Finding 1228725 (2023-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
G
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2026-09-03
Audit: 410398
Organization: Activate Work Inc. (CO)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The auditee reported $128,228 in matching contributions that were not backed by actual costs, violating federal guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR §200.306(b) and §200.403(a) regarding verifiable and allowable matching contributions.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should implement controls to ensure matching contributions are based on actual, documented costs, avoiding the use of estimates.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-002: 10.561 - State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Material Weakness Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking Criteria: Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR §200.306(b) requires that cost sharing or matching contributions be verifiable from the non-Federal entity’s records, supported by documentation, and allowable, reasonable, and allocable under Federal cost principles. Additionally, 2 CFR §200.403(a) and §200.405(a) require that costs charged to Federal awards be based on actual incurred costs and properly allocated to the benefitting program. Condition: The grant required a 50/50 matching contribution. The auditee reported $128,228 in matching expenditures; however, the matched amount was not supported by actual direct costs. The auditee used estimated costs to allocate expenses to the program rather than actual, documented expenditures incurred for the matching share. Effect: The $128,228 reported as matching contributions may not be allowable or supported in accordance with Uniform Guidance and grant requirements, resulting in questioned matching costs and potential noncompliance with award terms. Questioned Cost: None as entire federal amount is treated as a questioned cost in Finding 2023-002. Cause: Management did not have adequate procedures to identify, track, and document actual direct costs attributable to the program for purposes of meeting the matching requirement and instead relied on estimates to allocate costs. Recommendation: We recommend that management establish and implement controls to ensure matching contributions are supported by actual, documented costs, are verifiable from accounting records, and comply with 2 CFR §200.306. Estimated or budgeted amounts should not be used to support matching requirements. Response: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Action Taken in Response to Finding: In 2023, invoices were submitted using a format aligned with initial guidance from the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), reflecting a per-learner, activity-based approach. Beginning in October 2024, updated guidance required invoices to be based on actual costs incurred, including the use of supporting documentation such as timesheets and receipts to substantiate costs. As of October 2025, CDHS updated reimbursement requirements to no longer require supporting documentation at the time of invoice submission. However, complete supporting documentation is maintained and provided upon request for monitoring or audit purposes. Standardized Excel-based tools provided by CDHS are utilized for reimbursement submission (Invoice and Ledger). Transaction-level cost tracking was implemented to ensure allowable and eligible costs are recorded and supported. Financial and grant-related policies were previously maintained and were subsequently standardized and incorporated into Financial Policies and Procedures in 2023, with a comprehensive Grant Management framework implemented in May 2026. Control Enhancement: Beginning in 2025, all costs applied toward matching requirements are recorded and tracked at the transaction level within the accounting system and are fully supported by source documentation. Matching contributions must: • Be based on actual, allowable, and allocable costs • Be verifiable from accounting records • Not include estimated or budgeted amounts A standardized approach has been implemented to ensure that matching costs are derived from the same underlying financial data used for reimbursable costs. Monitoring & Review: • Matching costs are reviewed by the Senior Accountant prior to inclusion in reimbursement requests • A secondary monthly review is performed by the Director of Finance & Operations to validate accuracy, allowability, and compliance with matching requirements • Any discrepancies between recorded costs and matching allocations are identified and resolved prior to submission Testing & Validation: • Beginning June 2026, quarterly internal reviews will be conducted to test a sample of matching costs for compliance with documentation and allowability requirements • Testing will confirm that matching costs are fully supported and traceable to accounting records • Results will be documented and tracked, and any identified deficiencies will require corrective action Documentation & Evidence: • Supporting documentation for matching costs is maintained in Microsoft Teams • Matching calculations and supporting detail are retained and available for audit or monitoring • Review and approval are evidenced via email approval and retained as part of the audit record Control Owner(s): • Director of Finance & Operations • Finance Team Responsible Party: Helen Young Hayes, Founder / Chief Executive Officer, in coordination with the Director of Finance & Operations and Finance Staff Anticipated Completion Date: All corrective actions will be implemented by June 30, 2026. Ongoing monitoring, quarterly testing, and policy updates will continue. Status: • Transaction-level tracking of matching costs: Implemented 2025 • Updated invoicing methodology: Implemented October 2024; revised October 2025 • Cost Sharing policy: Implemented May 2026 • Grant Management framework; Incorporated in Financial Policy and Procedures on May 2026. • Quarterly internal reviews will be conducted to test a sample of matching costs for compliance with documentation and allowability requirements: June 2026

Categories

Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1228719 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228720 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228721 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228722 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228723 2023-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228724 2023-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228726 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228727 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228728 2023-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228729 2023-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228730 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228731 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228732 2023-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228733 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228734 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228735 2023-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
11.307 ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE $314,592
17.268 H-1B JOB TRAINING GRANTS $247,672
10.561 STATE ADMINISTRATIVE MATCHING GRANTS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $124,895
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $28,349