Finding 1214333 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-05-08
Audit: 400998
Auditor: 911194016

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance related to allowable costs for federal awards.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with U.S. CFR 200.303, which mandates effective internal controls for managing federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: AAHI should implement stronger internal controls to ensure proper documentation and management approval for all costs charged to federal awards.

Finding Text

Significant deficiency in internal control over compliance and compliance as it relates to allowable costs and activities. Federal Agency: All awards within the Research and Development Cluster Program Title: All awards within the Research and Development Cluster Assistance Listing Number: All awards within the Research and Development Cluster Award Number: All awards within the Research and Development Cluster Award Period: All awards within the Research and Development Cluster Criteria 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Section 200.303 requires that each recipient of federal awards “Establish, document, and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the recipient is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.” Condition/Context for Evaluation During our audit, we tested nonpayroll costs charged to the federal awards for adherence to necessary compliance requirements and internal control over compliance requirements. Out of 25 sample selections, we noted the following related to seven sample items: - Five of seven sample items selected involved overcharges to the grants. All five showed management approval for the incorrect amounts. - One of seven sample items selected had no supporting documentation. - One of seven sample items had no management approval. Questioned Costs $1,790 Effect or Potential Effect AAHI may have charged unallowable or incorrect costs to the federal awards. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation We recommend AAHI implement the necessary internal controls to (1) ensure documentation is retained to support costs spent on federal awards and (2) ensure all costs are properly approved and for the correct amounts. Views of Responsible Officials of Auditee Management concurs with the finding and has provided the accompanying corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Significant deficiency in internal control over compliance and compliance as it relates to allowable costs and activities. Federal Agency: All awards within the Research and Development Cluster Program Title: All awards within the Research and Development Cluster Assistance Listing Number: All awards within the Research and Development Cluster Award Number: All awards within the Research and Development Cluster Award Period: All awards within the Research and Development Cluster Criteria 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Section 200.303 requires that each recipient of federal awards “Establish, document, and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the recipient is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.” Condition/Context for Evaluation During our audit, we tested nonpayroll costs charged to the federal awards for adherence to necessary compliance requirements and internal control over compliance requirements. Out of 25 sample selections, we noted the following related to seven sample items: - Five of seven sample items selected involved overcharges to the grants. All five showed management approval for the incorrect amounts. - One of seven sample items selected had no supporting documentation. - One of seven sample items had no management approval. Questioned Costs $1,790 Effect or Potential Effect AAHI may have charged unallowable or incorrect costs to the federal awards. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation We recommend AAHI implement the necessary internal controls to (1) ensure documentation is retained to support costs spent on federal awards and (2) ensure all costs are properly approved and for the correct amounts. Views of Responsible Officials of Auditee Management concurs with the finding and has provided the accompanying corrective action plan.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1214326 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214327 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214328 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214329 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214330 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214331 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214332 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.RD Multivalent Flavivirus Vaccine Development Using a Flexible Replication RNA Platform $2.78M
93.RD Advanced Development and Clinical Evaluation of a Synthetic Intranasal Entamoeba Histolytica Vaccine Containing Adjuvant $1.34M
93.RD Development of Vaccine Candidates for Biodefenses, AMR Infections and Emerging Infectious Diseases $1.32M
12.420 MILITARY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT $50,523
93.RD Adjuvant Discovery Program $47,422
93.855 ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES RESEARCH $9,244