Finding Text
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - 84.425, U.S. Department of Education, Education Stabilization Fund Federal Award Identification Number and Year - P425E203325, P425F202751 - 2021 Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type: Material weakness and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - The College must minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the United States Treasury to the University and the disbursement of those funds, as outlined in 2 CFR Section 200.305(b). Condition - The College drew down an estimated amount for student and institutional portion prior to the funds being disbursed to students or used for allowable expenditures. Questioned Costs - There were no questioned costs identified. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - In November 2021, the College drew down $5,882,052 for the Student Aid portion and $5,622,717 for the Institutional Aid portion, but it did not spend the funds within the required time following cash management rules under 2 CFR Section 200.305(b). Cause and Effect - The College was not aware that cash management requirements under Uniform Guidance applied to these programs, which resulted in an excess of funds drawn down. Recommendation - We recommend the College implement a process to ensure that minimizes the time elapsed between the transfer of funds from the United States Treasury to the College and the disbursement of those funds. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The College reviewed its cash management policies and corrected accounting procedures are in effect December 22, 2022. Please note that the College was unaware of this requirement; in that regard, it should be recognized that College financial executives consistently and frequently met with their Ohio community college peers, including Ohio Attorney General Office staff, to understand and interpret the evolution of federal rules and guidelines for these federally designated institutional and student awards.