Finding 1084690 (2023-003)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-11-18

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: USTTI struggled to accurately prepare the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) due to difficulties in identifying and categorizing Federal expenditures.
  • Impacted Requirements: This issue violates 2 CFR Section 200.508 (b), which mandates proper financial statements, including the SEFA, and reflects a systematic problem affecting the entire SEFA.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: USTTI should prepare the SEFA quarterly, ensure supervisory review, and verify that indirect costs are calculated correctly to comply with grant terms.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-003: Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (Significant Deficiency) Information on the Federal Program: All programs in the 2023 SEFA. See Finding 2023-002.Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR Section 200.508 (b), USTTI is required to prepare appropriate financial statements, including the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). Condition: USTTI experienced difficulty in ensuring that all Federal expenditures were identified, categorized and included in the SEFA. Due to the amount of program codes in the accounting system, it was difficult to identify which subprogram codes related to the various Federal programs. In addition, indirect costs reported to the Federal granting agencies were not properly calculated. This condition impacted the entire SEFA and is considered to be a systematic problem. Cause: The high volume of subprogram codes was a contributing factor to the error as well as the improper calculation of the indirect costs on the grants. Effect: USTTI experienced difficulty in preparing an accurate SEFA. Context: USTTI does not have processes and procedures in place to prepare an accurate SEFA.Questioned Costs: None. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Yes. See Finding 2022-002.Recommendation: We recommend USTTI prepare its SEFA on a quarterly basis in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, and it should be reviewed and approved by an individual in a supervisory capacity with knowledge of the grant program. USTTI should ensure that the review process encompasses agreeing the amounts in the SEFA to expenses recorded in the general ledger. Additionally, USTTI should review the indirect rate calculation to ensure that is is accurate and that USTTI is not charging more indirect costs than allowed in accordance with the terms of its grant.

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 508248 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 508249 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 508250 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 508251 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 508252 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1084691 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1084692 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1084693 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1084694 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
19.663 Global Telecommunications and Emerging Technology Training $2.31M
11.553 Special Projects $189,795