Finding 529348 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-21
Audit: 347358
Organization: Alvin Community College (TX)
Auditor: Crowe LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College lacks proper review procedures for Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculations, risking compliance and accuracy.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 668.22 mandates independent review of R2T4 calculations to ensure accuracy.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures for segregation of duties, designate a separate reviewer, and maintain thorough documentation of the review process.

Finding Text

Federal Program: Title IV - Student Financial Assistance Program Cluster (AL No. 84.063 and 84.268) Compliance Requirement: Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) as per 34 CFR 668.22 Criteria: The College is required to ensure that R2T4 calculations are reviewed by someone other than the person performing the original calculations to ensure accuracy and compliance. Condition: During our review of the College's adherence to R2T4 requirements, we identified a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance. Specifically, there was a lack of documented evidence showing that the R2T4 calculations were reviewed by an individual other than the one who performed the original calculations. Cause: The College did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure segregation of duties in the R2T4 review process, leading to insufficient documentation of independent reviews. Effect: The lack of segregation of duties and proper documentation could result in incorrect R2T4 calculations, non-compliance with federal regulations, and potential financial impact on the College and its students. Questioned Costs: None identified. Recommendation: The college should implement procedures that ensure segregation of duties in R2T4 calculations, designate a separate individual to review and verify the accuracy of the calculations, and maintain comprehensive documentation to provide evidence of the review process, including the reviewer's signature, date of review, and any findings or corrections made. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: See Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan

The College acknowledges the audit finding regarding the lack of documented independent review of Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculations and is committed to addressing this issue. To ensure compliance, the College Financial Aid Director will review the R2T4 calculations completed by the College Financial Aid Advisor each month and will implement a standardized email response to confirm that the R2T4 calculations for the month were reviewed. This email response will be archived as evidence of management review. These corrective actions will be implemented in January 2025 , with the College Chief Financial Officer supervising the monthly review of the R2T4 calculations to ensure they are performed.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Student Financial Aid Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 529349 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1105790 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1105791 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $5.85M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $896,390
84.047 Trio Upward Bound $358,188
17.207 Employment Service/wagner-Peyser Funded Activities $238,781
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $162,474
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $127,100
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $11,728