Finding 20583 (2022-002)

Finding 2022-002 ? Allowable Cost/ Cost Principles Planned Corrective Action: In November 2022, the University removed all unallowable salary and related fringe benefits costs off the affected grants, returned funds to USDA through the ASAP drawdown process, and corrected the SEFA. Additionally, the Office of Human Resources (HR) and Office of Grants and Contracts (OGCA) have implemented and strengthen monthly review procedures for Personnel Action Forms. In January 2023, Human Resources granted the OGCA query and view access to the Person?s Pay Distribution Module for employees working on grants and contracts. This will allow the OGCA staff to compare the PAFs to HR and Payroll data and identify errors, if any, for correction. Upon receipt of PAFs in the OGCA, the following steps will occur: A. (1) Verify that the faculty and or staff can be specifically identified with the sponsored project; (2) Verified the position in the budget and/or have the prior written approval of the funding agency; (3) Compare the grant period to the personnel action form (PAF) start and end date; and (4) ensure that required approved signatures (Principal Investigator, Department Head and/or Dean) are present. C. Once the above conditions have been met, the Financial Analyst signs the PAF, forward to the Budget Officer and the VP for Business Affairs/CFO, for approval. The approved document is then submitted to the Office of the President and finally, Human Resources for review, approval, and compliance with university employment guidelines and policies. Once approved, HR enters the PAF into the Colleague System. An employment contract is generated as applicable. D. Monthly Review of the Grants General Ledger Summary Report (GLSA) and the General Ledger Trial Balance (GLTB) and or General Ledger Budget Status (GLBS) are completed by the Grants Financial Analysts. This monthly review is to verify that amounts charged are allowable and accurately posted to the correct departmental account and object codes. Payroll charges are compared to the PAFs. E. The OGCA, HR, and Payroll Offices collaborate on any discrepancies or errors and resolve immediately. Anticipated Date of Completion: Corrective action completed as of the date of this report. Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Mr. Dexter Odom, Chief Financial Officer