Finding 1238336 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-09-29
Audit: 413180
Organization: The Scintillon Institute (CA)
Auditor: LEAF & COLE LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Institute drew down funds beyond the recommended three-day period, violating cash management guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR 215.22, which mandates minimizing time between fund transfers and payments.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance cash management policies to ensure accurate calculations for immediate cash needs within the three-day timeframe.

Finding Text

2025-002: Cash Management – Research and Development Cluster Condition Funds were drawn down by the Institute in excess of the three-day period recommended by its funding agency, and did not minimize the time elapsing between the transfers of funds from the grantor to the issue of payment by the recipient during the year ended December 31, 2025. Criteria Cash management under 2 CFR 215.22 states that payment methods shall minimize the time elapsing between the transfers of funds from the grantor to the issue of payment by the recipient. Cause The Institute’s preparation and review procedures over the draw-down of funds were insufficient to minimize the time elapsing between the transfers of funds from the grantor to the issue of payments by the Institute. Effect The Institute was not in compliance with the cash management compliance requirements stated in 2 CFR 215.22 during the year. Recommendation The Institute should improve policies and procedures regarding cash management. This should include the procedure for calculating the allowable cash draw for actual immediate cash needs for expenses to be paid within the three-day period, in order to minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the grantor to the issue of payment by the recipient to cover operating cash flow needs. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions Management acknowledges the finding and the management staff of the Institute take seriously the federal compliance requirements that apply to drawing funds from the DHHS Payment Management System. The Institute recognizes that it has drawn down excess funds. The Institute plans to improve policies and procedures for cash management in 2026 that will ensure the calculation for allowable cash draw for actual immediate cash needs is complete and accurate. Action Taken Scintillon plans to improve policies and procedures for cash management in 2026 that will ensure the calculation for allowable cash draw for actual immediate cash needs is complete and accurate.

Corrective Action Plan

2025-002: Cash Management – Research and Development Cluster Condition Funds were drawn down by the Institute in excess of the three-day period recommended by its funding agency, and did not minimize the time elapsing between the transfers of funds from the grantor to the issue of payment by the recipient during the year ended December 31, 2025. Criteria Cash management under 2 CFR 215.22 states that payment methods shall minimize the time elapsing between the transfers of funds from the grantor to the issue of payment by the recipient. Cause The Institute’s preparation and review procedures over the draw-down of funds were insufficient to minimize the time elapsing between the transfers of funds from the grantor to the issue of payments by the Institute. Effect The Institute was not in compliance with the cash management compliance requirements stated in 2 CFR 215.22 during the year. Recommendation The Institute should improve policies and procedures regarding cash management. This should include the procedure for calculating the allowable cash draw for actual immediate cash needs for expenses to be paid within the three-day period, in order to minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the grantor to the issue of payment by the recipient to cover operating cash flow needs. Management Response Management acknowledges the finding and the management staff of the Institute take seriously the federal compliance requirements that apply to drawing funds from the DHHS Payment Management System. The Institute recognizes that it has drawn down excess funds. The Institute plans to improve policies and procedures for cash management in 2026 that will ensure the calculation for allowable cash draw for actual immediate cash needs is complete and accurate. Action Taken Scintillon plans to improve policies and procedures for cash management in 2026 that will ensure the calculation for allowable cash draw for actual immediate cash needs is complete and accurate.

Categories

Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1238303 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238304 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238305 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238306 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238307 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238308 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238309 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238310 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238311 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238312 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238313 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238314 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238315 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238316 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238317 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238318 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238319 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238320 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238321 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238322 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238323 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238324 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238325 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238326 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238327 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238328 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238329 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238330 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238331 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238332 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238333 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238334 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1238335 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
12.420 MILITARY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT $1.47M
93.847 DIABETES, DIGESTIVE, AND KIDNEY DISEASES EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH $1.36M
93.855 ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES RESEARCH $672,783
93.173 RESEARCH RELATED TO DEAFNESS AND COMMUNICATION DISORDERS $449,777
93.837 CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES RESEARCH $443,695
93.853 EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS IN THE NEUROSCIENCES AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS $364,631
93.113 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH $140,291
93.866 AGING RESEARCH $136,926
93.396 CANCER BIOLOGY RESEARCH $121,566
93.395 CANCER TREATMENT RESEARCH $58,900
93.859 BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING $35,000