Finding 1214804 (2025-002)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There are material weaknesses in tracking and allocating allowable costs for the AL 10.182 Local Food Purchase Assistance Program.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Organization must have proper internal controls to ensure accurate cost allocation to the Federal Program.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen internal controls and update the cost allocation policy to prevent unallowable expenditures.

Finding Text

Section III - Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs Finding No. 2025-2 Statement of Condition Instances of material weakness with the tracking and allocation of certain allowable costs for the AL 10.182 Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program ("Federal Program"). Criteria The Organization must ensure proper internal controls are in place to support and allocate allowable costs to the Federal Program. Questioned Costs None Effect or potential effect Unallowable expenditures could be allocated to the Federal Program. Cause Certain controls were not sufficiently designed or documented to ensure consistent accuracy in tracking and allocating expenditures to the Federal Program. Recommendation We recommend the Organization implement stronger internal controls related to program requirements and update their cost allocation policy. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action Management takes the finding seriously and is committed to remediating the identified material weakness by strengthening internal controls, enhancing compliance processes, and supporting sustained adherence to all applicable federal program requirements and regulations. This was a pilot grant program. While all grant deliverables were met and intended programmatic outcomes achieved, certain cost allocation processes evolved as program operations progressed, presenting challenges in the tracking and allocation of certain shared costs across funding sources. Corrective actions have already begun in response to the specific audit finding and to further strengthen our continued effective administration of federally funded programs.

Corrective Action Plan

Management takes the finding seriously and is committed to remediating the identified material weakness by strengthening internal controls, enhancing compliance processes, and supporting sustained adherence to all applicable federal program requirements and regulations. This was a pilot grant program. While all grant deliverables were met and intended programmatic outcomes achieved, certain cost allocation processes evolved as program operations progressed, presenting challenges in the tracking and allocation of certain shared costs across funding sources. Corrective actions have already begun in response to the specific audit finding and to further strengthen our continued effective administration of federally funded programs.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1214793 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214794 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214795 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214796 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214797 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214798 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214799 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214800 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214801 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214802 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214803 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.251 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, AND MISCELLANEOUS GRANTS $725,587
10.902 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION $89,345
10.311 BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM $85,591
10.182 PANDEMIC RELIEF ACTIVITIES: LOCAL FOOD PURCHASE AGREEMENTS WITH STATES, TRIBES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS $23,004
10.175 FARMERS MARKET AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PROGRAM $20,300
10.234 AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INVESTMENT PROGRAM $7,875