.658, 93.659, 93.667, 93.778. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.431(c) states that the cost of fringe benefits in the form of employer contributions or expenses for social security; employee life, health, unemployment, and worker’s compensation insurance; pension plan costs; and other similar benefits are allowable, provided such benefits are granted under established written policies. Cause: Original policies and procedures for fringe benefits lacked necessary detail, and subsequent updates have not been made. Effect: Unallowed costs may have been charged to the grant. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Due to MDHHS’s funding methodology for the Continuum of Care grants, the total federal portion of fringe benefits cannot be determined. Context: Fringe benefit policies lacked specificity regarding the process by which benefits such as bonus distributions, and changes to other forms of compensation such as HSA and retirement contributions, were determined. The Organization performed various due diligence activities to support such determinations, including comparability studies and board approval of all decisions made, however written policies to reflect these activities did not exist. Recommendation: The Organization should establish a formal written policy that accurately reflects the fringe benefits charged to federal programs, including but not limited to the bonus structure, retirement contributions, and HSA contributions. Organization’s Response: The Organization agrees with the finding and will implement corrective action to address the condition.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance (Allowable Costs), and Noncompliance with Laws and Regulations. Condition: Fringe benefits, including bonus distributions and increased Health Savings Account (HSA) and retirement contributions, were provided and charged to federal programs in the absence of adequate written policies and procedures. Programs Affected: Child Welfare Continuum of Care programs; Assistance Listing Numbers: 93.558, 93.658, 93.659, 93.667, 93.778. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.431(c) states that the cost of fringe benefits in the form of employer contributions or expenses for social security; employee life, health, unemployment, and worker’s compensation insurance; pension plan costs; and other similar benefits are allowable, provided such benefits are granted under established written policies. Cause: Original policies and procedures for fringe benefits lacked necessary detail, and subsequent updates have not been made. Effect: Unallowed costs may have been charged to the grant. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Due to MDHHS’s funding methodology for the Continuum of Care grants, the total federal portion of fringe benefits cannot be determined. Context: Fringe benefit policies lacked specificity regarding the process by which benefits such as bonus distributions, and changes to other forms of compensation such as HSA and retirement contributions, were determined. The Organization performed various due diligence activities to support such determinations, including comparability studies and board approval of all decisions made, however written policies to reflect these activities did not exist. Recommendation: The Organization should establish a formal written policy that accurately reflects the fringe benefits charged to federal programs, including but not limited to the bonus structure, retirement contributions, and HSA contributions. Organization’s Response: The Organization agrees with the finding and will implement corrective action to address the condition.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance (Allowable Costs), and Noncompliance with Laws and Regulations. Condition: Fringe benefits, including bonus distributions and increased Health Savings Account (HSA) and retirement contributions, were provided and charged to federal programs in the absence of adequate written policies and procedures. Programs Affected: Child Welfare Continuum of Care programs; Assistance Listing Numbers: 93.558, 93.658, 93.659, 93.667, 93.778. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.431(c) states that the cost of fringe benefits in the form of employer contributions or expenses for social security; employee life, health, unemployment, and worker’s compensation insurance; pension plan costs; and other similar benefits are allowable, provided such benefits are granted under established written policies. Cause: Original policies and procedures for fringe benefits lacked necessary detail, and subsequent updates have not been made. Effect: Unallowed costs may have been charged to the grant. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Due to MDHHS’s funding methodology for the Continuum of Care grants, the total federal portion of fringe benefits cannot be determined. Context: Fringe benefit policies lacked specificity regarding the process by which benefits such as bonus distributions, and changes to other forms of compensation such as HSA and retirement contributions, were determined. The Organization performed various due diligence activities to support such determinations, including comparability studies and board approval of all decisions made, however written policies to reflect these activities did not exist. Recommendation: The Organization should establish a formal written policy that accurately reflects the fringe benefits charged to federal programs, including but not limited to the bonus structure, retirement contributions, and HSA contributions. Organization’s Response: The Organization agrees with the finding and will implement corrective action to address the condition.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance (Allowable Costs), and Noncompliance with Laws and Regulations. Condition: Fringe benefits, including bonus distributions and increased Health Savings Account (HSA) and retirement contributions, were provided and charged to federal programs in the absence of adequate written policies and procedures. Programs Affected: Child Welfare Continuum of Care programs; Assistance Listing Numbers: 93.558, 93.658, 93.659, 93.667, 93.778. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.431(c) states that the cost of fringe benefits in the form of employer contributions or expenses for social security; employee life, health, unemployment, and worker’s compensation insurance; pension plan costs; and other similar benefits are allowable, provided such benefits are granted under established written policies. Cause: Original policies and procedures for fringe benefits lacked necessary detail, and subsequent updates have not been made. Effect: Unallowed costs may have been charged to the grant. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Due to MDHHS’s funding methodology for the Continuum of Care grants, the total federal portion of fringe benefits cannot be determined. Context: Fringe benefit policies lacked specificity regarding the process by which benefits such as bonus distributions, and changes to other forms of compensation such as HSA and retirement contributions, were determined. The Organization performed various due diligence activities to support such determinations, including comparability studies and board approval of all decisions made, however written policies to reflect these activities did not exist. Recommendation: The Organization should establish a formal written policy that accurately reflects the fringe benefits charged to federal programs, including but not limited to the bonus structure, retirement contributions, and HSA contributions. Organization’s Response: The Organization agrees with the finding and will implement corrective action to address the condition.
2023-002: Allocable Costs/Cost Principles - Reporting of PTO Time. 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 200.431, Leave time is an allowable cost if, among other requirements, the costs are equitably allocated to all related activities. Condition: Accrued PTO time was adjusted as of September 30, 2023, however certain employees were transferred over to the grant program that had accrued PTO as of September 30, 2022 that was not taken into account. As a result, the grant was charged PTO time for amounts that had been accrued in prior years in other programs and activities. Identification of How Likely Questioned Costs Were Computed: Based on the accrued PTO schedules as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 Known Questioned Costs: $22,971 Context: There were five employees transferred over to the new grant program, reviewed all five transferred employees PTO accrual. Cause/Effect: This was just an oversight. A schedule was prepared but did not take into account the PTO time the employees had earned prior to transfer to the new grant program. Recommendation: We recommend that the schedule be revised to take into account the PTO time employees have prior to being transferred into the grant activities. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action Plan: See attached 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.
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.
Assistance Listing Number(s): 10.553 and 10.555 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Child Nutrition Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Name of Pass-through Entity: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-through Entity Identifying Number(s): 2023-138142-DPI-SB-546, 2023-138005-DPI-SB-546, 2023-138005-DPI-NSL-547, and 2023-138005-DPI-SK_NSLAE-566 Award Period: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 Criteria: According to 2 CFR, Part 200.300 of the Uniform Guidance, a non-federal entity must have the following policies over compliance: cash management (section 200.302(b)(6)), allowability of costs (section 200.302(b)(7)), procurement (section 200.318-.326, reporting (section 200.303), special tests (section 200.303), travel (section 200.475(b)), compensation (section 200.430(a)(1)), and fringe benefits (section 200.431). Condition: Written policies and procedures are not in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Cause: Sufficient training has not been provided to individuals responsible for the development of written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Lack of policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance, disallowed costs, or discontinuance of federal funding. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: Additional training should be provided to individuals responsible for the development of written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Views of Responsible Officials: One City Schools, Inc. agrees with the finding and are working on creating written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance.
Assistance Listing Number(s): 10.553 and 10.555 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Child Nutrition Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Name of Pass-through Entity: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-through Entity Identifying Number(s): 2023-138142-DPI-SB-546, 2023-138005-DPI-SB-546, 2023-138005-DPI-NSL-547, and 2023-138005-DPI-SK_NSLAE-566 Award Period: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 Criteria: According to 2 CFR, Part 200.300 of the Uniform Guidance, a non-federal entity must have the following policies over compliance: cash management (section 200.302(b)(6)), allowability of costs (section 200.302(b)(7)), procurement (section 200.318-.326, reporting (section 200.303), special tests (section 200.303), travel (section 200.475(b)), compensation (section 200.430(a)(1)), and fringe benefits (section 200.431). Condition: Written policies and procedures are not in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Cause: Sufficient training has not been provided to individuals responsible for the development of written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Lack of policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance, disallowed costs, or discontinuance of federal funding. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: Additional training should be provided to individuals responsible for the development of written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Views of Responsible Officials: One City Schools, Inc. agrees with the finding and are working on creating written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance.
Assistance Listing Number(s): 10.553 and 10.555 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Child Nutrition Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Name of Pass-through Entity: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-through Entity Identifying Number(s): 2023-138142-DPI-SB-546, 2023-138005-DPI-SB-546, 2023-138005-DPI-NSL-547, and 2023-138005-DPI-SK_NSLAE-566 Award Period: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 Criteria: According to 2 CFR, Part 200.300 of the Uniform Guidance, a non-federal entity must have the following policies over compliance: cash management (section 200.302(b)(6)), allowability of costs (section 200.302(b)(7)), procurement (section 200.318-.326, reporting (section 200.303), special tests (section 200.303), travel (section 200.475(b)), compensation (section 200.430(a)(1)), and fringe benefits (section 200.431). Condition: Written policies and procedures are not in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Cause: Sufficient training has not been provided to individuals responsible for the development of written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Lack of policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance, disallowed costs, or discontinuance of federal funding. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: Additional training should be provided to individuals responsible for the development of written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Views of Responsible Officials: One City Schools, Inc. agrees with the finding and are working on creating written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance.
Assistance Listing Number(s): 10.553 and 10.555 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Child Nutrition Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Name of Pass-through Entity: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Pass-through Entity Identifying Number(s): 2023-138142-DPI-SB-546, 2023-138005-DPI-SB-546, 2023-138005-DPI-NSL-547, and 2023-138005-DPI-SK_NSLAE-566 Award Period: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 Criteria: According to 2 CFR, Part 200.300 of the Uniform Guidance, a non-federal entity must have the following policies over compliance: cash management (section 200.302(b)(6)), allowability of costs (section 200.302(b)(7)), procurement (section 200.318-.326, reporting (section 200.303), special tests (section 200.303), travel (section 200.475(b)), compensation (section 200.430(a)(1)), and fringe benefits (section 200.431). Condition: Written policies and procedures are not in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Cause: Sufficient training has not been provided to individuals responsible for the development of written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect: Lack of policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance could result in noncompliance, disallowed costs, or discontinuance of federal funding. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: Additional training should be provided to individuals responsible for the development of written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Views of Responsible Officials: One City Schools, Inc. agrees with the finding and are working on creating written policies and procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance.
COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425D and 84.425U passed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Title I - Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Assistance Listing 84.010 passed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Grant Period - Year Ended June 30, 2023. Criteria: In accordance with Title 2 CFR Section 200.431(c) of the Uniform Guidance, fringe benefits must be allocated to federal awards and all other activities in a manner consistent with the pattern of benefits attributable to the employees whose salaries and wages are chargeable to such federal awards and other activities. Condition: Benefits charged to federal programs included Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) employer contribution expenditures that were reimbursed by a state subsidy. Cause: The system generated payroll report that identifies federally funded staff did not properly reduce federal allocations for amounts reimbursed by the state subsidy. Effect: Failure to properly deduct the PSERS reimbursement portion allocated to federal awards is a duplication of benefits which can result in a loss of funding. Questioned Costs: Total known questioned costs of $72,697 as indicated below: • COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425D - $8,294 • COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425U - $34,485 • Title I - Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Assistance Listing 84.010 - $29,918 Perspective Information: Total PSERS employer contribution expenditures charged to these federal awards were $144,098. The state subsidy reimbursed the District for approximately 50 percent of these expenditures for a total of $72,697. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not applicable. Recommendation: The District should ensure that PSERS employer contribution expenditures charged to federal awards are reduced for amounts reimbursed by other funding sources. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Planned Corrective Action: See District’s corrective action plan.
COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425D and 84.425U passed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Title I - Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Assistance Listing 84.010 passed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Grant Period - Year Ended June 30, 2023. Criteria: In accordance with Title 2 CFR Section 200.431(c) of the Uniform Guidance, fringe benefits must be allocated to federal awards and all other activities in a manner consistent with the pattern of benefits attributable to the employees whose salaries and wages are chargeable to such federal awards and other activities. Condition: Benefits charged to federal programs included Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) employer contribution expenditures that were reimbursed by a state subsidy. Cause: The system generated payroll report that identifies federally funded staff did not properly reduce federal allocations for amounts reimbursed by the state subsidy. Effect: Failure to properly deduct the PSERS reimbursement portion allocated to federal awards is a duplication of benefits which can result in a loss of funding. Questioned Costs: Total known questioned costs of $72,697 as indicated below: • COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425D - $8,294 • COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425U - $34,485 • Title I - Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Assistance Listing 84.010 - $29,918 Perspective Information: Total PSERS employer contribution expenditures charged to these federal awards were $144,098. The state subsidy reimbursed the District for approximately 50 percent of these expenditures for a total of $72,697. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not applicable. Recommendation: The District should ensure that PSERS employer contribution expenditures charged to federal awards are reduced for amounts reimbursed by other funding sources. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Planned Corrective Action: See District’s corrective action plan.
COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425D and 84.425U passed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Title I - Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Assistance Listing 84.010 passed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Grant Period - Year Ended June 30, 2023. Criteria: In accordance with Title 2 CFR Section 200.431(c) of the Uniform Guidance, fringe benefits must be allocated to federal awards and all other activities in a manner consistent with the pattern of benefits attributable to the employees whose salaries and wages are chargeable to such federal awards and other activities. Condition: Benefits charged to federal programs included Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) employer contribution expenditures that were reimbursed by a state subsidy. Cause: The system generated payroll report that identifies federally funded staff did not properly reduce federal allocations for amounts reimbursed by the state subsidy. Effect: Failure to properly deduct the PSERS reimbursement portion allocated to federal awards is a duplication of benefits which can result in a loss of funding. Questioned Costs: Total known questioned costs of $72,697 as indicated below: • COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425D - $8,294 • COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425U - $34,485 • Title I - Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Assistance Listing 84.010 - $29,918 Perspective Information: Total PSERS employer contribution expenditures charged to these federal awards were $144,098. The state subsidy reimbursed the District for approximately 50 percent of these expenditures for a total of $72,697. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not applicable. Recommendation: The District should ensure that PSERS employer contribution expenditures charged to federal awards are reduced for amounts reimbursed by other funding sources. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Planned Corrective Action: See District’s corrective action plan.
COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425D and 84.425U passed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Title I - Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Assistance Listing 84.010 passed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Grant Period - Year Ended June 30, 2023. Criteria: In accordance with Title 2 CFR Section 200.431(c) of the Uniform Guidance, fringe benefits must be allocated to federal awards and all other activities in a manner consistent with the pattern of benefits attributable to the employees whose salaries and wages are chargeable to such federal awards and other activities. Condition: Benefits charged to federal programs included Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) employer contribution expenditures that were reimbursed by a state subsidy. Cause: The system generated payroll report that identifies federally funded staff did not properly reduce federal allocations for amounts reimbursed by the state subsidy. Effect: Failure to properly deduct the PSERS reimbursement portion allocated to federal awards is a duplication of benefits which can result in a loss of funding. Questioned Costs: Total known questioned costs of $72,697 as indicated below: • COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425D - $8,294 • COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund - Assistance Listing 84.425U - $34,485 • Title I - Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Assistance Listing 84.010 - $29,918 Perspective Information: Total PSERS employer contribution expenditures charged to these federal awards were $144,098. The state subsidy reimbursed the District for approximately 50 percent of these expenditures for a total of $72,697. Identification of Repeat Findings: Not applicable. Recommendation: The District should ensure that PSERS employer contribution expenditures charged to federal awards are reduced for amounts reimbursed by other funding sources. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Planned Corrective Action: See District’s corrective action plan.
2023-002 - Significant Deficiency - Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - Lack of Written Policies and Procedures including Suspension & Debarment and Conflict of Interest Federal Expenditures Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Written Policies ALN Number: 21.027 Criteria: Title 2 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 180.300 (January 1, 2021) requires non-federal entities to verify an entity is not excluded or disqualified prior to entering into a covered transaction by, "(a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that [entity]; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that [entity]." A good internal control plan requires adequate procedures to ensure the County has proper procedures in place to verify that contractors paid with grant funds are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal programs or activities. The Uniform Guidance requires nonfederal entities that receive federal awards to establish written policies, procedures, and or/standards of conduct, except if excluded in compliance supplement. There are four basic reasons for creating an internal control system through defining and documenting processes with well-written policies and procedures: 1. Compliance 2. Operational Needs 2. Managing Risks 4. Continuous Improvement Complying with laws and regulations should be a critical funciton of the County. Well-defined and documented processes (i.e. procedures, training manuals) along with records that demonstrate process capability can make evident an effective internal control system and compliance to Federal guidelines. Another important role of documentation of procedures is to ensure processes fundamental to the County are properly guided by County's officials, and are consistent way that meets the County's needs, and that are important related information and data are captured and communicated. Documentation of procedures are important for controlling process, documenting the standard work that was performed and training new employees. Condition: The County lacks certain written policies and procedures required by Uniform Guidance. Although the County has an outdated Accounting Policy, certain policies for Federal Expenditures need to be updated and added. These include: 1. Financial management (200.302) 2. Payment (200.305) 3. General procurement standards (200.318) 4. Competition (200.319) 5. Methods of procurement to be followed (200.320) 6. Compensation - personal services (200.430) 7. Compensation - fringe benefits (200.431) 8. Relocation costs of employees (200.464) 9. Travel costs (200.474) Cause: Appears to be the result of a lack of training coupled with limited staffing and resources. Questioned Costs: None Context for Calculation of Questioned Costs: None Effect: Without adequate procedures to ensure contractors are not suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal programs or activities, there is an increased risk for the misuse of Federal funds and noncompliance with Federal regulations. Recommendation: We recommend the County implement proceduresto ensure, prior to entering into a covered transaction, that a contractor in not syspended, bebarred, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal programs or activities, and that procedures is adequately documented. Furthermore, the County should familiarize themselves with the Uniform Guidance and implement the following: 1. Develop and document all of its significant processes over federal awards. 2. Make the written policies and procedures available to all personnel and departments within the County. 3. Ensure the written policies and procedures are accurate, complete, and current at all times (The Board of County Commissioners should update the policy on an annual basis.) 4. Revise policies and procedures for changes in business processes and policies over federal awards. 5. Communicate significant changes to all affected personnel immediately to ensure they are aware of any revisions to their responsibilities to the federal award. 6. Document policies and procedures to facilitate training and provide guidelines relative to federal awards for changes in personnel.
Program: AL 20.509 – Formula Grants for Rural Areas – Allowability & Subrecipient Monitoring Grant Number & Year: NE-2019-013-00, Performance End FFY 2023; NE-2022-019-00, Performance End FFY 2024 Federal Grantor Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation Criteria: Per 2 CFR § 1201.1 (January 1, 2023), the U.S. Department of Transportation adopted the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements set forth at Title 2 CFR part 200. 2 CFR § 200.403 (January 1, 2023) requires costs to be reasonable, necessary, and adequately documented. A good internal control plan requires procedures to be in place to ensure compliance with Federal and State requirements. 2 CFR § 200.332(d) (January 1, 2023) requires the pass-through entity to do the following: Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. 2 CFR § 200.430(i)(1) (January 1, 2023) states the following, in relevant part: Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: (i) Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; * * * * (vii) Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. (viii) Budget estimates (i.e., estimates determined before the services are performed) alone do not qualify as support for charges to Federal awards . . . . 2 CFR § 200.431(b) (January 1, 2023) states the following, in relevant part: Leave. The cost of fringe benefits in the form of regular compensation paid to employees during periods of authorized absences from the job, such as for annual leave, family-related leave, sick leave, holidays, court leave, military leave, administrative leave, and other similar benefits, are allowable if all of the following criteria are met: * * * * (2) The costs are equitably allocated to all related activities, including Federal awards . . . . 2 CFR § 200.467 (January 1, 2023) states the following: Costs of selling and marketing any products or services of the non-Federal entity (unless allowed under § 200.421) are unallowable, except as direct costs, with prior approval by the Federal awarding agency when necessary for the performance of the Federal award. Per 2 CFR § 200.405(a) (January 1, 2023), “A cost is allocable to a particular Federal award or other cost objective if the goods or services involved are chargeable or assignable to that Federal award or cost objective in accordance with relative benefits received.” Condition: The Agency lacked adequate documentation to support that payments were for allowable activities and in accordance with allowable cost principles. A similar finding was noted in the prior audit. Repeat Finding: 2022-057 Questioned Costs: $82,967 known (NE-2019-013-00 $82,121; NE-2022-019-00 $846) Statistical Sample: No Context: During the fiscal year, the Agency paid 58 subrecipients a total of $10,974,293. We selected 24 payments to subrecipients for testing. The Agency performed financial reviews for subrecipients; however, the reviews tested did not always include all necessary supporting documentation. When additional documentation was needed, we gave the Agency the opportunity to obtain additional support from the subrecipient; however, adequate support was not always obtained or able to be provided. Our random sample included an operating assistance reimbursement to North Fork Area Transit (NFAT). As identified in both the prior Single audit and a separate letter sent to the Agency, dated August 7, 2023, reimbursements for questionable expenditures were made to NFAT during the period April 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022. The former NFAT director was alleged to have committed fraud during this period. Our current testing included the reimbursement for NFAT’s August 2022 expenditures. The payment tested reimbursed NFAT $201,438 in Federal dollars. Of that amount, $78,348 was questioned, as follows: • NFAT was reimbursed $21,665 for nonoperating personnel when the timesheets supporting the time worked were all copies of the same timesheet. • NFAT was reimbursed $29,072 for operating personnel hours worked that did not appear reasonable. We noted nine employees whose hours for the four-week period were between 234.6 to 321.12 hours. This averages from 58.65 to 80.28 hours per week for each employee. Such large weekly averages give rise to concerns about not only the reasonableness and necessity of these payments but also possible compliance issues with labor standards – not to mention safety issues for riders. This was also identified in the letter dated August 7, 2023, in which employees were identified as working excessive overtime. An additional $376 was questioned, as the number of work hours for which one employee received compensation did not agree to those listed on his timesheet. • NFAT was reimbursed $12,874 for vendor payments that never appear to have cleared the bank. Invoices and checks were provided to support the maintenance expenses reimbursed; however, the checks provided never cleared the bank. This was also identified in the letter dated August 7, 2023, which noted that the Director appeared to have written the checks but not paid the vendors. • NFAT was reimbursed $14,361 for a duplicate payment. An invoice and check were provided to support the reimbursement of an insurance expense; however, this same expense was also submitted and reimbursed by the Agency in NFAT’s September 2022 request for reimbursement. We also noted issues with 12 of the 24 subrecipient payments tested, amounting to $4,619 in questioned costs, due to the following: • For eight subrecipients tested, documentation was inadequate to support that personnel charges were allowable and in accordance with Federal cost principles, resulting in questioned costs of $2,705. Specifically, we noted the following: o Payments for employee leave was not equitably allocated based on time worked. o One subrecipient had wages reimbursed based on budgeted amounts. o One subrecipient was reimbursed for health insurance for two employees who had elected to receive wages in lieu of such insurance. o One subrecipient requested reimbursement for wages that did not agree with the amount paid to employees. • For six subrecipients tested, questioned costs of $1,914 were identified due to inadequate support for capital and nonoperating costs. Questioned costs included the following: o One subrecipient was reimbursed for carpet adhesive that was later returned to the store. The subrecipient reimbursed the Director for the purchase of the carpet adhesive on her personal credit card, but the Agency was unable to identify a subsequent reimbursement request that reduced the amount sought for the returned items. Additionally, the subrecipient paid the Director for travel to another state to purchase the carpet adhesive, which not only could have been obtained from a more nearby merchant but also was ultimately returned. o Unreasonable travel reimbursements were noted. Among those was reimbursement for costs incurred by the subrecipient’s Director to travel to a meeting of an unaffiliated organization’s Board of Directors upon which she served as a member. That travel to attend a separate Board meeting was unrelated to the transit program. o A subrecipient was reimbursed for fees related to obtaining a trademark, which appears to have been a marketing expense that was not approved by the Federal awarding agency. o One subrecipient was reimbursed for an administrative fee that was not supported. The payment tested included a 7% administrative fee that was not specified in the agreement. o One subrecipient was reimbursed for unreasonable items, such as Christmas décor and Christmas candy. o One subrecipient was reimbursed for bookkeeping expenses; however, the subrecipient did not provide documentation to support that the amount allocated for that purpose was reasonable. Based on the sample tested, we estimate the potential dollars at risk for the fiscal year to be $501,670, as detailed below: See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table. Cause: Procedures were inadequate to ensure that costs were in accordance with Federal requirements. Effect: Increased risk for errors or misuse of funds. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency strengthen subrecipient monitoring procedures. We further recommend the Agency improve procedures to ensure expenditures are allowable and in accordance with Federal regulations. Management Response: NDOT concurs with the findings and has revised reimbursement guidelines for subrecipients, clarifying allowed expenses and required documentation. Over the next 6-12 months, NDOT will conduct training sessions with subrecipients and collaborate with internal auditors on compliance matters. The establishment of the “Federal Oversight” unit within the Transit Section aims to improve monitoring, consistency, and compliance with federal requirements for all subrecipients.
2023-004 - Written Policies Required by the Uniform Grant Guidance Finding Type. Immaterial Noncompliance; Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance. Federal program(s) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Clean Water State Revolving Fund (ALN 66.458); Passed through the Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment; All project numbers Criteria. The Uniform Guidance requires a non‐federal entity that has expended federal awards for a grant awarded on or after December 26, 2014 to have written policies pertaining to: 1) Payments (draws of federal funds and how to minimize the time lapsing between the receipt of federal funds and the disbursement to contractors/employees/subrecipients) (§200.302(6)); 2) Procurement (including bidding and a conflict of interest policy) (§200.318); 3) Allowability of costs charged to federal programs (§200.302(7)); 4) Compensation (personnel and benefits policy) (§200.430 and §200.431); and 5) Travel costs (including mileage and per diem) (§200.474). Condition. Although the City has processes in place to cover these areas, there are no formal written policies covering payments, procurement, allowability of costs, compensation, and travel costs in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Cause. This condition is a result of the City’s limited resources. Effect. As a result of this condition, the City was exposed to increased risk that grant requirements under 2 CFR 200 would not be followed. Questioned Costs. No costs were questioned as a result of this finding. Recommendation. We recommend that the City develop and implement the required policies as soon as practical. View of Responsible Officials. A written policy was developed and implemented in February 2024 that meets the requirements under Federal guidance. Responsible Official. Director of Finance and Administration Estimated Completion Date. February 2024