Finding 1228066 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-08-27
Audit: 409908
Organization: Kids Cove Community Outreach (TX)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a material weakness in internal controls over compliance related to allowable costs for the Summer Food Service Program.
  • Impacted Requirements: Personnel expenses must be accurately recorded and supported by internal controls as per Section 200.430 of the Uniform Guidance.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Management should review and update procedures to ensure compliance with Section 200.430 for accurate personnel cost reporting.

Finding Text

Finding No. 2024‐002: Allowable costs – Material weakness in internal control over compliance and compliance finding 10.559 Summer Food Service Program For Children (SFSP) Criteria: In accordance with Section 200.430 of the Uniform Guidance, charges for personnel expenses using federal awards must be supported by a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that charges are accurate, allowable and properly allocated. Condition: During our review of personnel expenses, we noted that 24 of 24 sampled personnel costs were recorded at the net amounts paid to the employees on the manual grant program expenditure listing. This had the effect of understating the total costs charged to the grant program for both the taxes withheld from the employees as well as the company match. It also understated the total amount of grant program expenditures listed on the SEFA. Cause: Management error. Effect: Understatement of total costs charged to the grant program for both the taxes withheld from the employees as well as the company match. It also understated the total amount of grant program expenditures listed on the SEFA. Questioned costs: None. There were no questioned costs as amounts paid to KCCO are based on meals served multiplied by the applicable rate per meal and are not based on actual costs incurred or reported. Recommendation: Management should review the current procedures and the requirements of Section 200.430 and implement changes where necessary to ensure personnel costs are charged in accordance with Section 200.430. Management’s Response: See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Planned: Kids Cove Community Outreach acknowledges the finding related to the recording of personnel costs at the net amount paid to employees rather than recording the full gross payroll expense, including employee withholdings and applicable employer payroll taxes and matching contributions. To correct this finding, Kids Cove Community Outreach will implement a mandatory supervisory review process for all payroll-related charges to the SFSP grant program. All payroll charged to the SFSP program will be recorded based on the employee's gross wages, rather than the employee's net paycheck amount. Applicable employer payroll taxes and other allowable employer-paid payroll costs will also be included in the total personnel expense charged to the program when applicable and properly supported. The organization will maintain payroll registers, employee time records/timesheets, payroll reports, payroll tax records, canceled checks or electronic payment documentation, and other supporting documentation necessary to substantiate personnel costs charged to the federal program. Effective immediately, all payroll charges to the SFSP program are subject to mandatory supervisory review before the payroll expenditure is finalized and posted to the grant program records. The Administrative Assistant and Director will review and approve the payroll documentation to verify that: 1. The employee was authorized to work for the program. 2. The hours or salary charged are supported by an approved timesheet or payroll record. 3. Gross wages, rather than net wages, are used to determine the personnel expense. 4. Applicable employer payroll taxes and other allowable employer-paid costs are properly included. 5. Payroll costs are charged to the appropriate program and accounting period. 6. The amounts recorded in the grant expenditure ledger agree with the payroll register and supporting payroll documentation. 7. Any corrections or adjustments are documented and approved by the supervisor. The supervisory review will be documented by the supervisor's initials/signature and date on the payroll review checklist. No payroll expenditure will be posted to the SFSP grant records without completion of the required supervisory review. The Director will perform a monthly reconciliation of payroll charged to the SFSP program to the payroll register and general ledger to ensure that personnel costs are recorded completely and accurately. The Director and Accounting Personnel responsible for payroll processing, grant accounting, and financial recordkeeping will receive training on the proper recording of payroll costs under applicable federal requirements, including the distinction between gross wages, employee withholdings, and employer payroll taxes and matching contributions. The Director will be responsible for ensuring that the mandatory supervisory review is completed. The payroll/bookkeeping personnel will prepare and maintain the payroll documentation and grant expenditure records on a quarterly basis. The mandatory supervisory review process will be implemented immediately and will apply to all payroll charged to the SFSP and CACFP program beginning with the next payroll cycle and continuing for all subsequent payroll periods. The Administrator and Secretary will periodically review payroll records, grant expenditure listings, payroll registers, and supporting documentation to ensure that the corrective action remains effective. Any errors identified during supervisory review or subsequent monitoring will be corrected promptly and documented. Management will retain evidence of the required supervisory reviews and reconciliations for audit and compliance purposes.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Material Weakness Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1228067 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.558 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM $721,909
10.559 SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN $112,341