Finding 1161131 (2022-005)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2025-10-22
Audit: 371132
Organization: Pease Township (OH)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Township lacks proper documentation and review processes for federal expenditures, risking unallowable costs charged to FEMA grants.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR § 200.303(a) and 2 CFR 200.302(b)(7) regarding internal controls and cost allowability procedures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Develop and implement formal written procedures for approving federal expenditures, ensuring management reviews and documents approvals for all transactions.

Finding Text

2 CFR § 200.303 (a) states, in part, 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 statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. 2 CFR 200.302(b)(7) requires written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E-Cost Principles of this part and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. In addition, maintaining organized documentation and support for federal transactions is essential in assuring the Townships Schedule of Federal Awards is complete and accurate and that costs and activities are allowable. We noted that the Township did not maintain underlying documentation and support for 4 of 7 nonpayroll FEMA expenditures. However, we were able to obtain such invoices directly from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to determine allowability. For the remaining 3 invoices that the Township did maintain support for, there was no indication that management reviewed these expenditures for allowability. This weakness could result in unallowable expenditures being charged to the FEMA grant. Formal written procedures should be developed, implemented, and consistently applied to the approval of federal grant expenditures prior to payment. Procedures should include how approvals by management or administrators are documented for each expenditure and the approvals should be done by personnel knowledgeable about the federal program. Implementing a formal control process with help ensure only allowable expenditures are made using federal grant funds. The Township should also maintain all invoices for transaction to ensure allowability.

Corrective Action Plan

Will have a policy for FEMA allowable expenditures in the future

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1161130 2022-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
97.036 DISASTER GRANTS - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTERS) $371,977
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $14,851