Finding 12832 (2022-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-06-01
Audit: 17751
Auditor: Sikich LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: $200,000 was overdrawn from federal funds without proper support for the expenses incurred.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with cash management rules under 31 CFR Part 205 was not met, leading to unspent funds of $131,858 at year-end.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement controls for reviewing and approving fund draws, and conduct reconciliations to ensure expenditures align with draws to prevent future overdraws.

Finding Text

2021-002 Overdrawing of federal funds Information on Federal Programs: Assistance Listing #: 93.421, 93.318, 93.185 Federal Agency: United States Department of Heath and Human Services Criteria: Cash management compliance requirements under Subpart B of 31 CFR Part 205 require that nonfederal entities minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the Payment Management System (PMS) or pass-through entity and disbursement by the non-federal entity for direct program or project costs and the proportionate share of allowable indirect costs, whether the payment is made by electronic funds transfer, or issuance or redemption of checks, warrants, or payment by other means. (2 CFR section 200.305(b)). Condition: There was an overdraw of funds of $200,000 where costs had not been incurred to support the draw, nor were all the funds spent prior within a reasonable time frame. Effect: There is a refundable advance on the books for $131,858 for funds that were drawn and unspent at year end. Cause: Due to changes in staffing around this time, a draw was made for part of the funds and then a second draw was made for the full amount of expenses, without accounting for the previously drawn funds. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization ensure there controls in place for review and approval of all draws and a reconciliation be done at each draw to ensure that there are sufficient expenditures to support the draw. Any overdraws should be caught immediately and steps taken to remedy the draw or to expend the funds within a reasonable timeframe.

Corrective Action Plan

Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: During this fiscal year, management experienced a turnover in the financial functions as well as new staffing and a new Director of Finance. In addition, the organization changed drastically in size and scope, thereby going through a substantial adjustment period. Corrective actions: 1. Management hired an Assistant Director of Finance in order to share the workload, add an extra layer of review for all documentation, account reconciliations, finance staff oversight, and banking functions. 2. Management hired an Associate VP of the Programs and Operations Division which has oversight over the Finance Department. 3. Monthly reconciliations and reviews and approval processes have been put in place to ensure proper recording of all expenses, revenues, and accompanying Federal Fund drawdowns and AP payments. 4. The federal department this occurred within was notified and the funds were spent on costs incurred in the next fiscal year.

Categories

Cash Management Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 12833 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 12834 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 589274 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 589275 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 589276 2022-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.421 Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services Through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nations Health $2.71M
93.185 Immunization Research, Demonstration, Public Information and Education_training and Clinical Skills Improvement Projects $768,120
93.318 Protecting and Improving Health Globally: Building and Strengthening Public Health Impact, Systems, Capacity and Security $740,449
93.441 Indian Self-Determination $319,381
93.612 Native American Programs $201,857
93.193 Urban Indian Health Services $96,780
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services_projects of Regional and National Significance $869