Finding Text
FINDING 2022-003 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425C200018, S425D200013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not designed, nor implemented a system of internal control to ensure that the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) annual Data Collection reports (Reports) were complete and accurately submitted. The Reports were prepared by one employee without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause Management had not developed or implemented a system of internal control that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal control to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.