Finding 384016 (2023-104)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-25

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Payroll expense allocations lack adequate documentation and support.
  • Impacted Requirements: Management must provide accurate information for cost allocations as per Uniform Guidance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Improve record retention practices to ensure timely support for payroll cost calculations.

Finding Text

Accuracy of Data Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Award Name: U.S. Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds; Program Year: October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023; Assistance Listing Number: 21.027; Criteria: Management is responsible for reasonably and accurately providing information to support calculations used to allocate costs under the accounting and cost accounting principles contained in the Uniform Guidance. Condition: During compliance testing, it was identified that expense allocations related to payroll were not adequately supported. Context: Payroll cost allocations could not be recalculated or properly traced back to the payroll register. Cause: Lack of formal documentation retention and turnover in positions. Effect: As a result, the Agency was unable to provide documentation to support the payroll costs allocated to the program for reimbursement. Recommendation: In the future, the Agency should maintain records related to allocation percentages to be able to timely and appropriately provide support for calculations. Views of Responsible Officials: Management acknowledges the finding and is improving their documentation and record retention.

Corrective Action Plan

The payroll registers and postings do match but the agency has historically corrected wages to each grant monthly, resulting in difficulty to test each payroll to grants. Finance and HR attempted to identify a process with the payroll company. Instead, the Agency created a new payroll journal to post payrolls per pay period that match grant budgets. In addition, the Agency updated the Fiscal Procedures manual with this clarification, “Grants are amended throughout the year for revenues. The agency may need to move staff and benefits prior to a grant year end close due to realignment with amendments. The agency should always strive to not have carry forward in smaller state grants and to post expenses such that carry forward is accounted for the in State 8001 contract. This is not to shift costs to grants but to reconcile budget amendments that occur frequently during the year to actual expenditures.” This clarification acknowledges that perpetual changes to grant amounts by the State and Federal government will necessitate changes during the fiscal year.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 384009 2023-103
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 384010 2023-107
    Significant Deficiency
  • 384011 2023-103
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 384012 2023-107
    Significant Deficiency
  • 384013 2023-103
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 384014 2023-107
    Significant Deficiency
  • 384015 2023-102
    -
  • 384017 2023-105
    -
  • 384018 2023-106
    Significant Deficiency
  • 960451 2023-103
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 960452 2023-107
    Significant Deficiency
  • 960453 2023-103
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 960454 2023-107
    Significant Deficiency
  • 960455 2023-103
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 960456 2023-107
    Significant Deficiency
  • 960457 2023-102
    -
  • 960458 2023-104
    Significant Deficiency
  • 960459 2023-105
    -
  • 960460 2023-106
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.045 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part C_nutrition Services $556,107
93.044 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part B_grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers $381,751
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $252,007
94.002 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program $113,400
93.470 Alzheimer's Disease Program Initiative (adpi) $107,248
93.052 National Family Caregiver Support, Title Iii, Part E $100,706
93.053 Nutrition Services Incentive Program $73,020
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $64,328
93.493 Access Points for Aroostook County Maine $46,524
93.791 Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration $44,215
93.043 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part D_disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services $19,997
93.324 State Health Insurance Assistance Program $15,569
93.048 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iv_and Title Ii_discretionary Projects $2,725
93.071 Medicare Enrollment Assistance Program $1,467