Finding 522672 (2021-017)

Material Weakness
Requirement
ABH
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2025-02-11
Audit: 341985
Organization: Ottawa County (OK)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The County lacks a comprehensive system of internal controls for federal grant compliance, increasing the risk of errors and misappropriation of funds.
  • Impacted Requirements: Essential components of internal control, including Control Environment, Risk Assessment, Information and Communication, and Monitoring, have not been established.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a robust internal control system to ensure compliance with grant requirements and mitigate risks associated with federal funding.

Finding Text

PASS-THROUGH GRANTOR: Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Oklahoma Office and Management and Enterprise Services FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.019 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Coronavirus Relief Fund FEDERAL AWARD NUMBER: Oklahoma CARES PPE; 4530-DR-OK; SA-2242 FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2021 CONTROL CATEGORY: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Costs Principles; and Period of Performance QUESTIONED COSTS: $-0- Condition: Through the process of gaining an understanding of the County’s internal control structure for federal programs, it was noted that county-wide internal controls regarding Control Environment, Risk Assessment, Information and Communication, and Monitoring have not been designed. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure the County is in compliance with grant requirements. Effect of Condition: Without an adequate system of county-wide controls, there is greater risk of a breakdown in control activities which could result in unrecorded transactions, undetected errors, misappropriation of funds, and noncompliance with grant requirements. Recommendation: OSAI recommends that the County implement a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with grant requirements. Management Response: District 1 County Commissioner: Ottawa County has implemented a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the grant requirements. District 2 County Commissioner: I was not in office at this time; however, I will work to implement a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with grant requirements. District 3 County Commissioner: I did not take office until January 2023; however, District 3 will work to better understand all grant requirements to ensure compliance. County Clerk: The County Clerk’s office is continuously learning policies and procedures needed to ensure the County’s federal programs have adequate internal controls. The County Clerk’s office will work on getting written internal control policies and procedures in place. Criteria: The GAO Standards – Section 1 – Fundamental Concepts of Internal Control – OV1.01 states in part: Definition of Internal Control Internal control is a process effected by an entity’s oversight body, management, and other personnel that provides reasonable assurance that the objectives of an entity will be achieved. Additionally, GAO Standards – Section 2 – Establishing an Effective Internal Control System – OV2.04 states in part: Components, Principles, and Attributes Control Environment - The foundation for an internal control system. It provides the discipline and structure to help an entity achieve its objectives. Risk Assessment - Assesses the risks facing the entity as it seeks to achieve its objectives. This assessment provides the basis for developing appropriate risk responses. Information and Communication - The quality information management and personnel communicate and use to support the internal control system. Monitoring - Activities management establishes and operates to assess the quality of performance over time and promptly resolve the findings of audits and other reviews.

Corrective Action Plan

The county will work to design and implement a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with all applicable grant requirements.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Subrecipient Monitoring Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Period of Performance

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 522673 2021-018
    Material Weakness
  • 522674 2021-016
    Material Weakness
  • 1099114 2021-017
    Material Weakness
  • 1099115 2021-018
    Material Weakness
  • 1099116 2021-016
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $919,176
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $29,639
16.034 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program $23,452