Finding 520323 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2025-01-27
Audit: 340036
Organization: Msad #27 (ME)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District lacks effective processes for documenting approval of disbursements, risking unallowable costs.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.303 is not being met due to insufficient internal controls.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal control procedures to ensure compliance and proper documentation of all disbursements.

Finding Text

2023-001 - ALLOWABLE COSTS AND ACTIVITIES Federal Program Information: Department of Education: Passed through the State of Maine Department of Education: ALN - 84.425 - Education Stabilization Fund Criteria: The following CFR applies to this finding: 2 CFR 200.303 Condition: During audit procedures, it was identified that the District’s process to document approval over disbursements is not working effectively. Cause: The District does not have the necessary internal controls over compliance. Effect: Insufficient controls could allow for unallowable costs to be charged. Identification Of Questioned Costs: None Identified Context: There were 79 cash disbursements and 37 were tested and it was found that 19 of the disbursements tested did not have the Purchase Orders and 7 did not have approved invoices. The same 19 disbursements that did not have Purchase Orders did not have account codes written on the receipts to help ensure properly charged to the correct accounts. This is not a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: It is recommended that the District implements internal control processes and procedures to ensure that they are following the criteria above. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: Please see the Corrective Action Plan issued by Maine School Administrative District No. 27.

Corrective Action Plan

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN (Concerning Audit Finding 2023-001) Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Lucie Tabor, Director of Finance SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES, 2023-001 Allowable Costs and Activities: There is an audit recommendation that the District implement internal control processes and procedures to ensure that each purchase has a purchase order and an approved invoice at the time of payment, clearly indicating pre-approva1 for the purchase and coding to ensure it is charged to the correct accounts. Corrective Action: The District already has a requisition/purchase order system in place and will expand it to ensure purchases are pre-approved and that invoices are approved and that the purchase is coded to the appropriate fund. Anticipated Completion Date: This corrective action has already been implemented during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, once identified by our auditors while they were performing our 2022-2023 audit.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 520324 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 520325 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 520326 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1096765 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1096766 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1096767 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1096768 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $322,946
84.358 Rural Education $53,020
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $30,223
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $26,247
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $4,878
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $234