Finding 505140 (2020-003)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2020
Accepted
2024-11-08
Audit: 327808
Auditor: Moss Adams LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Two out of three cash disbursements lacked evidence of approval by a knowledgeable reviewer, indicating a significant deficiency in oversight.
  • Impacted Requirements: This noncompliance violates Uniform Guidance Part 200.405, which mandates proper allocation and approval of costs related to federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen internal controls to ensure all grant expenditures are documented and approved by qualified individuals before disbursement.

Finding Text

2020-003 General Disbursements (Significant Deficiency; Other Noncompliance) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Title: HOME Investment Partnerships Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.239 Condition: During our testing of a sample of three cash disbursements, management was unable to provide evidence for two of the transactions that the grant expenditure was approved by a knowledgeable reviewer. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance Part 200.405, a cost is allocable to a particular federal award or other cost objective if the goods or services involved are chargeable or assignable to the federal award or cost objective in accordance with relative benefits received. Context: Using the complete population of 30 administrative cost disbursements charged to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, we tested a sample of 3 disbursements to test that expenditures were approved by someone knowledgeable of the grant terms and conditions. Effect: Of the three transactions randomly selected, management was unable to provide evidence that the grant expenditure was reviewed by someone knowledgeable of the grant for two transactions. Questioned costs: NoneCause: Management did not have adequate controls in place to verify the validity of the amounts charged to the federal award. Recommendation: Internal controls should be strengthened to document approval of grant expenditures by an individual who is knowledgeable of the grant terms and conditions before it is charged to the Program. Management Response: DBAS will establish a set procedure to follow both Finance Department and Loans Department and ensure approval procedures are followed through before loan disbursements are issued. Responsible Persons: Faaeteete Sio and Venetta Holi

Corrective Action Plan

General Disbursements Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Title: HOME Investment Partnerships Program Assistance Listing Number: 14.239 Name of Contact Persons: Faaeteete Sio and Venetta Holi Corrective Action: DBAS will establish a set procedure to follow both Finance Department and Loans Department and ensure approval procedures are followed through before loan disbursements are issued. Proposed Completion Date: Ongoing

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 505141 2020-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1081582 2020-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1081583 2020-004
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $5.03M
11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance $560,072
14.225 Community Development Block Grants/special Purpose Grants/insular Areas $62,800
93.569 Community Services Block Grant $20,664