Finding 371306 (2021-008)

Material Weakness
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2024-02-29
Audit: 292985
Organization: City of Bethel, Alaska (AK)
Auditor: Bdo USA PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Subrecipient agreements lacked necessary federal award identification and audit requirement information.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with 2 CFR 200.332 and 2 CFR 200.501 regarding subrecipient monitoring and audits.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should implement policies to ensure subawards meet federal requirements and establish procedures for monitoring subrecipient compliance.

Finding Text

Finding 2021-008 Subrecipient Agreements - Subrecipient Monitoring – Material Noncompliance and Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Agency Department of the Treasury ALN 21.019 Program COVID-19 - Coronavirus Relief Fund Award Year FY 2021 Pass-Through Agency State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Pass-Through Entity Identifying Number 20-CRF-024 Criteria 2 CFR 200.332 requires pass-through entities to ensure that subrecipients comply with the terms and conditions of 2 CFR 200.501 related to audit requirements. This includes ensuring that every subaward is (1) clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward; (2) includes the necessary information at the time of the subaward for subrecipient reporting on federal awards (2 CFR 200.332) and (3) includes requirement to follow 2 CFR 200.501 if expenditure thresholds are met. This also includes verifying that every subrecipient is audited as required by 2 CFR 200.501 if the subrecipient's Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring, we noted the subrecipient agreements did not include the required federal award identification or applicability of audit requirements. No action was taken to ensure the subrecipients were audited in accordance with 2 CFR 200.501 if applicable. Cause The issuance of subrecipient agreements for these grants related to new funding streams in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant amounts of funding were provided in a short period of time, and systems to distribute these monies were newly created and implemented. The standard award agreements were not reviewed in advance to ensure adherence to federal requirements. Staff were not fully trained on the informational requirements and monitoring responsibilities related to audit requirements. Effect or potential effect Subrecipients may be unaware and not in compliance with the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200. Questioned costs Not applicable. Context We tested the sole subaward agreement for the program and noted the agreement did not contain the necessary language under 2 CFR 200.332 to inform subrecipients of the applicability of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F. Identification as a repeat finding Not a repeat finding. Recommendation Management should establish policies to ensure subawards contain required federal award information. In addition, procedures should be established to monitor subrecipient compliance with audit requirements of 2 CFR 200.501. Views of responsible officials Management concurs with the finding. Management will revise policies and procedures related to subrecipient monitoring and will ensure that policies are established to ensure subawards contain the required federal award information.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2021‐008 Subrecipient Agreements – Subrecipient Monitoring – Material Noncompliance and Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Corrective Action Plan Management will revise the policies and procedures related to subrecipient monitoring and will ensure that policies are established to ensure subawards contain the required federal award information. Expected Completion Date Fiscal Year 2025.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 371302 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 371303 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 371304 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 371305 2021-007
    Significant Deficiency
  • 371307 2021-009
    Material Weakness
  • 371308 2021-010
    Material Weakness
  • 371309 2021-011
    Material Weakness
  • 371310 2021-012
    Material Weakness
  • 371311 2021-013
    Material Weakness
  • 947744 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 947745 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 947746 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 947747 2021-007
    Significant Deficiency
  • 947748 2021-008
    Material Weakness
  • 947749 2021-009
    Material Weakness
  • 947750 2021-010
    Material Weakness
  • 947751 2021-011
    Material Weakness
  • 947752 2021-012
    Material Weakness
  • 947753 2021-013
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $7.57M
66.202 Congressionally Mandated Projects $1.10M
66.458 Capitalization Grants for Clean Water State Revolving Funds $89,940
97.067 Homeland Security Grant Program $21,930