Finding 398400 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-05-23
Audit: 307082
Organization: Legal Aid of Northwest Texas (TX)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: $45,000 in roof repairs were made without required LSC approval within 30 days.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with LSC regulations on capital improvements exceeding $25,000.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement review procedures to ensure timely approval of all capital improvements.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-001 Major Federal Program: 09.744050 – Legal Services Corporation – Basic Field Grant Compliance Requirements: Allowable Costs and Cost Principles Criteria: The Compliance Supplement for Audits of LSC Recipients and LSC Regulations 45 CFR§ 1631.3 requires that any capital improvements using more than $25,000 of LSC Funds have documented requests for LSC approval and that approval has been granted within 30 days. Audit procedures revealed that capital improvements of $45,000 related to roof repairs were not approved by LSC. Condition: (X) Compliance Finding (X) Significant Deficiency ( ) Material Weakness Context: Capital improvements of $45,000 related to roof repairs were not approved by LSC within 30 days of occurring under exigent circumstances. Effect and Questioned Costs: Repair costs of $45,000, although not approved in accordance with LSC guidelines, were expended on allowable costs. Likely Questioned costs were indeterminable. Recommendation: We recommend review procedures be put in place to ensure the all capital improvements are approved appropriately prior to purchase or within 30 days of occurring under exigent circumstances. Response: See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and LANWT accounting department will review and train on 45 CFR 1631 regarding the subject of Purchasing and Property Management. LANWT will review its policies and protocols to require prior purchase approval and exigent circumstances approval. Deadlines shall be calendared by the CEO and the accounting department whenever there is an exigent circumstance and approval will need to be requested within the 30-day notice period. The CEO will remain in periodic contact with LSC if any extenuating circumstances exist. The accounting manual will be updated with this protocol. Date of Completion: June 1, 2024 Person Responsible to Ensure Completion: Maria Thomas-Jones, CEO

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Material Weakness Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 974842 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
09.U01 Basic Field Grant $12.00M
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $2.79M
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $2.16M
93.568 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance $556,330
09.U04 Lsc Supplemental Disaster $320,751
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $317,490
21.008 Low Income Taxpayer Clinics $101,409
09.U02 Pro Bono Innovation Fund $94,938
09.U03 Tech Improvement Grant $35,000
16.524 Legal Assistance for Victims $13,771
64.033 Va Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program $6,764