Finding 1155086 (2022-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2025-09-24
Audit: 367389

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization's internal controls failed to prevent advance drawdowns of grant funds.
  • Impacted Requirements: Cash management rules (45 CFR 75.305) were not followed, leading to premature fund access.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures to ensure cash draws occur no earlier than three days before allowable expenditures are disbursed.

Finding Text

Federal Assistance Listing Number 93.243 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Criteria or Specific Requirement – Cash Management (45 CFR 75.305) Condition – The Organization’s internal controls over compliance were not able to prevent an advance drawdown. Questioned Costs – None Context – Out of a population of twenty-four draws, a sample of six draws were selected for testing. The sampling methodology used was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the six draws tested, four draws were considered advanced draws Effect – Grant funds were drawn down sooner than administratively necessary. The four draws were not earned as of the end of three days prior to disbursement of allowable expenditures. Cause – The Organization was struggling to maintain adequate cash reserves and therefore advance drew on the award, with the knowledge that allowable expenditures would be incurred and covered by the draws in future periods. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable – Not a repeat finding Recommendation – The Organization should ensure procedures are followed to prevent cash draws from being drawn sooner than three days prior to disbursement of allowable expenditures.

Corrective Action Plan

Current leadership and Management has implemented robust policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal drawdown requirements. Currently, all drawdowns are based on 1/12th of the approved annual budget and are fully supported by actual expenditures recorded in the General Ledger. These expenditures exceed the amount of the monthly drawdown, ensuring we are not drawing funds in advance. Previous acceleration of drawdowns in prior years was not aligned with best practices and stemmed from poor cash flow management and inadequate internal controls. Our corrective action plan directly addresses these issues through strengthened oversight and improved fiscal discipline. Furthermore, in alignment with the Department of Health and Human Services’ “Defend the Spend” (DOGE) initiative, all drawdowns are now required to be substantiated by actual, documented expenses reflected in the General Ledger.

Categories

Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1155074 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155075 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155076 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155077 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155078 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155079 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155080 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155081 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155082 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155083 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155084 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155085 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.224 Health Center Program (community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) $972,529
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance $631,630
93.959 Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse $537,106
93.788 Opioid Str $442,720
93.696 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants $256,703
93.323 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (elc) $121,512
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $80,133
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $80,000
93.527 Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program $16,895