Finding Text
2023-001 Financial Reporting on Indirect Costs Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, a cost may not be allocated to a federal award as an indirect cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose, in like circumstances, has been assigned to a federal award as a direct cost. The Organization recorded audit fees as direct and indirect costs. The Organization lacks controls and segregation of duties over the financial reporting of indirect costs. Condition and Context: The Organization listed the single audit fees on the final grant reports as direct costs. The single audit fees were recorded as indirect costs and not as direct costs to the grants in the Organization’s financial system, which resulted in an overallocation of audit fees as direct and indirect costs. With the audit fees included in direct costs, the Organization does not have enough indirect costs to cover what was claimed on their grant reports resulting in the Organization receiving more in federal funds than the Organization’s expenses. Cause: Indirect cost allocations were not reviewed for compliance and accuracy. Effect: The Organization did not have enough indirect costs to substantiate what was claimed on the grant reports as indirect costs. The granting agency subsequently approved the carryforward of the unused money to a future period. Recommendation: The Organization should develop a process to record indirect costs appropriately in the Organization’s financial system to avoid duplication and develop a review process for indirect costs to ensure sufficient expenses and accurate reporting. Management Response: Management agrees with finding. Procedures are being implemented to ensure an appropriate review process as well as a proper way of recording indirect costs, see attached corrective action plan.