Finding 50007 (2022-004)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
G
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-30
Audit: 48315
Organization: Palmdale Aerospace Academy (CA)
Auditor: Eide Bailly LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization met the maintenance of effort requirement but failed to reconcile the calculation with the general ledger.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Title 34, CFR, Part 299.5 regarding fiscal effort and documentation accuracy.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review the regulatory requirements and improve procedures to ensure accurate documentation and oversight in calculations.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity: California Department of Education (CDE) Program Name: Title I, Part A, Basic Grants Low-Income and Neglected Assistance Listing Number: 84.010 Compliance Requirement: G Criteria or Specific Requirements Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 299, Subpart D, Section 299.5 requires an Organization receiving funds for Title I, Part A, Basic Grants Low-Income and Neglected program may receive its full allocation of funds only if the SEA finds that either the combined fiscal effort per student or the aggregate expenditures of State and local funds with respect to the provision of free public education in the LEA for the preceding fiscal year was not less than 90% of the combined fiscal effort per student or the aggregate expenditures for the second preceding fiscal year. Condition While the Organization did meet the required maintenance of effort requirement as outlined in Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 299, Subpart D, Section 299.5, the calculation that was provided to the auditor did not reconcile back to the general ledger. Questioned Costs There were no direct questioned costs associated with the condition identified. Context The condition was identified as a result of inquiry with the Organization?s Business Services personnel and through review of the Every Student Succeeds Act Maintenance of Effort form. Effect The Organization?s controls and procedures related to the preparation of the calculation failed to detect the input errors on the calculation. Cause The condition identified appears to have materialized due to clerical oversight and lack of appropriate review. Repeat Finding Yes, see finding 2021-003. Recommendation The Organization should review the requirement stated in Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 299, Subpart D, Section 299.5 and implement a procedure to address the deficiency currently identified with the Organization?s documentation of procurement processes.

Corrective Action Plan

All accounting and business transactions procedures for FY 21/22 were completed by the Academy?s back-office provider. This relationship caused reporting conflicts between the academy and outside agency. Effective July 2022, all accounting and business transactions have been brought in-house and are not processed by Academy staff. By bringing the financial process in house, this will increase the strength of the internal controls within the Academy. The financials are monitored and processed by only one entity instead of between the back-office staff and Academy staff. There was a disconnect between the Academy and back-office staff regarding the preparation of the calculation of Every Student Succeeds Act Maintenance of Effort. The Academy will continue to have internal staff work along with the Director of Business Services and Finance to record and report expenses related to Title I, Part A quarterly. The Director of Business Services and Finance will report quarterly to the Ed Service department along with the Executive Director/Superintendent the current standing and projection of the MOE. Each quarter there will be a discussion on the additional actions that may need to be taken to make sure MOE will be met at end of each fiscal year.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Subrecipient Monitoring Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 50003 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 50004 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 50005 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 50006 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 50008 2022-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 626445 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 626446 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 626447 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 626448 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 626449 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 626450 2022-005
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $797,053
10.555 National School Lunch Program $787,932
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $336,443
10.553 School Breakfast Program $193,098
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $108,307
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $743