Finding 1215533 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-05-26
Audit: 402190
Organization: Tuerk House, Inc. (MD)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Inadequate documentation for payroll and direct expenditures related to Opioid STR ALN No. 93.788, leading to questioned costs of $8,561.
  • Impacted Requirements: Failure to comply with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E regarding proper documentation and tracking of actual time and effort against budgeted percentages.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should establish stronger internal controls and policies to ensure accurate cost allocation and regular certification of time and effort by employees.

Finding Text

Opioid STR ALN No. 93.788 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Criteria or Specific Requirement – Activities Allowed and Unallowed and Cost Principles – 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E Condition – A sample of 80 expenditures were selected from ALN No. 93.788, which included the following populations: • Payroll expenditures - a total of 487 total items totaling $1,589,426. • Direct expenditures – a total of 284 total items totaling $310,843 The samples were not, and are not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the expenditures tested the following items were determined to lack appropriate supporting documentation to support being charged to the grant program: • Payroll expenditures - 40 items totaling $10,310 • Direct expenditures – 38 items totaling $872 The Organization did not have adequate supporting documentation demonstrating actual time and effort reporting. Cause – The Organization charged budgeted percentages to the grant programs without a system in place to monitor and track that actual time and effort was consistent with budgeted percentages. Effect or potential effect – Costs charged to the grant programs could have varied from actual time and effort. Questioned costs – $8,561. These questioned costs were determined by an allocation charged to both direct expenditures and payroll expenses greater than actual time consistent with usage related to the grant. Context – The Organization did not have a reasonable methodology of allocating costs to these grant programs. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable – Repeat finding (see 2024-002 and 2023-003). Recommendation – Management should implement policies and procedures that strengthen internal control over compliance in relation to activities allowed and cost principles. The policy and procedure should be designed to ensure that a reasonable allocation methodology is implemented and followed or that time and effort is certified by the employee on a regular basis.

Corrective Action Plan

Tuerk House, Inc. recognizes the importance of maintaining compliance with federal grant requirements related to allowable costs and documentation standards. The Organization acknowledges the continued deficiencies identified in the areas of time and effort reporting and supporting documentation for expenditures charged to grant programs and reaffirms its commitment to achieving full compliance. To address this repeat finding, Tuerk House has implemented or is continuing to implement the following corrective actions: • Implemented a formal time and effort certification process requiring employees to certify actual time worked on federal grant activities on a regular basis, rather than relying on budgeted allocations. • Developed a standardized cost allocation methodology that aligns with actual grant activity and is supported by verifiable documentation. • Required that all expenditures charged to federal awards be supported by complete and accurate source documentation, including vendor invoices, timesheets, and approvals. • Established a document retention policy consistent with 2 CFR § 200.334 to ensure all supporting records are retained for the required period and readily accessible for audit or review. Training sessions for program and finance staff have been conducted, and ongoing training will continue to ensure consistent understanding and application of these updated policies and procedures. Organization Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action – Kisun Peters, Director of Finance Anticipated Completion Date – June 30, 2026

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1215534 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.788 OPIOID STR $2.50M
93.959 BLOCK GRANTS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE $1.33M
95.007 RESEARCH AND DATA ANALYSIS $163,605
21.019 CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND $7,144