Finding 524187 (2024-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-02-21
Audit: 343360
Auditor: Wipfli LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The SEFA contained significant errors that were corrected during the audit.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Section 200.510(b)) for accurate identification and reporting of federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a timely review process for the SEFA to ensure accurate reporting of federal expenditures.

Finding Text

2024-002: Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Preparation Questioned Costs: None How the questioned costs were computed: N/A Grant Funding Source Grant Period Maternal, Infant, and U.S. Department of Health Oregon Health 10/01/2022-09/30/23 Early Childhood Home and Human Services Care Authority 10/01/2023-09/30/24 Visiting Program Condition: The SEFA provided for the audit contained significant errors that were identified and corrected during the audit. Criteria: In accordance with the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Section 200.510(b)), the auditee should identify all federal awards received and prepare a SEFA for the period under audit. The information contained in the SEFA shall be derived from, and relate directly to, the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements. Cause: Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. had a third-party prepare the SEFA as of May 31, 2024. However, the report was not reviewed by management of Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. before it was provided for the audit. Effect: Errors in the preparation of the SEFA schedule could lead funding agencies to misinterpret the level of spending for a particular program for the period under audit. Additionally, the identification of major federal award programs chosen for specific compliance testing could be erroneous, depending on the misstatement in the total amount of federal expenditures for the year. Recommendation: Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. should perform a timely review of the SEFA to help ensure accurate reporting of federal expenditures in the SEFA report. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the assessment and subsequent to year end, steps were taken to correct the matter.

Corrective Action Plan

Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) Preparation Corrective Action Plan As part of the year-end closing process and in preparation for the audit, UMHS finance department was understaffed and to help in the interim, CLA was hired to add capacity and help with accounting functions for UMHS, including the SEFA. The auditors noted that the SEFA had been provided to them without proper review by the management of UM HS. In response, UM HS reviewed the SEFA for fiscal year 2024. Going forward, UMHS is adding more staff capacity to the finance department and recently hired two new experienced finance team members with knowledge in payroll, AP and procurement. Additionally, UMHS initiated recruitment for a permanent Director of Finance in summer 2024 and the search to hire for this position is open and ongoing. If in the future a third-party consultant or firm is secured by UMHS, the organization will prepare entries, reports, or schedules for UMHS management and will thoroughly review and approve all items to ensure accuracy prior to submission to the auditors. Timing for Implementation: Immediate and Ongoing Person(s) Responsible: Executive Director, Director of Finance, or Other Designee

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 524186 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1100628 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1100629 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.600 Head Start $6.54M
10.557 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children $651,536
93.596 Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development Fund $528,426
93.870 Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant $348,252
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $268,942
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $-2,201