Finding 570660 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
ABH
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-07-08
Audit: 361681
Organization: Tuerk House, Inc. (MD)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Inadequate supporting documentation for expenditures charged to grant programs, leading to questioned costs of $25,810 for ALN No. 93.959 and $72,347 for ALN No. 93.788.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 regarding activities allowed, cost principles, and documentation standards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should establish stronger internal controls and a clear methodology for cost allocation, along with a document retention policy to ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse ALN No. 93.959 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Opioid STR ALN No. 93.788 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Criteria or Specific Requirement – Activities Allowed and Unallowed and Cost Principles – 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E, and Period of Performance – 2 CFR sections 200.308, 200.309, and 200.403(h) Condition – A sample of 80 expenditures were selected from each of the following populations: • ALN No. 93.959 – 1,152 items totaling $1,077,416 • ALN No. 93.788 – 1,222 items totaling $2,537,080 The samples were not, and are not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 80 expenditures tested from each grant program, the following were determined to lack appropriate supporting documentation to support being charged to grant program: • ALN No. 93.959 - 41 items totaling $25,810, including projected errors over the total population totaling $191,145 • ALN No. 93.788 - 10 items totaling $72,347, including projected errors over the total population totaling $207,012 The Organization did not have adequate supporting documentation demonstrating actual time and effort reporting and lacked evidence of supporting invoices. Cause – The Organization charged budgeted percentages to the grant programs without a system in place to monitor and track that actual time and effort was consistent with budgeted percentages. In addition, the Organization charged expenditures to the grant programs without evidence of supporting invoices. Effect or potential effect – Costs charged to the grant programs could have varied from actual time and effort. In addition, costs charged to the grant could not be supported by actual invoices. Questioned costs – • ALN No. 93.959 - $25,810 • ALN No. 93.788 - $72,347 Context – The Organization did not have a reasonable methodology of allocating costs to these grant programs and did not maintain proper supporting invoices. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable – Repeat finding (see 2023-003) Recommendation – Management should implement policies and procedures that strengthen internal control over compliance in relation to activities allowed and cost principles. The policy and procedure should be designed to ensure that a reasonable allocation methodology is implemented and followed or that time and effort is certified by the employee on a regular basis. In addition, management should implement a document retention policy consistent with 2 CFR 200.334.

Corrective Action Plan

Tuerk House, Inc. recognizes the importance of maintaining compliance with federal grant requirements related to allowable costs and documentation standards. The Organization acknowledges the deficiencies identified in the areas of time and effort reporting and supporting documentation for expenditures charged to grant programs. To address this finding, Tuerk House is taking the following corrective actions: ·Implementing a formal time and effort certification process that requires employees to certify actual time worked on federal grant activities on a regular basis, rather than relying on budgeted allocations. ·Developing a standardized cost allocation methodology that aligns with actual grant activity and is supported by verifiable documentation. ·Requiring that all expenditures charged to federal awards be supported by complete and accurate source documentation, including vendor invoices, timesheets, and approvals. ·Establishing a document retention policy consistent with 2 CFR § 200.334 to ensure all supporting records are retained for the required period and readily accessible for audit or review. Training sessions for program and finance staff will be conducted to ensure consistent understanding and application of these updated policies and procedures. Organization Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action – Joseph Koehler, Director of Finance Anticipated Completion Date – June 30, 2025

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Period of Performance Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 570661 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 570662 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 570663 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1147102 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1147103 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1147104 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1147105 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.788 Opioid Str $2.67M
93.959 Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse $1.23M
95.007 Research and Data Analysis $208,650
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $10,199