Finding 304 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
BC
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-09-29
Audit: 574
Organization: Caminar Latino Inc. (GA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Caminar Latino has a significant deficiency in internal controls over indirect cost calculations and drawdowns, lacking proper documentation for review and approval.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal regulations (Title 2 CFR Part 200) requires effective internal controls to ensure proper management of federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a system to document and verify independent reviews of all federal drawdowns to prevent errors and ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles (Indirect Costs), Cash Management Internal Control Impact: Significant Deficiency Federal Agency: HHS AL Numbers and Titles: 93.592 - Family Violence Prevention and Services/Discretionary Federal Award Number: 90EV0474, 90EV0501, 90EV0531 Questioned Costs: None Repeat Finding: Yes, 2021-002 and 2021-003 Criteria: As a recipient of federal awards, Caminar Latino is required to establish and maintain effective internal controls over federal awards that provide reasonable assurance of managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award pursuant to Title 2. U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) §200.303 – Internal Controls. Additionally, Caminar Latino’s corrective action plans related to the fiscal year 2021 finding 2021-002 and 2021-003 state that the Caminar Latino will implement segregation of duties over the preparation and review of indirect cost calculations and drawdowns. Condition: Upon review of the indirect cost calculations throughout the fiscal year, it was noted that there was no documentation of review and approval of three of the seven calculations tested. The auditors were able to review the drawdown reconciliations performed by the Caminar Latino and determine the reports were materially accurate; however, no evidence of a formal supervisory review and approval of the reconciliation was maintained on-file in these three instances. Cause: Due to the timing of the prior year audit results, Caminar Latino did not implement its corrective action plan and maintain documentation of the review and approval of the indirect costs calculations and drawdowns submitted until the end of the fiscal year under review. Effect: A lack of independent review of the drawdowns could result in a reasonable possibility that Caminar Latino would not detect errors in the normal course of performing duties and correct them in a timely manner. Recommendation: Caminar Latino should establish a system to document and verify the review and approval of each federal drawdown by someone independent of the preparation of the drawdown request. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Actions: Caminar Latino agrees with this finding. Please refer to the Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Condition Upon review of the indirect cost calculations throughout the fiscal year, it was noted that there was no documentation of review and approval of three of the seven calculations tested. The auditors were able to review the drawdown reconciliations performed by the Caminar Latino and determine the reports were materially accurate; however, no evidence of a formal supervisory review and approval of the reconciliation was maintained on-file in these three instances. Correction action As of Q4 2022, the Atlanta-based Co-CEO and the Chief of Programs and Administration have instituted a process of review and approval of drawdown reconciliations prior to drawdown to review for accuracy of calculations and to ensure that previous drawdown amounts are accurately recorded. A Finance Manager was hired in April 2023, and the responsibility of ongoing drawdown reconciliation and calculation of invoice amounts has shifted to the Finance Manager position. Monthly invoices and drawdowns are being reviewed and approved by the Co-CEO and Chief of Programs and Administration prior to drawdown. Responsible Person Co-CEO and Chief of Programs and Administration Anticipated completion date Completed - This process is currently in place.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 303 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 576745 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 576746 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
16.016 Culturally and Linguistically Specific Services Program $147,684
16.034 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program $38,423
93.671 Family Violence Prevention and Services/domestic Violence Shelter and Supportive Services $35,783
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $31,888
93.670 Child Abuse and Neglect Discretionary Activities $26,579
93.564 Child Support Enforcement Research $16,488
16.588 Violence Against Women Formula Grants $13,000
93.592 Family Violence Prevention and Services/discretionary $11,655
16.526 Ovw Technical Assistance Initiative $10,856
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1,785