Finding 32019 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-04-28
Audit: 31442
Organization: Cazenovia College (NY)
Auditor: Bonadio & CO LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College improperly drew down $1,465,767 in HEERF funds all at once, violating cash management rules.
  • Impacted Requirements: Funds must be disbursed within three days of drawdown, which was not met, leading to a significant delay in expenditures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure all staff are trained on grant requirements to prevent future compliance issues, even as the College prepares to close.

Finding Text

Finding 2022-001 ? 84.425 COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund Federal Agency ? U.S. Department of Education Grant Period ? Year ended June 30, 2022 Criteria ? A requirement of and accepting the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grant is the compliance with cash management requirements which state that Institutional funds will be disbursed within three calendar days of the drawdown from G5. Condition ? Per review of the G5 draw detail, it was noted that the funding awarded through round three American Rescue Plan (ARP) was all drawn at one time prior to expenditures being incurred. Cause ? The prior Controller was not familiar with the cash management requirement and informed the Bursar to draw all the Institutional funds when they were posted as available. Effect ? The College drew the full $1,465,767 in June 2021 and expenditure of approximately $571,000 was not incurred until March 31, 2022, which was well beyond the three day cash management requirement. Recommendation ? The College needs to ensure they are familiar with specific funding requirements for all grants received to ensure compliance with the funder. View of Responsible Officials ? The College agrees with the auditor?s recommendation, however, the HEERF funding has been fully expended and the College is scheduled to cease academic operations and close permanently after the spring 2023 semester.

Corrective Action Plan

2022-001 84.425 COVID-19 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND Recommendation: Our auditors recommend that we ensure that we are familiar with specific funding requirements for all grants received to ensure compliance with the funder. Action Taken: The College agrees with the auditor?s recommendation, however, the HEERF funding has been fully expended and the College is scheduled to cease academic operations and close permanently after the spring 2023 semester. If the U.S. Department of Education has questions regarding this plan, please call William Veit, Vice President for Finance/CFO at (315) 655-7195.

Categories

Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 608461 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $4.46M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.65M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $755,201
84.042 Trio_student Support Services $350,568
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $87,702
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $85,998