Finding 386415 (2023-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-27

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Salaries and wages for the federal grant were based on preliminary estimates rather than actual time worked.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates Uniform Guidance which mandates accurate time and effort records supported by internal controls.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should create policies and procedures to ensure time and effort charges reflect actual work performed.

Finding Text

Grant: ALN 93.788 Opioid STR Finding No. 2023-01: Allowable Cost - Time and Effort Condition: Salaries and wages charged to the federal award were based on preliminary time and effort estimates. Employees and clinical staff track their time by the grant/program but actual time was not reconciled to the preliminary time and effort estimates before billed. ; Context Time charges to the federal award were based upon estimates established by SPVMHC through the grant budgeting process. While timesheets were prepared by employees, which denoted time and effort related to each grant, the actual time and effort was not charged to the grant. Criteria Under the Uniform Guidance, time and effort records must be supported by a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that charges are accurate, allowable and allocable and incorporated in the official records. Cause Consistent procedures have not been developed to require actual time and effort to be billed to grants rather than preliminary estimates. Effect The federal award may be overcharged or undercharged if actual time and effort differs from preliminary estimates. Questioned Costs Unknown Repeat Finding No Recommendation We recommend that management establish policies and procedures that are consistent with the Uniform Guidance administrative requirements with regards to compensation and allocable costs which includes ensuring time and effort charges are based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action See corrective action plan

Corrective Action Plan

Finding No. 2023-01: Allowable Costs (Time and Effort) In finding 2023-01, a condition was noted that salaries and wages charged to the Opioid STR (ALN 93.788) federal award were based on preliminary time and effort estimates. Employees and clinical staff track their time by the grant/program but actual time was not reconciled to the preliminary time and effort estimates before billed. As a response, the Organization updated its timekeeping system to include pay codes to allow every employee to input their actual time and effort for each specific grant. The timecards will be completed by each employee and reviewed by their supervisor. This updated timekeeping system will ensure salaries and wages charged to federal grants is based on actual time and effort. The updated timekeeping system was implemented in December 2023.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 386416 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 386417 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 962857 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 962858 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 962859 2023-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.498 Provider Relief Fund $721,976
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services_projects of Regional and National Significance $568,561
93.788 Opioid Str $429,911
93.958 Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services $302,489
32.006 Covid-19 Telehealth Program $250,797
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $172,014
93.959 Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse $71,447
93.665 Emergency Grants to Address Mental and Substance Use Disorders During Covid-19 $41,483
16.812 Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative $12,360