Finding 252559 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2022-11-07
Audit: 257571
Organization: United Food Bank (AZ)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A significant deficiency in internal controls was found regarding eligibility procedures for the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
  • Impacted Requirements: Lack of certifying signatures and secondary reviews violates 2 CFR section 200.303, which mandates proper internal controls for federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a review process for distribution site files and provide training on federal compliance and internal controls to staff.

Finding Text

2022-001 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.568/10.569 Passed Through: The Arizona Department of Economic Security Pass Through Number: CtR052634 Award Period: July 1, 2021 ? June 30, 2022 Type of Finding ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Condition/Context ? Internal control procedures over eligibility requirements for 1 of 40 eligibility sheets tested indicated there was no certifying signature by the eligible recipient agency volunteer, there was no evidence of secondary review by the distribution agency program officials. Criteria ? In accordance with the Compliance Supplement, Part 6 ? Internal Control, 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Cause ? Clerical oversight. Effect ? Noncompliance with the Compliance Supplement and Uniform Guidance. Repeat Finding ? Yes Questioned Costs ? None Recommendation ? Distribution site files should be reviewed by a responsible individual for compliance with federal award requirements. The review should be documented. Additionally, training on applicable federal award requirements and internal control monitoring activities should be conducted with program staff and distribution agencies. View of Responsible Officials - There is no disagreement with the audit findings

Corrective Action Plan

2022-001 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program CFDA Number: 10.568/10.569 Passed Through: The Arizona Department of Economic Security Pass Through Number: CtR052634 Award Period: July 1, 2021 ? June 30, 2022 Type of Finding ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Condition/Context ? Internal control procedures over eligibility requirements for 1 of 40 eligibility sheets tested indicated there was no certifying signature by the eligible recipient agency volunteer, and there was no evidence of secondary review by the distribution agency program officials. Contact Person ? Chariti Stern, Chief Program Officer Corrective Action Plan ? United Food Bank has entirely onboarded all TEFAP agencies to be active on Link2Feed; however, a handful of agencies still use sign-in sheets due to technology limitations. At the 2022 Agency Conference, a presentation was done that conveyed the importance of checking all signatures on United Food Bank documents. The 2022 Partner Agency Handbook explains that a signature is required for the reports and sign-in sheets to be authorized and accepted by United Food Bank. Re-training United Food Bank staff has also occurred to ensure that all reports have the correct signatures and that the United Food Bank staff?s initials are on all documents to ensure that the reports were reviewed.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Subrecipient Monitoring Eligibility Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 252560 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 252561 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 252562 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 252563 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 252564 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 829001 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 829002 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 829003 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 829004 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 829005 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 829006 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.569 Emergency Food Assistance Program (food Commodities) $9.08M
10.568 Emergency Food Assistance Program (administrative Costs) $1.78M
10.565 Commodity Supplemental Food Program $1.23M
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $854,906
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $213,328
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $90,346
97.024 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program $56,834