Finding 556169 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-04-29
Audit: 354849
Organization: Manistee County (MI)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Manistee County lacks effective internal controls over payroll expenses for Child Support Services, leading to unallowable costs.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR § 200.303 and § 200.430 regarding internal controls and payroll documentation.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen internal controls over payroll expenditures to ensure compliance and proper allocation of federal funds.

Finding Text

2024-001 – Child Support Services - Unallowable Costs Finding Type: Significant deficiency in internal controls and immaterial noncompliance Criteria: Per 2 CFR § 200.303 (Internal Controls), non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal controls over federal awards that provide reasonable assurance of compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, 2 CFR § 200.430 (Compensation—Personal Services) requires that payroll costs charged to federal awards must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed and be supported by adequate documentation. Condition/Finding: During our audit of Manistee County’s Child Support Services federal grant expenditures, it was determined that the County lacked effectively operating controls to ensure that salary and wage expenses charged to the Child Support Services program were allowable and properly allocated. Cause: The County’s internal controls were not adequately designed or implemented to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements. Effect: As a result, the County received an overpayment of federal funds of $5,528.41 during FY 2024. Recommendation: We recommend that the County take actions to strengthen internal controls over payroll expenditures related to federal grants to ensure compliance with federal cost principles and proper expense allocation. View of Responsible Officials (Corrective Action): See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

March 21, 2025 CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN Pursuant to federal regulations under Uniform Administrative Requirements (2 CFR § 200.511), the following finding was noted in Manistee County’s Single Audit report for the year ended September 30, 2025, along with the corresponding corrective actions to be implemented. Finding: 2024-001 – Child Support Services - Unallowable Costs Auditor Description of Condition and Effect: During the audit of Manistee County’s Child Support Services federal grant expenditures, it was determined that the County lacked effectively operating controls to ensure that salary and wage expenses charged to the Child Support Services program were allowable and properly allocated. As a result, the County received an overpayment of federal funds of $5,528.41 during FY 2024. Auditor Recommendation: It is recommended that the County take actions to strengthen internal controls over payroll expenditures related to federal grants to ensure compliance with federal cost principles and proper expense allocation. Corrective Action: We agree with the finding and will strengthen internal controls over payroll expenditures related to federal grants. We will implement written policies and procedures, provide staff training on federal cost principles, and establish a review process to ensure salary and wage expenses are properly documented and allocated. Additionally, we will work with the grantor agency to resolve the $5,528.41 overpayment. Responsible Person: Susan Zielinski, Finance Director Anticipated Completion Date: September 30, 2025

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 556170 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1132611 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1132612 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.563 Child Support Services $449,758
97.056 Port Security Grant Program $273,599
15.226 Payments in Lieu of Taxes $158,514
21.032 Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund $102,583
10.665 Schools and Roads - Grants to States $69,386
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $7,639
10.704 Law Enforcement Agreements $7,549
16.607 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program $3,803