Finding 38061 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-04-05
Audit: 35124
Auditor: Kassouf & CO PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College lacks effective internal controls for reviewing and approving grant reports, risking improper reporting.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR section 200.303, which mandates proper management of Federal awards and accurate reporting.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen controls to ensure quarterly grant reports are accurately reviewed and approved before submission.

Finding Text

Reference Number: 2022-002 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Type of Finding: Internal Control and Compliance Internal Control Impact: Significant Deficiency Compliance Impact: Nonmaterial Noncompliance Assistance Listing Number(s) and Title: 84.425 ? Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Finding As specified in 2 CFR section 200.303 the non-Federal entity must 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. Adequate controls must be in place to ensure proper expenditures are reported in the applicable reporting periods. Adequate controls were not in place to review and approve grant reports for accuracy and completeness of the report prior to their submission to the grantor. Appropriate supporting documentation was not retained in order to reconcile the amounts reported on the HEERF I, II, & III Annual Performance Report Form to the College?s general ledger. Lack of sufficient controls over the review and approval of grant reports to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the report being submitted to the grantor can result in improper reporting which could lead to disallowed costs. However, our audit disclosed no instances of unallowable costs. Further, the HEERF methodology for distributing funds to students was not disclosed on the College?s website. Recommendation We recommend the strengthening of controls to ensure the quarterly grant reports are reviewed and approved for accuracy and completeness prior to submission to the grantor. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee The College agrees with Finding 2022-002.

Corrective Action Plan

Reference Number: 2022-002 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Type of Finding: Internal Control and Compliance Internal Control Impact: Significant Deficiency Compliance Impact: Nonmaterial Noncompliance Assistance Listing Number(s) and Title: 84.425 ? Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund(HEERF) Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of EducationCorrective Action Plan Coastal Alabama Community College has reviewed and recognizes needed changes be put into place to ensure accurate record keeping for all reported data. Coastal will have the restricted accountant complete the quarterly and annual HEERF reports moving forward and file all data according to the report in an organized and methodical method only after the Director of Accounting has reviewed and signed off on the accuracy of the data being reported. Once the Director of Accounting and/or CFO review the reports and backup data for approval then the approved reports will be filed on-line with the Department of Education via the HEERF site. Expenditures charged against the HEERF funds are reviewed for accuracy and allowable cost through a multi-step purchasing process to ensure allowable cost only and prevent potential for improper spending. The Director of Accounting will make sure that all website required reporting is done in a timely manner moving forward. Anticipated Completion Date: June 15, 2023 Contact Person(s): Jessica Davis, Chief Financial Officer

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Reporting Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 614503 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $12.55M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $11.26M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $1.16M
84.047 Trio_upward Bound $1.12M
84.042 Trio_student Support Services $975,090
84.044 Trio_talent Search $622,108
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $391,007
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $297,207
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $189,978
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $174,017
10.326 Capacity Building for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture (nlgca) $14,380
47.076 Education and Human Resources $5,463
11.419 Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards $5,000
17.258 Wia Adult Program $65