Finding 522658 (2022-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
BC
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2025-02-10
Audit: 341925
Organization: United Progress, Inc. (NJ)
Auditor: Bederson LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Missing documentation for expenditures related to the CSBG and COVID-19 CARES Act grants, totaling $126,955.
  • Impacted Requirements: All expenditures must have proper invoices or receipts to comply with federal guidelines.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement formal procedures for maintaining and reviewing expenditure documentation to strengthen internal controls.

Finding Text

FINDING NO. 2022-03 – Maintenance of Expenditures Supporting Documentation Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Major Programs Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistance Listing Number: 93.569 Pass-Through Agency: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Program Titles: Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) – COVID 19 CARES Act CSBG ND 2020 Pass-Through Number(s): 2022-05235-0198-03, 2020-05205- 0330-01 Criteria: Expenditures of any nature should be supported by invoices or receipts that pertain to each grant. Statement of Condition: During our testing of expenditures associated with both the CSBG and CSBG COVID-19 CARES Act grants it was noted that there was no support for various expenditures submitted for reimbursement, see questioned costs for the specific grant and amounts. Cause: Lack of internal controls lead to the incorrect information being submitted. Effect: This might result in the cognizant agency disallowing the expenses with no supporting documentation and asking for a return of disallowed funds. Questioned Costs: $126,955, the details are as follows: • COVID19 CARES Act FSR#8/9 (Missing support for $40,000) • 2022 CSBG FSR#3/9 (Missing support due to duplication of expenditures submitted for reimbursements of $86,955) Repeat Finding: 2021-002 Recommendation: The Organization should adopt formal written procedures for expenditures. These procedures should require that all invoices, receipts, and payroll registers be kept and maintained for audit trail and reviewed and approved by an appropriate level of management. Views of Responsible Officials: The Organization concurs with the finding and is in the process of improving the Organization's internal controls including monthly closing procedures, record retention procedures and oversight to prevent the submission of incorrect information in the future. The 2022 CSBG was extended to July 29, 2023 and expenditures were submitted to support the $86,955 prior to that date.

Corrective Action Plan

Audit Finding 2022-003: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Major Programs. It is understood that there was no support for various expenditures submitted for reimbursement. Expenditures submitted for reimbursement were missing support due to duplication within the 2022 CSBG grant in the amount of $86,955. The 2022 CSBG was extended to July 29, 2023 and expenditures were submitted to support the $86,955 prior to that date. There was also missing support for the COVID 19 CARES Act grant in the amount of $40,000. UPI is working with the DCA to remediate the issue. As noted in finding 2022- 001, the bookkeeper does not have the technical ability to track the application of expenditures to grants and reconcile the FSR’s to the general ledger. To improve controls and avoid recurrence, the organization has hired an outside consultant to serve as controller. In addition, UPI has updated their record retention policy. Beginning in October 2024, the consultant will adjust and reconcile the accrual basis general ledger monthly and review the application of expenditures among grants.

Categories

Questioned Costs Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Cash Management Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 522659 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1099100 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1099101 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.569 Community Services Block Grant $1.09M