Finding 560417 (2024-006)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-05-15

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Timesheets lack consistent supervisory approval, leading to potential allocation errors.
  • Impacted Requirements: Federal guidelines require accurate records for salary charges, including documented approvals.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a system to ensure all timesheet approvals are clearly documented and dated.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-006: Timekeeping and Payroll Allocations (Significant Deficiency) Information on the Federal Program: 93.368 Criteria: According to 2 CFR Section 200.430(i) charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: i. Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated; ii. Be incorporated into the official records of the non-Federal entity; iii. Reasonably reflect the total activity for which the employee is compensated by the non-Federal entity, not exceeding 100% of compensated activities; iv. Encompass federally-assisted and all other activities compensated by the non-Federal entity on an integrated basis, but may include the use of subsidiary records as defined in the non-Federal entity’s written policy; v. Comply with the established accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity; vii. Support the distribution of the employee’s salary or wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non- Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. viii. Budget estimates (i.e., estimates determined before the services are performed) alone do not qualify as support for charges to Federal awards.” Condition: We noted that while the Foundation does keep timesheets, we noted several instances in which the timesheets lacked evidence of supervisory approval. In addition, we noted several instances in which the timesheet was not dated when approved. Cause: The Foundation does not document their review and approval process consistently over timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: Without the proper, documented, approval processes in place over timesheets, there exists the potential for allocation errors. Questioned Costs: Undetermined, as the allocations are based on employee timesheets, but it is undeterminable if those timesheets were truly accurate due to the lack of consistent, documented approval over the timesheets by a supervisor. Context: Our audit procedures consisted of testwork performed over a sample of timesheets submitted during the year under audit. We consider our sample to be representative of the population. The issue appears to be systematic in nature. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the Foundation ensure that all approvals over timesheets are clearly documented and dated.

Corrective Action Plan

Views of Responsible Officials: Timesheets are now being submitted with every payroll to the proper supervisor for review and signatures.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 560415 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 560416 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 560418 2024-007
    Material Weakness
  • 1136857 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1136858 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1136859 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1136860 2024-007
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.368 21st Century Cures Act - Precision Medicine Initiative $1.26M