Finding 3173 (2023-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2023-12-04
Audit: 5193
Organization: Reading Partners (CA)

AI Summary

  • Issue: Lack of documentation for payroll cost approval related to federal grants.
  • Requirements Impacted: Need for a documented review and approval process for timecards to ensure accurate payroll charges.
  • Follow-Up: Implement a process to document the review and approval of actual payroll costs for federal grants.

Finding Text

Condition: During the audit, we noted that there was no documentation of approval of the percentage of payroll costs that was being allocated to the federal grant. Cause: The Organization received a new grant in 2021 and was therefore required to have physical sign off for the approval of timecards that allocated time to the grant. Criteria: The Organization have a documented process of review and approval of timecards to ensure that the payroll charged to the federal grant is accurate. Effect: Due to the condition noted above, the Organization charged payroll costs to the grant at or below the approved budget. While cost principles allow for budgeted payroll costs to be charged to grants at interim reporting periods, actual payroll costs incurred must be charged to close out a grant. The Organization does not have sufficient controls in place to document the review and approval of actual payroll costs charged to the program. Recommendation: The Organization should implement a process to document the review and approval of actual payroll costs charged to its federal grants.

Corrective Action Plan

Management agrees with the findings presented by the auditors. Management has taken the following actions already to ensure that there is proper review and approval. The Organization went through a payroll system transition in FY23. During the implementation phase of the new payroll system, the organization encountered a significant learning curve. As we progress into FY24, we will utilize our payroll system to document the approval process for staff working on federal grants. We offer two options for this documentation: either via timesheets or written confirmation of hours worked on federal grants for recordkeeping.Management will continue to conduct staff training and education regarding the importance of time tracking when allocating time to federal grants. To ensure strong internal controls, management is committed to conducting periodic internal reviews as part of our compliance checks.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 3172 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 579614 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 579615 2023-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.411 Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund $943,147
94.006 Americorps $29,082