Finding 387369 (2021-007)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2021
Accepted
2024-03-28
Audit: 299544
Organization: Pembroke Hill School (NH)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The district lacks proper documentation to support how wages were distributed for an employee charged to grant funds.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding violates federal regulations requiring accurate records for salary charges under 2 CFR 200.303 and 2 CFR 200.430.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure all employees paid with grant funds have documented support for their wage distribution to comply with federal requirements.

Finding Text

2021-007 Lack of Documentation to Support Distribution of Wages (Significant Deficiency) Federal Agency: Department of Education Pass-through Agency: New Hampshire Department of Education Cluster/Program: Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.425D Passed-through Identification: #20204815 Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Internal Control over Compliance – Significant Deficiency Criteria or Specific Requirement: Federal regulations 2 CFR 200.303 states, the district, as a recipient of Federal funds, must 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. In addition, under 2 CFR 200.430, it states that charges to federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must (1) be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated, (2) be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity, (3) reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities, and (4) support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award or a federal award and non-Federal award. Condition: During our review of payroll charged to the grant, we noted one employee who did not have documentation to support the distribution of the employee’s time spent on grant activities. Cause: Administrative oversight. Effect: The District did not have adequate documentation to support the distribution of the employee’s wages paid using grant funds. Questioned Costs: $3,136 Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that documentation be retained to support the distribution of salaries and wages for all employees paid using grant funds. Views of Responsible Officials: Management’s views and corrective action plan is included at the end of this report.

Corrective Action Plan

Audit Finding Reference: 2021-007 Lack of Documentation to Support Distribution of Wages Management’s View and Planned Corrective Action: After review we have also determined that this documentation was lacking. Since 2021 many changes have occurred. A Time and Effort policy and procedure has been established, documented and implemented. Federally funded stipends are no longer processed until the Time and Effort Log of hours have been received. Once we have received the form(s), which we now attach to the position in our accounting system we then process in payroll. This procedure is also located in our Federal Funds Handbook. A communication will be sent to Grant Manager’s reminding them of the Time & Effort policy and procedures. Name of Contact Person and Completion Date: Name 1 Amber Wheeler Name 2 Danielle Rossetti Anticipated Completion Date : Procedure has changed a reminder will be communicated by March 30th.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 963811 2021-007
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $332,900
10.555 National School Lunch Program $285,108
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $192,617
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $98,038
10.553 School Breakfast Program $94,124
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $4,447
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants $2,837