Finding 524390 (2024-002)

Significant Deficiency

Requirement

Questioned Costs

Year

2024

Accepted

2025-02-24

Audit: 343627

Organization: Kansas Health Science Center, Inc. (IL)

Auditor: Rsm US LLP

AI Summary

Core Issue: KHSU failed to properly document the approval of one employee's personnel activity report, which is essential for compliance with federal guidelines.
Impacted Requirements: This finding relates to Uniform Grant Guidance on accurate salary charges and maintaining internal controls for federal awards.
Recommended Follow-Up: KHSU should enhance internal controls to ensure all personnel activity reports are consistently reviewed and approved to prevent future oversights.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-002: Improper Controls over Personnel Expenses Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Program Name: COVID-19: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Award Year: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Program Expenditures: $1,119,206 Questioned Costs: None Criteria: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.430(g)(1)(i)) states charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must be supported by a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires nonfederal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure personnel activity reports are approved. Condition: A KHSU supervisor did not properly document approval for one employee’s personnel activity reports. Cause: KHSU officials stated that this issue was an isolated incident resulting from an unintentional oversight at multiple levels of approval. While established procedures generally ensure proper documentation of personnel activity reports, in this case, the required documentation was inadvertently missed during the review and approval process. Effect: If employee’s personnel activity reports are not properly reviewed and approved, KHSU could submit unallowable costs for the program. Questioned Costs: None Context: Of the 8 employee personnel activity reports sampled, one report did not contain the proper approval by a KHSU supervisor. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend KHSU strengthen internal controls around the approval of personnel activity reports to confirm that a reasonable person can confirm the control occurred. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Please see corrective action plan attached.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan – Kansas Health Science University Identifying Number: 2024-002 Finding: Improper Controls Over Personnel Expenses Applicable Regulation: Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.430(g)(1)(i)) states charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must be supported by a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated. Finding: A KHSU supervisor did not properly document approval for one employee’s personnel activity reports. Corrective Action Taken or Planned: Upon being notified by the auditors of this specific issue, the organization took immediate steps to address the finding. The missing documentation for the personnel activity report was located and the supervisor provided retroactive written approval. The updated Personnel Activity Report was submitted to KDADS. This corrective action resolved the specific instance during the audit. In addition, the following will be implemented: 1. Development and Implementation of a Standard Operating Plan • A SOP for reviewing and documenting approvals of personnel activity reports (PARs) will be developed. • The procedure will include detailed steps for supervisors to review, approve, and retain documentation of PARs. 2. Training for Supervisors • All supervisors responsible for approving PARs will have one-on-one training on the new SOP by the Chief Financial Officer, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation to comply with internal controls and audit standards. • Training sessions will be scheduled. 3. Implementation of Monitoring Controls • A secondary review process will be introduced to ensure compliance with the new procedures, including review by the Principal Investigator. • The Grants Management Office or an equivalent oversight body will conduct periodic audits of PAR documentation to verify proper approvals. Contact Person: Matt Ankenbrandt, Chief Financial Officer mankenbrandt@kansashsc.org Anticipated Completion Date: 2/15/25

Other Findings in this Audit

524389 2024-001

Significant Deficiency
524391 2024-003

Significant Deficiency
1100831 2024-001

Significant Deficiency
1100832 2024-002

Significant Deficiency
1100833 2024-003

Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN	Program Name	Expenditures
84.268	Federal Direct Student Loans	$14.34M
21.027	Covid-19: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds	$1.12M
93.493	Congressional Directives	$369,836