Finding 498109 (2020-008)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-24

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Lack of management review and approval for payroll expenses, with 23 out of 40 employees tested missing necessary documentation.
  • Impacted Requirements: Failure to comply with 2 CFR Section 200.303(a) regarding internal controls and 45 CFR part 75 on cost documentation.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen internal controls and implement processes to ensure all payroll expenses have proper review and approval before payment.

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, regulations require that in order for activities and costs to be allowed under Federal awards, 45CFR, part 75 all costs must be adequately documented. Condition: We noted no evidence of review and approval of payroll expenses including time sheets, payroll registers, and payroll reconciliations. Of the forty (40) employees tested, twenty three (23) employees lacked approval by management. Effect: Management possibly did not expend funds in accordance with the approved detailed lineitem budget and grant agreement and possibly expended funds which did not contribute to the objective set forth for the program or correct period of performance (lack of approved time sheets, payroll registers and reconciliations). Cause: Payroll expenses lacked approved timesheets, approved payroll registers and approved reconciliations between budgeted payroll expenses per grant agreement and internal payroll reports. This was due 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: None Recommendation: We recommend that internal controls be strengthened and processes implemented to ensure all payroll expenses include evidence of review and approval for payment.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Period of Performance

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 498102 2020-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 498103 2020-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 498104 2020-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 498105 2020-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 498106 2020-011
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 498107 2020-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 498108 2020-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 498110 2020-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 498111 2020-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 498112 2020-011
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 498113 2020-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1074544 2020-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1074545 2020-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1074546 2020-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1074547 2020-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1074548 2020-011
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1074549 2020-012
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1074550 2020-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1074551 2020-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1074552 2020-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1074553 2020-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1074554 2020-011
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1074555 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