Finding Text
FINDING 2024-002
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: 84.425U
Federal Award Numbers: S425U210013
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: The School Corporation paid $2,135,000 for HVAC and flooring improvements and $92,301 in concrete work at various locations using COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Funds grant funds. These capital improvements were added to the detailed listing of capital improvements; however, did not include a detailed description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the federal award identification number (FAIN)), who holds the title, and percentage of federal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired.
Identification as a repeat finding: Yes, see Finding 2022-008 in the prior period audit report.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation update the capital asset listing to 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.