Finding 478570 (2023-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-07-16
Audit: 315200
Organization: Collaborative for Children (TX)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: CFC failed to credit $137,893 in disputed vendor invoices back to the Texas Workforce Commission, leading to overstated reimbursements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal cost principles requires that allowable costs be net of all applicable credits, as per §200.406.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: CFC should establish clear policies to ensure all applicable credits are properly accounted for in federal awards.

Finding Text

Finding #2023-002 – Material Weakness and Material Noncompliance. Applicable federal program: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Passed through the Texas Workforce Commission, Child Care and Development Block Grant, Child Care Business Training, Assistance Listing #: 93.575, Contract Number: 2920CCQ002, Contract Year: 12/01/19 – 06/30/24. Criteria: Allowable costs – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, §200.406 requires that allowable costs should be net of all applicable credits, including adjustments of overpayments and erroneous charges. To the extent that any credits accruing to or received by the non-Federal entity relate to allowable costs, they must be credited to the Federal award either as a cost reduction or cash refund, as appropriate. Condition and context: Five vendor invoices totaling $137,893 representing professional services provided in 2022 were disputed by CFC due to lack of performance on the part of the vendor. These invoices were billed to Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) in 2022 under the Child Care Business Training contract, but had not yet been paid to the vendor by CFC. The invoices were subsequently credited by the vendor, but not credited back to TWC by CFC, resulting in an amount owed to TWC by CFC of $137,893 at December 31, 2023. Cause: The finding occurred as a result of an error made in reversing unpaid invoices from the accounting records without crediting the TWC contract for the amounts reversed. Effect: Amounts reimbursed by TWC to CFC under the Child Care Business Training contract are overstated by $137,893. Questioned costs: $137,893. Recommendation: CFC should implement policies and procedures to ensure that any applicable credits be credited to the Federal award either as a cost reduction or cash refund, as appropriate. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: Management agrees with the finding. See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding #2023-002 – Material Weakness and Material Noncompliance. Applicable federal program: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Passed through the Texas Workforce Commission, Child Care and Development Block Grant, Child Care Business Training, Assistance Listing #: 93.575, Contract Number: 2920CCQ002, Contract Year: 12/01/19 – 06/30/24. Recommendation: CFC should implement policies and procedures to ensure that any applicable credits be credited to the Federal award either as a cost reduction or cash refund, as appropriate. Planned corrective action: CFC will develop a written policy outlining clear steps for: 1) Identifying and documenting credits associated with reversed invoices. 2)Applying credits within the accounting system to reduce grant costs. 3)Issuing refunds to funding agencies when required. Grant managers and finance personnel will be trained on these new policies and procedures, with an emphasis on the importance of proper credit application for grant compliance. We will also review existing internal controls over grant management to identify and address any additional weaknesses. Additionally, we will work with TWC to resolve the reimbursement of $137,893 and ensure the appropriate credit is applied. Responsible officer: Chief Financial Officer, Alisa Ealy. Estimated completion date: September 30, 2024

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Material Weakness Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1055012 2023-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $543,133
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant $473,162
93.870 Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant $159,794