Finding 500319 (2023-003)

Material Weakness
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The organization has a material weakness in internal controls over compliance regarding allowable costs, specifically related to payroll benefits.
  • Impacted Requirements: Expenses must be charged based on actual costs or an approved allocation plan; the organization used an unapproved flat rate for payroll benefits.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement policies and procedures to ensure proper calculation and allocation of payroll benefits to avoid overcharging grants.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: The Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Assistance Listing Number: 93.323 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: NU50CK000515 - 2021 Pass-Through Agency: State of Washington Department of Health Pass-Through Number: CBO28488-0 Award Period: July 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance – Allowable Costs • Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or specific requirement: Expenses should be charged to each grant based on actual costs or an approved allocation plan. Condition: The Organization allocated a flat 30% of payroll as payroll benefits. There was no internally approved allocation plan for payroll benefits. Questioned costs: $77,756 Context: All payroll benefits charged to the grant were allocated using a rate not formally approved through an internally approved allocation plan. $77,756 is the difference between actual payroll benefits that should have been charged to the grant and the actual amount allocated to the grant. Cause: Policies and procedures were not in place to properly allocate payroll benefits. Effect: The Organization improperly overcharged $77,756 to the grant. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implements policies and procedures to properly calculate and allocate payroll benefits. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization implements policies and procedures to properly calculate and allocate payroll benefits. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action planned in response to finding: We will develop and implement an allocation plan for payroll benefits. We will develop process and procedures where charging of payroll benefits expenses to federal grants includes the written recommendation from compliance team and written approval of the CFO/CEO prior to payroll benefits being charged to federal grants. We will consult with the grantor to discuss whether the questioned costs identified in the audit should be repaid. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Jan Warren/Amber Henderson (Compliance), Haydee Hill (CFO), Sharon Brown (CEO) Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 12/31/2024

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 500318 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 500320 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 500321 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 500322 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 1076760 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1076761 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 1076762 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1076763 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1076764 2023-006
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.323 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (elc) $1.16M