Finding 1168603 (2023-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2026-01-09

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District's internal controls over payroll for Federal awards were not effective, as evidenced by insufficient audit evidence in 3 out of 60 transactions.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR part 200.303, which mandates effective internal controls to ensure adherence to Federal regulations and award conditions.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen payroll internal controls by ensuring proper approvals and documentation retention to support compliance with Federal requirements.

Finding Text

2023-4 – Activities Allowed Education Stabilization Fund - AL #84.425 U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity - Pennsylvania Department of Education Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR part 200.303, the District is required to establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that they are in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition: During our testing, we noted that 3 of the 60 payroll transactions selected for testing did not have sufficient audit evidence to demonstrate the District was following their internal control processes. Cause: Due to an oversight by the staff, there was one instance of a supervisor not providing appropriate approval on a timecard. Additionally, there was one instance of a clerical error made by the Business Office that resulted in a variance in the hours paid compared to the hours worked. The third exception was due to the District not being able to provide sufficient documentation/timecard to support the wages charged to the grant. Effect: The internal controls implemented by the District were not operating effectively. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: We recommend that the District strengthen internal controls over payroll charged to Federal awards by ensuring required approvals are obtained and review processes occur. Additionally, the District should review their record retention policy to ensure sufficient supporting documentation is retained to demonstrate compliance with Federal requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: Management is in agreement with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-4 –Activities Allowed Contact Person: Kaitlin M. Rosselli, Business Manager Recommendation: We recommend that the District strengthen internal controls over payroll charged to Federal awards by ensuring required approvals are obtained and review processes occur. Additionally, the District should review their record retention policy to ensure sufficient supporting documentation is retained to demonstrate compliance with Federal requirements. Action: The District will ensure that all payroll timecards are approved and signed by the appropriate supervisor before being processed for payment. The payroll clerk will not process the timecard unless it is signed and approved. Additionally, we will review the District’s record retention policy to ensure sufficient supporting documentation is retained to demonstrate compliance with Federal requirements. The District will thoroughly review timecards to avoid clerical errors in the future. Date for Completion: These steps have already been put into place and will continue to be built upon.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1168599 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1168600 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1168601 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1168602 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1168604 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $305,827
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $193,750
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $89,090
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $50,791
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $41,954
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $29,217
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $1,416
10.649 PANDEMIC EBT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS $628
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $577