Finding 394682 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-04-25

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Fund lacks a formal subrecipient monitoring policy that meets the requirements of Title 2 CFR § 200.332.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal regulations for effective internal control and monitoring of subawards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Develop and implement comprehensive subrecipient monitoring policies and procedures as per Title 2 CFR § 200.332.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-001: Subrecipient Monitoring Identification of federal program: Program Title: Community Economic Adjustment Assistance for Compatible Use and Joint Land Use Studies Assistance Listing Number: 12.610 Award Identification: W9124J2120002 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation Criteria or Specific Requirement: Title 2 CFR § 200.303(a) requires pass-through entities to establish and maintain effective internal control 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. All pass-through entities are required to have subrecipient monitoring policies and procedures in place, which conform to the requirements of Title 2 CFR § 200.332 to identify subawards, evaluate risk of noncompliance, and perform monitoring procedures based upon identified risks. Condition: In testing compliance over subrecipient monitoring, we noted the Fund does not have a subrecipient monitoring policy in place that fully conforms with requirements of Title 2 CFR § 200.332. Cause: Historically the Fund has had few subawards and therefore has not developed full written subrecipient monitoring policies and procedures. Effect: The Fund should implement policies and procedures for monitoring subrecipients in accordance with Title 2 CFR § 200.332. Questioned Costs: None Context: While management’s existing process includes certain elements of subrecipient monitoring, a formal adopted policy is not in place that that fully conforms with requirements of Title 2 CFR § 200.332. Repeat finding: No Recommendation: Implement policies and procedures for monitoring subrecipients, including adequate documentation that conforms to the requirements of Title 2 CFR § 200.332. Views of responsible individuals: Management concurs with and will implement the recommendation. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2023-001: Subrecipient Monitoring Audit Finding: In testing compliance over subrecipient monitoring, we noted the Fund does not have a subrecipient monitoring policy in place that fully conforms with the requirements of Title 2 CFR 200.332. Corrective Action Plan: The Conservation Fund is committed to sound and compliant policies and procedures for the administration of subawards. While the Fund’s current practice includes steps to screen subrecipients and monitor their performance, the Fund agrees its subrecipient monitoring procedures should be formalized and strengthened. Accordingly, a formal policy will be adopted by June 2024 which fully conforms with the requirements of the Uniform Guidance. In addition, this policy will incorporate procedures for ensuring appropriate reporting of subawards under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. Person(s) responsible for implementation of the corrective action plan: Monica A. Garrison, Senior Vice President Finance & Treasurer. Hillina Fetehawoke, Director of Accounting & Financial Reporting. Anticipated completion date: June 2024

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 394683 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 394684 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 394685 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 971124 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 971125 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 971126 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 971127 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.001 Agricultural Research_basic and Applied Research $2.51M
15.658 Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration $1.90M
12.610 Community Economic Adjustment Assistance for Compatible Use and Joint Land Use Studies $634,432
10.932 Regional Conservation Partnership Program $595,289
12.401 National Guard Military Operations and Maintenance (o&m) Projects $345,517
15.664 Fish and Wildlife Coordination and Assistance $299,127
10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (afri) $179,866
15.630 Coastal Program $162,573
10.890 Rural Development Cooperative Agreement Program $141,634
10.902 Soil and Water Conservation $119,126
10.935 Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production $115,917
15.930 Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network $93,217
23.011 Appalachian Research, Technical Assistance, and Demonstration Projects $81,416
11.438 Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Pacific Salmon Treaty Program $66,665
15.657 Endangered Species Recovery Implementation $66,027
10.912 Environmental Quality Incentives Program $64,463
81.089 Fossil Energy Research and Development $63,701
66.475 Geographic Programs – Gulf of Mexico Program $25,000
10.676 Forest Legacy Program $16,866
15.611 Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety $12,350
10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance $10,272
10.182 Covid-19 - Pandemic Relief Activities: Local Food Purchase Assistance with States, Tribes, and Local Governments $2,420