Finding 21321 (2022-003)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-09-25
Audit: 24347
Organization: Argentum (VA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Argentum lacks effective internal controls for reviewing and approving quarterly financial and performance reports.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR Part 200.303) is not being met, leading to potential noncompliance risks.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update policies and procedures for timely review and approval of reports, and ensure proper documentation is maintained.

Finding Text

2022-003 Reporting Federal agency: U.S. Department of Labor Federal program title: H1-B Job Training Grants CFDA Number: 17.268 Award Period: March 1, 2020 - February 29, 2024 - Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance - Other Matters Criteria: Uniform Grant Guidance requires compliance with the provisions of internal controls. 2 CFR Part 200.303 states that recipients of Federal funds are required to establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal awards to provide reasonable assurance that the recipient of Federal funds is in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Argentum should have internal controls designed and effectively operating to ensure compliance with those provisions. Condition: Argentum was not able to produce audit evidence of the review and approval of its quarterly financial and performance reports. Two out of four quarterly financial reports and four out of four quarterly performance reports did not have adequate evidence to show the reports were reviewed and approved. In addition, two out of the four quarterly filings of financial and performance reports were made after the 45-day required filing period. Questioned Costs: None. Cause: Argentum does not have adequate policies and procedures in place to ensure timely and adequate review and approval of the quarterly financial and performance reports. Effect: The lack of effective internal controls over reporting compliance requirements provides an opportunity for noncompliance. Repeat Finding: Yes Recommendation: We recommend that Argentum update its policies and procedures to ensure adequate review and approval over quarterly financial reports. Procedures must also be implemented to maintain documentation supporting such procedures and submit the required report in timely manner. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCY ? INTERNAL CONTROL OVER COMPLIANCE U.S. Department of Labor 2022-003 Reporting Recommendation: We recommend that Argentum update its policies and procedures to ensure adequate review and approval over quarterly financial reports. Procedures must also be implemented to maintain documentation supporting such procedures and submit the required report in timely manner. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Argentum experienced high staff turnover in 2021 through midyear 2022 which impacted the implementation of corrective actions for this finding during the first half of 2022. Argentum established a documented review process for financial reports for the last two quarters in 2022 prepared by the Grants Manager and approved by Staff Accountant. Argentum will develop an internal documented process for review and approval of performance reports separately from ETA WIPS review and approval process. Performance reports will be prepared by the Program Director and approved by VP of Workforce Development. Name of the contact person responsible for corrective action: Janet Andrews Program Director and Ashante Abubakar Vice President Workforce Development Planned completion date for corrective action plan: September 30, 2023

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Special Tests & Provisions

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 21319 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 21320 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 597761 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 597762 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 597763 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
17.268 H-1b Job Training Grants $1.02M