Finding 1177836 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-10

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a material weakness in internal controls over compliance, specifically in the review and approval process for grant reports.
  • Impacted Requirements: Management must ensure that reports are independently reviewed and approved by someone knowledgeable about the program and grant requirements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure all grant reports are reviewed by a qualified individual not subordinate to the report preparer, with formal documentation retained for accountability.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Federal Program Name: Workforce Investment Opportunity Act Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 17.258, 17.259, 17.278 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 23A55AY000017 – 2023 24A55AY000071 – 2024 AA-34801-20-55-A-53 – 2022 7624-07-11 – 2024 Pass-Through Agency: State of Washington - Employment Security Department Pass-Through Number(s): K8001, K8385, K7497, K8488 Award Period: K8001 – April 01, 2023 – June 30, 2025 K8385 – July 01, 2024 – June 30, 2026 K7497 – April 01, 2022 – March 31, 2025 K8488 – July 01, 2024 – September 30, 2025Type of Finding: • Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance – Reporting Criteria or specific requirement: Management is responsible for developing and maintaining internal controls over reporting that include the independent review and approval of grant reports submitted to the granting agency. Condition: During audit procedures, we noted that required reports were prepared by the Fiscal Director and reviewed and approved by the Program Director. During the year under audit, the review and approval of required reports was reassigned to the Staff Accountant. Questioned costs: None. Context: For three of the five reports tested, evidence of review and approval consisted solely of initials. The auditor was unable to confirm that the initials represented the staff accountant. Additionally, the staff accountant lacked knowledge of the program and grant requirements necessary to perform effective review and approval. Cause: Lack of independent review and approval of reports by a supervisory individual knowledgeable of the program and grant requirements. Effect: Lack of proper review and approval could result in incorrect information being submitted on required reports. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that all grant reports are reviewed and approved by an individual knowledgeable of the program and the reporting requirements. It is recommended that this individual is not a subordinate of the individual preparing the reports. The review and approval should be formally documented and retained. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Workforce Investment Opportunity Act Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 17.258, 17.259, 17.278 Recommendation: We recommend that all grant reports are reviewed and approved by an individual knowledgeable of the program and the reporting requirements. It is recommended that this individual is not a subordinate of the individual preparing the reports. The review and approval should be formally documented and retained. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The Fiscal Director has implemented a new process utilizing Adobe e-sign beginning with the current program year. All required reporting will be sent to the Programs Director through Adobe e-sign for her to review and initial. This process was started in September 2025 and the reviewed reports, along with audit trail reports, will be retained in the pdf format. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: DeAnn Bock Planned completion date for corrective action plan: Completed prior to audit – subscription purchased in September 2025. If the U.S. Department of Labor has questions regarding this plan, please call DeAnn Bock at 509-734-5944.

Categories

Material Weakness Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1177832 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177833 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177834 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177835 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
17.258 WIOA ADULT PROGRAM $921,614
17.259 WIOA Youth Activities $915,770
17.278 WIOA Dislocated Worker Formula Grants $804,452
17.277 WIOA NATIONAL DISLOCATED WORKER GRANTS / WIA NATIONAL EMERGENCY GRANTS $269,297
17.258 Economic Security for All $94,079