FINDING DETAILS: AN EFFECTIVE INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEM WAS NOT IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT THE AGENCY GENERAL LEDGER ACCOUNTING WAS DOUBLE-CHECKED TO BE SURE THE EXPENSE ACCOUNT NUMBERS POSTED WERE THE SAME AS THE ACTUAL/BUDGER FOR HEAD START. RECOMMENDATION: WE RECOMMEND THAT PALADIN INC.'S MANAGEMENT REVISE A SYSTEM OF INTERNAL CONTROLS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE GRANT AGREEMENT AND THE SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS PRINCIPLES COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS. TAKEN OR TO BE TAKEN: THE HS FISCAL REVIEW POLICY AND THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE & DRAW REVIEW PROCEDURE UPDATE WAS MADE TO THE REVIEW OF DRAWS/ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PROCEDURE ALREADY IN PLACE TO ASSURE THAT ACCOUNT OR DEPARTMENT CHANGES MADE ARE IN THE FINAL REVIEW. IF ALREADY TAKEN, DATE OF COMPLETION: PALADIN HAS REVISED DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSES INVOLVED WITH THE HEAD START GRANT. STAFF ARE IN PLACE TO DO THIS REVIEW. REVISED PROCEDURE COMPLETED 11-3-2023. ACCOUNTING STAFF ARE REVIEWING DRAWS AND ACCOUNTS POSTED FROM JULY 1, 2023 TO CURRENT DATE TO BE SURE THAT DRAWS FROM THE GRANT WERE CORRECTLY POSTED AND DRAWN AND ARE CAPTURED ON THE AGENCY SYSTEM. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: PALADIN CFO STATED THAT PALADIN DID HAVE A PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR REVIEW. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT HAVE A SECONDARY PROCEDURE IN PLACE TO REVIEW CHANGES MADE BY STAFF INVOLVED. ANY CHANGES MADE TO THE HEAD START BUDGET/ACTUAL WILL BE CHANGED IN THE AGENCY ACCOUNTING SYSTEM TO REFLECT THE SAME ACCOUNTS. PALADIN CONTACT PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR FINDINGS NAME & TITLE: EVELYN MARVEL, FINANCIAL OFFICER