Finding 51055 (2022-102)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: $46,107 in consultant costs were improperly charged to the Head Start program due to lack of supporting documentation.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Uniform Guidance mandates that costs benefiting multiple functions must be accurately allocated and supported by detailed time reports.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure all administrative costs are pre-approved by the grantor and backed by proper documentation before allocation to the federal program.

Finding Text

Federal program information: Funding agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Title: Head Start CFDA number: 93.600 Award number and years: 72609; July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 Pass-through grantor: City of Phoenix Compliance Requirements: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Questioned Costs: $46,107 Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that for charges benefiting more than one function, such as finance consultants, systems and controls should be established to help ensure that only actual costs are allocated to the Head Start program. Condition: During fiscal year 2022 the organization incurred $69,980 of consultant costs relating to the outsourced CFO. Of this total, $46,107 was billed to the Head Start program based on allocations indicated on the consultant?s invoices. However, since the outsourced consultant functions similarly to an employee, costs allocated to Head Start should be supported by detailed time reports. During a financial review performed by the grantor it was also determined that Greater Phoenix Urban League did not have proper procurement documentation relating to the sole source procurement of the outsourced CFO. Cause and Effect: Greater Phoenix Urban League determined subsequent to fiscal year end that the costs should not have been charged to the Head Start program and reimbursed the grantor $46,107 in March 2023. Auditors? Recommendations: Administrative costs charged directly to the program should be specifically allowed by the grantor and supported by detailed time reports before allocating costs to the federal program.

Corrective Action Plan

Responsible Individual: William Bridgeman, George Dean Corrective Action Plan: Greater Phoenix Urban League didn?t agree with the recommendation reference in the monitoring report produced by the grantee?s monitoring contractor ?The Pun Group? The entire $69,980 of consultant cost was supported by invoices detailing the hours/cost charged to Head Start ($46.107) and Central Office ($23,873) by billing cycle. Each invoice was reviewed and approved by the President/CEO prior to payment. The invoices submitted were based upon ?actual? time and effort? and not on an ?allocation methodology. A check in the amount of $46,107 was submitted to the City of Phoenix reimbursing the grantee to resolve the issue. Anticipated Completion Date: February 23, 2023

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 51054 2022-101
    Significant Deficiency
  • 51056 2022-103
    Significant Deficiency
  • 627496 2022-101
    Significant Deficiency
  • 627497 2022-102
    Significant Deficiency
  • 627498 2022-103
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.600 Head Start $6.79M
10.551 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $102,105
93.185 Immunization Research, Demonstration, Public Information and Education_training and Clinical Skills Improvement Projects $41,000
14.169 Housing Counseling Assistance Program $32,000
84.371 Striving Readers $31,955
90.U19 Housing Stability Counseling Program $18,564
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $18,130
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $9,100
59.077 Community Navigator Pilot Program $2,500