Finding 399983 (2023-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-06-05
Audit: 308162
Organization: Esperanza Foster Family Agency (CA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Unallowable costs of $11,454 were identified, including $2,275 for employee meals and $9,179 for investment advisory fees.
  • Impacted Requirements: Costs must be necessary, reasonable, and properly documented as per Title 2, CFR, Part 200, Subpart E.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Develop a written policies and procedures manual for compliance with allowable/unallowable costs, including a detailed checklist for cost reviews.

Finding Text

Condition: We identified unallowable costs totaling $11,454, comprised of $2,275 of employee meals and $9,179 of investment advisory fees. Criteria: Title 2, CFR, Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles, Basic Considerations, section 200.403, Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs, states, in part, that “Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: a) be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award, b) be properly documented showing the business nature of the charge. Cause: Internal controls over reporting compliance requirements were not properly designed and were not placed in operation. Management is responsible for compliance with the requirements of allowable/unallowable costs and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of effective internal controls over compliance with the requirements of laws, statutes, regulations, rules, and provisions of grant agreements applicable to its federal program. Effect: The lack of internal controls and procedures over compliance increases the risk of using federal funds for unallowable costs. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency develop a written policies and procedures manual for allowable/unallowable costs compliance, which should include a checklist detailing all the necessary steps to ensure a proper review of all costs charged to the federal program.

Corrective Action Plan

The Agency will no longer hold assets in an advisory investment account but transfer assets to a qualified bank for low-risk savings, money market, or certificate of deposit account where no advisory fees are charged. The Agency will no longer sponsor employee meals but utilize federal awards according to HHSS expenditure guidelines.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 399984 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 976425 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 976426 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.658 Foster Care_title IV-E $1.78M