Finding 4027 (2023-006)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2023-12-13

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls related to the Education Stabilization Fund grants, specifically due to missing approval signatures on charged items.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.303 and internal control standards is not being met, risking improper management of federal funds.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The District should enhance internal controls and implement alternatives when key positions, like the business manager, are vacant.

Finding Text

2023-006 – ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED Type: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Program: ALN 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund, COVID-19 - ESSER II – Summer School and ESSER II – 98c Criteria: As detailed by 2 CFR 200.303, the non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: During testing of amounts charged to the grants, it was noted that several items charged to the grant did not have proper approval signatures. Cause/Effect: This condition appears to be the result of a vacancy in the business manager position. Recommendation: We recommend that the District establish/modify internal controls to assure that internal controls are maintained/alternate internal controls are in place when a key position is vacant. View of Responsible Official: Management is in agreement with this recommendation

Corrective Action Plan

Finding Number 2023-006 — Significant Deficiency in Internal Control — Covid 19-ESSER II 23b-Summer School and ESSER II-98C - Approval Process Condition: During expense testing of ESSER funds, a July 2022 expenditure for $24.95, payable to BMO, and an August 2022 invoice for $10,167, payable to IXL for math software licenses, were not approved by the Director of Business Services. During this time, the Director of Business Services position was vacant. Proper internal control procedures would ensure a proper approval process, for any position that is temporarily vacant. Responsible Person: Carl Seiter, Director of Business Services Implementation Date: December 31, 2023 Corrective Action: Develop an approval process workflow that would temporarily utilize another administrator for approvals in Munis if any key position is vacant. The district has two administrators per building. The administrators will have the other building administrator act as approver for that building in the event an administrative position is vacant. If both principal positions are vacant, an administrator in another building will be integrated into the approval process for the building with no administrator. At Central Office, the next key position for approvals would be Trina Smith, the Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Accountant. If this position is vacant, the llRlPayroll Accountant will assume those approval duties. The final step of approval is the Director of Business Services to approve items before the AP/AR position can process any items. These items include invoices, requisitions, purchase orders, payroll related items and journal entries. In the event the Director of Business Services position is vacant, the District Superintendent of Schools will be the final approver. Sincerely, Carl Seiter Director of Business Services Shepherd Public Schools

Categories

Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 4022 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4023 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4024 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4025 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4026 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 4028 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 4029 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580464 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 580465 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 580466 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 580467 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 580468 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580469 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580470 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580471 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $431,967
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services_projects of Regional and National Significance $379,121
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $257,786
10.553 School Breakfast Program $126,934
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $41,381
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $15,474
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $4,475
10.555 National School Lunch Program $3,557
10.649 Pandemic Ebt Administrative Costs $628