Finding 396138 (2023-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-05-07
Audit: 305718
Organization: Hydaburg City School District (AK)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District lacks proper internal controls, leading to missing documentation for 17 out of 25 transactions for ALN 84.184 and 8 out of 11 for ALN 84.299.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding violates allowable cost principles outlined in 2 CFR 200.400, risking misstatements in expenditures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The District should strengthen internal controls and ensure compliance with regulations to maintain adequate transaction support.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-004 Lack of Internal Control / Noncompliance over Activities Allowed or Material Weakness Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Material Noncompliance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program: School Safety National Activities and Native Youth Community Programs ALN: 84.184 and 84.299 Award Numbers: S184G190154-23 and S299A180025-21 Award Years: 2021 for ALN 84.299 and 2023 for ALN 84.184 Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over compliance and material noncompliance. Criteria: Allowable cost principles are defined in 2 CFR 200.400. Condition and Context: We selected a sample of 25 expenditures transactions for ALN 84.184. The District did not provide supporting documentation for 17 of these transactions. We also selected a sample of 11 expenditures transactions for ALN 84.299. The District did not provide supporting documentation for 8 of these transactions. The District also did not provide detailed payroll distribution reports to select samples from. We selected 2 payroll transactions for ALN 84.184 and 9 payroll transactions for ALN 84.299. The District did not provide the auditors with supporting documentation for any of the payroll transactions selected. This is a repeat finding of 2022-008. Cause: Lack of internal control over transactions charged to the major programs. Effect: The lack of supporting documentation allows for the potential for misstatement of expenditures being charged to the major program for which the cost is unallowable. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs for ALN 84.184 are $35,226 and known quested costs for ALN 84.299 are $126,821 due to no supporting documentation provided. Repeat Finding: No. We believe this to be an isolated issue due to employee turnover. Recommendation: We recommend the District adhere to their internal control policies to ensure that the regulations contained in 2 CFR 200 are followed and adequate support for transaction is maintained. Management’s Response: Management agrees with this finding. See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs Finding 2023-004 Lack of Internal Control / Noncompliance over Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Name of Contact Person: Elena Begojevic, Business Manager Corrective Action Plan: Management will ensure that the system of internal controls over cash disbursements is designed appropriately and operates effectively to ensure all transactions are coded, reviewed, and approved before payment is made. The Business manager and the Superintendent will conduct a review of claims to determine whether they are proper and valid charges. Once reviewed, all transactions will be authorized. DocuSign will be used for electronic signature approval. Accounts payable clerk will ensure that all transactions include copies of receipts for the goods or services purchased. Finally, the Finance department will work with the program directors to ensure that expenses are coded accurately and within reasonable timeframe to allow for timely submission of grant reports. Proposed Completion Date: Fiscal Year 2024

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 396139 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 396140 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 396141 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 396142 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 972580 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 972581 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 972582 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 972583 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 972584 2023-006
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.184 Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities_national Programs $674,222
84.299 Indian Education -- Special Programs for Indian Children $518,736
84.215 Fund for the Improvement of Education $162,256
84.011 Migrant Education_state Grant Program $50,956
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $42,327
84.356 Alaska Native Educational Programs $40,062
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $36,013
84.060 Indian Education_grants to Local Educational Agencies $25,167
10.855 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants $19,628
10.553 School Breakfast Program $16,899
10.555 National School Lunch Program $12,269
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $10,000
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $4,412
90.100 Denali Commission Program $4,321
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $2,942
84.358 Rural Education $2,105
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $246