Finding 501054 (2023-005)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
CL
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: FCE failed to maintain proper documentation for cash draw down requests and performance reports during the first three quarters of 2023.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 2 CFR Section 200.303, which mandates effective internal controls over Federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: FCE must document its review and approval processes before submitting requests and ensure timely submissions moving forward.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-005: Cash Management and Reporting (Significant Deficiency) Information on the Federal Programs: Both Major Programs Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR Section 200.303 requires auditees to establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: FCE did not maintain documentary evidence of the review and approval of either its requests for cash draw downs or its performance reports in accordance with the internal control requirements for the first three quarters in 2023. However, internal controls were implemented during the fourth quarter of 2023 and no issues were noted with approvals in the fourth quarter. In addition, the requests for cash draw downs were not submitted in a timely manner during the year ended December 31, 2023. Cause: Until the fourth quarter of 2023, the review and approval was performed verbally and was not documented. As a result, FCE was not able to provide adequate support to document the review and approval of either its requests for cash draw downs or its performance reports for the first three quarters of 2023. In addition, as FCE was experiencing transition in the finance team, the requests for cash draw downs were not submitted in a timely manner. Effect or Potential Effect: FCE was not able to provide evidence of the implementation of internal controls related to review and approval for cash draw downs and performance reports for the first three quarters of 2023 and FCE did not timely submit its requests for cash draw downs. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat Finding: See Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: FCE should retain documentary evidence of its review and approval process, which should occur prior to submission of the requests for cash draw downs and performance reports. FCE should endeavor to timely submit its requests for cash draw downs.

Categories

Cash Management Reporting Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 501049 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 501050 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 501051 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 501052 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 501053 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1077491 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1077492 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1077493 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1077494 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1077495 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1077496 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs $870,811
19.900 Aeeca/esf Pd Programs $654,832