Finding 1180717 (2024-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-03-17

AI Summary

  • Answer: Payroll documentation for the Head Start program did not fully meet allowable cost requirements.
  • Trend: There is a recurring issue with compliance in payroll documentation across similar programs.
  • List: Review payroll records, ensure proper documentation practices, and provide training on allowable costs.

Finding Text

Allowable Costs, Cost Principles; Payroll Documentation, Program - Head Start

Corrective Action Plan

Management recognizes that the payroll software transition and the absence of formally documented procedures governing payroll data preservation and time-and-effort reporting resulted in gaps in compliance. Specifically, legacy payroll and timesheet data were not fully preserved prior to system migration, and payroll allocations were, for a period, based on budgeted estimates rather than actual time worked. Management started implementing corrective actions to address both the immediate documentation gaps and the underlying internal control weaknesses. 1. Time-and-Effort Documentation System CPA transitioned to a new standardized payroll and time-reporting system in early 2024, which requires all employees whose compensation is charged in whole or in part to federal awards to document actual time worked, as follows: o Currently employees record time by department and program activity. o In December 2025, management is configuring the payroll system to allow employee time allocations down to the individual contract level. o Time reporting will be based on actual hours worked, not budgeted or estimated percentages and replace prior budget-based allocation methodologies. o Timesheets are reviewed and approved by supervisors on a bi-weekly basis and are maintained as part of CPA’s official payroll and accounting records. Management will establish guidelines and document formal procedures to ensure full data preservation prior to any future system migrations, including payroll, HR, or financial systems. These procedures include: o A mandatory pre-migration data inventory and archival checklist, approved by Finance and IT leadership o Secure retention of legacy payroll, timesheet, and personnel records in accordance with CPA’s record-retention policy o Verification testing to confirm data completeness and accessibility before decommissioning any legacy system o Written approval by the Chief Financial Officer prior to system cutover

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1180713 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180714 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180715 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180716 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180718 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.600 Early Head Start $801,147
93.600 HEAD START $377,730
14.241 HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS $144,796
10.558 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM $101,397
93.917 Title II/B of the Ryan White Act $43,289