Finding 1224643 (2024-002)

Recommendation We recommend that UVNR strengthen its payroll review and approval procedures by requiring that: - The final timesheet used to process payroll be reviewed and approved by the appropriate supervisor before payroll is submitted; - Approved timesheets be reconciled to the payroll register and retained with the payroll documentation; - Timesheet calculations and total hours be independently reviewed for math accuracy; - Version controls be implemented to clearly identify the final approved timesheet when corrected or revised timesheets are submitted; and - Payroll errors and discrepancies be documented and corrected promptly through a subsequent payroll. Management Response Corrective Action: The identified exceptions resulted from isolated administrative errors in the payroll review process and did not reflect intentional noncompliance. Specifically, one exception occurred because an updated Excel timesheet was used for payroll processing without obtaining the required supervisory approval or retaining documentation demonstrating approval of the final version. The second exception resulted from a clerical error in totaling hours on a timesheet. Management acknowledges that these errors indicate opportunities to strengthen payroll review, documentation, and reconciliation procedures. To address the finding, UVNR has implemented enhanced payroll controls designed to improve the accuracy, completeness, and documentation of payroll transactions charged to federal awards: • All payroll timesheets must receive documented supervisory approval before payroll is processed. Only the final approved version of the timesheet may be submitted for payroll processing. • Payroll staff will reconcile approved timesheets to the payroll register prior to payroll submission and retain the approved timesheets with the supporting payroll documentation. • An independent review of timesheet calculations and total hours will be performed before payroll is finalized to verify mathematical accuracy. • Version control procedures have been established to ensure that revised or corrected timesheets are clearly identified as the final approved version, with prior versions retained as appropriate for audit purposes. • Any payroll discrepancies identified after processing will be documented and corrected through the next available payroll cycle, with supporting documentation maintained for the adjustment. • In addition, management will provide refresher training to supervisors and payroll personnel regarding timesheet approval requirements, documentation retention, and payroll review procedures to promote consistent compliance with internal controls and federal grant requirements. Management expects these corrective actions to strengthen internal controls over payroll processing and prevent similar exceptions in the future. Due Date of Completion July 21, 2026 Responsible Party(ies) Co-Executive Directors