Finding 1148189 (2024-009)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-07-22
Audit: 362742
Organization: City of Cambridge Massachusetts (MA)
Auditor: Kpmg

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City lacks effective internal controls and documented procedures for monitoring subrecipients, leading to material noncompliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.332 and 200.303 regarding risk assessment, audit verification, and contract elements is not being met.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Implement checklists for risk assessments and audit reviews to ensure proper documentation and monitoring of subrecipients.

Finding Text

Finding Number: 2024-009 Program: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds ALN #: 21.027 Pass-through Entity: N/A- Direct Award Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Award Year: July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024 Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of finding: Material weakness and material noncompliance Criteria The 2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f) provide the principles to be applied to monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals. According to 2 CFR 200.303, the non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework,” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition The City does not have properly designed controls and documented procedures in place to ensure compliance with the following requirements: • Each subrecipients risk of noncompliance is appropriately evaluated. • Verification that subrecipients are audited as required when they are expected to exceed the threshold for having a single audit. • All required elements of the subrecipient contracts are included during execution. Cause The City’s lack of effective internal controls and written policies and procedures have caused the following Proper perspective During the audit, we noted that eight of the nine subrecipient selections did not contain all the required elements of the contract. Additionally, nine of the nine selections completed a risk assessment questionnaire. However, there is no indication that the City reviewed the questionnaires and subsequently concluded on the subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance. We also noted that audited financial statements were obtained for the three subrecipients that required a single audit, but there was no documentation to evidence the nature and extent of the City’s review of the audit reports obtained. Therefore, we were unable to determine if, based on the subrecipient’s risk assessment questionnaire and single audit report, if additional monitoring procedures were required Possible asserted effect Lack of effective controls and written policies and procedures over subrecipient monitoring could result in the City’s noncompliance with program requirements. Questioned costs None Statistical sampling The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding Yes, 2023-009 Recommendation We recommend the City establish a checklist or formal documentation requirements for both risk assessments and review of single audit report procedures. Employees can complete these checklists when obtaining and reviewing the documentation. The City should then conclude on and document the subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance based on the checklist to ensure the proper level of monitoring occurs throughout the year. Views of responsible officials and corrective actions The City has implemented additional controls over subrecipient monitoring by establishing a formal policy to review and document subrecipient qualifications, risk assessments and financial reports and have created subsequent monitoring plans and checklists. noncompliance and control exceptions.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 571740 2024-002
    Material Weakness
  • 571741 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 571742 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 571743 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 571744 2024-006
    Material Weakness
  • 571745 2024-007
    Material Weakness
  • 571746 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 571747 2024-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1148182 2024-002
    Material Weakness
  • 1148183 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1148184 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1148185 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1148186 2024-006
    Material Weakness
  • 1148187 2024-007
    Material Weakness
  • 1148188 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $12.81M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $12.01M
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $5.81M
14.267 Continuum of Care Program $5.36M
84.425U Covid-19 American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (arp Esser) $3.27M
14.241 Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids $2.14M
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $2.01M
10.555 National School Lunch Program $1.92M
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $1.41M
93.568 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance $1.10M
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $535,942
97.067 Homeland Security Grant Program $534,027
10.553 School Breakfast Program $488,257
32.009 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program $321,885
93.590 Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Grants $203,354
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $197,052
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $191,874
84.027 Special Education Grants to States $188,661
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (formerly Improving Teacher Quality State Grants) $179,868
32.004 Universal Service Fund - Schools and Libraries $161,051
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $137,884
93.499 Low Income Household Water Assistance Program $94,620
14.881 Moving to Work Demonstration Program $89,757
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $79,903
84.525D Covid-19 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (esser) $56,862
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $52,395
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $45,646
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $40,640
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $39,600
20.616 National Priority Safety Programs $28,969
14.401 Fair Housing Assistance Program $20,394
84.196 Education for Homeless Children and Youth $14,399
93.788 Opioid Str $10,884
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $8,074
10.582 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program $7,155
16.922 Equitable Sharring Program $4,920
84.173 Special Education Preschool Grants $2,214
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance $750
93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/replacement Designee Administered Programs $216
97.024 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program $116