Finding 390088 (2021-002)

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Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2024-03-29
Audit: 300971
Auditor: Mun CPAS LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Lack of formal documentation for payroll charged to the Coronavirus Relief Fund and incorrect allocation of wages.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with the CARES Act regarding proper documentation and allocation of payroll expenses.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish a clear process for payroll allocation, including tracking actual hours worked and conducting time studies for salaried employees.

Finding Text

Federal Award Information: Name of Federal Agency: Department of the Treasury Federal Program Title: Coronavirus Relief Fund Assistance Listing Number: 21.019 Federal Award Year: 2021 Passed Through: State of California Department of Social Services Pass Through Number: COVID-19 TEFAP Criteria Section 5001 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") established the Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide assistance due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Condition During our testing of payroll charged to the program, we noted formal documentation was not maintained to support payroll allocated to the grant. In addition, the Organization allocated net, rather than gross, pay to the grant throughout the year and posted an adjustment at year-end to correct wages and taxes. Cause Due to personnel turnover, documentation was not maintained and wages were not correctly allocated to the grant throughout the year. Effect Failure to maintain documentation supporting allocation percentages and using an incorrect allocation basis could lead to incorrect payroll amounts charged to grants. Questioned Costs No costs are questioned. Repeat Finding This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation We recommend the Organization develop a process to allocate payroll to grants, such as using actual hours worked for hourly employees and performing a time study for salaried employees, implement procedures to consistently allocate payroll to grants, and use the proper base for the allocation.

Corrective Action Plan

A grant allocation workbook is prepared monthly by External Bookkeeper and reviewed/approved by Executive Director before allocations are entered in accounting software. The method used has been based on the percentage of time each employee works on the individual programs as determined by management. Both hourly and salaried employees use the percentage method. This method is determined based on the programs being performed for the month. A time study is now being performed on the first week of every quarter for all employees to determine the accuracy of the percentages used in the grant allocation workbook. Responsiblity: External Bookkeeper, PurserBKS, is responsible for preparing monthly Grant Allocation Worksheet for review and approval by Executive Director. Once this is approved then PurserBKS prepares the grant billing documents for Executive Director's review and approval. Responsibility: Marial Ball, Executive Director, reviews and approves all grant billing and submits billing documents to funders. Completion Date: Ongoing

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $309,815
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $194,704
10.568 Emergency Food Assistance Program (administrative Costs) $27,227
93.469 Assistive Technology Alternative Financing Program $25,000
97.024 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program $17,063
93.569 Community Services Block Grant $1,813
10.178 Trade Mitigation Program Eligible Recipient Agency Operational Funds (a) $421