Finding 478526 (2021-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2024-07-15

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Weak internal controls over payroll processing led to discrepancies between recorded hours and paid hours.
  • Impacted Requirements: Inadequate documentation and verification of timecard changes raise the risk of undetected errors.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Implement a more robust documentation process for timecard revisions and ensure proper oversight to prevent payroll errors.

Finding Text

Payroll Processing - Condition:There was a lack of internal control oversight over the payroll process such that it allowed several instances and inconsistencies in the entity’s payroll records and processing. Cause: We noted for 3 out of 20 sample selections that the hours recorded in the timesheets did not match the hours paid per the payroll journal. Effect: CDCFC payroll internal controls did not prevent or detect errors in their payroll processing system and did not provide for the timely corrections of those errors. Management informed us that their payroll processing system locks timecards at the end of the payroll period each week. Once the timecards are locked, no further changes can be made to the timecards by managers or payroll administrators. CDCFC’s payroll process requires payroll administrators to confirm with supervisors that the hours reported in timecards are correct. Any changes are done directly to the pay grid. However, the confirmation process does not appear to adequately documents these revisions. CDCFC informed us that their process is done verbally by phone calls. Result: The payroll system is not adequately documenting any revisions in timecard processing. We believe this payroll processing could allow errors to occur. It was not practical to determine the rate of occurrence of these payroll processing overrides or to verify the proper corrections were being made.

Corrective Action Plan

1. Review and Revise Payroll Policies and Procedures August 2024 Fiscal Staff/Management Team Payroll Policies and Procedures Uniform Guidance 45 CFR Part 75.302(b)(3) Financial management and standards for financial management systems and 75.430 Compensation - personal services and 75.431 Compensation - fringe benefits.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 478527 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 478528 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 478529 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 478530 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 478531 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 478532 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 478533 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054968 2021-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1054969 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054970 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054971 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054972 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054973 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054974 2021-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054975 2021-005
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.600 Head Start - Full Year, Part Day $22.26M
93.600 Early Head Start - Full Year $1.84M
93.600 Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (cares) - Head Start $1.03M
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $556,687
93.600 Coronavirus Response & Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (crssa) - Head Start $328,120
93.600 Head Start - Training and Technical Assistance $269,538
93.600 American Rescue Plan - Head Start $227,134
93.600 Early Head Start - Training and Technical Assistance $38,582