Finding 387235 (2023-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
H
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-28
Audit: 299505
Organization: Community Partnership, Inc. (PA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Partnership improperly drew $36,853 in federal CSBG funds without a contract or Board approval, violating the period of performance requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with Uniform Guidance regulations regarding timely obligation of funds.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish and implement procedures to ensure funds are obligated within the required time frame.

Finding Text

FINDING: 2023-004 – Internal Control and Compliance over Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Pass-through Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Program: 93.569 Community Services Block Grant and 93.569 COVID-19: Community Services Block Grant Statement of Condition: The Partnership drew federal CSBG funds in December 2022 in the amount of $36,853 to be used for an equipment purchase. The funds were not yet obligated for the purchase, as no contract was in place and Board approval was not yet obtained. In accordance with compliance requirements for CSBG funds, funds granted by the state to subgrantees are available to the subgrantee for obligation during the federal fiscal year that the grant was made and in the following federal fiscal year. Funds were not obligated within the appropriate time period (as of December 31, 2023). Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance period of performance requirements found in 2 CFR section 200.1, 200.308, 200.309, and 200.344, the Partnership is required to ensure that funds are obligated with the required time frame of the period of performance. Effect: The Partnership was not in compliance with the period of performance requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Cause: Procedures in place to ensure that funds were utilized in the proper period of performance were not adequate. Questioned Costs: Unknown Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Partnership establish procedures to ensure the funds are obligated and utilized in the proper period of performance. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: Management agrees with the finding. See attached corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

FINDING: 2023-004 Internal Control and Compliance over Period of Performance Recommendation: We recommend the Partnership establish procedures to ensure the funds are obligated and utilized in the proper period of performance. Action taken: Community Partnership is working with our state association, CAAP, to update internal controls and fiscal policies. Procedures to ensure that obligated funds are spent and utilized within the proper period of performance will be included in updated fiscal policies. Most of these issues resulted from the separation with our previous accounting/fiscal services provider who managed our fiscal and accounting services in the 2022 funding period. CP has worked to satisfy almost all outstanding obligations from this separation during the 2023 CSBG funding period, and currently has no outstanding obligations from the 2023 CSBG funding period. Moving forward, CP staff will work diligently with our selected vendor and board of directors to ensure that all funds are spent down within their designated funding periods.

Categories

Questioned Costs Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Period of Performance Equipment & Real Property Management Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 387236 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 387237 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 387238 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 963677 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 963678 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 963679 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 963680 2023-005
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.569 Community Services Block Grant $428,001
10.569 Emergency Food Assistance Program (food Commodities) $375,359
10.170 Covid-19 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill $19,230
93.569 Covid-19 Community Services Block Grant $914