Finding 1157225 (2024-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30
Audit: 369522
Organization: Community Housing Solutions (OH)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The organization has a significant deficiency in internal controls over federal award compliance, specifically regarding the approval of payment requests.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with §200.303 requires effective internal controls to ensure proper management of federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Revise controls for reviewing reimbursement packets and ensure documentation is maintained as required.

Finding Text

Information on the Federal Program: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistance Listing Number: 14.218 Program Name: CDBG – Entitlement Grants Cluster Pass-through Awards under the Uniform Guidance Requirements: Pass-through Entity Award Number Award Period City of Cleveland Multiple Multiple Cuyahoga County Multiple Multiple Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria: In accordance with §200.303, Internal Controls, the non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition: During our internal controls over compliance testing of non-payroll disbursements, we noted instances where management was unable to locate approved payment request forms with evidence of approval prior to being submitted for reimbursement. We tested 60 transactions noting 2 internal control exceptions relating to internal controls over allowable costs/cost principles. Cause: Management could not provide support for the proper review of payment requests prior to submission for reimbursement due to personnel changes in the accounting department. Effect or Potential Effect: An ineffective control system related to internal controls over compliance can lead to noncompliance with laws and regulations and loss of funding for the related program. Questioned Costs: None Context: This is a condition based on testing of the Organization’s internal controls over compliance with specified requirements using a non-statistical method. The prevalence of these findings is detailed in the conditions section above. Repeat Finding: Repeat finding of 2023-001 Recommendation: We recommend the Organization review, and revise as needed, its controls over review of the reimbursement packets. The Organization should maintain documentation of the review of the reimbursement packet in a designated location and retain such documentation in accordance with the relevant requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The Organization’s management agrees with the finding and recommendations set forth within and has developed a corrective action plan to address the significant deficiency identified.

Corrective Action Plan

Management will enforce a standardized reimbursement packet review checklist, requiring documented approval prior to submission. All reimbursement packets will be stored electronically in a central repository. Training will be provided to all accounting staff on documentation standards. Periodic supervisory reviews will be performed to confirm compliance.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Subrecipient Monitoring Cash Management Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1157224 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157226 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157227 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.913 Healthy Homes Production Program $118,991
66.616 Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program $81,531
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $80,704