Finding 2032 (2023-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2023-11-17

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There was a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance, leading to inaccuracies in reimbursement requests.
  • Impacted Requirements: Costs must be reasonable, follow established policies, and be properly documented as per 2 CRF 200.431.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review reimbursement requests against supporting documents before submission to prevent errors.

Finding Text

2023 – 002-Allowable Costs Federal Agency: Department of Justice Program Title: Department of Justice Housing Assistance Listing Number: 16.320 Award Period: May 1, 2020 – April 30, 2023 • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria: 2 CRF 200.431 states cost of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of these items: (1) is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non-Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities; (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity’s laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) is determined and supported as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, Standards for Documentation of Personnel Expenses, when applicable. Condition: In a sample of 25 transactions tested, there was one instance where the time sheet hours for the time spent on the grant did not match the hours charged to the grant per the reimbursement request. There was 3 instances where there was a difference in the approved pay rate utilized in the reimbursement request versus the payroll register. The total amount mischarged $218.20 to the grant. Questioned costs: $218.20. Context: The sample of 25 transactions included transactions from different periods during the grant, inside the fiscal year. Cause: The inaccurate recording of the reimbursement requests is a result from input mistake. Repeat finding: No Recommendation: We recommend reimbursement requests be reviewed and traced back to supporting documentation prior to the filing of the reimbursement request. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: No disagreement.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-002 Department of Justice Housing – Assistance Listing No. 16.320 Recommendation: We recommend reimbursement requests be reviewed and traced back to supporting documentation prior to the filing of the reimbursement request. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: A second staff person has completed the Department of Justice Grants Financial Management Training and is now qualified to work on the federal grants. This will allow the agency to have someone other than that the person creating the reimbursement material to request the reimbursement. This adds an additional layer of control over the amount requested for reimbursement. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Peter Hermann Planned completion date for corrective action plan: November 6, 2023

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 2033 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 578474 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 578475 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
16.320 Services for Trafficking Victims $191,259
93.665 Emergency Grants to Address Mental and Substance Use Disorders During Covid-19 $162,001
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $124,000
93.567 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_voluntary Agency Programs $72,766
94.002 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program $51,860
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $51,659
93.598 Services to Victims of A Severe Form of Trafficking $21,440
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $10,059
97.024 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program $9,000