Finding 480318 (2023-001)

-
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-08-02
Audit: 316543
Organization: Endeavors, Inc. (TX)
Auditor: Forvis Mazars

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Some expenses for utilities and facility services were not approved in the budget submitted to the pass-through agency.
  • Impacted Requirements: Expenditures must align with allowable costs as per 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure formal documentation for budget amendments and strengthen policies to support allowable costs in grant expenditures.

Finding Text

Disaster Assistance Projects; 97.088; pass-through Volunteer Florida, Program Year 2023. DR 4673-FL; U.S. Department of Homeland Security Criteria or Specific Requirement - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles - 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E – Expenditures must conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in the cost principles or in the Federal award as to type of expenditure. Condition – Endeavors’ expensed activities related to utilities and facility services that were not an approved type of cost in the budget submitted to the pass-through agency. Known Questioned Costs – $1,186. Questioned costs were determined by the amount of known expenses within sample that were not a specifically approved type of cost in the budget submitted to the pass through agency. Context – Out of 594 expenditures, a sample of 25 was selected for testing and 4 were not considered types of allowable activities. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Effect – Expenditures were submitted for reimbursement that do not have support for allowability. Cause – Endeavors did not have formal documentation that the types of expenditures were approved in a formal amended budget. Internal controls were not in place to ensure federal awards were expended only for approved budgeted allowable activities. Identification as a repeat finding – Not a repeat finding. Recommendation – Endeavors should maintain formal documentation of any amendments to budget agreements related to the grant agreement. Policies and procedures over grant expenditures should be modified to ensure that allowable costs have sufficient supporting documentation that is retained in accordance with grant requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions – We agree with the finding. See separate report for planned corrective actions.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2023-001 Responsible Individual: Steve Lefever Endeavors obtained verbal approval to include the activities related to utilities and facility services on requests for reimbursement from the official who reviewed and approved billings. Endeavors submits all invoices with attached detailed support for each expenditure. All requests for reimbursement to date have been paid for utilities and facility services without exception. Corrective Action Plan (CAP) Endeavors will review each grant at inception and list out requirements related to budget and billings. Grant requirements will also be reviewed with the Grant/Contract Accountant and Program Officials at the start of any subsequent grant years. Endeavors will not submit billings without documented approval from the funder of budget changes from the original award. Anticipated Completion date 8/1/24

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.676 Unaccompanied Alien Children Program $26.91M
64.033 Va Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program $11.98M
14.267 Continuum of Care Program $1.82M
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $1.72M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.31M
14.276 Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program $734,104
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $669,378
93.568 Texas Homeowner Assistance Fund $510,150
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services_projects of Regional and National Significance $415,312
17.805 Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project $357,530
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $89,881
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $79,624
97.088 Disaster Assistance Projects $54,057
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $31,332
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $23,051