Finding 397723 (2023-001)

2023-001 Internal Controls Over Compliance and Compliance with Reporting - Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Information on the Major Federal Program - Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services Assistance Listing Number: 93.855 Assistance Listing Name: Research and Development Cluster Award Number: 1G20AI174721-01 Award Period: 09/16/2022 – 02/29/2024 Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.510 (b) states in part: “The auditee must also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR Section 200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended.” The Schedule must provide total Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program. Condition: Expenditures for a grant under the Department of Health and Human Services program of approximately $1.3 million were incurred in 2023, but improperly not included in the Schedule. These expenditures were incurred but not billed to the federal awarding agency at December 31, 2023. Cause: The internal controls established for the review and reconciliation of the Schedule to the underlying accounting records were not consistently followed to ensure accurate reporting of expenditures to the Schedule. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed the Schedule and found the exception as noted in the condition. Effect: Failure to properly review and support expenditures reported in the Schedule can result in inaccurate reporting and non-compliance with laws and regulations. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: Internal controls should be designed to prevent, detect and correct errors and/or omissions in a timely manner. Without adequate controls, the Organization cannot provide reasonable assurance that the Schedule is fairly presented. See management’s response for further details.