Finding 24113 (2022-002)

Material Weakness

Requirement

Questioned Costs

Year

2022

Accepted

2023-04-27

Audit: 20027

Organization: Universidad Teologica Del Caribe, Inc. (PR)

Auditor: Kreston Pr LLC

AI Summary

Core Issue: The Institution lacks written policies and procedures for managing federal funds, particularly in cash management and cost allowability.
Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with 2 CFR 200 regulations, which mandate documented procedures for financial management and procurement.
Recommended Follow-Up: The Institution should develop and implement the necessary written policies and procedures to ensure compliance and effective management of federal awards.

Finding Text

Federal programs: Education Stabilization Fund - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) CFDA Number: 84.425E / 84.425F Federal award identification number: P425E205418 / P425F204999 Grant period: September 29, 2020 to June 30, 2023 and July 23, 2020 to May 23, 2022 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-through entity: N/A Category: Internal Control Finding Type: Material Weakness Compliance requirement: Other ? Policies and procedures requirements Condition and context When obtaining an understanding of the internal controls, policies, and procedures regarding the administration of federal programs, and grant term and conditions, we noted the following deficiencies: a. There is no written policy, nor the procedures designed and implemented by the Institution related to Cash Management were documented. The Institution opted to request the funds on a reimbursement basis. b. There were no written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart E of this part and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. c. After examination of the Institution procurement policy, we noted that the document was not signed by all members required from management and was not dated. Upon inquiry, we noted that the procurement policy was drafted and submitted to the Institution for review in February 2023. Therefore, no written policy and formal procedures were designed and implemented for the procurement transactions tested for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2022 and thereafter. Criteria 2 CFR 200.302 (b) (6) and (7) establish that the financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following: written procedures to implement the requirements of ? 200.305, and written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with subpart E of this part and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. 2 CFR 200.303 establish that the non-Federal entity must: (a) establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO); (b) comply with the U.S. Constitution, Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal awards; (c) evaluate and monitor the non-Federal entity's compliance with statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of Federal awards; (d) take prompt action when instances of noncompliance are identified including noncompliance identified in audit findings; and (e) take reasonable measures to safeguard protected personally identifiable information and other information the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity designates as sensitive or the non-Federal entity considers sensitive consistent with applicable Federal, State, local, and tribal laws regarding privacy and responsibility over confidentiality. 2 CFR 200.318 (a) establishes that the non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR 200.400 (a) to (d) establish that the application of these cost principles is based on the fundamental premises that: (a) the non-Federal entity is responsible for the efficient and effective administration of the Federal award through the application of sound management practices; (b) the non-Federal entity assumes responsibility for administering Federal funds in a manner consistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award; (c) the non-Federal entity, in recognition of its own unique combination of staff, facilities, and experience, has the primary responsibility for employing whatever form of sound organization and management techniques may be necessary in order to assure proper and efficient administration of the Federal award; (d) the application of these cost principles should require no significant changes in the internal accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity. However, the accounting practices of the non-Federal entity must be consistent with these cost principles and support the accumulation of costs as required by the principles and must provide for adequate documentation to support costs charged to the Federal award. Cause The Institution?s federal programs received prior the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 did not require the implementation of written procedures as mentioned in the condition and context section, except for Cash Management policies and procedures for the Student Financial Assistance Programs Cluster for which the Institution has designed and implemented written procedures for such compliance requirement. The Covid-19 pandemic related programs were the reason why this new federal program funds were received, and the entity failed to design and implement on a timely basis the required written documentation and procedures. Effect Noncompliance with the above-mentioned requirement could lead to administrative sanctions by the grantor, including disallowance of costs. It could also be interpreted as a failure to achieve the program?s objectives. Questioned costs None. Identification as a Repeat Finding No repeated finding. Recommendation We recommend the Institution to implement written policies and procedures needed for the administration of federal grants before the acceptance of new grants. Having well sounded policies and procedures will reduce the Institution risk of non-compliance with federal regulations and grants terms and conditions. Also, they will provide guidance to the Institution?s personnel on how to carry-out their responsibilities and functions in relation to the administration of federal programs transactions. Views of Responsible Officials Refer to the Institutional comments included in the Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

1. The institution does not agree, nor concurs, with the auditors on this finding because the institution used the reimbursement payment method. This method was the preferred one when the non-federal entity, as our institution, cannot meet the requirements in 2 CFR, section 200.305(b)(1) for advance payment and the federal awarding agency sets a specific condition for use of the reimbursement. Title 2 of the CFR Part 200.305(b)(1), establish among others: "The non-Federal entity must be paid in advance, provided it maintains or demonstrates the willingness to maintain both written procedures that minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds and disbursement by the non-Federal entity, and financial management systems that meet the standards for fund control and accountability as established in this part". Furthermore, 2 CFR Part 200.305(b)(3) states: "Reimbursement is the preferred method when the requirements in this paragraph (b) cannot be met, when the Federal awarding agency sets a specific condition per ? 200.208, or when the non-Federal entity requests payment by reimbursement. " Since our institution was not able to meet 2 CFR, section 200.305(b)(1), and the HEERF guidelines has specific condition on how to use the funds; we choose the reimbursement method in the execution of the funds. Our institution adopted all HEERF instructions and guidelines as their policies to comply with the HEERF requirements, in addition to the CFR's regulations. Below some of the guidelines, instructions ad FAQs we adopted followed" a. Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III, Frequently Asked Questions, American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Published May 11, 2021, Questions 7 and 11 updated May 24, 2021, Question 36 updated September 30, 2021 b. US Department of Education, Notice of Proposed Institutional Eligibility Criteria, February 25, 2021 c. Federal Register Notice of Interpretation (NOI), regarding Period of Allowable Expenses for Funds Administered under HEERF Program, March 22, 2021 d. HEERF Notice of Interpretation for Period of Allowable HEERF Expenses (March 22, 2021) e. HEERF Lost Revenue FAQs (March 19, 2021) f. HEERF Period of Allowable Expenses Grant Records Notice (March 19, 2021) g. HEERF Grant Program Auditing Requirements (March 8, 2021) h. CRRSAA HEERF II Section 314(a)(1) Frequently Asked Questions (Published January 14, 2021 and Updated: March 19, 2021) i. CRRSAA HEERF II Section 314(a)(2) Frequently Asked Questions (January 14, 2021) j. CRRSAA HEERF II Section 314(a)(4) Frequently Asked Questions (Published January 14, 2021 and Updated: March 19, 2021) k. HEERF I and HEERF II Comparison Fact Sheet (Published January 14, 2021 and Updated: March 19, 2021) 1. HEERF Lost Revenue FAQ's, Published March 19, 2021 m. HEERF II, Public and Private Nonprofit Institution (a)(2) Programs (CFDAs 84.425K), FAQ's, Published January 14, 2021 n. HEERF II, Proprietary Institution Grant Funds for Students (CFDA 84.425Q) ((a)(4) Program), FAQ's Published January 14, 2021, Updated March 19, 2021. o. HEERF II, Public and Private Nonprofit Institution (a)(1) Programs (CFDA 84.425E and 84.425F), FAQ's Published January 14, 2021, Updated March 19, 2021. p. CAREST Act HEERF Rollup FAQs (issued October 14, 2020 and revised November 20, 2020) q. CARES Act HEERF Round 3 FAQs (Issued October 14, 2020 and revised November 20, 2020) r. CARES Act HEERF Supplemental FAQs (Issued June 30, 2020 and revised September 08, 2020) s. CARES Act HEERF Student FAQ's (Issued May 15, 2020) t. CARES Act HEERF Institutional Portion under Section 18004(a)(1) and 18004(c) FAQ's, (Issued April 9, 2020) u. CARES Act HEERF Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under Section 18004(a)(1) and 18004(c) FAQ's, (Issued April 9, 2020) v. CARES Act HEERF Institutional Portion under Section 18004(a)(1) and 18004(c) FAQ's, Issued April 9, 2020 w. COVID-19 FAQ's for Title III, IV, V and VII Grantees, June 16, 2020 x. COVID-19 Letter to HEP Grantees on Flexibilities Available Under CARES Act Section 3518, July 1, 2020 2. The institution does not agree, nor concurs, with the auditors on this finding because, as we mention in number 1 above, the institution adopted and followed the federal award and HEERF guidelines in the execution of the funds. The HEER funds were provided during the special national emergency caused by COVID-19. The DOE and HEERF officials issued many written guidelines, instructions, and FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) documents, due to the nature and novel of the national emergency situation. The institution adopted, followed, and relied on the many referenced guidelines and exercise extreme judgment to ensure compliance with the federal requirements and use of the funds. The institution belief this referenced guidelines and instruction were very specific and sufficient to execute the use of the funds. All direct charges to federal awards were for allowable costs under the guidelines and instructions from the Department of Education. Some of the allowable costs were verified and validated by an officer of the Department of Education and reviewed by an independent consultant. 3. The institution concurs with the auditor finding. Actions Taken or Planned: The institution begins in addition to the adopted HEERF guidelines, instructions, and CFRs; to develop additional procurement policies and are in the process of completing those policies. The institution expects to have those completed by May 31, 2023.

Other Findings in this Audit

24105 2022-001

Significant Deficiency Repeat
24106 2022-003

Material Weakness Repeat
24107 2022-004

Significant Deficiency Repeat
24108 2022-005

Significant Deficiency Repeat
24109 2022-001

Significant Deficiency Repeat
24110 2022-003

Material Weakness Repeat
24111 2022-004

Significant Deficiency Repeat
24112 2022-005

Significant Deficiency Repeat
24114 2022-007

Significant Deficiency
24115 2022-010

Material Weakness
24116 2022-002

Material Weakness
24117 2022-006

Material Weakness
24118 2022-007

Significant Deficiency
24119 2022-008

Material Weakness
24120 2022-009

Material Weakness
24121 2022-010

Material Weakness
600547 2022-001

Significant Deficiency Repeat
600548 2022-003

Material Weakness Repeat
600549 2022-004

Significant Deficiency Repeat
600550 2022-005

Significant Deficiency Repeat
600551 2022-001

Significant Deficiency Repeat
600552 2022-003

Material Weakness Repeat
600553 2022-004

Significant Deficiency Repeat
600554 2022-005

Significant Deficiency Repeat
600555 2022-002

Material Weakness
600556 2022-007

Significant Deficiency
600557 2022-010

Material Weakness
600558 2022-002

Material Weakness
600559 2022-006

Material Weakness
600560 2022-007

Significant Deficiency
600561 2022-008

Material Weakness
600562 2022-009

Material Weakness
600563 2022-010

Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN	Program Name	Expenditures
84.268	Federal Direct Student Loans	$707,037
84.425	Covid 19 - Education Stabilization Fund	$487,617
84.063	Federal Pell Grant Program	$-6,874