Finding 1158209 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30
Audit: 370111
Organization: Jesuit Refugee Service/usa, INC (DC)
Auditor: Rsm US LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Subgrantees did not conduct required single audits despite exceeding the $750,000 expenditure threshold.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal audit requirements as outlined in sub-agreements for the Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a robust subrecipient control monitoring process to ensure adherence to audit requirements.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-002 – Subrecipient single audits Federal Agency: U.S. Department of State Programs: Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa, Overseas Refugee Assistance Program for Middle East and North Africa Program Assistance listing numbers: 19.517, 19.519 Federal award identification number and year: • SPRMCO22CA0165 – 2022 • SPRMCO23CA0142 – 2023 • SPRMCO23CA0200 – 2023 Criteria: Per sub-agreements to the above awards section VII Administrative Requirements part (3): Audits and Inspections: All Foreign organizations that expend $750,000 or more in a fiscal year in the Department of State federal assistance must perform an independent, Subrecipient-contracted Single Audit or Program Specific Audit. Condition: Although the client’s grant and subgrant agreements explicitly required subgrantees to undergo a single audit if the $750,000 expenditure threshold is met, none of the subgrantees had such audits performed. Grant countries impacted: Cameroon, South Sudan, and Iraq. Cause: Failures in the subrecipient control monitoring process. Effect: The Organization’s subgrantee’s were not in compliance with the subrecipient audit requirements. Context: Out of a population of nine subrecipients audits, four were selected for testing. Of the four, three had federal expenditures over $750,000, and had no evidence of a single audit. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs noted. Recommendation: Management should implement a subrecipient control monitoring process that directly relates to the subrecipient audit requirements. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with findings. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding: Subrecipient Single Audits. The Organization’s grant and subgrant agreements explicitly require subgrantees to undergo a single audit if they expend $750,000 or more in a fiscal year, as stipulated by the Department of State. However, audits were not performed for subgrantees exceeding this threshold in Cameroon, South Sudan, and Iraq. This non-compliance was caused by failures in the subrecipient control monitoring process. Corrective Action Plan JRS/USA recognizes the risk presented when Country Offices (COs) or Regional Offices (ROs) are unable to meet audit requirements, particularly when receiving U.S. federal funds. While JRS/USA does not have direct authority to mandate CO/RO audits in all regions, we recognize our responsibility to ensure federal compliance across the global network. To address this, JRS/USA will implement a stricter due diligence and pre-award assessment process. Specifically, going forward, COs/ROs must demonstrate the ability to meet audit and financial reporting requirements as a condition for receiving federal funding. If these requirements are not met, JRS USA will take corrective action, which may include suspending their inclusion in federal awards until compliance can be assured. JRS/USA will also revisit the previously proposed “go/no-go” framework and explore its formal adoption as part of a broader compliance risk management strategy. To address this gap and strengthen subrecipient oversight related to audit compliance, JRS/USA is implementing the following measures: 1. Reinforced Audit Clause Communication JRS/USA has reviewed and re-communicated the audit requirements to all subrecipients (country offices), particularly those with high federal expenditures. Subgrantees are being reminded annually in writing of their obligation to procure a Single Audit or Program-Specific Audit if they meet the $750,000 threshold. 2. Enhanced Subrecipient Monitoring Process The subrecipient monitoring framework has been updated to include: a) Annual tracking of total federal expenditures by each subrecipient (country office) b) Flagging of subrecipients approaching the $750,000 threshold c) A review checkpoint at year-end to determine audit applicability d) Clear documentation requirements and timelines for submitting audit report 3. Audit Compliance Checklist and Tracker A standardized checklist has been created to track audit requirements and receipt of audit documentation from all subrecipients (country offices). This checklist is maintained centrally by the JRS/USA compliance or grants team and reviewed quarterly. 4. Technical Support to Subrecipients Subrecipients (country offices) that may lack familiarity with the Single Audit requirement are being offered guidance and support on: a) Identifying qualified auditors b) Understanding scope and timing of required audits c) Budgeting for audit costs appropriately 5. Subaward Risk Assessments Updated The risk assessment conducted during subaward issuance and annual monitoring now includes specific indicators for federal expenditure levels and audit compliance risk. This ensures earlier detection and mitigation for high-risk subrecipients. Timeline for Implementation All corrective actions have been implemented or will be fully in effect by January 30, 2026. Responsible Party Samira Ahmed, Senior Grants and Compliance Specialist, will be responsible for ensuring subrecipient audit compliance and ongoing monitoring.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1158203 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1158204 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1158205 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1158206 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1158207 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1158208 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1158210 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1158211 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1158212 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
19.518 Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Western Hemisphere $1.13M
19.519 Overseas Refugee Assistance Program for Middle East and North Africa Program $853,689
19.517 Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Africa $655,724
19.511 Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for East Asia $369,627
19.523 Overseas Refugee Assistance Program for South Asia $65,285
97.141 Shelter and Services Program $20,131