Finding 396983 (2022-003)

Material Weakness
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2024-05-15

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization lacks a reliable process for estimating and approving advance payment requests for federal awards.
  • Impacted Requirements: Internal controls over compliance are weak, leading to potential overdraws and unauthorized fund requests.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Establish a documented process for calculating advance draws, ensuring proper review and approval before funds are requested.

Finding Text

2022-003 – Cash Management Finding Type: Material Noncompliance; Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Program: Rural Communities Opioid Response – Planning/Rural Health Outreach and Rural Network Development Program (AL# 93.912); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Direct award; all grant numbers. Criteria: Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over the advance payment requests related to federal awards. Condition: The Organization was unable to provide documentation to support the advanced draw calculation estimate or its approval by someone other than the individual who requested the draw for 3 of the 11 selections tested. Cause: The Organization does not have a consistent process in place to estimate the amount of advance draws for a 30-day period of needed funding, nor do they have a consistent process in place for the documentation of the review/approval of the advance draw by someone other than the individual who requests the funds. Effect: The Organization could advance draw an amount greater than their need for a 30-day period, or staff could request funds without the proper approval. Questioned Costs: $100,000 Recommendation: The Organization should develop a clearly documented process and method to determine the amount of advance draw not to exceed a 30-day need. This process should include appropriate review, approval and documentation of the advance draw prior to requesting the funds. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will develop a process and method to determine the appropriate calculation for the advance draw process including the proper review and approvals.

Corrective Action Plan

Plan of Action: Drafted new procedure that will be implemented 5/15/24 and will develop a tracking system in Microsoft Forms for the Project Director or Authorizing Officer requesting and approval funds by 6/1/24. Date of implementation: 6/1/2024

Categories

Questioned Costs Cash Management Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 396975 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 396976 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 396977 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 396978 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 396979 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 396980 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 396981 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 396982 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 396984 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 396985 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 396986 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 973417 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 973418 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 973419 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 973420 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 973421 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 973422 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 973423 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 973424 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 973425 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 973426 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 973427 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 973428 2022-003
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.211 Telehealth Programs $475,989
93.912 Rural Health Care Services Outreach, Rural Health Network Development and Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement $15,660
93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (stlt) Health Department Response to Public Health Or Healthcare Crises $8,685