Finding 515149 (2023-005)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Agency misreported expenses for the basic foster care program, including unrelated management costs and expenses from other programs.
  • Impacted Requirements: Payroll costs were not allocated correctly, and documentation for calculations was insufficient, leading to potential non-compliance with federal salary limits.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review and correct expense reporting practices, ensure proper documentation for payroll allocations, and align executive salaries with grant requirements.

Finding Text

The Agency reported entity-wide expenses for their basic foster care program and payroll costs were not allocated or reported appropriately. In reconciling total program expenses reported on the Agency's FC 32 reports submitted during 2023, the auditor identified that program expenses for the basic foster care program were overstated as it included management and general expenses, as well as program expenses from the Agency's other foster care programs. The Agency's allocation of payroll costs on the ISFC and EISFC FC 32 reports could not be reperformed as the calculation and methodology were not sufficiently documented. As a result, the auditor noted that executive salaries were not limited to annual federal executive level 2 salary required in the terms and conditions of the foster care grant award.

Corrective Action Plan

1. Elimination of Federal Allocation for Executive Salaries in 2023: Starting in 2023, KFA ensured that no executive salaries were charged to the federal funding portion of the foster care program, eliminating any potential misallocation. 2. Development of Cost Allocation Methodology: KFA has initiated the development of a consistent methodology for allocating direct and indirect costs. This includes A) Utilizing time certifications for staff whose work spans multiple foster care subprograms (e.g., ISFC, EISFC). B) Documenting allocation methods to ensure transparency and auditability. 3. Reconciliation Processes: Processes have been implemented to reconcile FC32 reports with functional expense statements and financial records to ensure consistency and accuracy. 4. Enhanced Training: Staff involved in financial reporting and cost allocation have received training on compliance with federal and state requirements, including proper preparation of FC32 reports. 5. System Enhancements: KFA is upgrading its financial management systems to facilitate accurate tracking of program-specific expenses and allocating costs to the appropriate funding sources.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 515148 2023-004
    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