Finding 1160364 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-10-13
Audit: 370747
Organization: City of Pittsburg, Kansas (KS)
Auditor: Bt&co P A

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance, specifically regarding the review of invoices before fund disbursement.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR part 200 section 200.303, which mandates proper authorization and approval for expenditures related to federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures for thorough review and approval of all grant fund disbursements, and enhance training on disbursement policies to address staffing turnover.

Finding Text

Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Program: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF), ALN No. 21.027, Award No. 23-0208-HITC ARPA Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Repeat Finding: No Condition: During our testing of two expenditures, we noted that management was unable to provide supporting documentation that review procedures were performed on invoices before the preparation of disbursement of funds. Questioned Costs: None Context: For both expenditures tested in the population of two, management was not able to provide the required support showing that the invoices were reviewed before preparation of disbursement. Criteria: 2 CFR part 200 section 200.303 requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award including proper authorization and approval for purchases. Cause: There was significant turnover within the finance department of the City and the grants administration process was missing supervision by key personnel. The finding indicates that there should be some process improvements in how grant expenditures are reviewed and approved before disbursement of funds to provide evidence the compliance requirement are being met. Effect: Unallowable costs or activities could be funded by the federal grant. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure all disbursement of grant funds are reviewed and approved before disbursement as well as increase training efforts on disbursement policy requirements if there is future staffing turnover.

Corrective Action Plan

Management’s Response/Corrective Action Plan (Unaudited): The City acknowledges the finding and is committed to strengthening internal controls over compliance for the review and approval of grant-related expenditures. Effective immediately, the City implemented the following corrective measures: 1. Formalized Invoice Review and Approval Process o All grant-related invoices to undergo documented review and approval before the preparation and disbursement of funds. o The procedure will require reviewers to sign and date each invoice (either physically or electronically) to provide a verifiable audit trail. 2. Assignment of Review Responsibility o Designate a primary reviewer and a backup reviewer within the Finance Department to ensure continuity of compliance in the event of staffing turnover. o Review responsibility will be incorporated into the official job descriptions of these positions. 3. Training and Staff Development o Conduct mandatory training for all finance and grant administration personnel on the disbursement review process, compliance requirements under 2 CFR 200.303, and documentation retention protocols. o Training will be provided within 30 days of hire for all new staff assigned to the process. 4. Periodic Monitoring and Quality Checks o Implement quarterly internal reviews by the Finance Director (or designee) to verify adherence to the review and approval process. o Findings from these internal reviews will be documented and corrective steps taken promptly if deficiencies are noted. Planned Completion Date: Implementation and training of this plan is complete. Contact Person Responsible for Correction Action: Finance Director

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1160365 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.106 Airport Improvement Program, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs, and Covid-19 Airports Programs $1.05M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $840,000
93.590 Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Grants $131,847
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $115,464
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $64,822
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $56,322
93.366 State Actions to Improve Oral Health Outcomes and Partner Actions to Improve Oral Health Outcomes $10,000
15.914 National Register of Historic Places $3,630
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $2,462
10.561 State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $1,369