Finding 501786 (2023-001)

CONDITION: During my review of the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa’s internal controls over federal awards, I noted that the Authority does not have formal written policies and procedures surrounding the management of their federal award funds. Although not all-inclusive, an example of some of the required polices would include written procedures for procurement, conflict of interest, and allowable costs. CRITERIA: Section 2 CFR 200.303 of the Uniform Guidance requires non-federal entities such as the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa to maintain effective internal controls over federal awards. In addition, the Uniform Guidance also recommends these internal controls follow guidance in Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government (the Green Book), issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. EFFECT: The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa is not in compliance with Section 2 CFR 200.303 of the Uniform Guidance which requires non-federal entities to maintain effective internal controls over federal awards. QUESTIONED COST: None CAUSE: It was not readily determinable as to why the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa had not formally adopted written policies and procedures surrounding the management of their federal award funds. RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa adopt the required written policies and procedures surrounding the management of federal award funds as prescribed by Section 2 CFR 200.303 of the Uniform Guidance. The focus of these policies and procedures should be to ensure that the Authority officials who are responsible for carrying out the objectives of the federal financial award understand 1) the federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the award, 2) how to evaluate and properly monitor compliance, and 3) the steps to take if noncompliance is identified. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS: TheMunicipal Water Authority of Aliquippa concurs with the above noted finding and addresses this issue in the ‘Corrective Action Plan’ included within this report.