Finding 499914 (2023-001)

-
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Oregon Child Development Coalition, Inc. did not credit rewards from a credit card used for federal purchases as required, leading to a significant deficiency in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: The failure to apply credits as cost reductions violates 2 CFR section 200.406(a), which mandates that allowable costs must reflect any applicable credits.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Develop clear policies on credit card rebates and implement controls to ensure compliance with federal requirements.

Finding Text

2023-001 Finding – Federal Award Type: Allowable Costs – Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance. Identification of Federal Program: Head Start Cluster: AL Number: 93.600 Head Start Criteria / Requirement: Allowable costs per 2 CFR section 200.406(a) Applicable Credits, states that to the extent that credits are received related to allowable costs, they must be credited to the Federal award either as a cost reduction or a cash refund, as appropriate. The cost principles define credits as purchase discounts, rebates or allowances, recoveries on losses, insurance refunds, and adjustments of overpayments. Condition / Context: During the audit it was brought to our attention that Oregon Child Development Coalition, Inc. earns rewards on a credit card used in purchasing goods and services utilizing federal dollars. Although the credit card account is held in the Organization’s name, the individual card is issued utilizing the employee’s name. Per inquiry, it was noted that these rewards had not been credited as a reduction of costs charged to federal programs. The amount associated with the rebates has been determined to not be material for the year ended December 31, 2023. Cause: Oregon Child Development Coalition’s Credit Card Policy does not address rebates associated with earned rewards points on credit cards. Policies and procedures are not in place to ensure that the Organization is appropriately applying credits as a reduction of federal costs. Effect: Failure to maintain sufficient policies and procedures for credit cards rebates may result in non‐compliance with the provisions of applicable requirements of the federal award. Questioned Costs: none Recommendation: The Organization should establish more defined written policies and procedures regarding credit card rebates that are in line with Uniform Guidance requirements, as well as establish organizational controls to ensure that such policies and procedures are being followed. Management’s response: Management understands that a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance has been identified. We concur with the finding and initiated a Corrective Action Plan to address it. We place the utmost importance on the summary of the auditor’s results and are working to improve the strength of our internal controls over compliance.

Corrective Action Plan

FINDING - FEDERAL AWARD PROGRAMS AUDITS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2023-001 Head Start – Assistance Listing #93.600 Recommendation: The Organization should establish more defined written policies and procedures regarding credit card rebates that are in line with Uniform Guidance requirements, as well as establish organizational controls to ensure that such policies and procedures are being followed. Explanation of disagreement with audit findings: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The issue was recognized by management shortly after the close of the fiscal year. The entire balance of accumulated points was converted to gift cards. A historical analysis of the coding for all purchases charged to the credit card during the year under audit is being performed. A proportional amount of the total value of the gift cards will be credited to each federal award as a reduction of costs. This process will continue to be performed on a regular basis for the duration of the use of the credit card in question. Action Plan: OCDC will move to utilizing credit cards that do not have a rewards program. Inquiries have been made with OCDC’s banking institution regarding the available options. The policies and procedures surrounding the use of credit cards will be documented in writing, and anyone who is entrusted to use an agency credit card will be required to sign a document acknowledging their understanding of those policies and procedures. Name(s) of the contact people responsible for correction action: Tong Lee, Chief Financial Officer Plan completion date for corrective action plan: November 30, 2024

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $1.68M
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $206,638
93.870 Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant $124,503
93.600 Head Start $79,252
93.323 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (elc) $25,475
84.011 Migrant Education_state Grant Program $17,898