Finding 388585 (2023-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a material weakness in internal controls over compliance due to missing documentation for third quarter draw requests.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.303(a) and 2 CFR 200.302(b)(6) regarding effective internal controls and financial management procedures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should ensure documentation supporting the review of all grant draw requests is retained to demonstrate compliance.

Finding Text

Department of Education and Passed through State of Iowa Department of Education Federal Financial Assistance Listing #84.287, C14-SHIP, C15-SHIP, C16-SHIP, C17-SHIP, 7/1/2022 – 6/30/2023 Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers Program Cash Management Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) states that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. In addition, 2 CFR 200.302(b)(6) establishes that the financial management system of the entity must provide written procedures to implement the requirements of 2 CFR 200.305 Payment. Condition: No support could be provided for the third quarter draw requests to substantiate a secondary level of review was completed prior to submission of the draws. Cause: Documentation to support the review of draw requests prior to submission was not retained during the transition period in the Finance Director role. Effect: Without retaining supporting documentation to substantiate the review of draw requests, demonstrating that the program complies with laws, regulations, and other compliance requirements is difficult. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: A non-statistical sample of 2 of 4 quarters were selected for testing. All draws submitted within the selected quarters were tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We acknowledge the review process lapsed during a time of employee transition, however, we recommend that management retain documentation to support the review of grant draws is performed for all grant draw requests. Views of Responsible Officials: Management is in agreement.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Agency Name: Department of Education Pass-through Entity: State of Iowa Department of Education Federal Financial Assistance Listing #84.287 Program Name: Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers Program Cash Management Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Finding Summary: No support could be provided for the third quarter draw requests to substantiate a secondary level of review was completed prior to submission of the draws. Documentation to support the review of draw requests prior to submission was not retained during the transition period in the Finance Director role. Corrective Action Plan: SHIP had a one-month period of transition in 2023 in which there was no one in the Finance Director role. The Executive Director took over those duties and also contracted for higher level review and approval from a third-party accounting firm during the transitional period. All draws were reviewed, approved and even supported by the Executive Director and the contractors. SHIP did provide current auditors with the time tracking from the contracted accounting firm that they did review the 3rd quarter report, the report was just not officially signed off on. Staff requesting the draw forgot to get one approval signature for quarter three, all others were signed. Moving forward, SHIP will re-train staff to ensure all draws are signed off on. Responsible Individuals: Mindy Baylor - SHIP Finance Director Anticipated Completion Date: September 2023

Categories

Cash Management Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 388584 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 965026 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 965027 2023-004
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.287 Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers $632,635
17.270 Reintegration of Ex-Offenders $317,445
93.556 Promoting Safe and Stable Families $188,967
16.812 Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative $142,347
16.818 Children Exposed to Violence $70,981
16.540 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention_allocation to States $36,488
93.669 Child Abuse and Neglect State Grants $25,838
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $20,106