Finding 381157 (2023-003)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-19

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in the timely approval of credit card transactions, violating federal compliance requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: 2 CFR Section 200.303 mandates effective internal controls over federal awards, which were not maintained due to delays in supervisor approvals.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure all credit card transactions are reviewed and approved by supervisors promptly to comply with federal grant regulations.

Finding Text

Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria: 2 CFR Section 200.303 of the Uniform Guidance requires the non-Federal entity to 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. Condition: During testing of credit card purchases, we noted that supervisor approvals of expense reports were not timely obtained. Specifically, we identified the following: Out of 25 credit card transactions tested during our financial statement audit procedures, we noted: 1 transaction did not have proper approvals on file, Approvals for 6 transactions occurred over 90 days after transaction dates, Approvals for 4 transactions occurred over 120 days after the transaction dates, Out of 25 credit card transactions tested during the single audit procedures (ALN #97.024), we noted: Approvals for 9 transactions occurred over 30 days after the transaction dates, Approvals for 8 transactions occurred over 90 days after the transaction dates Cause: Lack of timely review of credit card expense reports and transactions by supervisors for approval. Effect or potential effect: Noncompliance with federal award grants for disallowed costs or costs charged to grants without accurate supporting documentation. Additionally, credit card purchases run a higher risk for abuse if not timely reviewed. Recommendation: We recommend that the Agency ensure that all credit card reports and transactions are timely reviewed by supervisors to ensure proper compliance with federal grant requirements. Repeat Finding: No Questioned Costs: None Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding. See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Criteria: 2 CFR Section 200.303 of the Uniform Guidance requires the non-Federal entity to establish and maintain effective internal controls 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. Condition: During testing of credit card purchases, we noted that supervisor approvals of expense reports were not timely obtained. Cause: Lack of timely review of credit card expense reports and transactions by supervisors for approval. Agency Response: Program directors/approvers of expense reports must go in by the 5th of the month after month end to approve/reject all employee expense reports assigned to them. The Financial Data Clerk will go in by the 6th of the month note the staff who has not approved their expense reports. The clerk will then communicate with the Director of Finance who in turn will send notification to the staff who is listed as approver. Once the staff is notified they will be given a 48 hour turn around to approve/reject, in the event they do not comply disciplinary action will be taken. After the 48 hours if report is not approved, Finance leadership will go into the system and review the report for approval or rejection. Responsible parties will be Alejandra Nunez, Financial Data Clerk and Lisette DeLeon, CFO, Cynthia Timm, Director of Finance, and Program designated expense report approvers. This will be implemented by February 2024.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Reporting Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 381150 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 381151 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 381152 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 381153 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 381154 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 381155 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 381156 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 381158 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 381159 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 381160 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 381161 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 381162 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 381163 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957592 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 957593 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 957594 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 957595 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 957596 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 957597 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 957598 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 957599 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957600 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957601 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957602 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957603 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957604 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957605 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
97.024 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program $34.32M
93.567 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_voluntary Agency Programs $740,828
93.870 Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant $537,192
19.510 U.s. Refugee Admissions Program $386,090
93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_state Administered Programs $237,040
97.010 Citizenship Education and Training $124,374
21.009 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (vita) Matching Grant Program $84,310
93.676 Unaccompanied Alien Children Program $65,752
93.556 Promoting Safe and Stable Families $61,628
93.576 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_discretionary Grants $51,096
94.002 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program $48,739
93.598 Services to Victims of A Severe Form of Trafficking $42,029
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $22,152
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $15,554
21.006 Tax Counseling for the Elderly $6,457
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $4,945
94.011 Foster Grandparent Program $4,881