Finding 48888 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-29
Audit: 47308
Organization: Rivherhead Charter School (NY)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The School has excess reserve funds of $175,909, exceeding the 90-day limit without an approved spending plan.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with the Uniform Guidance requires a plan for excess funds, which the School currently lacks.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should conduct quarterly reviews of reserve levels and obtain necessary approvals to ensure compliance and proper fund utilization.

Finding Text

Special Test and Provision 2022-002 Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Federal Program(s) ? National School Breakfast and National School Lunch Program Federal Agency(s) ? United States Department of Agriculture Pass-Through Entity(ies) ? New York State Department of Education CFDA Number(s) ? 10.553, 10.555 Pass-through Number(s) ? N/A Federal Award Year ? June 30, 2022 Condition/context: During the audit of the School's, we noted that the School is maintaining excess reserve levels without an appropriately approved spending plan in place. Criteria: In accordance with the Uniform Guidance Compliance Supplement, the School should not maintain more than 90 days of unspent food program funds. The School should have a plan in place on how such excess funds will be utilized. The plan should be approved by the funding source. Cause: The School's management was unaware of the requirement with respect to excess reserve funds. Effect: The School has a restricted fund balance of $175,909 which is in excess of a 90 day reserve level by $13,379. The school has no approved plan of how utilize these funds in the near future. Auditors? Recommendation: Management should perform quarterly reviews of their reserve levels and modify their expenditure patterns to ensure reserves are maintained within approved limits. The required approvals should be obtained from the funder to expend excess funds. Management?s Response: The School had earmarked the reserve funds for the purchase of additional kitchen equipment associated with its new high school. Due to permit delays the opening of the high school was delayed by a year. Management anticipates that the excess funds will be spent during fiscal year 2023 and the School will be within the 90-day reserve level.

Corrective Action Plan

Reporting 2022-002 Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Condition/context: During the audit of the School's, we noted that the School is maintaining excess reserve levels without an appropriately approved spending plan in place Auditors? Recommendation: Management should perform quarterly reviews of their reserve levels and modify their expenditure patterns to ensure reserves are maintained within approved limits. The required approvals should be obtained from the funder to expend excess funds. Management?s Response: The Organization had earmarked the reserve funds for the purchase of additional kitchen equipment associated with its new high school. Due to permit delays the opening of the high school was delayed by a year. Management anticipates that the excess funds will be spent during fiscal year 2023 and the Organization will be within the 90-day reserve level.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Subrecipient Monitoring Cash Management School Nutrition Programs Significant Deficiency Equipment & Real Property Management Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 48887 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 48889 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 48890 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 625329 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 625330 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 625331 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 625332 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.555 National School Lunch Program $429,802
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $269,785
10.553 School Breakfast Program $229,351
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $83,825
84.358 Rural Education $43,151
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $34,352
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $14,561
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $10,000