Finding 542001 (2024-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-31
Audit: 350830
Organization: Nami Chicago (IL)
Auditor: Aprio LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Insufficient documentation for expense approvals was found in 10 out of 18 tested items, violating federal compliance requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Organization failed to meet the internal control standards set by 2 CFR 200.303, which mandates proper documentation for federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Monitor the implementation of the new expense management system and ensure all fiscal staff are trained on the new documentation requirements.

Finding Text

Finding Number: 2024-002 Disbursement Documentation - Significant Deficiency; Repeat Finding: No; Questioned Costs: None; Funding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Treasury AL Number: 93.243, 21.027 Award Year: 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2024, 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2024 Condition: A sample of expenses were selected to test internal control over compliance and compliance with allowable costs/cost principles. Out of the items selected for testing, we noted insufficient documentation to support approval on 10 out of the 18 expenses selected for testing. Criteria: The Organization is required to follow the Uniform Guidance requirement 2 CFR 200.303, which requires the Organization to establish, document and maintain effective internal controls over federal awards. The Organization verbally approved these expenses but lacked the documentation to support the approval. Cause: The Organization’s fiscal policies and procedures did not require written approval, leading to reliance on verbal approvals which were not documented. Effect: The failure to document approvals for expenses could lead to unallowable costs to be disbursed on grant awards. Effect: The failure to document approvals for expenses could lead to unallowable costs to be disbursed on grant awards. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and has committed to implementing a corrective action plan. Management has hired new fiscal staff and implemented a new expense management system that requires invoice approvals for all purchases.

Corrective Action Plan

Fiscal Policies and Procedure Alignment with Uniform Guidance Management at NAMI Chicago agrees with this finding and has already taken steps to address this recommendation through the following: • The implementation of expense management platform, Ramp to track and electronically maintain a system of authorization and approval for all expenses. This system was piloted from September 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 and implemented as of January 1, 2025. • The hiring of new fiscal staff with expertise in nonprofit financial management and standards, completed by June 30, 2024. • Updates to our fiscal policies and procedures to ensure alignment with Uniform Guidance requirements completed on December 1, 2024.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 542002 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1118443 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1118444 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance $1.17M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $379,558
16.745 Criminal and Juvenile Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program $266,382
93.696 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants $50,000