Finding 395756 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-05-02
Audit: 305387
Organization: Occk, Inc. (KS)
Auditor: Kcoe Isom LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Mechanics' wages were incorrectly reported, leading to overcharges of federal funds due to a spreadsheet error.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with cost principles under the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) was violated, resulting in unallowable costs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Agency to return $34,496 to the Kansas Department of Transportation and enhance internal controls to prevent future discrepancies.

Finding Text

Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Programs Section 5311‐ Operations Program Assistance Listing 20.509 Relating to Last Six Months of June 30, 2023 Contract Relating to First Six Months of June 30, 2024 Contract Criteria: Costs charged to federal funds under this grant must comply with the cost principles administered by the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) found at 2 CFR Part 200. Condition: Agency management discovered that 100% of mechanics’ wages were included in the monthly operating reports for the year ended December 31, 2023, and a portion of these wages were not allowable. Management performed a complete and thorough review of the mechanic’s salary allocations for the period January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. It was determined that the allocation discrepancy began January 1, 2023, and ended December 31, 2023. During this review it was also noted that additional funding requests could be made for five backup vehicle costs. The net result is that the Agency had overreported the federal and state portion of the unallowable costs that will be returned to the Kansas Department of Transportation as follows: January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 $13,715 July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 $20,781 Agency management met with the Kansas Department of Transportation Program Administrator and Program Consultant to determine a plan of action to correct the discrepancies. Cause: As of January 1, 2023, a formula in the spreadsheet to prepare the monthly operating reports to the Kansas Department of Transportation was not linked to the proper cell. Effect: The Agency owes $13,715 to the Kansas Department of Revenue for the period January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023, and $20,781 for the period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Recommendation: Agency management took immediate action to determine the effect for the entire year, communicated with the auditor, communicated with the Kansas Department of Transportation, and developed the plan to respond to the finding. As recommended by the Kansas Department of Transportation, a check for $13,715 will be written to the Kansas Department of Transportation. The last six‐month amount of $20,781 will be reported on the February, 2024, operating report to reduce the Kansas Department of Transportation reimbursement provided to the Agency for the year ending June 30, 2024. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: We agree with the finding and have taken the following actions to fully address and correct the discrepancies. 1. Agency management reviewed all twelve months of 2023 billing to determine the total amount to return to the Kansas Department of Transportation. After this review, management determined that the overreporting discrepancies began in January, 2023, and occurred every month through December, 2023. 2. A meeting was held between Agency management and the Kansas Department of Transportation Program Administrator and Program Consultant to discuss the findings and determine a plan of action to correct the discrepancies. The action planned is outlined in the Recommendation section of this finding. 3. Monthly Operating Budget billings for January 2023 through December 2023, were reviewed and the appropriate amounts that should have been billed were determined and compared to the actual amount billed to KDOT. The net result is as identified in the Recommendation section of this finding. 4. Agency management has reviewed the internal processes and enhanced control activities to ensure the mechanic salaries are accurately reported in the monthly operating reports going forward.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 395754 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 395755 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 395757 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 972196 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 972197 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 972198 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 972199 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.509 Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program $1.16M
93.470 Alzheimer's Disease Program Initiative (adpi) $165,691
84.181 Special Education-Grants for Infants and Families $26,647
84.126 Rehabilitation Services_vocational Rehabilitation Grants to States $18,317
93.866 Aging Research $0