Finding Text
Federal Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Federal Program Name: Disaster Grant Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters)
Assistance Listing Number: 97.036
Grant Award Number: 4337DR-FL-2024
Award Period: Various
Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance
Criteria: Compliance: 2 CFR 200.302(b)(3) states that records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities. These records must contain information pertaining to Federal awards, authorizations, financial obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income and interest and be supported by source documentation.
Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the” Internal Control Integrated Framework,” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of
the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Condition: It was observed that quarterly progress reports lacked documentation of review and approval by management prior to submission to the granting agency.
Questioned Costs: None.
Context: All quarterly progress reports selected for testing lacked documented review and approval.
Cause: The City has not established formal policies and procedures for the review and approval process.
Effect: The lack of a proper review and approval process for grant quarterly progress report submissions can result in the submission of inaccurate and incomplete reimbursement requests and reports, which may lead to non-compliance with grant requirements and potential financial penalties.
Repeat Finding: No
Recommendation: We recommend that the organization implement a review and approval process for all quarterly progress report submissions. This should include:
- Training staff on the importance of the review and approval process.
- Ensuring adequate staffing levels to handle the review process.
- Developing clear guidelines and procedures for the review and approval process.
- Regularly monitoring and auditing the review process to ensure compliance.
View of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Actions: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. See Corrective Action Plan