Finding 5537 (2023-002)

Finding: 2023-002 Program Affected: COVID-19 Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) (AL Number 84.425E) Finding Type: Significant deficiency on internal control Criteria: The HEERF I, II, and III funding came with various requirements instituted by the CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP and then further defined by the US Department of Education (ED). The ED exercised its reporting authority under 2 CFR section 200.328 and 2 CFR section 200.329 to define three reporting requirements for the HEERF program funds, which include 1) public reporting on the (a)(1) Student Aid Portion; 2) public reporting on the (a)(1) Institutional Portion (a)(2) and (a)(3) subprograms (Quarterly Reporting Form), as applicable; and 3) the annual report. These reporting requirements stipulate specific guidelines regarding when, how, and what information is to be reported on quarterly and the annual reports. Condition: Per review of the University’s annual report, we noted three instances where the amounts and information reported did not agree to the internal records. Issues noted included incorrect amounts and information posted for the Emergency Financial Aid grants, monitoring and suppressing coronavirus, and total of institutional annual expenditures. Cause: Reporting requirements posted by the Department of Education for HEERF program funds have continuously changed with the intent to be made clearer with each subsequent revision. However, it is difficult to draw conclusions on some of the reporting guidance. There were not adequate controls nor review processes in place to monitor the reporting requirements issued by the Department of Education to ensure the annual report was posted accurately. Effect: The effect or possible effect is that the University may be determined ineligible to receive future HEERF program funding. Additionally, the program does not have accurate information regarding how HEERF program funds were expended by the University. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Controls should be established to allow for a second detailed review of all reporting of HEERF program funds by an official extensively familiar with the reporting requirements published by the Department of Education and other regulators. Auditee's Response: The reports will be monitored more closely going forward. See attached corrective action plan.