Finding 1215880 (2024-011)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-05-28

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization lacks adequate controls over the reporting and spending of Federal Funds, leading to significant deficiencies.
  • Impacted Requirements: Fiscal policies for expense approvals and payroll reviews were not followed, resulting in unverified expenses and improper payroll allocations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement regular reviews of expense documentation and payroll allocations, ensuring they are based on actual hours worked and properly documented.

Finding Text

Controls Over Federal Programs U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services Activities Allowed/Allowable Costs – Significant Deficiency – Internal Control Finding Conditions: The Organization did not have adequate controls over the reporting or expending of Federal Funds. Criteria: Per the Organization’s fiscal policies, purchase orders/credit card payments or cash payment forms are signed by supervisor and CFO noting approval of expenses. Payroll registers are signed as reviewed and approved by CFO. Context: 60 out of 60 selections for testing did not have documented control procedures. Payroll expenses did not tie to distribution reports, there was no documented review of payroll throughout the year, and large reallocations were made after year end based on estimated time and effort to programs. No documentation was maintained for the rationale of these reallocations other than approval by CEO. Invoices were not coded and there was no documentation of review of allocations to Federal Award Programs. 3 of 60 selections tested did not have underlying support. Cause: The Organization did not follow control procedures routinely and has not adopted sufficient relevant controls over the accounting of Federal Expenditures. Effect: Expenses may not be allocated correctly, and payroll expenses were required to be allocated across multiple programs after year end. Repeat: Repeat finding of 2023-007. Recommendation: RBT recommends that the Organization require support for all expenses coded to Federal Awards to be reviewed for proper allocation, period of performance and allowability of the expense. RBT also recommends that payroll allocations are reviewed regularly and updated in the payroll system and the accounting system. Payroll allocations should be based on actual hours worked or documented time studies. Documentation of review and approvals of these control procedures should be maintained on file. Management Response: See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Controls Over Federal Programs Management acknowledges that documented control procedures were absent across all selections tested for federal expenditures, and that payroll allocations were not consistently reviewed or supported throughout the year. The Organization will require that all invoices coded to federal award programs include documentation of review, proper allocation rationale, and management approval before payment is processed. Payroll allocations will be updated in both the payroll and accounting systems on a regular basis, supported by actual time records or documented time studies rather than year-end estimates. This process has already taken place in late 2025 and the CFO and Controller will oversee the process.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Period of Performance Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1215873 2024-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1215874 2024-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1215875 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1215876 2024-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1215877 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1215878 2024-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1215879 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1215881 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.958 BLOCK GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES $463,206
14.267 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM $416,381
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $117,771