Finding 13009 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Commission failed to maintain adequate documentation for verifying the review of subrecipients' audit reports.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding relates to compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, specifically the requirement for pass-through entities to monitor subrecipients' audits.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Commission should enhance its internal controls to ensure all subrecipient audits are properly received, reviewed, and documented.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration Federal Program Name: Columbia Survival Study (CSS), Streamnet, Smolt Monitoring by Non-Federal Entities Assistance Listing Number: 81.999 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 00078040 REL 17 ? 2019-2021; 00078040 REL 33 ? 2020-2021; 00078040 REL 37 ? 2021-2022 Award Period: July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 Type of Finding: ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Award requires compliance with the provisions of subrecipient monitoring. Specifically, per ?200.332(f), all pass-through entities must verify that every subrecipient is audited as required. The Commission should have internal controls designed to ensure compliance with those provisions. Condition: During our testing, we noted the Commission did not keep adequate documentation to verify the Commission had acquired and reviewed its subrecipients? most recent audit reports. Questioned costs: None. Context: In a statistically valid sample, all five of the subrecipient selections tested lacked sufficient documentation to verify the Commission had received, reviewed, and followed up on its subrecipients? most recent audit reports. Although review of a subrecipient?s audit is a required requirement under the Uniform Guidance, compensating procedures ensured that the Commission only made subrecipient agreements with entities that are eligible and valid. Additional documentation was provided to verify the Commission performs other ongoing monitoring procedures of its subrecipients. Cause: Internal controls and procedures were missed due to a turnover in the Fiscal Manger role. Effect: The Commission was not in compliance with Uniform Guidance monitoring of subrecipient requirements. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the Commission follow its internal controls and procedures over subrecipient monitoring to ensure subrecipient audits are received, reviewed, and followed up on and that documentation of those procedures is maintained. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Bonneville Power Administration: Columbia Survival Study (CSS), Streamnet, and Smolt Monitoring by Non-Federal Entities Programs ? Assistance Listing No. 81.999 Recommendation: CLA recommends the Commission follow its internal controls and procedures over subrecipient monitoring to ensure subrecipient audits are received, reviewed, and followed up on and that documentation of those procedures is maintained. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The Commission will conduct a comprehensive update on subrecipient surveys for fiscal year 2023. In addition, folders and documentation for the annual review of subrecipients? financial statements will be made available for the auditors in the upcoming fiscal year 2023 audit. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Pam Kahut Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2023

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 13008 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 589450 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 589451 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
11.454 Covid 19 - Unallied Management Projects $100.88M
11.477 Fisheries Disaster Relief $31.57M
11.437 Pacific Fisheries Data Program $19.37M
81.999 Bonneville Power Administration - Environment, Fish and Wildlife $14.22M
11.022 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2021 $4.01M
15.512 Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Title Xxxiv $2.83M
11.472 Unallied Science Program $1.95M
11.407 Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986 $1.52M
15.608 Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program and Related Assistance $1.22M
11.436 Columbia River Fisheries Development Program $1.04M
15.661 Lower Snake River Compensation Plan $695,265
11.439 Marine Mammal Data Program $330,391
15.605 Sport Fish Restoration $213,973
15.648 Central Valley Project Improvement Act (cvpia) $150,602
11.452 Unallied Industry Products $39,971
11.427 Fisheries Development and Utilization Research and Development Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program $39,051
11.441 Regional Fishery Management Councils $8,427
66.608 Puget Sound Action Agenda: Technical Investigations and Implementation Assistance Program $7,044
15.663 Nfwf-Usfws Conservation Partnership $4,822
11.438 Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Pacific Salmon Treaty Program $22