Finding 1102359 (2024-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
F
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-06

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The School Corporation lacks an effective internal control system for managing equipment and real property, risking noncompliance with federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.313(d) regarding property records, physical inventory, control systems, and maintenance procedures is not being met.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update the capital asset listing annually to include all acquisitions and ensure it contains all required information for federal funding tracking.

Finding Text

Information on the federal program: Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D Federal Award Numbers: S425D210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property Management Audit Findings: Material Weakness Criteria: 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part: "Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part under a Federal award, until disposition takes place will, as a minimum, meet the following requirements: (1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. (2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years. (3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft must be investigated. (4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition. . . ." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real Property Management Requirements compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: For 1 of 2 sample items tested, we noted the School Corporation expended $348,030 on roof renovations which was charged to the ESSER II (84.425D) grant award. It was noted these capital asset acquisitions were not reported on the capital asset listing for the School Corporation as of June 30, 2024. Additionally, we noted the School Corporation’s capital asset listing did not contain all the required information, including the source of federal funding for the property, outlined in the criteria above. Identification as a repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation update the capital asset listing at least annually to include all equipment and real property acquisitions and review for potential capital asset dispositions. The capital asset listing should include all required information to track capital asset acquisitions purchased with federal funding. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan. In addition, they have reached out to their third-party asset management system to have the asset listing updated to appropriately include the roofing project.

Categories

Equipment & Real Property Management Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 525915 2024-002
    Material Weakness
  • 525916 2024-002
    Material Weakness
  • 525917 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1102357 2024-002
    Material Weakness
  • 1102358 2024-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.553 School Breakfast Program $292,115
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $175,568
10.555 National School Lunch Program $153,120
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance $124,609
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $67,182
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $50,797
84.196 Education for Homeless Children and Youth $20,346
84.027 Special Education Grants to States $20,060
93.994 Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the States $10,440
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $9,667
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $8,600
84.173 Special Education Preschool Grants $7,302
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (formerly Improving Teacher Quality State Grants) $7,133
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $2,418
10.649 Pandemic Ebt Administrative Costs $628