Finding 538996 (2024-008)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-28
Audit: 349710
Organization: Circle of Nations School INC (ND)
Auditor: Eide Bailly LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Weak internal controls are leading to payroll expenditures not aligning with employment letters.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal grant regulations under 2 CFR 200.430(i) is at risk due to inadequate procedures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review and strengthen internal control procedures to ensure proper identification of unallowable costs.

Finding Text

Department of Interior Federal Financial Assistance Listing 15.042 Indian School Equalization Allowable Costs/Activities Allowed or Unallowed Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance and Immaterial Instance of Noncompliance Criteria – A good system of internal control includes an adequate system for ensuring all expenditures are properly recorded and allowable under the related federal grant in accordance with 2 CFR 200.430(i). Condition – In our testing of allowable costs and activities we noted several instances where payroll expenditures were not paid in accordance with the employment letter. Cause – Procedures are not in place to adequately identify unallowable costs or activities. Effect – A lack of internal controls over allowable costs and activities could result in improper use of federal funds and non-compliance with the provisions of applicable grant requirements. Questioned Costs – None reported Context/Sampling – A nonstatistical sample of 60 transactions out of 10,014 total transactions were selected for testing, which accounted for $61,549 of $2,139,500 of federal program expenditures. Repeat Finding from Prior Years – Yes, 2023-008 Recommendation – The School should review internal control procedures to ensure federal expenditures are being properly reviewed for unallowable costs and activities. Views of Responsible Officials – There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

2024-008 A/8. Allowable Costs and Cost Principles/ Activities Allowed or Unallowed Indian School Equalization FFAL #15.042 Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance and Immaterial Instance of Noncompliance Finding Summary:During the course of the engagement, Eide Bailly identified several expenditures where payroll was not paid in accordance with employment letter. Responsible Individuals:Trevor Gourneau, Superintendent Corrective Action Plan:The School will review internal controls surrounding allowable costs and activities to ensure they are adequate to identify unallowable expenditures. Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2025

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 538997 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1115438 2024-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1115439 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
15.042 Indian School Equalization $2.14M
15.047 Indian Education Facilities, Operations, and Maintenance $1.28M
15.046 Administrative Cost Grants for Indian Schools $781,712
84.027 Special Education Grants to States $415,629
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $337,784
15.044 Indian Schools Student Transportation $291,537
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $239,840
15.062 Replacement and Repair of Indian Schools $66,362
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $63,780
84.196 Education for Homeless Children and Youth $38,953
10.553 School Breakfast Program $27,478
84.371 Comprehensive Literacy Development $26,000
84.336 Teacher Quality Partnership Grants $13,637
10.555 National School Lunch Program $6,278
10.582 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program $3,699
84.358 Rural Education $1,200
10.560 State Administrative Expenses for Child Nutrition $1,010