Finding Text
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PASSED THROUGH ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COVID-19 ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND - AL NUMBER 84.425U PASS-THROUGH NUMBER 5440 AUDIT PERIOD - YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 2025-003. Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Criteria or specific requirement: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2 CFR part 200, subpart E – Cost Principles, establishes principles for determining the allowable costs incurred by the School under federal awards. Such costs are to be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the federal award. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2 CFR part 200 subpart D - Establish, document and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal Award. Such Controls are necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal Award. Condition: In our test of Education Stabilization Fund non-payroll expenditures, documentation was not provided for three expenditures totaling $47,412. Additionally, $61,332 of the non-payroll expenditures tested lacked documented approval prior to payment. A similar finding was issued in the prior year audit. Cause: Lack of internal controls and management oversight over program expenditures. Effect or potential effect: Documentation was not retained for audit resulting in questioned costs. Questioned costs: $47,412. Context: A sample of 6 non-payroll expenditures totaling $306,142 from a population of 56 totaling $3,559,186. Our sample was not a statistically valid sample. Identification as a repeat finding: Yes Recommendation: To ensure expenditures charged to federal award programs are accurate, all expenditures should be reviewed and approved by appropriate Charter School personnel. Documentation of this review and approval should be maintained. Furthermore, documentation for all expenditures should be maintained. Views of responsible officials: The School has made personnel and policy changes, and has put in place a purchase order process of approval that documents expenditures in compliance with audit regulations. The School has also made coding corrections and implemented proper controls over program expenditures.