Finding 1156752 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Incorrect payroll allocation led to noncompliance with federal program requirements for allowable costs.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compensation must reflect actual work performed and costs must be allocated correctly as per Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.430).
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a verification process for payroll changes to ensure compliance before processing distributions.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-001 Identification of the federal program: 21.027 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Noncompliance over allowable activities and allowable costs Criteria: Per the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.430), compensation for personal services must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed, and costs must be properly allocated to benefitting programs or cost objectives Condition: November’s secondary payroll distribution allocation was spread with incorrect amounts, resulting in costs being charged to the grants that were not allowable. Cause: The Cooperative decreased the sick accrual rate in November, but payroll personnel did not appropriately account for the rate change prior to spreading the amounts. Effect: As a result, costs that were not attributable to the grants were charged to them. Questioned Costs: $1,681 Recommendations: The Cooperative should implement a process to verify that changes affecting payroll allocations are accurately reflected before processing distributions to ensure compliance with allowable cost requirements. Views of responsible officials: Management concurs with the recommendation. A review process will be implemented to ensure that all payroll changes are properly reviewed, verified, and approved prior to final payroll processing.

Corrective Action Plan

Management understands that CFR 200.430 requires compensation for personnel services to be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed, and costs must be properly allocated to benefiting programs or cost objectives. The HR/Payroll Administrator has implemented a review process to ensure that all payroll changes are properly reviewed, verified, and approved prior to final payroll processing and the Cooperative does not believe this should be in an issue going forward.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1156738 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156739 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156740 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156741 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156742 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156743 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156744 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156745 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156746 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156747 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156748 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156749 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156750 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156751 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156753 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $666,805
10.752 Rural Econnectivity Pilot Program $150,551