Finding 1138506 (2024-003)

Criteria: Under 2 CFR §200.302(b), §200.303, and §200.305, non-federal entities must establish internal controls over federal awards to ensure proper financial management, allowability of costs, timely and accurate reporting, and proper cash management. Additionally, under GAAP (ASC 958-605), grant revenue should be recognized when allowable costs have been incurred. Documentation and supervisory review are necessary to support revenue recognition and ensure expenditures and drawdowns are accurately reported. Condition: The Organization did not document a monthly reconciliation review process to confirm that federal revenues recorded in the general ledger and federal grant drawdowns were supported by allowable costs incurred. Additionally, there was no evidence of review or reconciliation of annual SF-425 Federal Financial Reports to verify that cumulative drawdowns reconciled to allowable costs and recorded revenue. Cause: The Organization lacked a formal internal control process requiring review and sign-off of the reconciliation of grant expenditures, grant revenue, drawdowns, and SF-425 federal financial reporting. Effect: Inadequate internal controls over allowable costs, cash management, and federal financial reporting increased the risk of improper grant revenue recognition recorded, expenditures not being accurately reported, and unallowable costs being claimed, which could lead to misstatements in the financial statements, Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), and required federal reports, and result in noncompliance with Uniform Guidance and GAAP. Questioned Cost: None Recommendation: Implement a documented monthly reconciliation process to verify that federal revenues recorded and drawn down are supported by allowable costs incurred in accordance with grant terms. Include supervisory review of SF-425 reports and supporting schedules to confirm alignment with recorded expenditures and revenues. Reconciliations should be reviewed and signed by the CFO and retained in grant records to ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance and GAAP.