Finding 515148 (2023-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
Activities Allowed/Unallowed
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-12-17
Audit: 333188
Organization: Knotts Family Agency (CA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Agency lacks a proper accounting system to track grants and related expenses.
  • Impacted Requirements: This affects compliance with federal regulations on allowable costs and timely reporting of expenditures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a comprehensive accounting system to accurately track and report grant expenditures.

Finding Text

The Agency has not designed and implemented an accounting system that tracks grants, grant budgets and grant cost center-level of accounting, including allocation of indirect administrative program expenses. In testing the Agency compliance with allowable costs and activities allowed, the Agency could not identify specific federal grant expenditures related to the grant awards for either direct or indirect program expenses. As a result, the Agency could not provide a schedule of expenditures of federal awards timely and on an accrual basis.

Corrective Action Plan

1. Engaging CDSS for Clarification: KFA will formally engage the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to clarify the applicability of federal guidelines for fee-for-service foster care providers. This includes obtaining specific guidance on financial reporting structure and reconciliation requirements. 2. Enhancing Financial Management Systems: KFA is implementing a financial management system capable of tracking costs by funding source, program, and passthrough entity. This system will facilitate accurate allocation of both direct and indirect costs and ensure compliance with federal guidelines. 3. Developing Comprehensive Cost Allocation Methodology: A consistent and documented cost allocation methodology is being developed, which includes time certifications for staff whose work spans multiple programs. This methodology will be reviewed annually to ensure continued compliance with applicable regulations. 4. Strengthening FC32 Reporting: Processes are being established to reconcile FC32 reports with functional expense statements. Allocations for executive salaries to the federal program will adhere to the federal executive level 2 salary limitation as required. 5. Training and Documentation: Financial and administrative staff are receiving training on cost allocation principles, federal salary limitations, and FC32 reporting requirements. Comprehensive documentation of all methodologies and calculations will be maintained for transparency and audit readiness. 6. Monthly Reconciliations: A monthly reconciliation process is being implemented to ensure expenditures and revenues align with the terms and conditions of the foster care program.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 515149 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1091590 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1091591 2023-005
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.658 Foster Care Title IV-E $247,036
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $160,446
93.659 Adoption Assistance $81,776