Finding 499557 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-30
Audit: 322412
Organization: America's Poison Centers (VA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Salary allocations are not accurately reflecting actual hours worked, leading to potential mischarges to federal programs.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Title 2 U.S. CFR Part 200, which mandates accurate record-keeping and internal controls for salary charges.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Revise allocation methods to include all hours worked and ensure oversight of outsourced payroll functions for accuracy.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-001: Salary Allocations Information on the Federal Programs: 93.070 Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, paragraph 430 “Compensation– personal services” requires that charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed, and that these records must be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Additionally, these records must comply with established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity. Condition: The Association uses an outsourced HR service to perform certain payroll functions, including the allocation to cost centers based on timesheets. We noted that in some cases, individuals had worked hours in excess of the standard working hours in a pay period. Instead of allocating time proportionately based on the timesheet, the time was first reduced to the standard hours required by reducing the overage against the code which had the most hours charged. Cause: The allocation to programs was not based on total actual hours for employees who worked more than the standard working hours for the period. Effect or Potential Effect: The current allocation method may cause programs to be undercharged or over-charged. Questioned Costs: Undetermined Context: APC uses timesheets to allocate time, however the allocation should be based on all total hours worked. Identification as a Repeat Finding: See finding 2022-001 Recommendation: We recommend that APC allocate time using all hours recorded by employees on their timesheets. Outsourced service work should be reviewed by APC to ensure accuracy.

Corrective Action Plan

Views of Responsible Officials: In 2024, the recommendation was implemented. Allocations will be reviewed by the outsourced accounting team to ensure that this has been executed upon. The CEO is responsible for overseeing both the new HR service provider and the outsourced accounting team and will ensure that this does not recur.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1075999 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.070 Environmental Public Health and Emergency Response $984,360