Finding 4892 (2020-009)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
H
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2020
Accepted
2023-12-18

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization failed to maintain necessary documentation for non-payroll expenses, impacting compliance with federal funding requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR Sections 200.303(a), 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h) regarding internal controls and allowable costs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen internal controls and implement processes to ensure all expenses are supported by proper documentation and align with the approved budget period.

Finding Text

Federal Program Information: Funding Agency: U.S Department of Health and Human Services FALN: 93.926 Federal Award Identification Number: H49MC00119‐19‐00 Pass Through Entity: State of Georgia Department of Human Services Award Year: 2018‐2020 Criteria: Under 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), non‐federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, under 2 CFR sections 200.308 200.309 and 200.403(h)), the Organization may charge only allowable costs incurred during the approved budget period of a federal award’s period of performance and any costs incurred before the federal awarding agency or pass‐through entity made the federal award that were authorized by the federal awarding agency or pass‐through entity. Condition: The Organization lacked supporting documentation for non‐payroll expenses. Due to lack of supporting documentation, period of performance could not be verified. Of the sixty (60) nonpayroll transactions examined, ten (10) lacked supporting documentation for review, and 1 expense was for services performed in a prior period. Effect: Management possibly did not expend funds in accordance with the approved detailed lineitem budget and grant agreement and possibly expended funds in the incorrect period of performance. Cause: Expenses including approved invoices and/or supporting documentation were not properly maintained in part due to several changes in personnel within the accounting area and overall limited number of personnel for certain functions and lack of board oversight. Questioned costs: Known questioned costs of $7,674 and likely questioned costs of $34,117 for Healthy Start. Recommendation: We recommend that internal controls be strengthened and processes implemented to ensure all expenses include supporting documentation/invoice indicating period of performance.

Corrective Action Plan

We concur with this finding and have implemented measures to mitigate the repetition or additional occurrences. In 2020, we implemented an electronic system to more efficiently collect and store expenditures and supporting documentation, eliminating a paper filing system. We updated our fiscal policies and procedures in 2022 to document a standardized process for documenting expenditures and retaining receipts. For instance, invoices cannot be processed without adequate documentation. Additionally, credit card holders are responsible for submitting electronic credit card receipts to the fiscal office monthly. In 2022, an updated credit card policy was provided to all employees. The adherence to the credit card policy is monitored by the Fiscal Office and CEO. Responsible person(s): Jemea Dorsey, CEO and Jeanetta Johnson, Fiscal Manager Anticipated Completion Date: FY 2022

Categories

Questioned Costs Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Period of Performance

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 4890 2020-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 4891 2020-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4893 2020-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4894 2020-011
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 4895 2020-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4896 2020-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 4897 2020-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4898 2020-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4899 2020-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 4900 2020-011
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 4901 2020-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 581332 2020-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 581333 2020-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 581334 2020-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 581335 2020-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 581336 2020-011
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 581337 2020-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 581338 2020-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 581339 2020-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 581340 2020-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 581341 2020-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 581342 2020-011
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 581343 2020-012
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.926 Healthy Start Initiative $734,166
93.110 Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs $28,089
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $22,413
93.426 Improving the Health of Americans Through Prevention and Management of Diabetes and Heart Disease and Stroke $4,145