Finding 1147098 (2023-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
ABH
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2025-07-08
Audit: 361679
Organization: Tuerk House, Inc. (MD)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Inadequate documentation for expenditures charged to grant programs, leading to unsupported costs.
  • Impacted Requirements: Violations of cost principles and documentation standards outlined in 2 CFR Part 200.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish stronger internal controls and a clear methodology for cost allocation, along with a document retention policy.

Finding Text

Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse ALN No. 93.959 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Opioid STR ALN No. 93.788 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Criteria or Specific Requirement – Activities Allowed and Unallowed and Cost Principles – 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E, and Period of Performance – 2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h) Condition – A sample of 80 expenditures were selected from each of the following populations: • ALN No. 93.959 – 1,631 items totaling $1,399,666 • ALN No. 93.788 – 1,728 items totaling $2,664,710 The samples were not, and are not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 80 expenditures tested from each grant program, the following were determined to lack appropriate supporting documentation to support being charged to grant program: • ALN No. 93.959 - 47 items totaling $48,756, including projected errors over the total population totaling $582,093 • ALN No. 93.788 - 7 items totaling $30,061, including projected errors over the total population totaling $138,133 The Organization did not have adequate supporting documentation demonstrating actual time and effort reporting and lacked evidence of supporting invoices. Cause – The Organization charged budgeted percentages to the grant programs without a system in place to monitor and track that actual time and effort was consistent with budgeted percentages. In addition, the Organization charged expenditures to the grant programs without evidence of supporting invoices. Effect or potential effect – Costs charged to the grant programs could have varied from actual time and effort. In addition, costs charged to the grant could not be supported by actual invoices. Questioned costs – • ALN No. 93.959 - $48,756 • ALN No. 93.788 - $30,061 Context – The Organization did not have a reasonable methodology of allocating costs to these grant programs and did not maintain proper supporting invoices. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable – Repeat finding (2022-003). Recommendation – Management should implement policies and procedures that strengthen internal control over compliance in relation to activities allowed and cost principles. The policy and procedure should be designed to ensure that a reasonable allocation methodology is implemented and followed or that time and effort is certified by the employee on a regular basis. In addition, management should implement a document retention policy consistent with 2 CFR 200.334.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Period of Performance Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 570656 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 570657 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 570658 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 570659 2023-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1147099 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1147100 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1147101 2023-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.788 Opioid Str $2.66M
93.959 Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse $1.40M
95.007 Research and Data Analysis $228,817
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $50,000