Finding Text
Compliance Requirement: 2 CFR 200.303 Internal Controls
Name of Federal Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service
Pass-through Agency: State of Louisiana/Volunteer Louisiana
Questioned Costs: None.
Condition: During our audit, we obtained an understanding and tested LDSC’s internal control for purposes of planning and performing our audit procedures. In obtaining our understanding and testing LDSC’s internal controls, we determined there were inadequate segregation of duties involving certain aspects of the financial reporting cycle.
Criteria: As noted in 2 CFR 200.303 “The non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).”
Cause: Due to the size of LDSC’s administrative staff, certain duties are performed by the same individual, as follows:
• Initiate and approve vendor invoices for payment,
• Write checks or initiating electronic disbursements,
• Review and approve payroll, including the approver’s payroll
• Initiate and approve reimbursements to themselves as the agency head,
• Access to check stock, check signing authority, and approval authorization.
The following responsibilities over cash receipts are performed by the same individual:
• Receive and open mail,
• Prepare bank deposits and deposit monies received,
• Invoices customers for services provided (host sites).
Effect: There is not adequate segregation of duties.
Recommendation: We recommend LDSC to continue its practice of involving members of the board and its contract accountant to be involved in the financial reporting process to the extent practical to mitigate the risks related to limited segregation of duties.
Views of Responsible Officials: See views of responsible officials on page 27.