Finding 370580 (2022-003)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2024-02-26

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Timesheets were not approved by supervisors, with some missing entirely, indicating a significant deficiency in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: Employees must have their timesheets approved each pay cycle to ensure compliance with federal payroll regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement policies for timely supervisor approval of timesheets to mitigate risks of errors and irregularities.

Finding Text

2022 – 003: Timesheet Approval Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Title: Aging Cluster CFDA Number: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Pass-Through Entity: Wisconsin Department of Health Services Pass-Through Numbers: 560300; 560303; 560340; 560342; 560343; 560297; 560355; 560360; 560422; 560361; 560353; 560363 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: Each pay cycle, employees are required to enter their time into a payroll system, which includes an allocation of time to specific grant activities. These timesheets are to be approved by a supervisor. Condition: During our evaluation of internal controls it was noted that certain timesheets were not approved within the payroll system by a supervisor and certain timesheets were missing. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We sampled sixty (60) timesheets, noting that seven (7) of the timesheets did not have proper approvals by a supervisor or were missing. Cause: GWAAR’s current payroll system “closes” a pay period after the pay date, resulting in no additional changes or approvals to be entered into the system. As such, timesheets that are no approved timely are not able to be approved within the system. Effect: Lack of approvals creates an inherent risk that may allow for errors or irregularities to go undetected and uncorrected. Repeat Finding: Yes Recommendation: We recommend that GWAAR implement policies that require the timely approval of timesheets by supervisors. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

2022-003 Timesheet Approval Recommendation: We recommend that GWAAR implement policies that require the timely approval of timesheets by supervisors. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action planned/taken in response to finding: With the merger of QTI/Tandem (GWAAR HR and Payroll provider), GWAAR has seen a greater degree of active prompts from QTI/Tandem to remind managers to approve timesheets. As well, as Fiscal Manager, I review each payroll to ensure that all timesheets are present and that they are all fully approved. In 2023, there were a few know glitches to this process, but we were able to work with QTI/Tandem to get those missed timesheets approved…and I do not foresee this finding continuing beyond the 2023 audit. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Patrick Metz – Fiscal Manager Planned completion date for corrective action plan: GWAAR has implemented the corrective plan…and while there may be a couple issues in 2023 audit, 2024 should finish with no errors.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 370581 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 370582 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 947022 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 947023 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 947024 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.045 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part C_nutrition Services $14.83M
93.044 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part B_grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers $7.46M
93.052 National Family Caregiver Support, Title Iii, Part E $2.88M
93.053 Nutrition Services Incentive Program $2.37M
17.235 Senior Community Service Employment Program $1.02M
93.043 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part D_disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services $382,579
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $258,657
93.071 Medicare Enrollment Assistance Program $143,818
93.324 State Health Insurance Assistance Program $46,214