Finding 500267 (2023-007)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Two expenses totaling $10,167 were mistakenly recorded as 2023 costs instead of 2024, violating LSC standards.
  • Impacted Requirements: Costs must be incurred and recorded in the correct period to be allowable under LSC grants.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Finance should establish a review process to ensure accurate period recording of expenses.

Finding Text

2023-007 Standards governing allowability of costs under LSC grants or contracts Legal Services Corporation ALN#09.233100 Criteria: Per LSC Reg. 1630.5 Standards governing allowability of costs under LSC grants or contracts, allowable expenditures have to be the cost that were actually incurred in the performance of the grant or contract and the recipient was liable for payment. Condition: Two (2) expenditure items totaling $10,167 incurred in 2024 were incorrectly recorded in the financial system as 2023 expenses and were improperly charged to the LSC 2023 funding. Cause: The expenses were inadvertently recorded in the incorrect period, resulting in an improper charge to the LSC 2023 funding. Effect: LSC could determine this to be an unallowed cost and could initiate a request for the return of funding. Context: Out of sixty (60) expenditure items selected for testing, two (2) items totaling $10,167 were charged to the LSC 2023 grant, despite not having been incurred in that year. Questioned costs: $10,167 Recommendation: We recommend that the finance department implement an effective review process to ensure that expenses are recorded in the proper period. Views of responsible officials: See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

LSNYC will ensure that the proper accounting period is selected for all subsidiary ledger entries, as well as all journal entries, before posting is approved into the general ledger. We will also train relevant staff on the importance of recording transactions in the correct period in order to minimize the likelihood of mistakes.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 500263 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 500264 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 500265 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 500266 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1076705 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1076706 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1076707 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1076708 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1076709 2023-007
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
09.223 Legal Services Corporation $16.06M
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $8.46M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $5.01M
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $2.02M
93.914 Hiv Emergency Relief Project Grants $1.10M
93.044 Special Programs for the Aging, Title Iii, Part B, Grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers $564,516
14.418 Private Enforcement Initiatives $400,702
93.569 Community Services Block Grant $313,351
21.008 Low Income Taxpayer Clinics $265,388
93.048 Special Programs for the Aging, Title Iv, and Title Ii, Discretionary Projects $238,716
16.588 Violence Against Women Formula Grants $149,999
64.033 Va Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program $137,500
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $100,468
10.561 State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $60,999
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $56,769
14.408 Fair Housing Initiatives Program $14,491
16.524 Legal Assistance for Victims $1,516