Finding 1186730 (2025-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
BC
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-26
Audit: 394450
Organization: Lyon College (AR)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Federal funds were drawn in advance and misused, totaling $9,574,454 in questioned costs.
  • Impacted Requirements: Violations of 2 CFR 200.304(a) and 2 CFR 200.305(b) regarding allowable costs and cash management.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enforce cash management policies to ensure compliance with federal regulations; a Corrective Action Plan will be submitted by management.

Finding Text

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Health Resources and Services Administration Finding 2025-004: Material Weakness in Internal Control and Material Noncompliance – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles & Cash Management – Community Project Funding/Congressional Directives Program #93.493 Statement of Condition: During our audit, we noted that federal funds available under the grant were drawn in advance and were used for purposes other than those stated in the grant agreement. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.304(a), costs must be “necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award”. Also, per 2 CFR 200.305(b), “Advance payments to a recipient or subrecipient must be limited to the minimum amounts needed and be timed with actual, immediate cash requirements of the recipient or subrecipient in carrying out the purpose of the approved program or project. The timing and amount of advance payments must be as close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by the recipient or subrecipient for direct program or project costs and the proportionate share of any allowable indirect costs.” Effect of Condition: Federal funds were inappropriately drawn in advance and used on unallowable costs. Questioned Costs: The questioned costs total $9,574,454, which represent federal funds drawn in advance and used for purposes other than stated in the grant agreement. Cause of Condition: The College does not consistently follow its policies and procedures related to federal grant funding. Recommendation: We recommend that the College enforce its cash management policy and ensure that controls surrounding cash management of federal funds are in accordance with 2 CFR 200.305(b). Management’s Response: Management agrees and will submit a Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2025-004: Material Weakness in Internal Control and Material Noncompliance – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles & Cash Management – Community Project Funding/Congressional Directives Program Corrective Action: The College will strengthen oversight of federal grant cash management and compliance with federal regulations. Management will review and enforce existing cash management policies to ensure that federal funds are drawn only as needed for allowable costs and in accordance with 2 CFR 200.305. Additional internal controls will be implemented to ensure that grant expenditures are reviewed for allowability and that drawdowns are properly timed with actual program expenditures. Management has reviewed the grant activity related to the questioned costs identified during the audit. Prior to the completion of the audit fieldwork, all equipment associated with the grant had been purchased in accordance with the grant’s approved purposes. The College will continue to monitor expenditures and grant activity to ensure that all remaining grant funds are used in compliance with federal requirements and the terms of the grant agreement. Proposed Completion Date: June 30, 2026

Categories

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Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.493 CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTIVES $5.43M
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $3.38M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $2.20M
84.047 TRIO UPWARD BOUND $395,716
93.243 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROJECTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE $119,004
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $87,938
93.859 BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING $66,870
16.525 GRANTS TO REDUCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING ON CAMPUS $58,892
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $46,759
43.008 OFFICE OF STEM ENGAGEMENT (OSTEM) $14,784
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $11,316