Finding 1156126 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over federal financial reporting, specifically for the SF-425 form.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR section 200.303, which mandates proper internal controls for managing federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The organization should review and strengthen its financial reporting controls to ensure compliance and proper oversight.

Finding Text

2024-001 Finding – Federal Award Type: Federal Financial Reporting –SF-425 –Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Identification of Federal Program: AL Number: 93.600 Head Start Cluster Criteria / Requirement: The 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Condition / Context: During the audit, one out of two Federal Financial Reports (SF-425) tested did not have sufficient internal controls, as the report was created by one individual and did not have documented oversight from another individual. No non-compliance was noted, as the financial information report was supported with direct reports from the general ledger. Cause: Due to turnover in the accounting department, an individual who is not normally part of the established procedure performed oversight over federal financial reporting, however evidence of this review could not be produced as it was not documented. Effect: Failure to maintain sufficient internal controls over federal reporting may result in non‐compliance and or inaccurate reporting. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: The Organization should reevaluate the establish organizational controls regarding financial reporting to ensure that such policies and procedures are being followed. Management’s Response: Management concurs with the audit finding and will work to implement changes to ensure internal controls are in place over federal reporting requirements.

Corrective Action Plan

FINDING - FEDERAL AWARD PROGRAMS AUDITS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2024-001 Head Start – Assistance Listing #93.600 Recommendation: The Organization should reevaluate the established organizational controls regarding federal financial reporting to ensure that such policies and procedures are being followed. Explanation of disagreement with audit findings: There is no disagreement with the audit findings. Action taken in response to finding: The finding was recognized by management as an out of the ordinary deficiency of internal controls experienced during a period of financial staff turnover. Action Plan: A written procedure will be developed to ensure that documentation of oversight is performed prior to the certification of federal financial reporting. Training will be provided to staff with oversight responsibilities. Name(s) of the contact people responsible for correction action: Donalda Dodson, Chief Executive Officer Plan completion date for corrective action plan: November 30, 2025

Categories

Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $2.08M
93.870 Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant $480,131
93.600 Head Start $139,960
84.011 Migrant Education State Grant Program $112,191