Finding Text
Finding 2025-002 Insufficient Documentation of Personnel Expenses Type of Finding: Noncompliance and Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Condition: The Organization charges a material amount of payroll-related costs to its major federal program. However, for 7 months of the year, it did not maintain sufficient documentation to support the level of effort charged to the award, as required by federal regulations. While staff members are required to complete timesheets, the format did not capture the level of detail needed to substantiate payroll allocations to federal programs. Additionally, there was no formal process for supervisory review and approval of these timesheets. Although no overcharges or double-dipping were identified, the lack of adequate documentation results in known and likely questioned costs due to noncompliance with documentation requirements. A new system was implemented in August 2025 which improved the deficiencies and compliance matters for the remainder of the year. Criteria: According to Uniform Guidance 2 CFR §200.430(g), the Organization's charges to federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must be supported by a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. The records also must reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated. The records also must support the distribution of the employee's salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Cause: This issue appears to stem from two primary causes: (1) the timesheet system in use was not designed to capture the information needed to support federal payroll charges, and (2) there is a lack of formal internal controls around timekeeping, including supervisory review and approval of reported time. Possible of Known Effect: As a result, a material amount of salary and payroll taxes charged to the federal program is not adequately supported in accordance with 2 CFR 200.430. This leads to both known and likely questioned costs. The absence of proper documentation increases the risk of misallocated expenses and undermines the Organization’s ability to demonstrate compliance with federal cost principles. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs of $15,361 were identified. Repeat Finding: This finding is a repeat from the prior year. The previous finding was 2024-002. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization revise its timekeeping system to ensure that staff members record time in a manner that clearly supports the allocation of payroll costs to federal programs. Additionally, we recommend the development and documentation of internal controls to oversee the time reporting process and ensure compliance with federal requirements. The changes implemented in August 2025 appear to address the issues identified in this finding. Views of Responsible Officials: The Organization started using features within Gusto beginning in August 2025 that capture employee name, pay period, hours worked by funding source, detailed notes (if applicable) and supervisory approval. The Organization trained all staff whose salaries are charged in whole or in part to grants on documentation and time allocation requirements. Monthly timesheets charged to grants are reviewed before submission for reimbursement. All timesheets require approval by a supervisor before payroll is processed and the final payroll requires two approvals by the CEO. Accounting Manager and/or the Development Manager. The Organization will conduct quarterly internal reviews to ensure compliance and adjust as needed.