Finding 1177948 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-11
Audit: 391354
Organization: Bamberg Council on Aging (SC)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Office on Aging failed to submit an updated indirect cost allocation plan for FY 2025, using an expired plan instead.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.414, risking unallowable or inaccurate indirect costs on federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should establish a formal policy to ensure annual updates and submissions of the indirect cost plan to the cognizant agency.

Finding Text

Criteria: Per Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.414, governmental entities must submit an annual indirect cost proposal or cost allocation plan to their cognizant agency for review and approval to recover indirect costs. Condition: The Office on Aging did not update or submit its indirect cost allocation plan for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Consequently, indirect costs were charged to federal awards based on an expired rate or plan. Cause: The Office on Aging lacked a formal process or assigned personnel responsible for ensuring the annual renewal of the indirect cost plan. Effect: Indirect costs charged to federal programs during the year may be unallowable or inaccurate, leading to potential over-recovery or under-recovery of federal funds. Questioned Costs: Undetermined amount representing the total indirect costs charged using the unapproved plan. Auditor’s Recommendation: The Office on Aging’s management should implement a policy to ensure the indirect cost plan is updated and submitted annually to the cognizant agency. All future charges should be based on an approved, current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

Corrective Action Plan

Notice of Intent to Adopt the DeMinimis Cost Rate For Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The purpose of this document is to formally announce that the Bamberg County Office on Aging is taking the necessary administrative steps to adjust its indirect cost recovery method. Effective July 1, 2026 (Fiscal Year 2026-2027), the agency will elect to charge a de minimis rate (15%) for indirect costs. Please be advised that we are unable to adjust the current indirect cost rate within the Grant Management System (GMS) at this time (FY 25-26), as any modification would disrupt the financial reporting and accounting structures of the active fiscal year. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has been formally notified that this change is technically non-viable for the current period; therefore, the implementation of the new rate will be deferred until the commencement of Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to ensure fiscal consistency and audit compliance.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1177946 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1177947 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.509 FORMULA GRANTS FOR RURAL AREAS AND TRIBAL TRANSIT PROGRAM $507,450
20.526 BUSES AND BUS FACILITIES FORMULA, COMPETITIVE, AND LOW OR NO EMISSIONS PROGRAMS $70,000
20.513 ENHANCED MOBILITY OF SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES $52,336