Finding 1214504 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-05-12
Audit: 401203
Organization: Home Start INC (CA)
Auditor: LEAF & COLE LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Home Start, Inc. failed to provide a completed Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) before the audit began, delaying the identification of federal expenditures.
  • Impacted Requirements: This situation violates 2 CFR §200.510(b), which mandates that auditees prepare an accurate SEFA reflecting total federal expenditures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement formal procedures to track federal expenditures year-round and ensure the SEFA is prepared and reviewed before the audit starts.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-002: Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Condition At the beginning of the audit, Home Start, Inc. did not provide a properly completed Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). Certain programs administered by the Organization were funded through a combination of federal and non-federal sources. The Organization had not identified the portion of expenditures attributable to federal awards prior to the commencement of audit fieldwork. As a result, the identification of federal expenditures and the amounts to be included in the SEFA occurred during the audit process rather than prior to the start of the audit. This resulted in delays in determining the complete population of federal expenditures and the programs subject to audit under the Uniform Guidance. Criteria Under 2 CFR §200.510(b) of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), auditees are responsible for preparing a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards for the period covered by the financial statements. The SEFA must accurately present total federal expenditures for each federal program, including the Assistance Listing number and pass-through identifying information, where applicable. Cause The Organization does not have a formalized process to identify and track the federal portion of expenditures for programs funded through multiple sources during the fiscal year. As a result, management had not compiled or finalized the SEFA prior to the start of the audit. Effect The absence of a completed SEFA at the commencement of the audit delayed the auditor’s ability to determine the population of federal expenditures and identify major programs for testing under the Uniform Guidance. This resulted in additional time required during fieldwork to determine the appropriate amounts to include in the SEFA. Recommendation We recommend that management implement procedures to identify and track federal expenditures by Assistance Listing number throughout the year, particularly for programs with mixed funding sources. Management should prepare and review a complete and accurate SEFA prior to the start of the audit, including identification of federal funding components within blended funding streams. Establishing formal procedures for the preparation and review of the SEFA will help ensure compliance with 2 CFR §200.510(b) and support timely completion of the annual Single Audit.

Corrective Action Plan

Management acknowledges that a formalized process to identify and track federal expenditures for SEFA preparation was not in place during the audit period. Steps have since been taken to improve tracking and reporting of federal expenditures throughout the year. With a stable accounting team in place since September 2024, management has increased oversight and accountability for grant coding and federal award identification. Additionally, the implementation of Blackbaud Financial Edge in FY2027 will allow for more precise tracking of funding sources, including the ability to segment federal and non-federal expenditures within programs and generate SEFA-ready reports. These improvements will enable the Organization to prepare a complete and accurate SEFA prior to the start of future audits and ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Actions Taken - Established internal processes to identify and track federal expenditures throughout the fiscal year - Increased review procedures over grant coding and funding source classification - Assigned responsibility for SEFA preparation and review prior to audit fieldwork - Initiated implementation of Blackbaud Financial Edge to automate and enhance federal reporting capabilities

Categories

Reporting Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1214497 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214498 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214499 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214500 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214501 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214502 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214503 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214505 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.248 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS SECTION 108 LOAN GUARANTEES $653,602
14.267 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM $590,298
93.569 COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT $539,705
16.575 CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE $475,515
93.671 FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES $384,898
14.218 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/ENTITLEMENT GRANTS $289,720
93.556 MARYLEE ALLEN PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM $221,179
93.550 TRANSITIONAL LIVING FOR HOMELESS YOUTH $170,887
10.561 STATE ADMINISTRATIVE MATCHING GRANTS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $50,515
21.009 VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM $44,317
93.778 GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID $8,077