Finding 1227907 (2024-014)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-08-26
Audit: 409803
Organization: Arkansas Baptist College (AR)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: ABC failed to provide necessary documentation to support the information reported on the FISAP, raising concerns about accuracy and compliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: The lack of documentation violates OMB 2 CFR Part 200 and 34 CFR §673.3, which mandate accurate record-keeping for federal financial aid programs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: ABC should enhance internal controls, ensure complete documentation retention, reconcile reported data, and implement supervisory reviews before FISAP submission.

Finding Text

Audit Finding Reference Number 2024 – 014 – Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification ALN Title and Number 84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) 84.003 Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) Federal Award Year June 30, 2024 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria OMB 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, Compliance Supplement, Part 5 – Student Financial Assistance Programs, Financial Reporting, and 34 CFR §673.3 requires institutions participating in the Campus-Based Programs to prepare and submit the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) in accordance with the requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education. Institutions are responsible for maintaining complete and accurate records supporting the information reported on the FISAP and must retain documentation sufficient to demonstrate the accuracy, completeness, and validity of the reported information. Conditions and Context During my audit, ABC did not provide supporting documentation to substantiate information reported on the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP). Specifically, the following supporting documentation was not provided for audit review: • Evidence supporting the submission of the FISAP. • Part II (Application), Section D, Line 7 – Total number of students for schools with a traditional calendar. • Part II (Application), Section D, Lines 9–20 – Total number of students for schools with a non-traditional calendar. • Part II (Application), Section E, Line 22 – Total tuition and fees. • Part II (Application), Section E, Line 23 – Total Federal Pell Grant expenditures. • Part II (Application), Section F, Lines 25–39 – Information on eligible aid applicants. • Part III (Perkins), Section A, Line 1.1 – Cash on hand and in depository. • Part IV (FSEOG), Section C, Lines 12–14 – Funds to FSEOG recipients. • Part V (FWS), Section C, Lines 12–14 – Total compensation for Federal Work-Study students. As a result, I was unable to determine whether the information reported on the FISAP was complete, accurate, and supported by the institution's records. Cause ABC did not establish and implement adequate internal controls to ensure documentation supporting the information reported on the FISAP was maintained and readily available for audit. Specifically, management did not maintain sufficient supporting records or implement procedures to retain documentation substantiating amounts and information reported on the FISAP. Questioned Cost For purposes of this condition, I do not have any questioned costs. Effect As a result of these deficiencies, ABC was unable to demonstrate that the information reported on the FISAP was complete, accurate, and prepared in accordance with federal requirements. Without adequate supporting documentation, the institution cannot substantiate information reported to the U.S. Department of Education, increasing the risk of inaccurate financial reporting and noncompliance with federal reporting requirements. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation I recommend that ABC strengthen its internal controls over the preparation and retention of documentation supporting the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP). Management should implement procedures to maintain complete supporting documentation for all amounts and information reported on the FISAP, reconcile reported information to the institution's financial aid, student information, and accounting records, retain evidence of the completed FISAP submission, and require supervisory review of the supporting documentation prior to submission of the report. Management Response The Institution concurs with this finding. With new leadership and processes, Arkansas Baptist College will continue to enhance and strengthen its internal controls over the preparation and retention of documentation supporting the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP). Leadership will continue to make changes to implement stronger procedures to maintain complete supporting documentation for all amounts and information reported on the FISAP, reconcile reported information to the institution's financial aid, student information, and accounting records, retain evidence of the completed FISAP submission, and require supervisory review of the supporting documentation prior to submission of the report.

Corrective Action Plan

2024 – 014 – Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) The Institution concurs with this finding. With new leadership and processes, Arkansas Baptist College will continue to enhance and strengthen its internal controls over the preparation and retention of documentation supporting the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP). Leadership will continue to make changes to implement stronger procedures to maintain complete supporting documentation for all amounts and information reported on the FISAP, reconcile reported information to the institution's financial aid, student information, and accounting records, retain evidence of the completed FISAP submission, and require supervisory review of the supporting documentation prior to submission of the report. Responsible Administrators: Director of Financial Aid & Chief Financial Officer Effective: Immediately and ongoing

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1227879 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227880 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227881 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227882 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227883 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227884 2024-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227885 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227886 2024-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227887 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227888 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227889 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227890 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227891 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227892 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227893 2024-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227894 2024-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227895 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227896 2024-013
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227897 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227898 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227899 2024-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227900 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227901 2024-014
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227902 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227903 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227904 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227905 2024-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227906 2024-012
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $2.25M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $2.08M
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONAL AID $915,600
84.047 TRIO UPWARD BOUND $301,386
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $211,300
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $157,042
84.382 STRENGTHENING MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS $69,298
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $63,047