Finding 1214698 (2025-006)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
H
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-05-15

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization requested reimbursement for costs incurred outside the approved grant period.
  • Impacted Requirements: Expenses must align with the grant period as per federal award terms; $168.34 was identified as unallowable.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should establish review procedures to verify that all reimbursement requests are for expenses incurred within the approved grant period.

Finding Text

Period of Performance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Federal Program Name: Services for Trafficking Victims Assistance Listing Number: 16.320 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 15POVC‑24‑GG‑01548‑HT Pass-Through Agency: Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Award Period: October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2027 Type of Finding: • Significant deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: Expenses requested for reimbursement must be incurred during the approved grant period in accordance with the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition: During our testing, we noted the Organization requested reimbursement for costs that were incurred outside the approved grant period. Questioned costs: $168.34 was calculated as unallowable after calculating the portion of the invoice attributable to dates outside the award period. Context: Of the 5 expenses selected for testing related to reimbursement requests during the first month of the grant period, 3 were partially incurred prior to the beginning of the grant period. Cause: The Organization lacked sufficient review procedures to ensure that expenses submitted for reimbursement were incurred within the approved grant period. Effect: Without adequate controls over period‑of‑performance requirements, the Organization could request reimbursement for unallowable costs, resulting in disallowed expenditures and potential repayment to the grantor. Repeat finding: No Recommendation: Management should implement review procedures to ensure that all expenses submitted for reimbursement are incurred within the approved grant period prior to submission. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

U.S. Department of Justice Assistance Listing-No. 16.320 Recommendation: Management should implement review procedures to ensure that all expenses submitted for reimbursement are incurred within the approved grant period prior to submission. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach is strengthening reimbursement review controls for the U.S. Department of Justice program by implementing review procedures to verify that all expenses submitted for reimbursement were incurred within the approved grant period. Prior to submission of reimbursement requests, finance personnel will review invoices and service dates supporting each expenditure to confirm allowability within the grant period. In addition, reimbursement packages will require documented review and approval by both finance and program personnel prior to submission. These procedures are intended to improve compliance with grant period requirements and reduce the risk of ineligible costs being submitted for reimbursement. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Carol Rodriguez, Program Development & Quality Director; Marc Hopin, Finance Director; and Sandra Perez, Program Director Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2026

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1214693 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214694 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214695 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214696 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214697 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.567 REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE VOLUNTARY AGENCY PROGRAMS $281,830
93.558 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES $210,589
16.320 SERVICES FOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS $163,233
93.598 SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF A SEVERE FORM OF TRAFFICKING $81,381
97.024 EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM $80,023
16.575 CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE $5,698
93.575 CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT $4,659