Finding 1179629 (2025-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-16
Audit: 392040
Organization: Voices of Hope, Inc. (MD)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Transactions lacked adequate documentation, risking costs being deemed unallowable under federal guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200.403(g) and 2 CFR Part 200.334 regarding documentation and financial record-keeping.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Reinforce policies on reimbursement documentation and ensure all invoices are properly reviewed and approved before payment.

Finding Text

Significant Deficiencies Federal Program: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass-Through from Maryland Department of Health and Cecil County Health Department Major Program: Opioid State Targeted Response (93.788) Finding 2025 - 004: Transactions Lacking Adequate Documentation – Allowable Costs Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200.403(g) requires that costs should be adequately documented to support the nature and amount of a transaction for such charges to be allowable under federal awards. In addition, 2 CFR Part 200.334 requires recipients to maintain financial records sufficient to show compliance with federal statues, regulations, and terms and conditions of the award. Condition: During our audit we identified certain transactions without adequate documentation. Context: A review of 40 disbursements totaling $41,262 noted two transactions without proper support. One employee reimbursement was overpaid due to an incorrect reimbursement form, and one disbursement did not have proper approval of the invoice. Cause: The employee improperly completed the reimbursement form, and the total amount did not match the original receipt. The supervisor failed to notice this difference when reviewing the form. For the other disbursement, the invoice was not properly reviewed and approved by a supervisor prior to payment. Effect: Costs could be deemed unallowable by the awarding agency if not properly substantiated and grant funding could be improperly spent. Questioned Costs: $1,434 of known costs charged to federal awards without adequate documentation. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization reiterate its policy to employees to properly calculate and document reimbursement forms. We also recommend that management adequately review and approve all invoices as they arrive. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: We are in agreement with the finding and will reinforce our policies on reimbursements and invoice approvals.

Corrective Action Plan

The Organization has transitioned from QuickBooks to Sage Intacct accounting software, which now requires digital attachments for all transactions to ensure proper documentation. The Organization continues to review and improve processes and procedures as we grow as an organization. We will reinforce adherence to the Organization's policies.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1179627 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1179628 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.228 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/STATE'S PROGRAM AND NON-ENTITLEMENT GRANTS IN HAWAII $476,042
93.788 OPIOID STR $373,047
93.421 STRENGTHENING PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEMS AND SERVICES THROUGH NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT THE NATION’S HEALTH $154,057
93.243 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROJECTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE $136,125
16.585 TREATMENT COURT DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM $90,101
16.838 COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID, STIMULANT, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES USE PROGRAM $76,140
93.279 DRUG USE AND ADDICTION RESEARCH PROGRAMS $31,398
93.391 ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT STATE, TRIBAL, LOCAL AND TERRITORIAL (STLT) HEALTH DEPARTMENT RESPONSE TO PUBLIC HEALTH OR HEALTHCARE CRISES $26,888
93.959 BLOCK GRANTS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE $7,450