Finding 1236575 (2023-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2026-09-25
Audit: 412125
Organization: COVATION CENTER INC (PA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Incomplete documentation for one out of nine disbursements indicates a lack of timely internal review, which is a deficiency in compliance controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: The absence of a formal review process violates Uniform Guidance criteria for adequate documentation and internal controls over federal program costs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Center should enhance its internal control processes by implementing formal documentation steps and a consistent review process for all activities and costs.

Finding Text

Incomplete Documentation - Material Weakness Federal Program: Assistance Listing #14.228 Community Development Block Grants - CV - Small Business Assistance Program, Passed Through Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pass-Through Entity Identifying Number: C000082605 Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires grantees to design and implement internal controls over compliance to ensure that costs charged to federal programs be reasonable and necessary to the performance of the program, consistently applied to federal and non-federal programs, conform to generally accepted accounting principles, not be included as a cost of any other federally financed program and be adequately documented. Condition/Context: During the testing of the Center's activities, one (1) of the nine (9) disbursements selected for testing did not have an application checklist that was reviewed and approved prior to awarding and disbursement of funds. While we were ultimately able to determine that the cost was allowable and met the program objectives, the lack of a timely completed internal review process constitutes a deficiency in internal control over compliance. Questioned Costs: N/A Cause: Lack of consistent oversight and formal review and approval policies. Effect: The Center does not have a formally documented internal review process, consistently applied, such that activities could occur without appropriate supporting documentation and/or for unallowable activities or costs. Recommendation: We recommend that Center revisit its internal control processes to add additional, formally documented, steps to ensure activities and costs are appropriately supported and that there is a documented internal review and documentation process for all activities. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management understands and is considering how to better document its processes; see corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Incomplete Documentation – Material Weakness Condition: During testing of the Center's activities, one (1) of the nine (9) disbursements selected for testing did not have an application checklist that was reviewed and approved prior to awarding and disbursement of funds. Corrective Action Planned: The Center will implement a standardized pre-disbursement checklist for all award applications, requiring that the checklist be fully completed, reviewed, and signed by an authorized reviewer before any funds are awarded or disbursed. No disbursement will be processed without a completed checklist on file. This step will be incorporated into the Center's written internal control procedures. Name(s) of Contact Person(s) Responsible for Corrective Action: Kendy Alvarez, Grant Program Manager; Stephanie Desaulniers, Executive Director Anticipated Completion Date: December 31, 2026

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Subrecipient Monitoring Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Material Weakness Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1236574 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1236576 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.228 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/STATE'S PROGRAM AND NON-ENTITLEMENT GRANTS IN HAWAII $999,451