Finding 392161 (2022-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2024-04-02
Audit: 302366
Organization: Forth (OR)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Forth lacks proper procedures for monitoring subrecipients, leading to material non-compliance with federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR §200.303 and §200.331 regarding internal controls and risk evaluation for subrecipients.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish documented procedures for subrecipient monitoring and ensure compliance with federal regulations and risk assessments.

Finding Text

2022-002 Finding – Federal Award Type: Subrecipient Monitoring –Material Non-Compliance and Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance. Identification of Federal Program: Research and Development Cluster: AL Number: 81.086 Conservation Research and Development Program Criteria / Requirement: The 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that non-federal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. In accordance with 2CFR§200.331, a pass-through entity must clearly identify to the subrecipient the award as a subaward by providing the required federal information related to the award, all requirements imposed by the pass-through entity on the subrecipient so that the federal award is used in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and the provisions of contracts and grants agreements. The pass-through entity must evaluate risk of non-compliance of each subrecipient, monitoring the subrecipient and ensuring accountability of for-profit subrecipients. Condition / Context: Forth passed through $75,170 in funding to subrecipients under Assistance Listing 81.086. During our audit, we noted that Forth did not have documented written procedures or controls in place to ensure compliance with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Per review of subaward contracts, required federal contract information was not clearly identified. Further, subrecipients were not evaluated for risk of non-compliance, were not monitored, and there were no procedures in place to ensure the accountability of for-profit subrecipients. Cause: Procedures are not in place to ensure that Forth is providing adequate subaward

Corrective Action Plan

Findings – Federal Award Material Weakness 2022-002 Finding - Subrecipient Monitoring –Material Non-Compliance and Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance. Condition / Context: Forth passed through $75,170 in funding to subrecipients under Assistance Listing 81.086. During our audit, we noted that Forth did not have documented written procedures or controls in place to ensure compliance with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) subrecipient monitoring requirements. Per review of subaward contracts, required federal contract information was not clearly identified. Further, subrecipients were not evaluated for risk of non-compliance, were not monitored, and there were no procedures in place to ensure the accountability of for-profit subrecipients. Recommendation: The Organization should establish written policies and procedures regarding the contracting and monitoring of subrecipients that are in line with Uniform Guidance requirements, as well as establish organizational controls to ensure that such policies and procedures are being followed. Action Taken: We agree with the auditor’s comments, and as soon as we were made aware of the deficiency in early 2024, we began to implement the following action steps to improve the situation. We will create and document the policies and procedures for effective monitoring of subrecipients of federal funds by February 2024. To ensure such policies are being followed, we will monitor all subrecipients of federal funds by May 2024. Policies and procedures will be revised as needed to ensure the guide is current. We will designate a responsible staff person in 2024 to manage the subrecipient monitoring process and provide routine training on this process so staff understand their responsibilities. Responsible Official: Gina Avalos-Limardo, Director of Finance & Operations Planned Completion Date: May 1, 2024

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 392162 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 968603 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 968604 2022-003
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
59.008 Disaster Assistance Loans $500,000
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $173,257
81.086 Conservation Research and Development $165,446
81.117 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Dissemination, Outreach, Training and Technical Analysis/assistance $17,878